Ross H. Musgrave, M.D., 1921 to 2014.

Abstract

The University of Pittsburgh and the plastic surgery community mourned the loss of a great contributor, teacher, leader, and ambassador with the passing of Ross H. Musgrave on September 12, 2014 (Fig. 1). Dr. Musgrave was born in 1921—18 miles from Pittsburgh, in Economy, Pennsylvania, where his parents owned an evergreen nursery. He went to college 50 miles north of Pittsburgh at Westminster College, a liberal arts school located in New Wilmington. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Alpha Omega Alpha) at age 22 in 1943, Ross H. Musgrave, M.D., completed a 9-month residency in general surgery at Presbyterian Hospital before traveling to Japan in the service of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. There, as head of orthopedics at the 172 Station Hospital, he saw more than 1300 fractures in 13 months. When his service in the military ended, Dr. Musgrave returned to the United States and spent a year doing graduate work in surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He ultimately found what would be his life’s work when he returned to Pittsburgh and began a rotation in plastic surgery. In 1948, he became the second Pittsburgh plastic surgery resident, salaried at $34 a month. Appointed clinical professor of surgery (plastic) in 1965 at the University of Pittsburgh, Musgrave maintained an active practice until 1990. As one of the pioneers of Pittsburgh plastic surgery, he led the way to academic and educational excellence.Fig. 1: Ross H. Musgrave, M.D., 1921 to 2014.Dr. Musgrave’s 62 years of service to the University of Pittsburgh started as a student, and continued as resident, faculty member, teacher, leader, University of Pittsburgh trustee (1975 to 1981), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center trustee and, for 14 years after retirement from clinical practice, executive director of the Pitt Medical Alumni organization (1992 to 2006). His honors include the Philip S. Hench Distinguished Medical School Alumnus Award, the University of Pittsburgh Bicentennial Medallion of Distinction, and the School of Medicine Donald Fraley Mentoring Award. In 2004, a “problem-based learning room” at the School of Medicine was named after him. In addition, he served as trustee of his alma mater, Westminster College, which in 1979 awarded him an honorary doctorate. His service to organized plastic surgery included roles as governor of the American College of Surgeons, president of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (1969), president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (1975), chair of the Plastic Surgery Residency Review Committee, and director of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition to his life as a physician, he was an accomplished actor, producer/director, and artist—most recently working with cloth collages, gifts he would give to the annual visiting Musgrave lecturers. He was the first University of Pittsburgh Medical School faculty advisor for the senior medical school musical society (Scope and Scalpel), started in 1955. Overall, he mentored the first nine Scope and Scalpel productions. His partner in life was “NJ”—Norma Jane Musgrave. As an alumni “couple,” they were among the longest consecutive Pitt annual fund donors. Norma Jane passed away at the age of 92, approximately 6 months after the death of Ross, and after 68 years of marriage. Norma Jane and Ross are survived by their three children Joan, Nancy, and Randy; four grandchildren, Blair, Katie, Brian, and Allie; and two great grandchildren, Lexi and Olivia. In 1996, the Ross H. Musgrave endowed annual lectureship in plastic surgery was established at the University of Pittsburgh, bringing internationally prominent plastic surgeons to Pittsburgh. In 2013, the Ross H. Musgrave Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Plastic Surgery was established at The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Ross Musgrave was an excellent plastic surgeon who was exacting and precise in the way he operated and in the way he lived. Dr. Musgrave was a man of multiple and diverse talents, interests, abilities, and hobbies who brought extraordinary energy and enthusiasm to his life every day. He was bright and unceasingly inquisitive, always wanting to stay current with and understand the dynamics of medicine, sports, people, and the world around him. He was also an ardent sports fan who knew in considerable detail every subtlety involving University of Pittsburgh football and basketball, and all the important dynamics involving the Pirates and Steelers. Ross and Norma Jane made immense contributions to the University of Pittsburgh and the plastic surgery program at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center—making a difference in the lives of literally hundreds of medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty alike. The Ross H. Musgrave Lectureship and the Ross H. Musgrave Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Plastic Surgery, established in perpetuity, will celebrate his life and gifts—and honor the memory of his dedication and commitment to our profession and specialty.