J. Robert Willson, M. D. was born in Flint, Michigan on the first of October 1912. He attended Flint Junior College and the University of Michigan for undergraduate work, and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1937. Dr. Willson spent four years as an intern and resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Hospital, completing residency in 1941. One year later, he was awarded a Master of Science degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology from U of M, where he also served as an Instructor in the field.

From 1942 to 1946, Dr. Willson was an Instructor and then Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago. He became a Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Temple University School of Medicine in 1947, a position, which he held until 1963.

The Bates Professor of Diseases of Women and Children

Dr. Willson returned to Ann Arbor in 1964 to become the Bates Professor of Diseases of Women and Children, and Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School, a position he held for 14 years. Dr, Willson retired as Chair in 1978 but continued as Bates Professor of Diseases of Women and Children and as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Michigan until 1983.

From 1983 to the present time, Dr. Willson has been the Bates Professor Emeritus of Diseases of Women and Children, Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the U of M Medical School, in addition to being an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

The Outstanding Career of a Leader

Dr. Willson has had an outstanding career. He has been a member of all distinguished societies within his discipline: Director of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1964 to 1970; President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for 1970-71; President of the American Gynecological Society from 1979 to 1981; a member of the Council of the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society at its formation from 1981 to 1984.

He served as President of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 1965-66, and Chairman of the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1967 to 1970. Dr. Willson was a member of the Part II Test Committee of the National Board of Medical Examiners from 1963 to 1965. He was also a Council Member of the Society for Gynecological Investigation from 1954 to 1956. He is indeed a leader in the discipline.

For This and For All His Past Contributions

Dr. Willson developed a strong and outstanding Department while at the University of Michigan, as well as placing distinguished faculty members from his staff at Michigan in medical schools throughout the country. With more than 80 publications, he has been an active contributor to scholarly literature. His textbook "Obstetrics and Gynecology," co-authored with Elsie Carrington, M.D., is now in its eighth edition having first been published in 1958. Dr. Willson has continued to be an active teacher and innovator, one of the leading figures in de· signing resident education for the future. For this and for all his past contributions, he was honored by being selected the Abram Sager Lecturer in 1987 at the University of Michigan.

Carrying on the Tradition

The fund for the J. Robert Willson Professorship of Obstetrics is established in the honor of this dedicated individual. We anticipate it will commence in the near future so that the first occupant of this distinguished chair can carry on Dr. Willson's tradition of leadership.