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Start Over Collection Merel H. Harmel Oral History Interviews, 1995-2004

Interview, April 24, 1995

This oral history interview was conducted with Dr. Merel H. Harmel on April 24, 1995 by Dr. James Gifford. It is included in the Dr. David Sabiston Oral History Project.

Duration: 00:59:00

During the interview, Harmel discusses his personal background and how he chose a career in anesthesiology; the development of anesthesiology departments, Harmel's involvement in the creation of numerous anesthesiology departments, and his involvement in the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke; his relationship with Sabiston, Sabiston's reputation, how Sabiston came to Duke, Harmel's perspective on how Sabiston developed and influenced the Department of Surgery, and his successes at securing NIH funding; Harmel's goals for the Department of Anesthesiology when first came to Duke and built a residency program; and how closely surgeons and anesthesiologists work together. Includes 1 master audiocassette tape and 1 transcript.

  2. Merel H. Harmel Oral History Interviews, 1995-2004

Interview, May 26, 2004

This oral history interview was conducted with Dr. Merel H. Harmel on May 26, 2004 by Jessica Roseberry.

Duration: 01:00:00

During the interview, Harmel discusses his career; becoming the first chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke; how the Division of Anesthesiology became the Department of Anesthesiology and the subsequent logistics of this change; how this reorganization led to the hyperbaric chambers becoming part of Anesthesiology; changes in the field of anesthesiology throughout Harmel's career; what Harmel found attractive about coming to Duke; the Department of Anesthesiology's relationship with the Department of Surgery; some of the honors Harmel received throughout his career; and how his wife was a partner who supported him, raised their 4 children, and helped create a fun atmosphere in the Department of Anesthesiology. Includes 1 master audiocassette tape, 1 use audiocassette tape, and 1 transcript.

  2. Merel H. Harmel Oral History Interviews, 1995-2004

Merel H. Harmel Oral History Interviews, 1995-2004 2 Interviews (2 transcripts, 3 audiocassette tapes)

Dr. Merel H. Harmel, MD, professor emeritus and founding chair of the Duke University School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology (1971-1983) was a pioneer in the practice, safety, and teaching of anesthesiology. Along with founding the Department of Anesthesiology ay Duke, he also founded anesthesiology departments at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center and the University of Chicago. This collection contains 2 oral history interviews conducted on April 24, 1995 by Dr. James Gifford and May 26, 2004 by Jessica Roseberry. In the 1995 interview, which is part of the Dr. David Sabiston Oral History Project, Harmel discusses his career, the development of his research interests, and his interaction his department (the Department of Anesthesiology) with Sabiston and the Department of Surgery at Duke. In the 2004 interview, Harmel discusses his career, becoming the first chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, and other administrative aspects of how a division becomes a department and how it operates within an established medical center.