Ravdin, Isidore S. (Isidore Schwaner), 1894-

Surgeon.

Isidor Schwaner Ravdin was born in Evansville, Indiana in October 10, 1894. He remained in Indiana to receive his high school and college education, earning his Bachelors of Science from Indiana University in 1916. He attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, receiving his medical degree in 1918, becoming the fourth generation of Ravdin family physicians.

At the University of Pennsylvania Ravdin initially served as a surgical chief resident, and in turn, as an Instructor and an Associate in Surgery. He was appointed to the new chair in surgical research in 1928. He held the position of George L. Harrison Professor of Surgery from 1935 to 1944 and in 1945 he was appointed the Surgeon in Chief at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and the John Rhea Barton Professor of Surgery.

His research interest were varied. His early interests included the systematic study of the gall bladder and resulted in fifteen publications. During the 1930's he devoted his time to the study of liver and the problems of hypoproteinemia in the surgical patient. Immediately before the World War II he initiated studies on shock and the use of blood substitutes to treat war casualties. After the war his research focused on cancer.

In addition to his research, clinical and teaching duties, Ravdin served the University as the Vice President in charge of Medical Affairs. While devoted professionally to the University, he served actively in the United States Army for forty years. In May of 1942 Ravdin was called to active service as the Executive Officer and Chief of the Surgical Service of the 20th General Hospital (located in the China-Burma-India theatre). He held a variety of military positions until 1956. He served as a professional medical consultant to a number of private and governmental agencies, participated actively in professional organizations, and worked for a variety of civic and charitable concerns. His career culminated in the dedication of the Ravdin Institute, a state-of-the-art surgical facility at the University of Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Glenn Ravdin in 1921; they had three children. I.S. Ravdin died in 1972.

Unpublished finding aid available from repository and through internet access.