Memorial of Joseph Murray

It has not been too long since we realized that Joseph Murray (1919-2012) has passed away while we heard this sad news 2 weeks ago. We never forget his memories and trip for the first time on 14 November 1974to Iran. He returned to our country one more time later to share his experiences with the country specialists. It is a great sorrow that he did not see our progress in plastic and reconstructive surgery now and how his dreams changed into reality. Joseph Murray, the world-known plastic surgeon and Nobel Prize winner, whose name embodies the honors of the first organ transplant surgeon, was invited to Iran in 1974 by Dr. Osanloo, the Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery of Tehran University. During his stay (From 14 Nov to 12 Dec 1974), he was involved in Iranian plastic surgeons training at the newly established, Motahari Burn and Plastic Surgery Center (Shahbanoo Hospital called at that time). Throughout the time he spent in Iran, he was busy in patient care and participating in the educational programs. He was also involved in designing the modern plastic surgery training in Iran organized by Dr. Osanloo while inviting the world well-known plastic surgeons such as Paul Tessier, Daniel O. Monasterio and Jaque Michon too. Having a world-class plastic surgery department in Iran was the dream of Dr Murray’s and Dr Osanaloo in Iran which changed into reality by his efforts. Upon his arrival in the United States of America, he surveyed the strength and weaknesses points of the Iranian plastic surgery program and wrote his report to Dr. Osnaloo in this relation. This report had a great influence on the scientific foundation of plastic surgery program in Iran which now exists. Part of his report is as follows: Harvard Medical School Surgery Unit Plastic Surgery Department Report