Jonathan Drummond-Webb, South African surgeon and academic (b. 1959)
Jonathan Drummond-Webb (29 August 1959 – 26 December 2004) 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 Drummond-Webb.
Drummond-Webb was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and graduated from the University of the 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.
2004Dec, 26
Jonathan Drummond-Webb
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Events on 2004
- 1Jan
Pervez Musharraf
In a vote of confidence, General Pervez Musharraf wins 658 out of 1,170 votes in the Electoral College of Pakistan, and according to Article 41(8) of the Constitution of Pakistan, is "deemed to be elected" to the office of President until October 2007. - 2Feb
Roger Federer
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer becomes the No. 1 ranked men's singles player, a position he will hold for a record 237 weeks. - 1May
European Union
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the European Union, celebrated at the residence of the Irish President in Dublin. - 26May
Oklahoma City bombing
United States Army veteran Terry Nichols is found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the Oklahoma City bombing. - 3Aug
September 11 attacks
The pedestal of the Statue of Liberty reopens after being closed since the September 11 attacks.