Seventy-Five Years and Counting

The history of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine
dates to 1947 when Felix N. Rutledge joined the institution as the
first gynecologist. During this 75+ year time span, there has never
been any systematic documentation of its story. This book provides
a window into the lives of some of the people who established this
department as the premier, world-class unit for the care of women
with gynecologic cancers. In addition, it describes several of the cadre's
pioneering and practice-changing contributions in clinical management,
clinical and translational research, and the education of
several generations of gynecologic oncologists. From its inception,
this department was built on the foundation of comprehensive multidisciplinary
care. As a tertiary referral center, the group has prided
itself in its mission to extend advice for and management of the most
challenging and complex cases.
During this period, the department has transformed from a
small, all-male faculty until the 1970s to a robust, diverse, multi-ethnic
group of outstanding faculty and fellows in which women now
comprise the majority. This paradigm shift has clearly strengthened
our overall vision and mission. Dr. Rutledge's most endearing qualities
were his humility and openness to opinions of others. As the department
evolves, it is hoped that future generations will be inspired
by his legacy and will embrace those attributes as they continue to
make cancer history