Thuss Memorial Lectureship

The late Dr. Charles J. Thuss, Jr., in memory of his parents, Dr. Charles J. Thuss, Sr., and Gertrude Noble Thuss, established this endowed lectureship in 1977. An identical lectureship was simultaneously endowed at Vanderbilt University, alma mater of Drs. Thuss, Sr., and Jr. The purpose of both lectureships was to bring distinguished contributors in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to both campuses for teaching and for inspiration, benefiting the student body, plastic surgeons in training, faculty, and the community of plastic surgeons.

On Thanksgiving Day, 1983, Charles Thuss, Jr., and his son, Carter, died in a tragic plane crash. His widow, Emily Thuss, asked that the originally endowed lectureship be expanded to include her late husband and son. Accordingly, beginning with the 1985 lecture, and continuing in years to come, this significant educational event, The Thuss Memorial Lecture, is in memory of three generations of the Thuss family.

Dr. Charles J. Thuss, Sr., a graduate in Vanderbilt Medical School’s class of 1931, pursued a distinguished career in Plastic Surgery. He practiced in Birmingham, Alabama, from 1935 to 1951, and served as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Valley Forge Army Hospital from 1951-1954. He was subsequently Chief of Plastic Surgery at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco until 1962. After retiring from the Service with the rank of Colonel, he practiced as Chief of Plastic Surgery at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Santa Clara, and Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto. Dr. Thuss died on September 10, 1977.

Charles, Jr., was born in Birmingham, Alabama, educated at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Catholic University, and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He trained in pathology at Brooke Army Hospital and Baylor Hospital in Texas. He served with distinction as a pathologist and commanding officer of the 946th Medical Laboratory in Vietnam, as well as Chief, Anatomical Pathology, and commanding officer of the Fourth Army Area Laboratory at Ft. Sam Houston. He followed his army career with a successful private practice, which led to the development of rural health initiative programs, on-site laboratories for rural hospitals, and a new nationwide cost-effective cytology screening procedure. His loss is still felt by all who knew him, and the Thuss Memorial Lecture is a fitting tribute to him, his parents, and his son.

We at Stanford would also like to honor Mrs. Emily Thuss, the wife of Charles Jr. and mother of Carter. Emily was a long-time attendee and supporter of this lectureship, and she is greatly missed.

Past Thuss Memorial Lecturers