Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr. M.D.
d. May 25, 2011
Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr. M.D.
Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr., M.D.
Professor Emeritus
Martinez, GA – Entered into rest Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Dr. Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr., 86, husband of Ellen M. Nesbitt. Born in Albany, GA, he was the son of the late Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Sr. and the late Anne Hill Nesbitt.
Dr. Nesbitt served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 and was a Captain, M.C. from 1952 to 1954. He received the Army of Occupational Medal, European Theater, and Medical Service Commendation. He was a 1944 graduate of Vanderbilt University and a 1947 graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School. Dr. Nesbitt did his Residency 1947-1952; Assistant Professorship 1954-1956; and Acting Chief of Obstetrics in 1956. While attending Vanderbilt from 1942 -1944 he was a Varsity Baseball Pitcher. Dr. Nesbitt enjoyed several hobbies including handcraft woodcarving, cabinetry, oil painting, fishing, and boating.
Dr. Nesbitt served as Professor of Medicine 36 years, 24 of those at State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse as Professor and Chairman (first full-time academic chair), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, (President, Medical Staff, 1964-1966), retiring as Professor Emeritus. Prior to that, he served as Professor and Chairman (first full-time academic chair), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Albany (NY) Medical College of Union University, 1956-1961; Professor of Surgery, University of South Florida at Tampa, 1988-1992; and Chief of Gynecology and Assistant Chief (also Acting Chief) of Surgery, Veterans Administration Hospital at Bay Pines, Florida.
Dr. Nesbitt’s career included extensive major surgery, teaching, research, and over 230 publications regarding cancer, female urology, infertility and sterility, and high-risk obstetrics. He was a leader in the field of perinatal medicine, authoring Perinatal Loss in Modern Obstetrics in 1957. He established a perinatal clinic in 1960, probably the first in the country. Dr. Nesbitt developed the first High-Risk (scoring) Index (the first semi-objective grading system) for identifying vulnerable groups in high-risk obstetrics. He did one of the early studies on smoking and pregnancy in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health in Albany, published in 1961. Dr. Nesbitt also established an innovative program for unwed mothers (YMED) in Syracuse, NY, 1962, joining with the Public Health and Education Departments. He expanded artificial placenta studies by including glucose transfer, alcohol transfer, and other first studies of nutritional components. He also set up the first authorized, independent section in gynecology (program for female veterans) in the Veterans Administration system in both, Syracuse, NY, 1984, and Bay Pines, FL, 1989.
Dr. Nesbitt was a member of AOA (Alpha Omega Alpha, Honorary Medical Society); American Medical Association; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Society of Gynecologic Investigation (Council Member); Pan American Medical Association; Fellow, American Association of Maternal and Child Health.
Dr. Nesbitt served in many national and international capacities, including: Consultant, World Health Organization; Charter Member, Pan American Cancer Cytology Society, United States Membership Chairman; Consultant, U.S. Children’s Bureau; Consultant and Lecturer to U.S. Peace Corps; Associate Examiner, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Member, Public Health Council of State of New York. He was a member of several investigating and review committees for National Institutes of Health, including its Cancer Education Committee.
Dr. Nesbitt was selected one of Ten Outstanding Young Men in America (TOYM), U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1957; one of Five Outstanding Young Men in State of New York, NYS Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1957. At the age of 32, he was the youngest Professor and Chairman of a major department in a United States medical school. He was awarded the Medical Ambassador of Good Will, Pan American Medical Association, 1962; listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America, the World, Health Care, Science and Engineering, and American Education; received the Wisdom Award of Honor, 2001, for the Advancement of Knowledge, Learning, and Research in Education; was named a Fellow of the Wisdom Hall of Fame by The Wisdom Society; and awarded The Winston Churchill Medal of Wisdom, 2002.
Dr. Nesbitt received many International Visiting Professorships by invitations, including: Venezuela, Australia, Chile, Columbia, Uruguay, Mexico, Canada, The Caribbean, and U.S. Citizens Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.
Dr. Nesbitt authored four recent prose books that draw upon his concerns for the human race in all of its cultural, physical, and spiritual dimensions. He also authored forty inspirational poetry books, compiling over 1640 poems and 1085 essays and reflections. He was a Founding Member, The International Society of Poets; and listed in The International Who’s Who in Poetry. His poems have appeared in many anthologies; fifteen have received The Editor’s Choice Award. His poems have also appeared in numerous national literary magazines.
Dr. Nesbitt was ordained as a deacon in the Presbyterian Church in 1964. As a member of the Episcopal Church he served in many capacities including: Usher/Greeter, Vestry Member, Chairman of Long Range Planning Committee, Co-founder of Parish Learning Center, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Director of Visiting Lectureship Program, and Cursillo Member. He was involved with the Kairos Prison Ministry, South Carolina as Team Leadership Member and participated in Monthly Kairos Reunions, 2001-2005; the Prison Ministry, New York State, as a certified Volunteer and leader in Spiritual Formation Seminars, 2001-2008. He was currently a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.
In honor of Dr. Nesbitt, The Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr., M.D., FACS, FACOG, Ob/Gyn Scientific Society was established through the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University of Syracuse.
A scholarship fund, Dr. Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr. Endowment, was established in his name at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Annually a scholarship is awarded to the leading graduating medical student and resident in obstetrics and gynecology.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, North Augusta, with Rev. David Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Westover Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr. Endowment, C.A.B. 236, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, or to St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 471 West Martintown Road, North Augusta, SC 29841.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
Professor Emeritus
Martinez, GA – Entered into rest Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Dr. Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr., 86, husband of Ellen M. Nesbitt. Born in Albany, GA, he was the son of the late Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Sr. and the late Anne Hill Nesbitt.
Dr. Nesbitt served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 and was a Captain, M.C. from 1952 to 1954. He received the Army of Occupational Medal, European Theater, and Medical Service Commendation. He was a 1944 graduate of Vanderbilt University and a 1947 graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School. Dr. Nesbitt did his Residency 1947-1952; Assistant Professorship 1954-1956; and Acting Chief of Obstetrics in 1956. While attending Vanderbilt from 1942 -1944 he was a Varsity Baseball Pitcher. Dr. Nesbitt enjoyed several hobbies including handcraft woodcarving, cabinetry, oil painting, fishing, and boating.
Dr. Nesbitt served as Professor of Medicine 36 years, 24 of those at State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse as Professor and Chairman (first full-time academic chair), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, (President, Medical Staff, 1964-1966), retiring as Professor Emeritus. Prior to that, he served as Professor and Chairman (first full-time academic chair), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Albany (NY) Medical College of Union University, 1956-1961; Professor of Surgery, University of South Florida at Tampa, 1988-1992; and Chief of Gynecology and Assistant Chief (also Acting Chief) of Surgery, Veterans Administration Hospital at Bay Pines, Florida.
Dr. Nesbitt’s career included extensive major surgery, teaching, research, and over 230 publications regarding cancer, female urology, infertility and sterility, and high-risk obstetrics. He was a leader in the field of perinatal medicine, authoring Perinatal Loss in Modern Obstetrics in 1957. He established a perinatal clinic in 1960, probably the first in the country. Dr. Nesbitt developed the first High-Risk (scoring) Index (the first semi-objective grading system) for identifying vulnerable groups in high-risk obstetrics. He did one of the early studies on smoking and pregnancy in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health in Albany, published in 1961. Dr. Nesbitt also established an innovative program for unwed mothers (YMED) in Syracuse, NY, 1962, joining with the Public Health and Education Departments. He expanded artificial placenta studies by including glucose transfer, alcohol transfer, and other first studies of nutritional components. He also set up the first authorized, independent section in gynecology (program for female veterans) in the Veterans Administration system in both, Syracuse, NY, 1984, and Bay Pines, FL, 1989.
Dr. Nesbitt was a member of AOA (Alpha Omega Alpha, Honorary Medical Society); American Medical Association; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Society of Gynecologic Investigation (Council Member); Pan American Medical Association; Fellow, American Association of Maternal and Child Health.
Dr. Nesbitt served in many national and international capacities, including: Consultant, World Health Organization; Charter Member, Pan American Cancer Cytology Society, United States Membership Chairman; Consultant, U.S. Children’s Bureau; Consultant and Lecturer to U.S. Peace Corps; Associate Examiner, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Member, Public Health Council of State of New York. He was a member of several investigating and review committees for National Institutes of Health, including its Cancer Education Committee.
Dr. Nesbitt was selected one of Ten Outstanding Young Men in America (TOYM), U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1957; one of Five Outstanding Young Men in State of New York, NYS Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1957. At the age of 32, he was the youngest Professor and Chairman of a major department in a United States medical school. He was awarded the Medical Ambassador of Good Will, Pan American Medical Association, 1962; listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America, the World, Health Care, Science and Engineering, and American Education; received the Wisdom Award of Honor, 2001, for the Advancement of Knowledge, Learning, and Research in Education; was named a Fellow of the Wisdom Hall of Fame by The Wisdom Society; and awarded The Winston Churchill Medal of Wisdom, 2002.
Dr. Nesbitt received many International Visiting Professorships by invitations, including: Venezuela, Australia, Chile, Columbia, Uruguay, Mexico, Canada, The Caribbean, and U.S. Citizens Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.
Dr. Nesbitt authored four recent prose books that draw upon his concerns for the human race in all of its cultural, physical, and spiritual dimensions. He also authored forty inspirational poetry books, compiling over 1640 poems and 1085 essays and reflections. He was a Founding Member, The International Society of Poets; and listed in The International Who’s Who in Poetry. His poems have appeared in many anthologies; fifteen have received The Editor’s Choice Award. His poems have also appeared in numerous national literary magazines.
Dr. Nesbitt was ordained as a deacon in the Presbyterian Church in 1964. As a member of the Episcopal Church he served in many capacities including: Usher/Greeter, Vestry Member, Chairman of Long Range Planning Committee, Co-founder of Parish Learning Center, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Director of Visiting Lectureship Program, and Cursillo Member. He was involved with the Kairos Prison Ministry, South Carolina as Team Leadership Member and participated in Monthly Kairos Reunions, 2001-2005; the Prison Ministry, New York State, as a certified Volunteer and leader in Spiritual Formation Seminars, 2001-2008. He was currently a member of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.
In honor of Dr. Nesbitt, The Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr., M.D., FACS, FACOG, Ob/Gyn Scientific Society was established through the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University of Syracuse.
A scholarship fund, Dr. Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr. Endowment, was established in his name at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Annually a scholarship is awarded to the leading graduating medical student and resident in obstetrics and gynecology.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 27, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, North Augusta, with Rev. David Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Westover Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr. Endowment, C.A.B. 236, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, or to St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 471 West Martintown Road, North Augusta, SC 29841.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert E.L. Nesbitt, Jr. M.D., please visit our flower store.
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