Amos Christie, MD

by Robert Merrill

Amos Christie went from tackling in the 1924 Rose Bowl football game to tackling ignorance, disease, and even racism as head of pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine from 1943 to 1971. Christie influenced generations of doctors and families. Among his legendary accomplishments are his contributions to understanding histoplasmosis (the "Vanderbilt Disease"); how he integrated Vanderbilt’s pediatric ward in the 1940s; and how he relished training "Christie’s Commies," students dedicated to serving the needs of the poor. Author Robert E. Merrill trained under Christie as a resident, then worked under him as an instructor. His memoir of this inspiring, influential mentor explores the multiple facets of educator, researcher, physician, administrator, father, and friend. With material drawn from Christie’s personal papers and his own memories, Merrill paints a vivid portrait of a giant in twentieth-century pediatrics.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006