Guze, Samuel B., 1923-

Psychiatrist (1923-2000). Guze graduated from the Washington University School of Medicine in 1945. He joined the faculty of the Washington University School of Medicine in 1951, serving as: instructor of Medicine (1951-1953), assistant professor of Medicine (1953-1955), assistant professor of Psychiatry (1955-1959), assistant professor of Medicine (1955-1964), associate professor of Psychiatry (1959-1964), professor of Psychiatry and associate professor of Medicine (1964-2000), vice chancellor for Medical Affairs (1971-1989), head of the Department of Psychiatry (1975-1989, 1993-1997), president, Washington University Medical Center (1971-1989). Guze is known as one of the founding fathers of the scientific approach to psychiatry, advocating that psychiatric illness should be diagnosed just as any other physical illness. He was also a leader in the study of the genetics of psychiatric disorders.

From the description of Oral history interview with Samuel B. Guze, 1994. 1994. (Washington University in St. Louis). WorldCat record id: 62384989

Samuel B. Guze was born in New York City in 1923. He completed his undergraduate coursework at the City College of New York, and later attended Washington University School of Medicine, receiving his medical degree in 1945. Dr. Guze began his career at Washington University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine in 1953. In 1955, he also became an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry. Guze is best remembered as one of the founding fathers of the scientific approach to psychiatry. In the 1950s, he propagated the view that psychiatric illness should be diagnosed just as any other physical illness through the use of a scientific model and a biological approach.

Guze's work also spawned great interest in the genetics of psychiatric disorders. He was among the first psychiatrists to use the study of twins as a way to investigate the role of heredity in mental illness. He and his colleagues produced key findings about genetic vulnerability to alcoholism and to other conditions such as schizophrenia and affective disorders. His research brought widespread recognition of the important role epidemiologic studies should play in psychiatric research. His views found general acceptance in 1980, when he helped to compile the American Psychiatric Association's standard DSM-III, the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Guze is also recognized for the leadership abilities he demonstrated while holding several important administrative positions at Washington University. He served as the Assistant to the Dean from 1965 to 1971. He was appointed Vice Chancellor and President of the Washington University Medical Center in 1971, a position he held until 1989. Guze presided over the school during a time of rapid expansion and changes in medical care and research. Additionally, he was head of the Department of Psychiatry from 1975 to 1989, and again from 1993 to 1997. In all, he served on the faculty for almost 50 years.

From the description of Samuel B. Guze Papers, 1946-2000 1946-2000 (Washington University in St. Louis). WorldCat record id: 426045985