Mayo Clinic | Anesthesiology | Department Timeline

Department Timeline

The timeline below focuses on important events of the history of the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. Many of the events focus on the changes in the department and its staff. Other dates and events that are listed focus on Mayo Clinic’s history and developments in the field of anesthesiology. This timeline starts in 1883 and continues until the department’s centennial in April of 2024.

1883, August 21

Tornado Strikes

pictured: Debris from Cyclone [tornado] of 1883.

A devastating tornado strikes Rochester, Minnesota, leaving widespread destruction and hundreds wounded.

1889

Edith Graham Mayo

pictured: Edith Graham Mayo in nursing school, 1887.

Edith Graham Mayo returns to Rochester and takes over as nurse anesthetist for Dr. William W. Mayo, which begins the trend of nurses whose sole clinical responsibility was to administer anesthetics.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #12: "Anesthesia in Rochester-the Early Years" and Centennial Celebration Update #57: "Ether Day, October 16: Mayo Clinic's Role in the Use of Ether in the U.S.". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1889, September 30

Saint Marys Opens

pictured: Drawing of first hospital building, circa 1880.

Saint Marys Hospital opens its doors in Rochester, MN.

1893

Alice Magaw

pictured: Alice Magaw, undated.

Alice Magaw becomes the nurse anesthetist for Dr. William J. Mayo and Dr. Charlie H. Mayo.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #12: "Anesthesia in Rochester-the Early Years"; Centennial Celebration Update #51: "Two Exceptional Alumni Who Became Leaders of Nurse Anesthesia Nationally and Internationally"; and Centennial Update #57: "Ether Day, October 16: Mayo Clinic's Role in the Use of Ether in the U.S.". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1899

Dr. Isabella Herb

pictured: Isabella Herb, undated.

Dr. Isabella Coler Herb is hired to give anesthetics for Dr. Charlie H. Mayo and to fulfill a need for a tissue pathologist.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #12: "Anesthesia in Rochester-the Early Years". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1914

Mayo Clinic Opens

pictured: 1914 Building with cars and people in front, 1924.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester “officially” opens its doors.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #56: "The Start of Mayo Clinic: A Remarkable New Movie". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1920, September

Dr. Gaston Labat Appointed

pictured: Louis Gaston Labat, M.D., undated.

Dr. Louis Gaston Labat arrives at Mayo Clinic and the Section on Regional Anesthesia was “founded”.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration #23: "Our Department of Anesthesiology Innovations: Gaston Labat and the Rise of Regional Anesthesia at the Mayo Clinic and Across the U.S.". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1921, June 21

Dr. William Meeker Appointed

pictured: William R. Meeker, M.D., undated.

Dr. William R. Meeker becomes the new Head of the Section on Regional Anesthesia.

1924, February 4

Meeting Dr. Lundy

pictured: John S. Lundy, M.D., circa 1930s.

Dr. William J. Mayo meets Dr. John S. Lundy at a King County Medical Society Banquet in Seattle.

1924, April 1

Lundy Joins Mayo Clinic

pictured: Aerial view of campus from south, Franklin Station and Plummer Building, circa 1930.

Dr. Lundy begins his work as the newly appointed Head of the Section on Regional Anesthesia.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #2: "Origins of the Department"; Centennial Celebration Update #16: "Mayo Clinic, the American Board of Anesthesiology, and the Evolution of the Specialty"; Centennial Celebration Update #24: "Department of Anesthesiology Innovations: Preoperative Transfusion Triggers for Low Hemoglobin"; and Centennial Celebration Update #43: "Educators Internally, Leaders in Education Everywhere". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1926

Balanced Anesthesia

pictured: Tray of equipment used by anesthesiologists, circa 1930s.

Dr. Lundy introduces the term “balanced anesthesia”.

1927

Anatomy Laboratory

pictured: John S. Lundy, M.D., circa 1930s.

Dr. John S. Lundy establishes the Anatomy Laboratory in the basement of the Palen and Lohse funeral home in Rochester.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #34: Department of Anesthesiology Innovations: The Anatomy Laboratory". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1929, December 16 - 19

Anaesthetists’ Travel Club

pictured: Original members of the Anesthetists’ Travel Club, 1929.

The Anaesthetists’ Travel Club is founded by Dr. Lundy and holds its inaugural meeting.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #35: "The Start of the Anesthetists' Travel Club and the Evolution of the Specialty" and Centennial Celebration Update #48: "Dr. Lundy, the Anaesthetists' Travel Club, and the Development of the Specialty". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1931

Section Renamed

pictured: Aerial view of campus from the east, 1931.

The section is renamed the “Section on Anesthesia”.

1932

Ventilation Innovation

pictured: Mechanical Ventilation Monitor. circa 2020s.

Dr. Lundy develops a prototype for mechanical ventilation of the lungs of anesthetized subjects.

1933

Section Renamed, Again

pictured: Aerial view of Saint Marys Hospital from the south, circa 1930.

The section is renamed the “Section on Anesthesia and Intravenous Medication”.

1934

Renamed, Once More

pictured: Aerial view from the west of the Kahler Hotel and Plummer Building, circa 1930.

The section is renamed the “Section on Anesthesia and Intravenous Therapy”.

1935

New Intravenous Agent

pictured: Pentothal Sodium, undated.

Dr. Lundy proposes that the sodium pentothal is safe and the intravenous anesthetic agent of choice.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration #20: "Historic Inventions by Department Members". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1935

Storage Innovations

pictured: The Blood bank team preparing to move at Saint Mary's Hospital. Pictured are Harriet Cronk, Noreen Robins, Dr. John S. Lundy, Dr. Albert Faulconer Jr., and Helene Romness, 1951.

Dr. Lundy and his colleagues discover that anticoagulated blood could be stored to cool it.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration #20: "Historic Inventions by Department Members" and Centennial Celebration #24: "Department of Anesthesiology Innovations: Preoperative Transfusion Triggers Low Hemoglobin". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1937

Anesthesia Abstracts

pictured: A stack of bound Anesthesia Abstracts that were donated to the Mayo Clinic Archives, 2023.

Anesthesia Abstracts begins being published by Florence McQuillen and Dr. Lundy.

1938

ABA Incorporated

pictured: American Board of Anesthesiology logo, undated.

American Board of Anesthesiology is incorporated as a sub-board of the American Board of Surgery.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration #16: "Mayo Clinic, the American Board of Anesthesiology, and the Evolution of the Specialty". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1940

AMA Approves Section

pictured: American Medical Association logo, undated.

The American Medical Association approves that a Section on Anesthesia is to be formed.

1940, July

Journal Published

pictured: The cover of the first volume of the Anesthesiology the Journal of the American Society of Anesthetists, Inc., 1940.

The first volume of Anesthesiology is published.

1941

Board Independence

pictured: The American Board of Anesthesiology logo, undated.

The American Board of Anesthesiology is approved as an independent primary board from the American Board of Surgery.

1942

Postgraduate Expansion

pictured: Medical Officers of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and U.S. Public Health Service in Training in Anesthesiology in the Mayo Foundation, with Advisors. February 19, 1943.

Mayo Clinic begins offering anesthesiology post graduate short courses to assist in World War II.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #3: "Military Introduction"; Centennial Celebration Update #30: "John Lundy's Clinical Anesthesia Textbook: Unique, Controversial, and War Worthy"; and Centennial Celebration Update #44: "The Mayo Clinic and the Military". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1942

Textbook Publication

pictured: John S. Lundy, M.D., circa 1950s.

Dr. Lundy publishes the textbook Clinical Anesthesia.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #22: "Books, Books, and More Books" and Centennial Celebration Update #30: John Lundy's Clinical Anesthesia Textbook: Unique, Controversial, and War-Worthy". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1944

Section Renamed

pictured: Mayo Clinic Section of Anesthesiology, 1947.

The section is renamed the “Section on Anesthesiology and Intravenous Therapy”.

1950

Needle Modernization

pictured: David J. Massa, M.D., undated.

Dr. David J. Massa publishes a paper describing the construction of the first modern plastic needle.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration #21: "Our New Department Repository for History – Introducing “The History of the Mayo Clinic Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine” webpage". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1952

Dr. Richard Adams Appointed

pictured: Charles R. Adams, M.D., undated.

Dr. Richard Charles Adams is appointed as the new head of the section.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration #24: "Department of Anesthesiology Innovations: Preoperative Transfusion Triggers for Low Hemoglobin". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1952, December 15

Travel Club Final Meeting

pictured: Anaesthetists’ Travel Club Final Dinner at the Kahler Hotel, December 15, 1952.

The last meeting of the Anaesthetists’ Travel Club is held in Rochester, Minnesota.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #35: "The Start of the Anesthetists' Travel Club and the Evolution of the Specialty" and. Centennial Celebration Update #48: "Dr. Lundy, the Anaesthetists' Travel Club, and the Development of the Specialty". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1953

Dr. Faulconer Appointed

pictured: Albert Faulconer, M.D., undated.

Dr. Albert Faulconer Jr. is appointed as the new head of the section.

1954, October 21-22

Travel Club Reorg

The Anaesthetists’ Travel Club is reorganized as the Academy of Anesthesiology, and the first meeting is held in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1955

Mayo-Gibbon Machine

pictured: Heart-Lung bypass machine, 1955.

First clinical trial of the Mayo-Gibbon vertical screen heart-lung machine.

1962

Section Renamed

pictured: Aerial view of Saint Marys Hospital campus, 1961.

The section is renamed the “Section on Anesthesiology”.

1964

Mayo Clinic Centennial

pictured: The Mayo Centennial Year 1964 Seal.

Mayo Clinic celebrates its Centennial Anniversary.

1964

NAEC Formed

pictured: Nurse Anesthetists pin, 1982.

The Nurse Anesthesia Education Committee is formed.

1965

Dr. Virginia Hartridge

pictured: Virginia B. Hartridge, M.D., undated.

Dr. Virginia B. Hartridge became the director of the nurse anesthesia program.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #7: "Cardiovascular Anesthesia Leadership" and Centennial Celebration Update #41: "Dr. Virginia Hartridge". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1968

Dr. Kai Rehder

pictured: Kai Rehder, M.D., undated.

Dr. Kai Rehder joins the ICU at Saint Marys Hospital.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #11: "Halothane". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1969

Neuroanesthesia

pictured: View of neurosurgery operation. circa 1960s.

Neuroanesthesia article is published which led to Mayo Clinic being recognized as the birthplace of the subspeciality of Neuroanesthesia.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #9: "Jack Michenfelder"; Centennial Celebration Update #26: Our Department of Anesthesiology and Its Role in Elucidating Succinylcholine-induced Hyperkalemia and also Mechanisms of Malignant Hyperthermia"; and Centennial Update #27: "Remarkable Educators: This Week's Feature on Dr. Ron Faust". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1970

Department Formation

pictured: Residents from the Department of Anesthesiology. 1977

The section becomes a department, along with the rest of the sections in medicine and surgery at Mayo Clinic.

1970

Robert R. Johnson

pictured: Robert Johnson, CRNA, undated.

Robert Johnson, CRNA, is appointed the first program director of the nurse anesthesia program.

1971

Dr. Richard Theye Appointed

pictured: Richard A. Theye, M.D., undated.

Dr. Richard A. Theye becomes the new chair of the department and helps establish a section of respiratory intensive care within the department.

1972

Intensive Care Expansion

pictured: Intensive care unit at Saint Marys, 1975.

First year of the respiratory intensive care section.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #52: "The Beginning of Intensive Care in Rochester" and Centennial Celebration Update #54: "The Start of the Section on Respiratory Intensive Care and Its Evolution into the Critical Care Service". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1972

Inhalational Therapy School

pictured: Inhalation therapists, undated.

Inhalational Therapy School opens.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #54: "The Start of the Section on Respiratory Intensive Care and Its Evolution into the Critical Care Service". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1973

1st RT Graduates

pictured: Respiratory Therapy Class of 1981, 1981.

The first class of respiratory therapists graduate from their clinical training at Mayo Clinic.

1974

Pain Clinic

pictured: Simulator for ultrasound education that is commonly used in pain clinics, 2011.

The Department of Anesthesiology at Mayo Clinic establishes the pain clinic.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #5: "Innovations: The Department and Neuraxial Opioids". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1975

Accreditation

pictured: Respiratory care program at Saint Marys Hospital, 1984.

Inhalational Therapy and Respiratory Care School receives initial accreditation from the American Medical Association Council and Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Therapy Education.

1977

Dr. Alan Sessler Appointed

pictured: Alan D. Sessler, M.D., undated.

Dr. Alan Sessler becomes the new chair of the department.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #4: "Centennial Year". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1981

Critical Care Service

pictured: Dr. Peter Southorn administering critical care service, circa 1980s.

Departments of Internal Medicine and Anesthesiology jointly form and conduct a critical care service (CCS).

1984

New Division Formed

pictured: Cardiovascular anesthesia equipment at Saint Marys Hospital, circa 1983.

Division of Cardiovascular Anesthesiology is formed at Saint Marys Hospital.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #7: "Cardiovascular Anesthesia Leadership". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1986

Jacksonville Campus

pictured: Aerial view of Mayo Clinic’s Jacksonville campus and the Davis Building, 1986.

Mayo Clinic opens a clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

For more information and other information related to this event, check out Centennial Celebration Update #46: "The Early Development of Departments in Jacksonville, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona and Centennial Celebration Update #49: "Contributions to the Mayo Board of Governors and Trustees". These Updates are located on the 2024-2025 Centennial Celebration page.

1987

Scottsdale Campus