Obit watch: October 24, 2023.

Dr. Donlin Long, big damn hero.

Dr. Long was one of the pioneers of the insulin pump.

In addition to the insulin pump, Dr. Long, as an expert in relieving chronic pain, also had a collaborative hand in introducing, in 1981, the first battery-powered, rechargeable, implantable electronic device to stimulate peripheral nerves to relieve pain, according to Johns Hopkins. The device, known as TENS, for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, became a standard medical tool.

He was a neurosurgeon.

As an accomplished practitioner of skull base surgery, Dr. Long was also instrumental in the first successful separation of twin infants born conjoined at the head. The operation, performed in 1987, involved 70 surgeons, nurses and assistants and lasted 22 hours.
The twins’ brains were separated, and one of the infants’ skulls was closed by Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, whom Dr. Long, the founding chairman of the department of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, had recruited to the university…
…Dr. Long, Dr. Carson’s mentor, closed the other boy’s skull during the operation.
Drs. Long and Carson had just one hour to accomplish final separation, to reconstruct the divided brain cavities and veins, and to restart the hearts in the infants, both of them boys.

And he was a mentor to people other than Dr. Carson:

Many of the surgeons trained during Dr. Long’s tenure at Johns Hopkins were hired as full professors, as leaders of neurosurgery departments at hospitals and universities, and as heads of professional associations.
“Neurosurgeons everywhere stand on his shoulders,” Dr. Connolly said.

…

Remembered for his equanimity, his role as a mentor and his can-do passion, Dr. Long often told his children and grandchildren, “There is no try, only did and did not.”

Elizabeth Hoffman, actress. Other credits include “Stargate SG-1”, “Cutter to Houston”, “Blue Thunder”, and a spin-off of a minor SF TV series from the 1960s.

Angelo Bruschini, guitarist for Massive Attack.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 24th, 2023 at 3:12 pm and is filed under Music, Obits, TV. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

2 Responses to “Obit watch: October 24, 2023.”

  1. pigpen51 says:
    October 24, 2023 at 6:24 pm

    Lost 3 very good people. I didn’t know of Dr. Long by name, but I certainly know the things that he accomplished, and I am impressed with his character.
    Other than implanting that character in others, I think that your own character is the only legacy that is of any real lasting value.
    Have a fantastic week.

  2. stainles says:
    October 25, 2023 at 7:24 pm

    Thank you, pigpen.

    I’m reminded of something Randy Pausch said to the effect: it’s nice to realize your childhood dreams. It’s even better to help others achieve their childhood dreams.

    Sure sounds like Dr. Long was one of those people who understood the idea of helping others achieve their dreams.