Rutledge, Dr Randolph 1997-06-03

Dr. Rutledge reminisces about his career as a Lubbock surgeon from 1957 to 1996. He includes a discussion of important changes and advances in Lubbock medicine and comments on the city’s medical pioneers.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dr. Randolph Rutledge

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: June 03, 1997

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Allison

Length: 55 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Randolph Rutledge, background, Born: Floydada, Texas, Texas Tech graduate (1946), Tulane Medical School (graduated 1950), St. Louis for surgical training, Military, Lubbock (1957) in partnership with Dr. Bronwell, Retired (1996), Practicing medicine in Lubbock (1957), Three board certified surgeons, Offices in Medical Building, High quality medical care, Dr. Krueger’s scrutiny of newcomers, Specialists, First cardiologist—Dr. Bill Garden, Internists—Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Croom, Orthopedics, OB/Gyn, Two Anesthesiologists, Nurses, General surgery, No orthopedics, Randolph Rutledge (again), Vascular surgery, Work schedule, work load, Small town hospitals, Surgery at, Discontinuance, Rutledge flying to Lubbock (1957), Population, Changes/improvements in medical practice, Dr. Bronwell, Dr. Rutledge, Texas Surgeons Society, Enastomosis of intestine developed, Dr. Salem’s improvements, Texas Tech Medical School, Randolph Rutledge (again), Quality of Lubbock medicine, Methodist Hospital one of best run in the state, Poor performers not allowed to practice, No referrals, Excluded from hospital staffs, Closed staff hospitals, Methodist Hospital, West Texas Hospital, Training and changes in, Nursing care and changes in, Methodist Hospital school, Old days—hands-on, Care no better now, Ambulance services, Early emergency room set-ups, ER doctors, Lubbock tornado (May 11, 1970), ER Methodist Hospital, 6 A.M. patient flow stopped, Triage, Injuries/deaths, Tornado’s path, Destruction.

Tape 1, Side 2: Medicare/Medicaid, Third party between patient and doctor, Little change in practice, Charity patients, Prior to Medicare, Doctors treated, Bronwell/Rutledge policy, Randolph Rutledge (again), Military service, Dr. Bronwell—military service, M.A.S.H. unit in Korean War, Rutledge (again), Military service (again), Benefits, Moving to Lubbock, Resisted, Friends, Contact with Dr. Bronwell, Relationship with Dr. Bronwell, Early Lubbock doctors, Dr. Krueger (again), Character/personality, Opinion of newcomers, Acceptance of good doctors, Monitoring new doctors (again), Intervention of lawyers, Rutledge (again), Reflections, Satisfied with life, New generation of physicians, Not as close to patients, Work load, Making rounds, Pay, Effect of Medicare/Medicaid, Insurance, Minority care, Doctors and hospitals, Medical care in past—low cost, AIDS, HMOs, Creates laziness, Salaried doctors, Advertising, Abortion, Low incidence, Future of medical care, Third parties, Government, Insurance, HMOs, Socialized medicine, Harry Truman, World War II service, Truman (again), Pre-med at Texas Tech, Father on draft board.

Range Dates: 1930-1997

Bulk Dates: 1960s

Access Information

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