A View from the Cockpit: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

June 2022

---

"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
~ Isaac Newton

In my 35 years as a pediatric anesthesiologist here in South Carolina, I admit I have often stood upon the shoulders of many. And earlier this month, our profession of medicine lost two “giants,” who “helped us see further”—Dr. C. Warren Derrick, Jr. and Dr. Tom L. Austin.

Dr. Derrick was a native son of South Carolina who brought his training in pediatrics to Columbia in 1977. As the founding Chair of the Department of Pediatrics of the fledgling University of South Carolina School of Medicine, he was instrumental in the establishment, growth, and development of the Department of Pediatrics and its associated residency in pediatric training. Through his direct care and academic direction, he touched the lives of thousands of patients and played a key role in establishing South Carolina’s first free standing children’s hospital.

Born in Texas, Dr. Austin, served our state as a leader in neonatology. Over his 30 plus years of clinical care, he held and cared for thousands of infants. He was integrally involved in the evolution of neonatal care technology, training of physicians and staff, and advancement of optimal supportive care for even the most fragile premature infants during his career. And he passed along his love of our profession to his two sons, now physicians practicing in South Carolina.

As a pediatric anesthesiologist, I shared patients with both Drs. Derrick and Austin. I recall specific patients and clinical needs that brought us together. The passion of Drs. Derrick and Austin for providing the very best in clinical care for patients and support for families was constant and exemplary.

Our medical “family,” along with the surviving family of Drs. Derrick and Austin, will sorely miss them. Their legacies will live on, however, in our hearts and in the lives of the many patients’ lives they touched.

Though two “lights” have gone out within our profession of medicine, there are giants who still walk amongst us, helping us to look further ahead. One of those physician “giants” deserves special mention at this time. Dr. Gerald Harmon is a veteran, family doctor in Georgetown, SC, and is the immediate Past President of the AMA. In the past year, he has selflessly devoted himself to helping our profession remember it’s “why” during so many challenges; including a pandemic, obstacles to and inequities in access to care and disinformation, to name just a few. As AMA President, he reminded us that, “we are uniquely gifted with the intellectual, physical, and emotional skills to respond to each of these challenges.” He demonstrated in word and action how to identify and address the harm that has touched our most vulnerable patients. He has helped us to see further by humbly offering his “shoulders” for us.

To Drs. Derrick, Austin, Harmon, and the many other “giants” of our profession, past and present, we offer thanks and gratitude. Words fall short of conveying our gratitude for all they, and their supportive families, have done and continue to do.