User:Todfox/Joseph Ransohoff

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Dr. Joseph 'Joe' Ransohoff, II (1915-2001) was a pioneer in the field of neurosurgery. In addition to training numerous neurosurgeons, his "ingenuity in adapting advanced technologies" saved many lives and even influenced a television program. ^[1] He developed numerous surgical techniques and approaches and helped to define the fields of pediatric neurosurgery and neuroradiology. ^[2]

Early Life and Education

Ransohoff was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, son of Dr. Joseph Ransohoff, I, a surgeon who himself was the son of a surgeon. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University; he received his medical degree from the University of Chicago in 1941 and went on to become a surgery instructor at the University of Cincinnati. Three years into his residency, he was drafted into the United States Army where he was taught neurosurgery and assigned to air evacuation centers in France and Germany.

After three years in the military, he completed his residency at Montefiore Hospital. He went on to teach at Columbia University and practice surgery at the New York Neurologic Institute at Presbyterian Hospital before moving to New York University School of Medicine to become chairman of its neurosurgery department in 1962.

Family Life

Dr. Ranoshoff was originally married to author and psychologist Rita Ransohoff and had two children, Joan and Joseph, before divorcing in 1984. In the same year, he was married to Dr. Lori C. Ransohoff and remained married to her for the rest of his life, although they were separated at the time of his death. He had two children by this marriage, Jake and Jade. When he died he was survived by, in addition to his wife and children, five grandchildren, a half-brother and a half-sister. ^{[3] [4]}

Legacy and Influence

The book Brain Surgeon: An Intimate View of His World (ISBN 0804109575) by Lawrence Shainberg was based on his life, though the name of the doctor was changed to a pseudonym and the author inserted a disclaimer claiming the book was based on multiple surgeons in order to protect his privacy and those of his patients. He also served as a consultant to the popular television series Ben Casey and some viewers familiar with Dr. Ransohoff feel that Casey and Ransohoff have similar personalities.

References

1. ^ Obituary from the New York Times
2. ^ Obituary in the American Journal of Neuroradiology
3. ^ Deceased member profile from the The Society of Neurological Surgeons webpage
4. ^ Obituary in the American Journal of Neuroradiology

• NY Times Death Notice