Deryl Hart with surgical basin

First chairman of Surgery; Duke University President (1960-63)

Active years

1929 - 1960

Degrees

BS & MS (mathematics) Emory, MD Johns Hopkins (Surgery)

First user of ultraviolet light to sterilize an operating room. Hart also launched Duke's Private Diagnostic Clinic, surgical instrument shop and medical illustration department. He held several patents for surgical equipment he invented.

Deryl J. Hart

Dr. Hart conducting surgery under ultraviolet lights

Deryl Hart and a surgical team wearing protective equipment and shaded glasses while operating under ultraviolet light to kill microbes.

Hart airbed

Hart invented and co-developed a hospital bed with air-filled chambers to move patients and prevent bedsores.

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