By Matt Richardson, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian
A trio of leading medical minds have recently had guides to their archival collections published online. The McGovern Historical Center is pleased to announce the arrival of detailed finding aids for the papers of Dr. George J. Ehni, Dr. Russell J. Blattner, and Dr. Frederick C. Elliott.
MS 016 Russell J. Blattner, MD papers
Russell J. Blattner, MD made contributions to pediatrics, infectious disease research, and the development of multiple TMC institutions. He arrived in Houston in 1947 to serve as Professor of Pediatrics and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. He played a role in the creation and success of Texas Children’s Hospital, helped establish the Blue Bird Clinic at Methodist Hospital, and helped lay the foundation for the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research. Dr. Blattner’s papers contain his research work throughout his career in St. Louis and Houston. They contain photographs, research materials, reprints, and publications.
MS 052 George J. Ehni, MD papers
George John Ehni, MD was a neurosurgeon who practiced in Houston from 1949-1986. He spent two decades as chairman of the division of neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Ehni was also president of the Neurosurgical Society of America, the Southern Neurosurgical Society, and the International Society for Study of the Lumbar Spine. His papers—all 22 boxes of them—contain documents relating to Dr. Ehni’s life and career in neurology, including correspondence, manuscripts, research materials, and reprints.
MS 071 Frederick C. Elliott, DDS papers
Last but not least, the papers of Frederick C. Elliott, DDS reveal the work of one of the Texas Medical Center’s most influential leaders. Elliott championed the Texas Dental College, campaigning for it to join the University of Texas System. Later he would lead the entire Texas Medical Center, serving for more than a decade as Executive Director and Secretary of the Board of Directors. Dr. Elliott would also write and speak extensively on the University of Texas System and the Texas Medical Center. The collection includes Dr. Elliott’s manuscript on the History of the Texas Medical Center, along with recorded interviews and transcripts. It further documents his career through committee and administrative reports, correspondence, legal papers, and legislative material. Also included are scrapbooks, personal memos, manuscripts, photographs, and audio tapes.
