1918-1999

American Surgeon

Clarence Walton Lillehei was one of the leading innovators of modern cardiac surgery. Through his pioneering advances in open-heart surgery and the use of the pacemaker, countless lives have been saved. Open-heart operations that once seemed like science fiction are now commonplace in hospitals around the world.

Lillehei was born in Minneapolis on October 23, 1918. He attended a local high school, and went on to graduate with honors from the University of Minnesota in 1939. In 1942 he graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School.

During World War II, Lillehei served from 1942-46 in the United States Army, enlisting as a first lieutenant and eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was awarded the Bronze Star for "meritorious services in support of combat operations" while serving in Anzio, Italy. After returning from the war, he received his Ph.D. in surgery...