Thomas Dent Mutter, M.D. (1811 to 1859): Exemplar of Expertise

Abstract

Thomas Dent Mutter, a Philadelphia plastic surgeon in the 1840s, boldly championed anesthesia when few physicians were convinced of its virtues. He was an early advocate of handwashing and hygienic wound care and helped pioneer the concept of postoperative recovery units. A leader in education, Mutter used a highly interactive style of teaching and restructured medical school classes to raise the caliber of clinical training. He supplemented his lectures with a myriad of specimens that he amassed over 24 yr. In 1863, this vast collection would serve as the basis for the Mutter Museum, which remains active today. Mutter exemplified expertise by tirelessly pursuing new knowledge and methods for the benefit of his patients and students.