Raymond E. Watkins papers

Collection

Identifier: 2002-003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Raymond E. Watkins Papers consist of manuscripts of research papers, reprints, case abstracts, photographs of surgical cases, medical illustrations, x-rays, and charts. Many of the documents are handwritten. The material previously thought to belong to J. C. Misko was found to be part of the Watkins collection and was integrated back into it.

Dates

Creation: 1924-1945

Creator

Watkins, Raymond E., 1882-1945 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Some materials in this collection may be restricted due to the presence of protected health information (PHI) or other confidential information. Please contact Historical Collections & Archives for more details regarding access.

Conditions Governing Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Biographical Note

Dr. Raymond E. Watkins was born in Fairdale, Illinois in 1882. He attended Harvey College in Chicago and graduated from the School of Medicine of the University of Illinois in 1909. He moved to Portland in 1911 and in 1922, became a professor of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Oregon Medical School where he also served as dean of the department.

Although Dr. Watkins had no formal postgraduate training, he mastered difficult surgical techniques by frequently visiting clinics of well-known technicians where he learned new and innovative techniques. He was an outstanding diagnostician and an excellent plastic surgeon.

However, he was modest to the point of timidity. His colleagues viewed his timidity negatively and felt that he had an “… unspoken fear that he might lose caste in academic work by comparison with his contemporaries”. He was completely ineffective as dean of the department. His subordinates felt that they worked in an oppressive atmosphere and so were not motivated to raise the prestige of the department. Yet his friends and patients showed great affection for him and appreciated his love of good food and music.

At the age of 63, Dr. Watkins died of septicemia at the Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon, in 1945 August 7.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (4 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Raymond E. Watkins was a noted obstetrician and gynecologist. He became professor of obstetrics in 1922 and served as the dean of the department. His collections consists of papers, research data and articles related to his work and that of his colleagues.

Acquisition Information

No information on the acquisition of the initial accession are available.

The Raymond E. Watkins Papers (2002-003) now includes the J. C. Misko Papers (2004-014). In the course of processing the J. C. Misko Papers, it was found that the collection consists of materials created by, or related to Dr. Raymond E. Watkins. None of the materials are associated with Dr. Misko, a 1954 graduate of the University of Oregon Medical School. The accession record does not provide custodial information so it was decided that it was an accession error to have titled the collection the J. C. Misko Papers. These have now been added to Raymond E. Watkins Papers.