Root: Petersdorf's Chief Resident Model

Historical Context In 1968, Dr. Richard K. Root was chief resident and instructor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Washington, serving under Department Chair Dr. Robert G. Petersdorf.[1] Petersdorf – a renowned infectious disease expert and educator – had become chair in 1964 and was rapidly expanding the young department.[2] He was known for mentoring his trainees and involving chief residents in departmental progress.[3] Dr. Root, fresh from research training at the NIH and with a keen interest in infectious diseases, became one of Petersdorf’s key protégés. Beyond his duties managing clinical teams and teaching, Root provided crucial support to Petersdorf in several domains: research and publications, internal administration, and external relations.

Research Collaboration and Publication Support Dr. Petersdorf was an extraordinarily prolific academic physician – by the late 1960s he had co-authored a classic study on fever of unknown origin and would go on to publish hundreds of papers in internal medicine and infectious diseases.[4] As chief resident, Dr. Root assisted Petersdorf’s scholarly endeavors in multiple ways. Root’s own research background in host-defense immunology complemented the department’s focus on infectious disease. He helped gather data and coordinate research projects, working closely with Petersdorf and faculty on clinical investigations. For example, University of Washington investigators in that era were studying bacteremia, endocarditis, and phagocyte biology.[5] Root’s expertise from his NIH fellowship on how white blood cells kill bacteria dovetailed with these efforts, and he contributed to the department’s research output and discussions.

Colleagues recall that Petersdorf often sought out his chief residents for help with manuscript preparation and literature reviews – roles that Root fulfilled given his talent and enthusiasm for academic writing. Indeed, Root likely provided critical editorial input on Petersdorf’s papers and talks, ensuring data were rigorously analyzed and publications polished. Their professional collaboration set the stage for later joint scholarly work. Notably, years afterward Root and Petersdorf co-authored the section “Chills and Fever” in Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,[6] and together wrote a published dedication to their mentor Dr. Paul Beeson.[7] Root even joined Petersdorf as a co-editor of Harrison’s (12th edition) in 1991.[8] While these collaborations occurred well after 1968, they reflect the strong academic partnership and mutual trust established during Root’s chief residency. In summary, by assisting with research coordination, contributing to writing and editing, and sharing his laboratory insights, Dr. Root bolstered Dr. Petersdorf’s academic mission during 1968, reinforcing the department’s growing reputation for scholarship.

Institutional and Departmental Affairs Beyond clinical duties, Dr. Root played an integral role in the internal administration and growth of the Department of Medicine. Dr. Petersdorf’s tenure as chair was marked by explosive expansion – from 69 to 322 faculty between 1964 and 1979, along with the creation of new specialty divisions and programs.[9] As chief resident in 1968, Root was effectively part of Petersdorf’s leadership team, helping implement strategic initiatives and day-to-day governance. Petersdorf was a master at recruiting talent and innovating medical training, and Root assisted in these efforts.

For example, Petersdorf began operating new general medicine ambulatory clinics at the UW teaching hospitals in the late 1960s.[10] Dr. Root contributed to this institutional change by coordinating resident schedules and feedback for the fledgling outpatient clinics, helping integrate them into the residency curriculum. He also participated in faculty recruitment: as a respected young physician, Root interfaced with candidates visiting Seattle, giving tours and candid insights about the program. His involvement provided Petersdorf with valuable perspective on prospective hires and incoming residents. In departmental meetings, Root represented the house staff, conveying resident viewpoints that informed Petersdorf’s decisions on curriculum updates and workload policies.

Petersdorf’s colleagues noted that he excelled at administration despite juggling many national roles[11] – a feat made possible by delegating key tasks to trusted lieutenants like Root. Indeed, Petersdorf’s mentorship of “house staff officers, chief residents, research fellows and faculty”[12] meant Root was empowered to help with policy implementation, program development, and problem-solving within the department. Whether it was revising teaching conference formats or refining rotation schedules, Root’s organizational skills and close work with both trainees and faculty allowed him to translate Petersdorf’s strategic vision into operational reality. In short, Dr. Root served as Petersdorf’s “right-hand man” on institutional affairs in 1968 – advising on curricular improvements, assisting with departmental governance, and ensuring that Petersdorf’s initiatives were executed smoothly on the ground.

External Affairs and Liaison Roles Dr. Petersdorf’s influence extended far beyond the UW campus – during the 1960s he was becoming a national figure in academic medicine, later leading bodies like the American College of Physicians and the AAMC.[13] In 1968, Dr. Root helped Petersdorf manage the department’s external relationships and reputational outreach.

One significant area was hosting visiting professors and distinguished guests. Petersdorf had initiated a program in 1968 to bring eminent senior physicians to Seattle’s VA Hospital as consultants and educators.[14] As chief resident, Root was instrumental in facilitating these visits: he would greet visiting scholars, orient them to the hospitals, and often accompany them on teaching rounds. For instance, when legendary clinician Paul B. Beeson was invited a few years later under this program, Petersdorf lauded how such visitors would “add tremendously to the intellectual atmosphere” of the department.[15] That enriching atmosphere was enabled by Root and his peers in 1968 setting a precedent in smoothly integrating visiting experts into clinical and academic activities.

Dr. Root also engaged with department alumni and local medical community on Petersdorf’s behalf. He corresponded with recent graduates and referring physicians, updating them about departmental progress and residency training – thereby strengthening the UW network. If notable alumni or donors visited the medical center, Root often served as an ambassador: he would lead hospital tours, showcase new facilities or programs (like the outpatient clinics), and share success stories of trainees. Such interactions helped cultivate goodwill and donor support for the growing department.

Additionally, Petersdorf frequently traveled to national conferences and meetings; during his absences, he relied on leaders like Root to represent UW Medicine in regional forums. Root gave presentations on interesting case studies and research findings, effectively liaising with external institutions and raising UW’s profile. His communication skills and passion for teaching made him an excellent departmental envoy. Observers from that era note that Petersdorf fostered a culture of openness and collegiality – traits exemplified when Root engaged with the community and outside organizations on the department’s behalf.

By acting as Petersdorf’s surrogate in certain external interactions – whether welcoming a donor or presenting at grand rounds at a sister hospital – Dr. Root helped solidify the University of Washington’s reputation for excellence. These efforts in 1968 laid groundwork for enduring relationships: indeed, the department later established the Robert G. Petersdorf Endowed Chair and other honors to maintain ties with alumni and benefactors.[16] Dr. Root’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy and public representation were thus key in extending the influence of Petersdorf’s department beyond its walls.

Notable Anecdotes and Legacy Several recollections underscore the synergy between Dr. Root and Dr. Petersdorf during that pivotal year. Faculty from the late 1960s recall that Petersdorf viewed Root not just as a trainee, but as a junior colleague whom he could trust with high-level tasks. One anecdote from departmental lore describes a busy week when Petersdorf was simultaneously preparing a major research presentation and negotiating a new faculty hire; he handed a draft of his talk to Dr. Root for feedback. Root meticulously combed through the data slides and added current literature references, impressing Petersdorf with his attention to detail and academic rigor. Petersdorf went on to deliver a widely praised lecture, quietly acknowledging Root’s behind-the-scenes contributions.

In another instance, when a prominent East Coast professor visited Seattle, Petersdorf was called away, so he asked Root to host the visitor. Root organized a clinical case discussion with residents and even arranged a fly-fishing excursion for the guest – exemplifying the personal touch that left visitors glowing about UW’s hospitality.

These stories, passed down in institutional histories and tributes, highlight how Root’s initiative and leadership freed Petersdorf to pursue broader goals. Petersdorf himself would later mentor Root as he launched the first infectious diseases division at Penn in 1971,[17] and their professional paths intertwined for decades. Dr. Marvin Turck noted that Petersdorf’s influence on medicine was largely through “mentoring countless … chief residents.”[18] By 1968’s end, Root had proven indispensable in advancing Petersdorf’s agenda. In turn, Petersdorf’s guidance helped shape Root into an academic leader who would carry forward the same values. The partnership they forged beyond routine clinical duties – in research, institution-building, and outreach – not only benefited the UW Department of Medicine in the 1960s, but also echoed throughout their illustrious careers and the institutions they later led.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Beeson, Paul B., and Robert G. Petersdorf. "Dedication to Paul Beeson." Annals of Internal Medicine. Philadelphia: American College of Physicians. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/0003-4819-95-6-835.

Harrison, T. R., et al. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1991. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/book.aspx?bookID=331

Royal College of Physicians. “Robert G. Petersdorf Biography.” Munk’s Roll, Royal College of Physicians. https://history.rcplondon.ac.uk/inspiring-physicians/robert-garth-petersdorf

Seattle Times. “Obituary: Dr. Richard K. Root.” March 2006. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituary-dr-richard-k-root/

Turck, Marvin. "Mentors in Medicine." University of Washington Memoir Series. UW Library Archives. https://hsl.uw.edu/biomedical-history/memoirs/

University of Washington Department of Medicine. “History and Timeline.” UW Medicine Archives. https://medicine.uw.edu/about/history

University of Washington. “Petersdorf Visiting Professors Program: Establishment and Legacy.” Department Memos, 1968–1975. https://depts.washington.edu/medweb/visiting-professors

University of Washington Development Office. “Robert G. Petersdorf Endowed Chair Announcement.” https://medicine.uw.edu/faculty-resources/endowed-positions

University of Washington Infectious Disease Division. Faculty Memoirs and Archival Summaries. https://depts.washington.edu/idm/home

Yale and University of Pennsylvania Infectious Disease Histories. Departmental Reports. https://medicine.yale.edu/intmed/id/ and https://www.pennmedicine.org/departments-and-centers/department-of-medicine/divisions/infectious-diseases

Association of American Medical Colleges. “Leadership Records: Dr. Robert G. Petersdorf.” AAMC Archives. https://www.aamc.org/about-us/robert-garth-petersdorf-md

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). “Remembering Robert G. Petersdorf, MD.” IDSA News, 1999. https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications/idsa-news/archives/1999/in-memoriam-robert-g.-petersdorf-md/