Washington University School of Medicine Oral Histories
Robert C. Drews, Miles C. Whitener, and August W. Geise Oral History
Interviewer
Paul G. Anderson, PhD
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Summary
Robert C. Drews, Miles C. Whitener, and August W. Geise were interviewed by Paul G. Anderson on May 8, 1980 for approximately 63 minutes.
Scope and Content
Drews, Whitener and Geise reflect back on their experiences as students at the Washington University School of Medicine in the 1950s and the value of rotating rather than specialized internships. The three physicians discuss some of the memorable faculty members, such as Mildred Trotter, Carl Moyer, Oliver Lowry, and Carl Moore. They also discuss technological and pharmacological changes over the years that have affected the practice of medicine.
Biographical Information: Interviewee
Robert C. Drews was an ophthalmologist, photographer, inventor of numerous medical instruments for the eye, and former member of the Washington University Board of Trustees. He had a nearly lifelong connection to Washington University, graduating from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1951 and the School of Medicine in 1955. The long association between Drews and the university included his residency in ophthalmology from 1956 to 1959, during which he served as chief resident in 1958-59. After residency, he had a two-year stint in the Navy, serving at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, before returning to St. Louis to go into private practice and teach in the Department of Ophthalmology at Washington University School of Medicine. Drews was a member of Washington University's Board of Trustees from 1988 to 1992. He also chaired the university's Alumni Board of Governors, the Medical Alumni Annual Fund and other giving programs. Additionally, he served on the National Council for the School of Medicine, Planned Giving Committee, School of Medicine Scholarship Initiative and the Eliot Society. He authored more than 500 journal articles, book chapters and books, and he served as editor or as an editorial board member of several leading ophthalmology journals. He was also an accomplished photographer whose ophthalmologic slides and videotaped surgical procedures are regarded as valuable teaching and research resources.
Miles Clark Whitener graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy as a doctor on a landing ship, tank (LST) in the Pacific. He practiced internal medicine in Overland, MO for over 25 years, then served as Vice President of Medical Affairs of Missouri Baptist Hospital until his retirement.
August W. Geise (1930-1997), neurosurgeon, received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in 1956.
Biographical Information: Interviewer
Paul G. Anderson, PhD served as an archivist at the Washington University School of Medicine library from 1982-2008. He earned a PhD (American History) from Wayne State University in 1977.
Interview Date
1980-05-08
Collection Identifier
OH043
Length
Approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes.
Restrictions
Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Recommended Citation
Robert C. Drews, Miles C. Whitener, and August W. Geise Oral History, OH043, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Disclaimer
The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.
