H. Mitchell Perry Oral History

Interviewee

H. Mitchell Perry

Interviewer

Paul G. Anderson, PhD and Mabel L. Purkerson, MD

Files

Summary

H. Mitchell Perry was interviewed by Paul G. Anderson on December 16, 1997 and January 8, March 26, April 9, and May 12, 1998 for approximately 6 hours.

Scope and Content

Perry discusses his experiences as a medical student at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Hospital, his career as a faculty member at WUSM, and his research in hypertension and stroke.

Biographical Information: Interviewee

Horace Mitchell Perry, Jr. (1923-2002) graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1946. He did his residency at Barnes Hospital and then joined the faculty of the School of Medicine in 1948. He became director of the Division of Hypertension in 1957 and served in that capacity until his retirement in the early 1990s. He served as a physician coordinator for the national Veterans Administration Hypertension Program and as director of the Hypertension Screening and Treatment Program for the Department of Veterans' Affairs in Washington DC, until his death. In the early 1950s, Perry was a member of the first American group to succeed in medically treating hypertension. In collaboration with foundations such as the World Health Organization, Perry traveled the globe with his wife, Betty, to determine whether environmental factors in different cultures may influence the risk of hypertension and stroke.

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.

Mabel L. Purkerson, MD was a nephrologist who became associate professor of medicine at Washington University in 1976, and full professor of medicine in 1989. She also served as associate dean for curriculum and associate dean for academic projects at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Interview Date

1997-12-16

Collection Identifier

OH074

Length

Approximately 6 hours.

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

H. Mitchell Perry Oral History, OH074, 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.