Notes from the President — Remembering Ellsworth Wareham

While growing up in a small country school in northern Idaho, before technology overwhelmed all that we do, books were our friends. I devoured every story of the pioneers — from George Washington, Paul Revere, and Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Boone, Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith. Imagine my delight and wonder years later to discover one of Kit Carson’s regular stops was Fort San Bernardino, now next door to Loma Linda.

With that reverence for history and the people who shaped it, it was easy for me to admire the life and impact of heart surgeon Ellsworth Wareham, long before I met the man. During the 1960s, while my generation was considering med school and Loma Linda University in particular, Dr. Wareham stood tall as one who carried the best of Loma Linda’s traditions of teaching and healing around the world. We marveled at the adventures of the Overseas Heart Surgery Team (which he co-founded) and their ability to enter strange countries and places, as well as their accolades from high government officials — all heady stuff for a little university tucked away in a corner of California!

We have now lost most principals from that early team — Wilfred Huse, Lavaun Sutton, Roy Jutzy, Joan Coggin, and now Ellsworth Wareham. Ironic that Joan and Ellsworth passed away within a few weeks of each other after co-leading such a remarkable group for so many years. But stories and reputations linger, and Loma Linda University Health is still remembered as the place that fixes hearts. We are indebted to another School of Medicine alum, artist Wesley Kime, who captured the character of Dr. Wareham and so many of these illustrious faculty in his paintings, soon to be displayed in the Alumni Hall for Basic Sciences.

As the death of Dr. Wareham, at 104 years and 2 months, has sunk in, many memories come back. Still assisting at surgery until he was well into his 90s, he always downplayed his accomplishments and gave credit to others for both his longevity and his influence. One story I recall was when he was 94 and noticed the fence in his backyard needed some repairs. He went to Home Depot for supplies and fixed his fence. The next day he ended up in the hospital — doing heart surgery! Over the past few decades he became a national celebrity associated with Loma Linda’s “Blue Zone” halo. He credited his vegan diet and continued physical activity, along with his faith in a personal God, for being able to function so well for so long.

Wareham led the heart team to 14 different countries, always with one proviso — they were not going to come until there was a heart team there, ready to be taught heart surgery and all its necessary support functions. They wanted to leave something behind that could continue to bless others. His centennial birthday celebration four years ago brought together many from around the world who learned the intricacies of heart surgery from him and then went on to help untold thousands of others.  

Even to the end, he belied the stereotype of surgeons, with a quiet demeanor and humble spirit, full of humor and self-deprecation. His wife of 68 years, Barbara, complemented him well. They lived simply, enjoying their five children, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Their previous home in Oak Glen was a favorite gathering destination for medical school classes for many years.

One of my favorite patient stories was the search by a Vietnamese lady to find the team who successfully performed surgery on her at age 14 in Saigon in 1974. After escaping the country and settling in British Columbia, Canada, she started wondering years later about the unknown doctors who came to her country and saved her life. A few years ago, on the suggestion of a friend, she wrote a “To Whom it May Concern” letter to Loma Linda University Health, asking if anyone there had been in Vietnam in 1974 doing heart surgery. When the pictures and stories matched, she offered to cut Dr. Wareham’s and School of Medicine Dean Roger Hadley’s hair as a thank you, since Roger was a senior medical student on that trip. So they let their hair grow long, then flew to her beauty salon in Victoria, BC, for a joyous reunion and haircut. See that incredible video here.

So what is remembered when life is done and others reflect on the impact of an individual? Surely there will be many and varied memories of Dr. Wareham that will be told and cherished. I am honored to say that I knew and admired the man for his life devoted to helping others, for his determined approach to any new challenge, and his free acknowledgement of the role that many played in support of his accomplishments. Loma Linda has lost one of its great exemplars of all that we stand for. Though our mission statement came long after his landmark work, he was certainly the embodiment of “Continuing the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ.”

Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH
President
Loma Linda University Health

Vision 2020 – The Campaign for a Whole Tomorrow