Duke Ob/Gyn Carter Society News

Passing of Dr. Guy Nelson Copeland Jr.

Sarah Brady — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:07:54 GMT

We were sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Guy Nelson Copeland Jr. on December 6, 2025.

Dr. Copeland graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1960. In 1961, he completed a surgical internship at Vanderbilt University Hospital, where he also met his wife Marie. From 1962 to 1964, he was a Captain in the USAF Medical Corps, serving as a general medical officer. In 1964, Nelson and Marie moved to Durham, North Carolina, where he would complete a four-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University Hospital. In 1968, Nelson and Marie and their two young children moved to Lexington, Kentucky to establish Nelson’s private medical practice. He retired in 1998 after 30 years of practice. He will be remembered for his long friendships with patients, detailed patient records and meticulous surgery preparation.

Nelson was a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the F. Bayard Carter Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, the Kentucky Medical Association and the Lexington Medical Society.

Read Dr. Copeland's full obituary here.

Passing of Dr. Ellis Sowell

Sarah Brady — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:11:22 GMT

We were sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Ellis Mast Sowell II on April 3, 2025.

His early years were spent in Ft. Worth, Texas; he went on to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire for high school and Duke University and Texas Christian University for college before attending University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, where he met his future wife, Sandra Knibbe, a nursing student (married in December of 1958).

After graduating from medical school, Dr. Sowell took an internship with Dr. Maxwell Wintrobe in Salt Lake City, Utah, and had a son, Gregory, before serving a year at Walker Air Force Base, Roswell, New Mexico, and a tour at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. In Alaska, his daughter, Leslie, was born, along with his love of big-game hunting, fly fishing, RV'ing and the outdoors.

He and his family moved back to Duke University to complete a residency in ob/gyn from 1967-1970, followed by another tour with the Air Force at Elmendorf Air Force Base, where he reached the rank of Lt. Colonel. After an honorary discharge, he joined a practice with Dr. Van Kirke Nelson and Dr. John Heine in Kalispell, Montana, where he stayed for the next 24 years.

Dr. Sowell retired in 1997 and he and Sandra moved to Saddlebrooke, Arizona, where they enjoyed more RV'ing, golf and hiking, including a trek from rim to rim through the Grand Canyon. Dr. Sowell is well known for being an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Duke Blue Devils.

Memorials in Dr. Sowell's name can be directed to the Child Development Center at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 11575 N. First Avenue, Oro Valley, Arizona, 85737.

Passing of Ann Pearce

Sarah Brady — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:43:32 GMT

We were sorry to hear about the passing of Ann Pearce, spouse of Dr. Philip Pearce, on April 5, 2025.

Virginia Ann Miller Pearce was born in Spartanburg, SC. She received her BA from Furman University where she was a member and soloist for the Furman Singers. She continued her singing as a church and oratorio soloist for many years throughout the southeast.

In 1957, Ann married Philip Pearce, who was in medical school at Duke. During their medical school years, Ann served as secretary to Dr. Wiley Forbus, the Head of the Pathology Department at Duke. After her husband’s internship, they were stationed with the US Air Force in Newfoundland, Canada for three years. During that time, she was Director of the Base Chapel Choirs and the Officer’s Wives Chorale. Their two sons and daughter were born to them during those years of school and military service. After their time in the Air Force, they returned to Durham where Dr. Pearce completed his Ob-Gyn training and entered practice with Durham Women’s Clinic.

After their return to Durham, Ann was very active in the community and church. Some of her many honors and accomplishments included serving as: President of the Durham Junior Woman’s Club, President of the Watts Hospital Staff Wives, President of the Watts Hospital Auxiliary, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the new Durham Regional Hospital Gift Shop, Chairman of NC State Committee on Hospital Volunteer Services. In 2012 she was recognized as having the most volunteer hours ever for any volunteer at Watts Hospital and Durham Regional Hospital. Ann also served as President of the Friday Morning Music Club, and as a choir member and soloist at Watts Street Baptist Church for over 50 years where she also served on its Board of Deacons.

Ann was devoted to her family – her husband, their three children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She delighted in being with family and serving others. Ann and Phil were avid travelers who traveled extensively throughout the world. They shared their love of travel and experiential learning with their children and grandchildren, hosting many trips to destinations designed to create lasting memories and appreciation for other cultures.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Watts Street Baptist Church at 10 AM on Saturday, April 19, 2025, with the Reverend Dorisanne Cooper officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Ann may be made to Watts Street Baptist Church Choral Program, 800 Watts St., Durham, NC 27701. Read the full obituary here.

Passing of Dr. Michael Land

Sarah Brady — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:20:37 GMT

It is with sadness that we report the passing of Michael Roy Land, MD, on July 13, 2024. He was 73 years old.

Dr. Land graduated with an MD from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1980, where he was recognized as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Dr. Land's commitment to excellence in obstetrics and gynecology led him to complete a residency at Duke University in Durham, NC, from 1980 to 1984. During his residency, he spent a transformative period at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, fostering international medical exchange.

In July 1984, Dr. Land joined the Bradford Clinic in Charlotte, NC, where he dedicated over three decades to caring for his patients with empathy and skill. Specializing in obstetrics, he welcomed more than five thousand babies into the world, leaving an enduring impact on countless families.

Beyond medicine, Dr. Land was a man of diverse passions and had an adventurous spirit. An avid car enthusiast, he was a member of the Ferrari Club of America and enjoyed racing cars throughout the United States in the 1990s. In later years, he could often be spotted driving around the greater Charlotte area in his ‘65 AC Shelby Cobra. Throughout his life he found solace and adventure on his motorcycles, traversing the continental United States several times and was particularly fond of visiting the great National Parks. An accomplished scuba diver, Dr. Land spent many vacations in the Caribbean, exploring barrier reefs, shipwrecks and other underwater wonders.

Read Dr. Land's full obituary here.

"Mike was such a great guy, and he was so efficient and productive that during his residency our metric/term to describe clinical productivity was "Land Units'."

—Kenneth J. Fortier, MD

Passing of Dr. Tom Wyatt

Sarah Brady — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:45:40 GMT

We are sad to announce the passing of Thomas Harris Wyatt, MD, 85, who died peacefully at home Aug. 31, 2024 due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was born Jan. 6, 1939 in Tampa, Florida, the son of Mary Alice Young Wyatt and Phil Henley Wyatt. He moved to Sanford, Florida, where he spent his youth.

Tom graduated from Seminole High School, Sanford. He attended Florida State University on a music scholarship. An extraordinary piano player, he and others around him were blessed by this gift his entire life.

Graduating from Florida State University in 1961, he received his Doctor of Medicine from University of Florida School of Medicine in 1965. His training continued at Vanderbilt University with an internship in general surgery in 1966 and ob/gyn residency and fellowship training at Duke University in 1971. He was a Life Fellow of ACOG and member of the F. Bayard Carter Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Duke University. Following training, Tom served as a Major in the U.S. Army Medical Corp at Lyster Army Hospital, Fort Rucker, Alabama from 1971-1973. He was honorably discharged and moved to Pensacola, Florida where he started his medical practice while raising a family. An original member of the Medical Center Clinic, he was loved and respected by his patients, staff and partners. It was here he cultivated and shared a love of the water and boating. Tom transitioned from clinical practice to administrative medicine, working all over the southeast. He retired to Fairhope, Alabama with his wife, Mary. In 2022, Tom and Mary moved to Richmond, Virginia to be close to family.

Tom was most proud of his four sons, their wives and his seven grandchildren. His greatest pleasure was time with them. He shared his love of music, fishing, watching sports and exploring.

In addition to his mother and father, Tom is predeceased by his sister, Phyllis Senkarik and his son, Andrew Campbell Wyatt.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 32 years, Mary (Johnston) Wyatt, are his sons Thomas Allen Wyatt (Jan) of Winter Haven, Florida, Christopher Harris Wyatt, MD (Julie) of Jackson, Mississippi and Phillip Byers Wyatt (Addie) of Richmond, Virginia.; seven grandchildren Thomas James Thornal Wyatt of Washington, D.C.; Campbell Watkins Wyatt, Porter Allen Wyatt, Elizabeth Letton “Lettie” Wyatt, Mary Phalbia “Mim” Wyatt, Harris Hampton Wyatt “Hamp” all of Jackson, Mississippi; and Samuel Byers Wyatt of Richmond, Virginia; one niece, Kathryn Alexandra Johnston of St Petersburg, Florida; special brother-in-law and friend, Edward Senkarik of Sanford, Florida.

A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14 at Bayview Fischer Pou, 3351 Scenic Hwy 90 E, Pensacola, Florida. Those who wish to remember Tom may make gifts in his memory to Wade’s Army, supporting families battling neuroblastoma or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Passing of Dr. Maurice Courie

Sarah Brady — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 18:51:04 GMT

We were sorry to hear that Dr. Maurice Nickola Courie, fondly known as "Mo," died on June 30 at age 91, leaving a loving family, countless friends and thousands of babies he delivered in his obstetrics practice in Raleigh.

Dr. Courie graduated from Duke University in 1959 and was in private practice from 1966 until his retirement in 2002. During that time, he was a member of the Wake County and North Carolina medical societies; served as past ob/gyn chief and president of the medical staff at Rex Hospital; and was a past president and active member of the F. Bayard Carter Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Dr. Courie loved golf, gardening, listening to music, supporting the arts and serving his church. He is survived by his wife, Barbara "Bobbi" Otis Courie.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 8, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh; or to St. Michael’s music program.

Read Dr. Courie's full obituary here.

Passing of Dr. Abraham "Sonny" Sobel

Sarah Brady — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:54:38 GMT

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Abraham “Sonny” Sobel, MD, in April 2024.

Dr. Sobel received his undergraduate degree in history from Vanderbilt University and his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a captain in Korea and at Fort Lewis, Washington. After serving in the Army, he began his obstetrics and gynecology residency at the Duke University School of Medicine.

After graduating, Dr. Sobel joined a practice in Kingsport, Tennessee; he remained in the practice for many years and delivered hundreds of babies. Even after retiring, he continued to offer medical support to Kingsport residents.

Read Dr. Sobel's full obituary here.

Passing of Dr. Dave Schomberg

Sarah Brady — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:21:12 GMT

We were sorry to hear of Dr. David William Schomberg's passing at the age of 84 on Feb. 2, 2024. He received his BS degree from the University of Wisconsin and his MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University.

He began his career at Duke University in 1968. During his nearly 50 years at Duke, he was awarded professorships in reproductive sciences, integrative immunology and cell biology, and he served as chief of the Division of Reproductive Biology in Duke Ob/Gyn from 1968 to 2016.

Dr. Schomberg made an indelible impact on the department's research and education missions, as well as on many trainees and faculty members. In 2016, he was honored as Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Schomberg loved being outdoors on his 100-acre farm in Hillsborough, NC, fly fishing, traveling and spending time with his family. Read Dr. Schomberg's full obituary here.

Passing of Dr. Thomas (Tom) White

Sarah Wright — Tue, 09 May 2023 14:26:16 GMT

We are sad to announce the passing of Tom White on March 23, 2023. Dr. White attended Duke University School of Medicine where he was elected President of the second-year class. He interned at New York Hospital (Cornell) in surgery from July 1959 to July 1960, and then returned to Duke for his Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) residency training, finishing in December 1964. While a resident he won the Residents' Prize for a paper on Sarcoma of the Uterus (a 30-year review at Duke Hospital). He served as President of the Carter Society in 1986.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 12, 2023 at Southminster, 8919 Park Road, Great Room B, Charlotte, NC 28210, with the Reverend Marty Hedgpeth officiating. Parking is available at Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church, 8801 Park Road. The family will receive friends following the service. For more details, please read his obituary here .

Obituary for Dr. George Maroulis

Sarah Wright — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 15:41:52 GMT

It is with great sadness that we announce that George Basile Maroulis, MD, PhD, Chair and Professor Emeritus, Democritus Medical School, passed away on March 21, 2022 in Athens, Greece, where he was born on April 15, 1940.

He graduated from Athens College Greek-American Preparatory School, Athens, Greece in 1959, at which time he was granted one of four International Complete Four Year Scholarships to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He continued his education, on scholarship, at Albany Medical School, from which he obtained his M.D. degree in 1967, then he continued his training at Duke University Medical School.

George loved Duke. Dr. Roy T. Parker was Chairman when he was there and Dr. Parker and his wife invited the residents to their house often, something George really enjoyed. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology during which time he became Chief Resident. He did an additional year as a surgical resident. Dr. Charles Hammond was his chief resident in Ob/Gyn. They became life long friends. He went on to do a sub-specialty at UCLA-HGH in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility with Dr. Guy Abraham who had recently invented the first solid-phase radioimmunoassay system (RIA) for the measurement of steroid hormones. He earned his Ph.D from the University of Patras Medical School. He received many grants to support his prolific research.

George loved challenges and accomplished many "firsts"in his career which coincided with the explosion of new developments in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He was Chief of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Rush University Medical School (Chicago) and at the University of Chicago Medical School where he started the first fellowship program. He became the first Chairman of Ob/Gyn at the newly established University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece. He returned to the USA in 1985 and started the first IVF program in Florida, at the University of South Florida where he was Professor and Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility. He started the first IVF program at Democritus University Medical School in Alexandroupolis, Greece where he was Professor and Chairman. In his unique position of being a professor of Gynecology in the USA and Europe, George was very interested in promoting the collaboration between the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the recently organized European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). He suggested the interaction to the ASRM and was part of the first ASRM committee dedicated to that effort. George was on the first committee in Greece that advised the government as to regulations concerning IVF. He also was instrumental in establishing the Greek Robotic Gynecologic Society and became its first president. He was the only gynecologist to be a tenured full professor in both the USA and Greece. His last university position was Professor at Florida International University Medical School in Miami, Florida.

He received many honors for his work in Greece and the United States where he was repeatedly on the list of Best Doctors in America. He also gave out honors. He was pleased to give an honorary degree from the Democritus Medical School in Alexandroupolis to Dr. Robert Edwards (Nobel Laureate), whom he had met when doing his sub-specialty at UCLA and maintained contact with over the years. Dr. Edwards accepted the degree saying that IVF could not have succeeded without the use of RIA to measure steroids invented at UCLA. Betty Ford, the former First Lady of the United States, was interested in Women's Health and visited the University of Chicago. She went into the operating room with George and peered through the laparoscope to understand the procedure. George was one of two doctors who were the first to use the method in Chicago. George was dedicated to teaching, research and training the next generation and was committed to contributing to his field both in the USA and Greece. His work was his favorite "hobby." He was devoted to helping people and treated many patients without charge. He felt that his greatest honor would be for someone to be proud to have trained under him.

George will be remembered, not only for his accomplishments in his career, but for the humble, loving, indefatigable human being he was. He was fun to be with. His broad smile exuded the warmth and caring inside of him. He never dwelled on the negative and always had a good word to say about people. He had a twinkle in his eyes, ready to enjoy life at its fullest. He had a loving bond with his sons and delighted in watching them grow. They loved being with him and both became physicians.

He loved the arts, including music, opera, theater and movies. He also was a sports enthusiast and particularly enjoyed water sports, tennis and skiing. He was a water polo champion in his youth. He always had a non-medical book which he was reading, often about WWII.

He traveled the world because of his professional speaking engagements and relished every bit of it. He savored the food of different cultures and enjoyed the special restaurants he would visit during his travels. One trip to China in 1989 became somewhat harrowing when the Tiananmen Square Crisis occurred while he was there. He visited the Square each evening while in Beijing to talk with the students. He was invited by the Chinese Medical Association to organize and lead a group of reproductive endocrinologists, and their physicians graciously hosted him, including a dinner in the Emperor's dining room. He also had the rare honor of being hosted at the home of Dr. Gu, a gynecologist who was the Chinese representative to the WHO. The trip was cut short by the crisis. Fortunately, he was able to get the group off the mainland to Hong Kong.

George was predeceased by his parents Dr. Basile Maroulis, a gynecologist, and Antonia Trantas Maroulis. He is survived by his wife Thalia (aka Tallye) and sons Basile (AB'08) and Nicholas; brother Nicholas Maroulis (Paula); aunt Helen Trantas; brother-in-law Dean Topping (Jane); sister-in-law Francine Topping Tague (Philip); cousins The Miller, Maroulis, Trantas and Malliri Families; beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and colleagues. They will find consolation in that his was a life well lived.

Passing of Dr. Richard Wiebe

Sarah Brady — Mon, 23 May 2022 16:03:55 GMT

Dear Carter Club Members, it was recently brought to my attention that we lost another Duke alumnus this past November.

Dr. Richard "Herb" Wiebe passed away peacefully at his home at age 83. He was a proud Canadian who graduated from the University of Saskatchewan Medical School in 1962. While in medical school, he managed to write, direct and star in a musical titled "Medico Mania."

He did his Ob/Gyn residence in Galveston, and in the late 60s, was one of Duke's first REI fellows, if not the very first. He was on faculty at Duke, the University of Southern Alabama, the University of South Dakota and East Tennessee State University before his retirement in 1998. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jacquelyn.

His full obituary can be found at the Wilmington Funeral and Cremation website.

—Geoffrey Turner, MD
Carter Society Secretary

Recent Passing of Drs. George Maroulis and John Glover

Sarah Brady — Mon, 09 May 2022 14:34:52 GMT

We have lost another pair of alumni recently. Please keep their families in your thoughts.

George Maroulis, MD, passed away at his home in Florida on March 21, 2022. Dr. Maroulis graduated from Albany Medical School in 1967, did his internship at Duke in 1968 and completed his Ob/Gyn residency at Duke in 1973. He specialized in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and was a staunch provider of women's healthcare both in south Florida as well as in his native Greece. He hosted the Hammonds on a trip to Athens that Dr. Hammond frequently referred to as one of his favorite vacations of all time. He is survived by his wife Tallye.

John Glover, MD, also passed away recently at the age of 89. He attended both the Citadel and UNC, graduating in 1955. He completed medical school, his internship and his Ob/Gyn residency at Duke, graduating in 1964. He began practicing in Charlotte in 1965 and was an active physician, administrator and member of the Charlotte community for over 34 years. He was also a Navy physician from 1967-69 in Millington, TN.

Dr. Glover was quite the hobbyist, often taking up whatever interest a child or grandchild needed help with at the time – some of these included ice hockey, sewing, violin and small boat sailing. Dr. Glover is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Ann.

Read Dr. Glover's full obituary here.

Recent Passing of Drs. Elizabeth Baker and Samuel Gilmore

Sarah Brady — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:12:29 GMT

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the recent passing of two of our alumni.

Dr. Elizabeth Baker died peacefully at her home in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Baker was a “career Blue Devil,” having completed college, medical school and residency all here at Duke. After graduating from the Duke residency program in 1979, she completed a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of South Carolina. She was an Assistant Professor of Ob/Gyn and REI at Penn State from 1981-86 and an Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina up until her retirement in 1996. She is a former president of the Duke Medical Alumni Association, sang for 12 years in the Duke chapel choir and was an avid Zoo supporter who loved iguanas. She will be missed.

Full obituary link: http://www.mcswain-evans.com/joomla30/index.php/obituaries/current-year-obituries/2517-dr-elizabeth-baker

Dr. Samuel Gilmore passed away recently after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. Dr. Gilmore graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1968. After serving in the U.S. Air Force as a flight surgeon, he came to Duke for his Ob/Gyn residency, graduating in 1975. For over forty years, Dr. Gilmore provided patient care and delivered countless babies for the families of Lenoir County. His leadership roles at Lenoir Memorial Hospital included a long stint as the Ob/Gyn Department Chair; he also served as President of the medical staff in 1989. In 2021 he was inducted into the UNC Lenoir Health Care Hall of Honor for his years of service in the community. His great love was Kathy, his surviving wife of 46 years, and his passions included gardening, Boston Terriers and singing in his church choir.

Full obituary link: https://www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Dr-Samuel-Joseph-Gilmore?obId=23235598#/obituaryInfo

Passing of Dr. W. Allen Addison, Professor Emeritus

Sarah Brady — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:11:25 GMT

Duke Ob/Gyn Chair Matthew D. Barber, MD, MHS, announced that Professor Emeritus Winnifred Allen “Al” Addison, MD, died June 26, 2021 at the age of 87.

To read the full announcement, click here.

Dept. Mourns Loss of Longtime Faculty Member, Mentor Bill Meyer, MSW

Sarah Brady — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:10:41 GMT

It is with great sadness that the Department announces the passing of William S. (“Bill”) Meyer, MSW, BCD. Bill served as Director of Training for Social Work and Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Ob/Gyn at Duke University Medical Center. He practiced in Duke’s High-Risk Obstetrics clinic, mentoring residents and fellows, and taught and supervised social work interns and 3rd year psychiatry residents at Duke for over 30 years.

To read the rest of the announcement, click here.

Memories of Dr. Charles B. Hammond

Sarah Brady — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:09:00 GMT

If you would like to submit a tribute of your own, please click here and fill out the form.

From Nazema Siddiqui, MD, MHSc

When I was a fellow in Urogynecology, Dr. Hammond was still seeing ambulatory patients in clinic 1J. I remember sharing the workroom with him, hearing about his long-term patients and gaining insights into how to thoughtfully take care for women across the lifespan. As a fellow, the Hammond Fund essentially jump-started my research career; after joining the faculty it continued to serve as a lifeline to allow me to pursue my research interests. Over the years Dr. Hammond helped me to prepare for my oral boards, continued to provide words of encouragement, and always shared his wisdom about academic medicine. I am so grateful to have known him and to have benefited from his knowledge. Every time I think of his passing I am again saddened to have lost one of the great mentors in our field.

From Al Addison, MD, PhD

Remembrances of Charles B. Hammond, MD, friend and mentor: My first remembrance of CBH is when he came to my small home town of Toccoa, GA in a brand new 1951 Ford convertible with a crew cut and the top down. He came to woo "the prettiest girl in town." After a few visits for the same purpose, CBH was dissuaded from coming back again from the big city of Athens. I was not involved in this agreement, nor was I privy to the details thereof. My only recollections at this point in time or that he was debonaire, cordial, self assured, immaculately groomed – and very "well carred."

My next remembrance of CBH was ten years later to join the class behind me at Duke Medical School. This time he brought with him a secret weapon. Her name was Peggy. He was possessed of all the attributes previously described, but somehow seemed somewhat subdued and controlled.

Chuck, as he was now called by the other students, quickly established himself as a outstanding and collegial student. About this time I once asked him how he preferred to be addressed. With a smile, he responded, "how about Sir Charles?"

We both ended up in The Obstetric and Gynecology residency at Duke, he being a year behind me. After a year he left the residency to spend a year in the newly established Research Training Program at Duke. During this interlude, he became seriously ill with hepatitis and was hospitalized. I spent a whole month's salary, which was twenty five dollars, to buy some books and magazines for him. When I delivered them to his room he graciously thanked me. And then said, "but you take them along with you. I don't have time to read them. I have to study." Sadly, I took them and read them when I should be studying too.

After training our paths parted for a few years. With CBH's encouragement and support I finally came back to Duke on faculty, which I had always wanted to do. By then he was a nationally recognized and respected scholar and researcher-soon to become the Departmental and Chair. Thereafter, our relationship matured to a close personal, family and professional one. And obviously there was enough love to prevent him from acting on justifying reasons to fire me, and to prevent me from killing him when I was very frustrated. In the heat of such moments, he was always supportive, and I truly hope that I was too. He was my friend, sponsor, mentor, and tormentor. And again, I truly think and pray that I afforded him the same. I look forward to future such rants followed by a firm handshake and reconciling pat on the back. Like so many others, I shall miss him terribly.

From Claude Hughes, MD, PhD

I was privileged to be the last Resident hired by Dr. Parker and the first Resident to start under Dr. Hammond! Nearing the end of my fourth year of medical school and trying to finish up my PhD dissertation research, writing and defense in Dr. Tyrey's Lab, I needed to use 6 months from January to June leading up to starting the Residency per se. So, I spent JAN-MAR in the lab and APR-JUN in Fayetteville as an extra OB-GYN Resident before starting as a JAR at Duke in JUL. So wow! It was trial by fire but I leaned so very much; multiple forceps deliveries (Dr. Vieta of course!), being on the code blue team covering the whole hospital with Family Medicine Residents as the medical team partners, many GYN cases, etc. Anyway, Dr. Hammond's support of me at that career transition phase helped me to complete an important scientific step and then to equip me to be an experienced OB-GYN doc right from the start!

From Thomas Price, MD

Dr. Hammond was an incredible physician, scientist and mentor. When I arrived at Duke in 2003, he went out of his way to make me feel welcome and referred some of his most challenging patients. Probably most recognized for his Southern gentleman style, he was always polite, calm, professional and loved by his patients. He played a major role in making Duke Ob/Gyn a nationally and internationally renown program. Like many, I will greatly miss him.

From Bob Stillman, MD

During my tenure at Duke for my Residency (and Administrative Chief year) 1973-1977, Chuck was my one true mentor in reproductive medicine.

Chuck and Peggy, always gracious to Linda and I – even though I was fondly referred to as "that Yankee" – but his being a role model and support to me I remember always. And, yes, there were certainly moments of drama and angst – like Chuck courageously discharging a Duke family member before Gyn surgery for refusing the Pre Op exam from the first Black JAR. Or Chuck slumping into a chair early one morning into a patient presentation conference, still in scrubs with mask dropped below his chin, after a long night of surgery with our Urology colleagues. This second surgery followed discovery of no post-op urine output/bilateral ureteral obstruction after vaginal hysterectomy for severe uterine prolapse on his patient – and they were presenting that very patient while she still lay in the Recovery Room! The Buffalo struck.

Of import to me, however, is an example of Chuck's mentorship: knowing I was interested in an academic career, Chuck honored me by offering me a Fellowship position in REI at Duke following my Residency, but he urged me not to take it as training in and being in contact with various academic centers and leaders rather than just one would be an advantage for me. As that true mentor, he then helped me secure a Fellowship with Ken Ryan in Boston and then post Fellowship work at NIH with the incomparable Griff Ross and Mort Lipsett, this latter where he had done his training and work on Gestational Trophoblastic Disease just a few years prior.

If any Fellow from my subsequent years as Division Director at George Washington might consider me to be their mentor, it is because I followed the lead of this fine person and glorious academician. I remain proud – and remain admired – for being fortunate to have been at Duke and with Chuck Hammond.

From Clifton Wheeler, MD

My memories of Dr. Charles B. Hammond ("Chuck") go back approximately 60 years. When I was 14 years of age, I had the privilege of working for Dr. Joseph Markee, chairman of Duke Anatomy Dept. and Dean of Admissions for Duke Medical School. My mother was Dr. Markee's executive secretary. I worked helping embalm cadavers, copy films (frame by frame) for him, and any other task for which I could be of use. I remember Chuck walking the halls during those years in the medical school overlooking the quad. Little did I know that he would ultimately become my mentor, professor, chairman, colleague, and friend. Dr. Markee detected my interest in possibly becoming a physician and counseled me as to where to go to college with a pre-med major and the path by which I had the best chance of Duke Medical School. I worked and it worked. I had exposure to Chuck occasionally during those years, but my area of interest became obstetrics and gynecology. I was accepted for residency at Duke during Dr. Parker's chairmanship, and during the course of medical school and residency, I had the privilege of being taught and mentored by Chuck. I had the privilege of doing some work with Lee Tyrey in the lab for evaluation of HCG under Chuck's perusal. As end of residency approached, I was encouraged by Chuck to consider Fellowship in reproductive endocrinology, but I was anxious to get out into practice and migrated to Florida where I have been since and now retired. Via the Carter Society, my friendship with Chuck and the many wonderful mentors in my training has lived on and been truly a great blessing in my life. I love Chuck Hammond and Peggy. He will sorely be missed. He lived a most fruitful life and I was privileged to have been his friend and to reap the benefits of that friendship.

From Clemens Grosskinsky, MD

At the end of my residency, I had my exit interview in the "Blue Zone" with Dr. Hammond. Dr. Hammond (or Chuckles, as he was affectionately known among some of my fellow residents) had the ability to make me feel comfortable and appreciated, a talent which not all the faculty shared with him. He congratulated me on having matched in an REI fellowship and said "I'm glad for the specialty." Now, of course, this is open to interpretation—glad that I was not going to be a general Ob/Gyn, instead ending up in a (sub)specialty where I could do relatively little harm, or glad that I would bring whatever meager talents I might possess to his own subspecialty.

At any rate, he asked—innocently, I'm sure—where I had matched, and I, somewhat sheepishly, said "Chapel Hill." He seemed surprised and said: "Well, Clem, I'm sure we can find you a fellowship position here at Duke." This put me in an awkward position, and my mumbled response has been obscured by the charitable mists of amnesia.

What I remember distinctly, though, were Dr. Hammond's parting words as I left his office on my way to Chapel Hill: "Remember, Clem, it's missionary work!"

From Edward C. Halperin, MD, MA

The department of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke had an extraordinary history of leadership. There were only three chairs of the department over the 71 year span from 1931 to 2002: F. Bayard Carter, Roy Parker, and Charles Hammond. Dr. Parker had a deep, deep voice. My first encounter with him was by telephone in 1983 within in my first month as an attending physician: “Dr. Halperin, please report to the operating room tomorrow morning for the application of contra cervical radium.” Insofar as Dr. Parker had not asked me to see the patient in question, do a consultation, offer an opinion on the role of radiation therapy, nor did he seem to know that no one had used radium for many years, I had thus had a startling introduction to Duke.

If you had gone to a Hollywood central casting office and asked them to find someone to play the role of the dignified Southern gentleman academic chair, the casting office would have selected Dr. Parker’s successor: Dr. Hammond. He had dropped out of The Citadel after his junior year of college to be admitted to Duke Medical School in an era when a BS degree was not required for admission. Several decades later The Citadel got around to giving him an honorary bachelor’s degree. Except for about two years doing a gestational trophoblastic disease fellowship at the NIH, he spent his career at Duke from the day he walked into the building as a first year medical student. About 20 years ago I figured out that he had passed his approximately 45-50 year anniversary at Duke and Paul Newman and I hosted a dinner in his honor at the University Club.

When we decided to host the dinner I had one of my most memorable conversations with a fellow clinical department chair.

“We’re going to have a dinner in honor of Charles Hammond.”

“Why? Is he sick?”

“No, he’s fine.”

“Why? Is he retiring?”

“No. It has come to our attention that he’s just passed a milestone in his years of service at Duke and we’re going to celebrate that.”

“You mean to tell me we’re going to have a dinner just in order to be nice?”

“Yes. To be nice.”

“Hmm. Being nice? Seems unprecedented amongst the Duke clinical department chairs to me.”

There were several episodes where I felt in need of the wise counsel of an experienced chair as to how to conduct myself as a young chair. I would go see Dr. Hammond.

“Dr. Hammond, one of my departmental has come to see me to tell me about serious marital problems. They have sought my advice. How should I handle that?”

“Edward, y’all have a marriage counseling diploma on your wall?”

“Of course not Dr. Hammond.”

“Then I believe that’s your answer. Don’t you dare give any marital advice. Your staff member might be stupid enough to listen to you. You tell that you’ll give them as much time off as they need. You tell them that you’ll make a referral to a counselor. Otherwise, you be quiet yet supportive.”

Then there was my query about a distraught faculty member.

“Dr. Hammond, while trying to discuss a change in their position one of my faculty members burst into tears. I didn’t know what the right thing to do was so I excused myself and said I would come back later. Was that wrong?”

“Edward, what do y’all see on my credenza over my right shoulder?"

“A box of tissues, Dr. Hammond.”

“That would be correct. What y’all do in the situation you describe is stay seated. Take your right hand and grasp the box of tissues and hand them to the faculty member. Then you are to say nothing and sit politely with your hands folded until they’re done. Then you resume the conversation.”

I immediately walked back to my office and told my beloved assistant, Ruth, to order a box of tissues for the office.

He was a tall, broad shouldered man with a deep voice, slow gait, and wire rimmed glasses. I never saw him show any evidence of having a temper. During a discussion, once, about Roe v. Wade and changing attitudes towards abortion, I remember him telling me about a patient in the pre-Roe era:

“I had a married woman dying as a result of a criminal abortion. Before she died she looked up at me from the hospital bed and said ‘Why is it necessary that I die because I was born a woman and, therefore, am capable of getting pregnant?’”

It was the only time I heard anger in his voice tempered with world-weariness and sorrow.

May his memory be for a blessing.

From Robert L. Harris, MD

When I interviewed for Urogyn fellowship in 1994, I distinctly remember how nervous I was and how I felt somewhat out of place, being the only applicant from Mississippi. Dr. Hammond quickly accepted me and our common bond of southern gentility emerged. He was so engaging and respectful to me then, and once at Duke, our relationship continued and he was always available for a quick chat, to give advice, or just to sit and talk. In short, he knew how to lead and he always made me feel like an important part of the team at Duke OBGYN.

From Phil Pearce, MD, FACOG

I got to know Chuck while we were both in Duke Medical School, though not well at that time because he was a class behind me. We had a little overlap in our training during our residency years but most of that time I was either in the military service out of the country or he was at the NIH. I got to know him better when he returned to the Duke faculty at which time I was in practice in Durham. I found Chuck to always be collegial, gracious, very well informed and happy to share his knowledge with others and I treasured our relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent with Chuck and Peggy at the Bayard Carter Society meetings over the past 50 plus years.

From Andrew Berchuck, MD

Ten favorite Chuck (and Peggy) Hammond memories.

1) The M&M conferences he led so brilliantly and compassionately in Duke South in the pre-Powerpoint era, with a resident writing the details on the chalk board as the case was presented.

2) In 1988 I informed Dr. Hammond that my AGOS young investigator grant was “approved but not funded” due to fiscal constraints. I got a call 24 hours later from AGOS to inform me that the grant was now funded.

3) Hearing stories about his time at NCI learning to give methotrexate for treatment of GTD, and coming back to Duke and setting up the Southeastern Regional GTD center.

4) My first annual faculty review when he laid out his expectations, and I had the temerity to tell him his bar was too low. Could see he was smiling on the inside.

5) Departmental holiday parties at the Hammond’s home with Pimento Cheese sandwich appetizers.

6) Hitching a ride home from an AGOS meeting at the Homestead (circa 1990) in the big white BMW with Chuck and Peggy. I think Chuck built the car himself in his garage.

7) The only surgery we did together was on a Duke employee (and now 25 year ovarian cancer survivor) who I still see annually. At that time using the bovie for hemostasis was rather new. I buzzed a bleeder on the ureter and thought Dr. Hammond was going to faint. Or fire me when he regained his composure.

8) Playing in Chuck’s beloved Golden Speculum tennis tournament held every year on the Duke East campus as part of resident’s day.

9) The many (much needed) lessons on Southern (versus New York) diplomacy and persuasion from Dr. Hammond, also known as the velvet harpoon.

10) Having lunch with semi-retired Chuck and my son Jacob, who was a Medical Student, in the Duke South Cafeteria in 2012 because I wanted him to meet one of my most influential mentors.

Passing of Dr. Charles B. Hammond, Professor and Chair Emeritus

Sarah Brady — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:07:43 GMT

With great sadness, the Department of Ob/Gyn announced that Charles B. Hammond, MD, FACOG, FRCOG, died on Monday, February 1, 2021. To read the full announcement, click here.