Hyman Gildenhorn, M.D., chair emeritus of the Division of Diagnostic Radiology, retired from City of Hope on June 10 after 50 years of service to the institution. About 150 of his colleagues, family and friends gathered to honor the 85-year-old physician at a celebratory event in Cooper auditorium.
James Miser, M.D., chief executive officer and chief medical officer of City of Hope National Medical Center, presented Gildenhorn with The Spirit of Life® Award. Other speakers included J. Martin Hogan, M.D., chair of the Division of Diagnostic Radiology, and Eugene Roberts, Ph.D., chair emeritus of neurobiochemistry.
Gildenhorn’s career at City of Hope began in 1956, when he joined the staff of the now defunct Department of Therapy and Diagnostic Radiology, attaining the position of department head after two years.
When the City of Hope Medical Staff became an independent, organized body in 1958, Gildenhorn served as the group’s first president. During that inaugural year, he wrote the first medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations.
In the late 1960s, the specialties of radiation therapy and diagnostic radiology separated, and Gildenhorn became chair of the new Division of Diagnostic Radiology. He conducted numerous research studies and, in 1972, he received the institution’s highest medical and scientific recognition when he entered the City of Hope Gallery of Achievement.
Gildenhorn became chair emeritus of the division in 1997 and continued his involvement on a part-time basis until his retirement.
Born in Cleveland, Gildenhorn graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Ohio State University in 1943. After serving two years in the Navy as an aviation electronic technician, he returned to Ohio State University and earned a master’s degree.
He earned his doctorate in 1951 at Cornell Medical School in New York City, and completed his internship and residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. While there, he met his future wife, Vivian, who later joined City of Hope as a pathologist.
