In memoriam: Henry Szczȩsny Schutta, MD (1928–2020)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Polish-American neurologist and neurologic historian Henry Szczȩsny Schutta, MB BS, MD (1928–2020), was born in the Free City of Gdańsk. After surviving the trauma and devastation wrought on his family and his native country during World War II, Schutta met the love of his life in war-torn Bonn, Germany. Schutta completed premedical studies in Bonn, then medical school in Sydney, Australia, and neurology residency at the National Hospital, Queen Square, London. He then joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania (1962–1973), where he became a recognized authority on electron microscopy of the nervous system and muscle, particularly concerning bilirubin encephalopathy, brain swelling, and papilledema. He was subsequently appointed as the inaugural chair of neurology at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn (1973–1980) and then chair of neurology at the University of Wisconsin (1980–1995). His academic career spanned four countries on three continents, and included substantive contributions to basic research, clinical care, administration, and teaching. He was most proud of his contributions to education and mentoring. He pushed his trainees to excel, and modeled for them the traits of caring, compassion, dedication, diligence, reasonableness, and fidelity—leavened with wit, charm, and a penchant for humorous historical anecdotes. Many of Schutta’s witticisms on rounds (“Schutta-isms”) have been retold by subsequent generations of trainees. This biography provides first-person accounts of Schutta’s struggles and successes based on his own autobiography, a formal oral history for the American Academy of Neurology Oral History Project, and supporting accounts of his family, trainees, and colleagues.