Jonathan Drummond-Webb
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Drummond-Webb was a South African pediatric heart surgeon
.
He gained national attention by way of a TV series produced by ABC NEWS called "ICU: Arkansas Children's Hospital" , which showcased complicated operations during the summer of 2002. Late in 2004, he led a team that successfully kept a child alive with a newly developed heart pump until a heart transplant could be performed. The child, Travis Marcus
, was able to go home in time for Christmas
with a gift and a hug from Dr. Drummond-Webb.
Drummond-Webb was born in Johannesburg
, South Africa
and graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 1982. He completed an internship and two residencies there. He and his wife Lorraine De Blanche (also a doctor) came to the U.S. in 1993 so he could do a surgical fellowship at the University of Utah
. Two years later, he went on to another fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
. There, he became the surgical director of pediatric cardiac and lung transplantation. In 2001, he was named chief of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery at the Arkansas Children's Hospital
in Little Rock, Arkansas
. He held that post at the time of his death.
Hospital spokesman Tom Bonner said the surgeon was a competitive marathoner and triathlete who loved scuba diving
. Drummond-Webb also was a champion of Arkansas, appearing in commercials promoting the state to businesses.
Drummond-Webb committed suicide
by taking an overdose of Oxycodone
, a pain medication. His wife found his body with a note. According to the Arkansas Children's Hospital, friends believed he suffered from a sudden bout of depression
. His suicide note indicated professional frustration may have been a factor in his death.
Cardiac surgery
Cardiovascular surgery is surgery on the heart or great vessels performed by cardiac surgeons. Frequently, it is done to treat complications of ischemic heart disease , correct congenital heart disease, or treat valvular heart disease from various causes including endocarditis, rheumatic heart...
.
He gained national attention by way of a TV series produced by ABC NEWS called "ICU: Arkansas Children's Hospital" , which showcased complicated operations during the summer of 2002. Late in 2004, he led a team that successfully kept a child alive with a newly developed heart pump until a heart transplant could be performed. The child, Travis Marcus
Travis Marcus
Travis Marcus is the first child in the world to receive a heart transplant after the implementation of the DeBakey miniature heart pump, invented by 96-yr.-old cardiac surgeon, Michael DeBakey. Travis received the heart pump at Arkansas Children's Hospital in September 2004. The device enabled...
, was able to go home in time for Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
with a gift and a hug from Dr. Drummond-Webb.
Drummond-Webb was born in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 1982. He completed an internship and two residencies there. He and his wife Lorraine De Blanche (also a doctor) came to the U.S. in 1993 so he could do a surgical fellowship at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
. Two years later, he went on to another fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic is a multispecialty academic medical center located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. The Cleveland Clinic is currently regarded as one of the top 4 hospitals in the United States as rated by U.S. News & World Report...
. There, he became the surgical director of pediatric cardiac and lung transplantation. In 2001, he was named chief of pediatric and congenital cardiac surgery at the Arkansas Children's Hospital
Arkansas Children's Hospital
The Arkansas Children's Hospital is a pediatric hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is the only pediatric Level I trauma center in Arkansas and the sixth largest in the United States, serving children from birth to age twenty-one...
in Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
. He held that post at the time of his death.
Hospital spokesman Tom Bonner said the surgeon was a competitive marathoner and triathlete who loved scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
. Drummond-Webb also was a champion of Arkansas, appearing in commercials promoting the state to businesses.
Drummond-Webb committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
by taking an overdose of Oxycodone
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from opium-derived thebaine. It was developed in 1916 in Germany, as one of several new semi-synthetic opioids in an attempt to improve on the existing opioids: morphine, diacetylmorphine , and codeine.Oxycodone oral medications are generally...
, a pain medication. His wife found his body with a note. According to the Arkansas Children's Hospital, friends believed he suffered from a sudden bout of depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
. His suicide note indicated professional frustration may have been a factor in his death.