Arthur G. James
Encyclopedia
Arthur G. James once said, “All cancer will eventually be wiped out; there’s no doubt about that, I don’t know how long it will take, but… I’m sure that day is coming.” That belief coupled with his dedication to the idea that cancer patients need separate, specialized care, led James to lobby, campaign, and fundraise for thirty-five years to build a cancer hospital in central Ohio. The official ribbon cutting of the James Cancer Hospital
, as it is now commonly known, was Tuesday, January 16, 1990, at which the announcement, much to the surprise of James, was made that the hospital would officially be named The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in his honor. The cancer hospital and research institute are now known as Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
and are part of the Ohio State University Medical Center
in Columbus, Ohio
.
.
James was the third of eight children of Italian immigrants. His father was a coal miner who later owned a grocery store. As a boy, James worked in the family store, learning all phases of the business and helping to deliver groceries – first in a horse-drawn cart and later in a pickup truck.
. He later went to a somewhat larger two room school in a small community called Uniontown near Saint Clairsville
, Ohio (not to be confused with the larger Uniontown
, Ohio) which he went to from third to eighth grade. During high school, he went to St. Clairsville High School
, which he graduated from in 1930 as co-valedictorian. He attended Ohio State University
(OSU), eventually earning three degrees: a bachelor’s in 1934, a master’s in surgery and a medical degree, both in 1937.
James did his medical internship at the University of Chicago
and spent his second year as a surgical intern at Duke University
Hospital in Durham, North Carolina
. He then returned to OSU hospitals and completed his three year residency in general surgery. At OSU, he served as chief resident from 1941-42.
After completing his surgical residency, James wishing to continue training in the field of cancer, applied for and was accepted as a Fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
(MSKCC) – then known as Memorial Hospital – in New York City. His fellowship began July 1, 1942 but just six weeks later he was called into service for World War II with the 65th General Hospital, which he has joined while at Duke University. James served forty-three months in the Army Medical Corps as a major, twenty-two of which were in the European Theatre at the Duke University Army General Hospital. After the war he returned to MSKCC and completed his fellowship.
James went back to Ohio State University in 1947 as an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery. He remained at OSU for the rest of his career, working his way up to full professor and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. James was also the first to hold the Lucius A. Wing Chair of Cancer Research and Therapy.
from 1972-73. In 1987 James was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
.
James Cancer Hospital
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute is part of The Ohio State University and one of the twenty-one National Comprehensive Cancer hospitals...
, as it is now commonly known, was Tuesday, January 16, 1990, at which the announcement, much to the surprise of James, was made that the hospital would officially be named The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in his honor. The cancer hospital and research institute are now known as Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
James Cancer Hospital
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute is part of The Ohio State University and one of the twenty-one National Comprehensive Cancer hospitals...
and are part of the Ohio State University Medical Center
Ohio State University Medical Center
The Ohio State University Medical Center is a multidisciplinary academic medical center located in Columbus, Ohio, on the main campus of The Ohio State University . In 2010, the Ohio State University Hospital was ranked one of "America's Best" by U.S. News & World Report in 11 specialties...
in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
Childhood
James was born Arthur David Giangiacomo (meaning son of James) on March 14, 1912 in Rhodesdale, Ohio, a small mining town that no longer exists in Belmont CountyBelmont County, Ohio
Belmont County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 70,400. Its county seat is St. Clairsville...
.
James was the third of eight children of Italian immigrants. His father was a coal miner who later owned a grocery store. As a boy, James worked in the family store, learning all phases of the business and helping to deliver groceries – first in a horse-drawn cart and later in a pickup truck.
Education
James's first education was in a one room schoolhouse in Belmont County, OhioBelmont County, Ohio
Belmont County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 70,400. Its county seat is St. Clairsville...
. He later went to a somewhat larger two room school in a small community called Uniontown near Saint Clairsville
St. Clairsville, Ohio
St. Clairsville is a city in Belmont County, Ohio in the United States. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 5,057 at the 2000 census. This county seat of Belmont County has been nicknamed "Paradise on the Hill." St. Clairsville was named after...
, Ohio (not to be confused with the larger Uniontown
Uniontown, Ohio
Uniontown is a census-designated place in Stark County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,802 at the 2000 census. Uniontown was named #69 on CNN Money's list.Uniontown is part of the Canton–Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Ohio) which he went to from third to eighth grade. During high school, he went to St. Clairsville High School
St. Clairsville High School
St. Clairsville High School is located in St. Clairsville, Ohio, USA. It currently houses grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment between 600 and 700 students. It is the high school in the St. Clairsville-Richland City School District. The school mascot is the Red Devil....
, which he graduated from in 1930 as co-valedictorian. He attended Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
(OSU), eventually earning three degrees: a bachelor’s in 1934, a master’s in surgery and a medical degree, both in 1937.
James did his medical internship at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
and spent his second year as a surgical intern at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
Hospital in Durham, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
. He then returned to OSU hospitals and completed his three year residency in general surgery. At OSU, he served as chief resident from 1941-42.
After completing his surgical residency, James wishing to continue training in the field of cancer, applied for and was accepted as a Fellow at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
(MSKCC) – then known as Memorial Hospital – in New York City. His fellowship began July 1, 1942 but just six weeks later he was called into service for World War II with the 65th General Hospital, which he has joined while at Duke University. James served forty-three months in the Army Medical Corps as a major, twenty-two of which were in the European Theatre at the Duke University Army General Hospital. After the war he returned to MSKCC and completed his fellowship.
James went back to Ohio State University in 1947 as an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery. He remained at OSU for the rest of his career, working his way up to full professor and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. James was also the first to hold the Lucius A. Wing Chair of Cancer Research and Therapy.
Family
In 1940, James married Mildred "Millie" Cameron. They had two children, David and Cameron.Awards and leadership
During his life, James served on the board of directors for the Columbus Cancer Clinic and also served as their medical director. He served as the national president of the American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
from 1972-73. In 1987 James was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is a nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, that was founded in 1947 to honor the achievements of outstanding Americans who have succeeded in spite of adversity and to emphasize the importance of higher education...
.
External links
- http://www.jamesline.com/about/drjames/