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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 26
BY REPRESENTATIVE HOFFMANN
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of John Clifton McDonald, M.D.,
chancellor emeritus of the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and dean
emeritus of the School of Medicine in Shreveport
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of John Clifton McDonald,2
M.D., chancellor emeritus of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center3
at Shreveport and dean emeritus of the School of Medicine in Shreveport. 4
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the5
Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of John Clifton McDonald, M.D., on Saturday,6
December 31, 2011, at the age of eighty-one; and7
WHEREAS, on July 25, 1930, John Clifton McDonald was born in Baldwyn,8
Mississippi, and he earned a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi College in 19519
and his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1955;10
and11
WHEREAS, after earning his medical degree, Dr. McDonald interned at Confederate12
Memorial Medical Center, now LSU Hospital in Shreveport; before his general surgery13
residency at State University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. McDonald served his country for14
two years as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force at McGuire Air Force Base in15
Trenton, New Jersey; and16
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald returned to Louisiana in 1968 for a faculty appointment17
at the Tulane University School of Medicine, where he remained until 1977, when he moved18
to Shreveport to become professor and chairman of the department of surgery at the19
Louisiana State University School of Medicine; as head of surgery at the academic health20 HLS 12RS-213 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 26
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center, Dr. McDonald expanded the institution's educational, research, and patient care1
dimensions; in addition to being a major pioneer in the field of organ transplantation and2
bringing the practice to northwest Louisiana, Dr. McDonald established the Regional Burn3
Center and Level One Trauma Center and integrated the Overton Brooks Veterans4
Administration Medical Center and the E. A. Conway Hospital into the surgical residency5
program at LSU, among many other memorable and historic accomplishments; and 6
WHEREAS, in 2000, Dr. McDonald was appointed as the first Shreveport chancellor7
of the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, serving simultaneously as chief executive8
officer of the campus and the dean of the medical school in Shreveport; under his leadership,9
the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport grew tremendously and was widely praised10
as a model for excellence; and 11
WHEREAS, for more than fifty years, Dr. McDonald taught many medical residents12
in general surgery and mentored hundreds of medical students, and even after he became13
chancellor, he still met once a week with surgery residents to review cases; in 2004, his14
dedication was recognized with the establishment of the John C. McDonald, M.D., Endowed15
Chair in Surgery; and16
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald authored hundreds of contributions to scientific17
literature, was a member and leader of numerous professional organizations, and was the18
deserving recipient of countless honors and awards for his highly significant contributions19
to his profession; and20
WHEREAS, in addition to his many professional achievements, Dr. McDonald was21
a devoted family man and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather; he was an avid reader22
who enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family at Lake Bisteneau; and23
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel Knight and24
Edgar McDonald; his brother, Edgar Lee McDonald; and his sister, Martha Mulrooney; he25
is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Martha Dennis McDonald; three daughters,26
Melissa McDonald, Karen McDonald Lairmore and her husband, Dr. Terry Lairmore, and27
Dr. Martha McDonald Whyte and her husband, Dr. William Whyte; five grandchildren,28
Daniel, Ashley, and Sarah Lairmore and John Hayden and Emma Rose Whyte; and many29
other relatives and friends; and30 HLS 12RS-213 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald is profoundly missed for his remarkable leadership, his1
brilliant intellect, and all of the incomparable talents that he lent to his fellow citizens as a2
dignified doctor and scholar whose loyalty and dedication to his profession and his students3
were inspiring and unwavering; and4
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald represented all that is good about Louisiana as a man5
with unique gifts and a charitable spirit who shared his abilities with his community, state,6
and nation, and he is terribly missed but will never be forgotten. 7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby8
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of John Clifton McDonald, M.D.,9
chancellor emeritus of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport10
and dean emeritus of the School of Medicine in Shreveport, and does hereby recognize that11
the life and work of this extraordinary gentleman will forever be a source of deep pride and12
honor for the city of Shreveport, the state of Louisiana, and the United States of America.13
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted14
to the family of John Clifton McDonald, M.D.15
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hoffmann HCR No. 26
Expresses condolences upon the death of John Clifton McDonald, M.D., chancellor emeritus
of the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and dean emeritus of the School of
Medicine in Shreveport.