Oil painting,  Framed 25 7/16" W x 47 7/16"H framed.  25 3/16"W x 47 3 /16"H unframed. A plaque beneath the portrait reads: W. Gerald Austen, M.D.1930--Professor of Surgery, 1966-1974, Edward D. Churchill Professor of Surgery, 1974-2011; Edward D. Churchill Distinguished Professor of Surgery, 2011--Chief of the Surgical Services, 1969-1997, Surgeon-in-Chief, 1989-1997.

Dr. W. Gerald Austen (1930 - 2022) was born in Akron, Ohio in 1930. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1951 and Harvard Medical School in 1955. Following his residency in surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Austen spent two years at the National Heart Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Upon returning to the MGH, Dr. Austen was appointed the first chief of Cardiovascular Surgical Research. Three years later, at the age of 36, he became a full professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and later, at the age of 39, he was appointed chief of the Surgical Services, a position he held for nearly twenty-nine years. Under his leadership, the MGH Department of Surgery became one of the great academic departments of surgery in this country. At the time of Dr. Austen's retirement as Chief of the Surgical Services at the MGH, his many accomplishments were recognized by the creation of the W. Gerald Austen Chair In Surgery at Harvard Medical School and the MGH. Dr. Austen was a founder of Partners HealthCare System, as well as the Mass General Physicians Organization of which he was chairman and chief executive officer from 1992-to 2000. 

In January, 2010, Dr. Peter Slavin announced, on the occasion of Dr. Austen's 80th birthday, that the five-story in-patient pavilion of the building then under construction (now known as the Lunder Building), would be named the W. Gerald Austen, MD In-Patient Pavilion in recognition of his long-time service to the hospital.  The Pavilion opened to patients in September, 2011.

A pioneer, and world renowned, in the field of cardiac surgery, Dr. Austen has authored 421 original articles, 79 chapters and reviews, and eight books. He contributed greatly to the improved care of the cardiac surgical patient and was a pioneer in the surgical treatment of many of the complications of coronary artery disease. He was a leader in the development of circulatory support systems to aid the failing heart and most particularly, with Dr. Mortimer Buckley, the development and clinical application of the intra-aortic balloon pump. In 2005 he celebrated his 50th anniversary at the Massachusetts General Hospital and continues to be the Edward D. Churchill Distinguished Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Surgeon-in-Chief, Emeritus.  He continues to serve the hospital in many roles, which include chairman of the Chiefs Council, co-chair of Philanthropy and honorary trustee of the MGH and the Mass General Physicians Organization. 

Dr. Austen has been a member of the MIT Corporation (Board of Trustees) since 1972 and a life member since 1982. He also has served on the board of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation from 1986 until 2010, serving as its Chairman from 1996 until his retirement in March of 2010. He was elected a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences . Dr. Austen has served as president of numerous surgical societies, including the American College of Surgeons , the American Surgical Association , the American Heart Association and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery . In 2009, the Knight Foundation announced that the BioInnovation Institute in Akron, Ohio, Dr. Austen's hometown, was to be named for Dr. Austen and his wife, Patricia. In 2017, Akron University created the W. Gerald Austen,M.D. Professorship Chair in Polymer Science and Poymer Engineering, in Dr. Austen's honor. In 2018, The Albert Nelson Marquis LIfetime Achievement Award

“It is hard to capsulate the professional and societal contributions of W. Gerald Austen: innovative heart surgeon at the center of development of a new field; national leader of surgical organizations; impact on philanthropy, both as a fundraiser for our MGH goals and as Chair of the Knight Foundation; key role in the formation of Partners’ Healthcare and the Mass General Physicians Organization; sound counsel on a myriad of MGH and Harvard Medical School Committees.

But it is easy for me and many, many others to testify to the importance of his contributions to our professional development and careers. Arguably there has been none other like him in our professional world in recent decades. Physicians from many Departments, not just surgeons, came – and still come – for advice, a wise word at a difficult or perplexing time. People have come because they trust his judgment and his unlimited fairness. It was not at all unusual to find that the various parties to a disagreement or difficult political challenge would each find their individual ways to his door to talk it out.

As for me, he has been not only my active mentor while he was my predecessor and boss, and now my constant supporter and cheerleader but, most of all, he is my dearest friend.”

                                                               -Andrew L. Warshaw, MD 

"Dr. Austen was the most important physician at the MGH in the second half of the twentieth century. Although he is best remembered for his remarkable stewardship of the Department of Surgery for twenty-nine years, it should also be remembered that an equally important contribution was the fact that he brought modern cardiac surgery to the MGH in the early 1960's, building a cardiac surgical program that was the best in the country; in fact, even after he became chief of surgery, he continued to be an active cardiac surgeon--and an excellent one, I might add. He also was a wonderful physician, loved by his patients. In his commitment to the MGH, Harvard, teaching, research, administration, patient care, and development, I know of no one equal to Dr. Austen in the half century that I have been here."

                                                              -Roman W. DeSanctis, MD  

"As the chief of the Surgical Services, Dr. Austen fostered one of the first modern full time Departments of Surgery that encouraged subspecialty divisions and inspired and financially supported their efforts in both clinical excellence and basic research.

Dr. Austen made it possible for the Division of Pediatric Surgery to grow from two to nine busy surgeons, formulated the Surgical Services of the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, and enlarged the role of the Chief of Pediatric Surgical Services, which was granted service chief status at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He raised generous resources to fund the Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories allowing it to diversify and expand exponentially to eight Principal Investigators and over 25 staff. His personal commitment and effectiveness in fundraising led to the establishment of endowment chairs and professorships in each division, which led to increased stability and clinical and academic productivity."

"His leadership at the Massachusetts General Hospital is unparalleled in modern times. As one of the most effective surgical chiefs, his role in American Surgery has been equally remarkable. Despite all these accolades he remains a wonderful, humorous, down to earth friend who always has a welcoming ear, a sparkle in his eye, and an endearing laugh".

                                                                 -Patricia K. Donahoe, MD

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