Washington University School of Medicine Oral Histories
John C. Herweg Oral History
Interviewer
Candace O'Connor
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Summary
John C. Herweg was interviewed by Candace O'Connor in March 2005 for approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes.
Scope and Content
John Herweg discusses his experiences at St. Louis Children's Hospital as a medical student at Washington University in 1942-1945. He mentions his first wife, Janet Scovill, who had finished her pediatric residency at Children's before him. Janet died in 1958. He also speaks of his present wife Dottie Glahn, who was head nurse of the infant ward at St. Louis Children's Hospital from 1947-1959. He speaks about Mrs. Langenberg, Gracie Jones and other women on women on the Board of Children's hospital. He also briefly discusses interactions with Estelle Claiborne, the hospital administrator. He recalls the effects of World War II on St. Louis Children's Hospital was reduction of the number of house officers. He also discusses integration at Children's Hospital.
Biographical Information: Interviewee
John C. Herweg (1922-2018) served as the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Washington University School of Medicine from 1965 to 1990. He also served as the chairman of the committee on admissions and as an advisor to medical students. As associate dean, Herweg guided student affairs through new channels, including active recruitment of minority students, providing support for the increasing number of women seeking a career in medicine, and steady direction during student protests. Herweg earned his undergraduate degree from Drury College in Springfield, MO, and his medical degree from Washington University in 1945. He served a year-long internship at St. Louis Children's Hospital before serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1946 to 1948. Herweg returned to Children's Hospital as the chief resident after his military service. In 1951, he joined the faculty at the School of Medicine as an instructor in pediatrics. Herweg was promoted to assistant professor in 1953. From 1960 to 1962, he was a U.S. Public Health Post-Doctoral Fellow and assistant professor of microbiology at University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Upon his return to St. Louis in 1962, Herweg became the director of the Clinical Research Unit at St. Louis Children's Hospital until 1970. During that period, he was promoted to associate professor of pediatrics in 1963 and later full professor in 1972. Throughout his career, Herweg was active in the medical community. He served as chairman of the Central Region's Group on Student Affairs (GSA) of the Association of American Medical Colleges, vice-chairman of the National GSA, and chairman of the committee on admissions for the "13 Medical School Consortium." In the local medical organizations, Herweg served as the secretary-treasurer of the St. Louis Pediatric Society, and president of the St. Louis Children's Hospital Staff Society.
Biographical Information: Interviewer
Candace O'Connor is freelance writer and editor based in St. Louis who specializes in historical and medical writing. She is the author of 13 books on Midwest history. She is a frequent contributor to Washington University newsletters and campus publications.
Interview Date
2005-3
Collection Identifier
OH079
Length
Approximately 1 hour and 53 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).
Keywords
Pediatrics, History, 20th century, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Internship and Residency, Education, Medical, Bacterial Infections, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, World War II, Water-Electrolyte Balance, African Americans, Sexism, Prejudice, Pediatricians, Trustees, Racism
Recommended Citation
John C. Herweg Oral History, OH079, 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.
Notes
Candace O'Connor conducted the interview with John Herweg as part of her research in the history of the St. Louis Children's Hospital for the hospital's 125th anniversary publication.