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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 23
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of John McDonald, MD,
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 the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of John2
Clifton McDonald, MD, chancellor emeritus of the Louisiana State University Health3
Sciences Center at Shreveport and dean emeritus of the School of Medicine in4
Shreveport. 5
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the6
Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the death of John Clifton McDonald, MD, on7
Saturday, December 31, 2011, at the age of eighty-one; and8
WHEREAS, on July 25, 1930, John Clifton McDonald was born in Baldwyn,9
Mississippi, and he earned a bachelor of science degree from Mississippi College in 195110
and his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1955;11
and12
WHEREAS, after earning his medical degree, Dr. McDonald interned at Confederate13
Memorial Medical Center, now University Hospital Shreveport; and, before his general14
surgery residency at The State University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. McDonald served his15
country for two years as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force at McGuire Air16
Force Base in Trenton, New Jersey; and17
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald returned to Louisiana in 1968 for a faculty appointment18 SCR NO. 23
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at the Tulane University School of Medicine, where he remained until 1977, when he moved1
to Shreveport to become professor and chairman of the department of surgery at the2
Louisiana State University School of Medicine; and3
WHEREAS, as head of surgery at the academic health center, Dr. McDonald4
expanded the institution's educational, research, and patient care dimensions; and, in addition5
to being a major pioneer in the field of organ transplantation and bringing the practice to6
northwest Louisiana, Dr. McDonald established the Regional Burn Center and Level One7
Trauma Center and integrated the Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center8
and the E. A. Conway Hospital into the surgical residency program at LSU, among many9
other memorable and historic accomplishments; and10
WHEREAS, in 2000, Dr. McDonald was appointed as the first Shreveport chancellor11
of the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport, serving simultaneously as chief executive12
officer of the campus and the dean of the medical school in Shreveport; and, under his13
leadership, the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport grew tremendously and was14
widely praised as a model for excellence; and15
WHEREAS, for more than fifty years, Dr. McDonald taught many medical residents16
in general surgery and mentored hundreds of medical students, and even after he became17
chancellor, he still met once a week with surgery residents to review cases; and18
WHEREAS, in 2004, his dedication was recognized with the establishment of the19
John C. McDonald, MD, Endowed Chair in Surgery; and20
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald authored hundreds of contributions to scientific21
literature, was a member and leader of numerous professional organizations, and was the22
deserving recipient of countless honors and awards for his highly significant contributions23
to his profession; and24
WHEREAS, in addition to his many professional achievements, Dr. McDonald was25
a devoted family man and a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, and he was an avid26
reader who enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family at Lake Bisteneau; and27
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel Knight and28
Edgar McDonald; his brother, Edgar Lee McDonald; and his sister, Martha Mulrooney; he29
is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Martha Dennis McDonald; three daughters,30 SCR NO. 23
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Melissa McDonald, Karen McDonald Lairmore and her husband, Dr. Terry Lairmore, and1
Dr. Martha McDonald Whyte and her husband, Dr. William Whyte; five grandchildren,2
Daniel, Ashley, and Sarah Lairmore and John Hayden and Emma Rose Whyte; and many3
other relatives and friends; and4
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald is profoundly missed for his remarkable leadership, his5
brilliant intellect, and all of the incomparable talents that he lent to his fellow citizens as a6
dignified doctor and scholar whose loyalty and dedication to his profession and his students7
were inspiring and unwavering; and8
WHEREAS, Dr. McDonald represented all that is good about Louisiana as a man9
with unique gifts and a charitable spirit who shared his abilities with his community, state,10
and nation, and his legacy will continue to be an inspiration to others.11
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby12
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of John Clifton McDonald, MD,13
chancellor emeritus of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center at Shreveport14
and dean emeritus of the School of Medicine in Shreveport, and does hereby recognize that15
the life and work of this extraordinary gentleman will forever be a source of deep pride and16
honor for the city of Shreveport, the state of Louisiana, and the United States of America.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted18
to the family of John Clifton McDonald, MD.19
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Sherri H. Breaux.
DIGEST
Thompson SCR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of John Clifton McDonald, MD, chancellor emeritus
of the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport and dean emeritus of the School of
Medicine in Shreveport.