A man credited with helping establish the University of Missouri’s four-year medical program has died.

90 year-old Hugh Stephenson graduated from the University’s medical school in 1943. He chaired the surgery department and was chief of general surgery, chief of staff and interim dean at the MU School of Medicine. He is also credited with designing the first cardiac defibrillator.

Stephenson is also the namesake for an annual American Heart Association event and a medical award.

He died at a family home in Delaware.  Funeral arrangements are pending.



Missourinet