Philip Showalter Hench

Philip Showalter Hench was born on February 28, 1896, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Hench would grow up to become a prominent American physician, known for his significant contributions to medicine, particularly in the field of rheumatology. His research and discoveries in hormone therapy for rheumatoid arthritis would earn him worldwide recognition, culminating in a Nobel Prize award for his work in the mid-20th century.

In June 1920, Philip Hench graduated with a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He had completed his studies and was now equipped with the knowledge and credentials to enter the medical field, which he would do with considerable success, eventually leading to groundbreaking work in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Philip Hench began working at the Mayo Clinic in July 1923. This was a significant step in his career as Mayo Clinic provided him an esteemed platform for clinical practice and research. It was here that Hench would conduct most of his research into hormones and rheumatoid arthritis, eventually leading to groundbreaking discoveries in medical treatment.

In September 1937, Philip Hench observed the potential alleviating effects of cortisone on rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. This marked the beginning of his dedicated research into the hormone's therapeutic properties. His work paved the way for using cortisone in medical treatments, representing a major advancement in managing inflammatory diseases.

On September 21, 1948, Philip Hench and his team conducted the first clinical administration of cortisone on a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis at the Mayo Clinic. The patient's rapid and remarkable improvement marked a major breakthrough in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, leading to widespread adoption of cortisone therapy.

Philip S. Hench, along with Edward C. Kendall and Tadeus Reichstein, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on October 30, 1950. This prestigious recognition was given for their discoveries concerning hormones of the adrenal cortex, their structure, and biological effects. Their work made significant contributions to medical science, particularly in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

In September 1960, Philip Hench officially retired from his position at the Mayo Clinic after decades of influential work in rheumatology and cortisone research. His tenure at the clinic was marked by significant scientific advancements and left a lasting legacy in the field of medicine, particularly in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Philip Showalter Hench passed away on March 30, 1965, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Hench left behind a legacy as a pioneering physician whose work in the field of hormone treatment for inflammatory diseases had a profound impact on medical science. He was esteemed worldwide, remembered for his Nobel Prize-winning contributions to rheumatology and medicine.