LeMaistre, Charles A.

Dr. Charles Aubrey (Mickey) LeMaistre studied at the University of Alabama and earned his M.D. at Cornell University, 1947. At the time, his interest encompassed Tuberculosis and infectious diseases. Dr. LeMaistre began his medical career split between teaching and in the U. S. Public Health Service, Epidemic Intelligence Service. While in the service he met his wife Joyce Trapp LeMaistre. They have four children. The basic values of family and faith have been important and influential aspect of Dr. LeMaistre’s personal life and professional administrative career.

Dr. LeMaistre’s highlighted accomplishments throughout his career include his work in creating and expanding health units at numerous universities across the state of Texas. In 1964, Dr. LeMaistre was the youngest member of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health that published a report on tobacco as the major cause of lung cancer. He is known as a world leading authority on the topic.

Dr. LeMaistre taught at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia and at the Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. Dr. LeMaistre became vice Chancellor of health affairs of the University of Texas System, based in Austin in 1966. He was Chancellor-elect from 1971-1978. One of his last accomplishments as Chancellor was acquiring a copy of the Gutenberg Bible for the Harry Ransom Center.

After twelve years in Austin, Dr. LeMaistre became the second president of M. D. Anderson in 1978. His leadership and administrative skills are well recognized for aiding in the increase in the size and scope of the institution as well as building and maintaining the reputation of M. D. Anderson as a leading institution in cancer research and treatment. Dr. LeMaistre has received many awards and recognition for his work over the years. He retired from M. D. Anderson August 1996.

From the guide to the Charles A. LeMaistre Oral History Interview 1, Lemaistre_Charles_20040506., May 6, 2004, (Historical Resources Center, Research Medical Library, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center)