Howard Tucker

Last updated
Howard Tucker
Born (1922-07-10) July 10, 1922 (age 101)
Alma mater Ohio State University College of Medicine
Known for Oldest practicing doctor
Spouse
Sara Siegel
(m. 1957)
Children4
Medical career
ProfessionNeurologist
Institutions St. Vincent Charity Medical Center

Howard Tucker (born July 10, 1922) is an American neurologist who has been practicing medicine since 1947. In addition to becoming a lawyer and passing the Ohio Bar Examination at age 67 in 1989, Tucker is recognized by Guinness World Records as the current oldest practicing doctor. [1] [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Howard Tucker was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Tucker decided to pursue a career in medicine while attending Cleveland Heights High School. After graduating high school in 1940, Tucker attended Ohio State University for his undergraduate studies and Ohio State University College of Medicine for his Doctor of Medicine degree. [3]

Tucker enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and would later serve as Chief of Neurology for the Atlantic Fleet during the Korean War. [4]

Medical career

Tucker completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic and training at the Neurological Institute of New York before returning to Cleveland, where he would practice neurology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Hillcrest Hospital for over seven decades. While still practicing neurology, Tucker attended Cleveland State University Cleveland–Marshall College of Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree and passed the Ohio Bar Examination at age 67 in 1989. [3] [5]

In 1960, Tucker was credited with solving a medical case involving two young girls who would go in and out of coma. Tucker determined the cause of the comas to be barbiturate poisoning. [6]

Tucker teaches medical residents at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and pursues work as an expert witness for various medical-legal cases. [7] In 2021, Tucker was recognized as the oldest practicing doctor by Guinness World Records. [7]

Personal life

In 1957, Tucker married Sara "Sue" Siegel. As of 2023, 89-year-old Siegel continues to practice medicine as a psychoanalyst. The couple have four children and ten grandchildren. [4]

A feature documentary on Tucker's life and career, What's Next?, is currently in production and is being produced by Tucker's grandson, Austin Tucker, and directed and produced by Taylor Taglianetti. [1]

In April 2023, he contributed a piece to CNBC on five important pieces of life advice: staying active and not spending his days retired, staying in shape, not smoking, not restricting himself to a narrow number of activities, and not letting the vast knowledge and changes he's seen be wasted.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coma</span> State of unconsciousness

A coma is a deep state of prolonged unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light, or sound, lacks a normal wake-sleep cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. The person may experience respiratory and circulatory problems due to the body's inability to maintain normal bodily functions. People in a coma often require extensive medical care to maintain their health and prevent complications such as pneumonia or blood clots. Coma patients exhibit a complete absence of wakefulness and are unable to consciously feel, speak or move. Comas can be derived by natural causes, or can be medically induced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neurology</span> Medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system

Neurology is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the nervous system, which comprises the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. Neurological practice relies heavily on the field of neuroscience, the scientific study of the nervous system.

A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians and evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly mental issues. Sometimes a psychiatrist works within a multi-disciplinary team, which may comprise clinical psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, and nursing staff. Psychiatrists have broad training in a biopsychosocial approach to the assessment and management of mental illness.

Clinical neurophysiology is a medical specialty that studies the central and peripheral nervous systems through the recording of bioelectrical activity, whether spontaneous or stimulated. It encompasses both research regarding the pathophysiology along with clinical methods used to diagnose diseases involving both central and peripheral nervous systems. Examinations in the clinical neurophysiology field are not limited to tests conducted in a laboratory. It is thought of as an extension of a neurologic consultation. Tests that are conducted are concerned with measuring the electrical functions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves in the limbs and muscles. It can give the precise definition of site, the type and degree of the lesion, along with revealing the abnormalities that are in question. Due to these abilities, clinical neurophysiology is used to mainly help diagnose diseases rather than treat them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forensic pathology</span> Medical speciality

Forensic pathology is pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. A post mortem examination is performed by a medical examiner or forensic pathologist, usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions. Coroners and medical examiners are also frequently asked to confirm the identity of remains.

Doctor of Medicine is a medical degree, the meaning of which varies between different jurisdictions. In the United States, and some other countries, the M.D. denotes a professional degree. This generally arose because many in 18th-century medical professions trained in Scotland, which used the M.D. degree nomenclature. In England, however, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) was used and eventually in the 19th century became the standard in Scotland too. Thus, in the United Kingdom, Ireland and other countries, the M.D. is a research doctorate, honorary doctorate or applied clinical degree restricted to those who already hold a professional degree (Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral) in medicine. In those countries, the equivalent professional degree to the North American, and some others' usage of M.D. is still typically titled Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery.

A medical school is a tertiary educational institution, professional school, or forms a part of such an institution, that teaches medicine, and awards a professional degree for physicians. Such medical degrees include the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Master of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine (MD), or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Many medical schools offer additional degrees, such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), master's degree (MSc) or other post-secondary education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Clinic</span> Hospital in Ohio, United States

Cleveland Clinic is an American nonprofit academic medical center based in Cleveland, Ohio. Owned and operated by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, an Ohio nonprofit corporation, Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by a group of faculty and alumni from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The Clinic runs a 170-acre (69-hectare) main campus in Cleveland, as well as 14 affiliated hospitals, 20 family health centers in Northeast Ohio, 5 affiliated hospitals in Florida, and cancer center in Nevada. International operations include the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi hospital in the United Arab Emirates and Cleveland Clinic Canada, which has two executive health and sports medicine clinics in Toronto. Another hospital campus in the United Kingdom, Cleveland Clinic London, opened to outpatients in 2021 and fully opened in 2022. Tomislav Mihaljevic is the president and CEO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center</span> Hospital in Ohio, United States

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UH Cleveland Medical Center) is a large not-for-profit academic medical complex in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is an affiliate hospital of Case Western Reserve University and Northeast Ohio Medical University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio State University College of Medicine</span> Medical school at Ohio State University

The Ohio State University College of Medicine is the medical school at Ohio State University and is located in Columbus, Ohio. The college is nationally recognized as a top institution in both education and research, as reflected by rankings in U.S. News & World Report,No. 28 (tie) in Best Medical Schools: Research. In 2023, its two primary teaching hospitals were ranked as one of the best hospitals in the U.S. in 9 and 10 different specialties, respectively; and Nationwide Children's Hospital was named to U.S. News & World Report's select honor roll of U.S. Best Children's hospitals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine</span> University medical school in Ohio, US

Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine (KSUCPM), is the graduate podiatric medical school of Kent State University (KSU). As of 2022, it is the only fully public podiatry medical school in the U.S. The college is located in Independence, Ohio, south of Cleveland, approximately 30 miles (48 km) from the main KSU campus in Kent. Established in 1916, the college, formerly the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, was among the first in the nation to offer a program in podiatric medicine and surgery. The 122,000-square-foot (11,300 m2) facility operates as a regional KSU facility in podiatric medical education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Heights High School</span> Public, coeducational high school in Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States

Cleveland Heights High School is the senior high school of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, United States.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a medical degree conferred by the 38 osteopathic medical schools in the United States. DO and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees are equivalent: a DO graduate may become licensed as a physician or surgeon and thus have full medical and surgical practicing rights in all 50 US states. As of 2021, there were 168,701 osteopathic physicians and medical students in DO programs across the United States. Osteopathic medicine emerged historically from osteopathy, but has become a distinct profession.

Ronald Eugene Cranford was a neurologist and expert on comas and unconsciousness. He is best known for his work with families on public cases involving persons in a persistent vegetative state. He and three other doctors were responsible for introducing the "do not resuscitate" order. He worked with the families of such notable cases as the Karen Ann Quinlan case, Paul Brophy, Nancy Cruzan case and Terri Schiavo case.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathalie Zand</span> Polish neurologist

Nathalie Zylberlast-Zand was a Polish Jewish neurologist who died in a Nazi prison during World War II. She published research under several names including Nathalie Zylberlast-Zandowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin A. Samuels</span> American physician, neurologist and medical educator

Martin A. Samuels, MD, DSc (hon), FAAN, MACP, FRCP, FANA, was an American physician, neurologist and medical educator whose unique teaching style and contributions, accessible to a wide audience, were widely known and celebrated. He wrote and spoke on the relationships between neurology and the rest of medicine, and linked the nervous system with cardiac function, highlighting the mechanisms and prevention of neurogenic cardiac disease.

The American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry (AOBNP) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) and non-osteopathic physicians who specialize in disorders of the nervous system (neurologists) and to qualified Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine and physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders (psychiatrists).

Marc K. Siegel is an American physician, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, author, and contributor to The Hill, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Fox News, and member of the board of contributors at USA Today. He is the medical director of NYU's Doctor Radio on Sirius XM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baldev Singh (neurologist)</span> Indian neurologist (1904–1998)

Baldev Singh was an Indian neurologist. He was best known for collaborative works with neurologists Jacob Chandy, Balasubramaniam Ramamurthi and S. T. Narasimhan and together they have been credited to be pioneers in development of epilepsy surgery in India. They also helped in establishing the Neurological Society of India in 1951 at Madras. After training in the United States of America, he returned to India and established himself at Delhi. He was presented with the Padma Bhushan in 1972 for his contributions in the field of medicine.

Robert Barry Daroff is a pioneer of ocular motor research. He is a neurologist in Cleveland, Ohio, connected to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He is also Professor and Chair Emeritus of Neurology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

References

  1. 1 2 "'There are oceans beyond our understanding': 100-year-old Cleveland doctor is still going to work". wkyc.com. July 11, 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  2. "Oldest practising doctor". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  3. 1 2 Mott, Kristen (8 July 2022). "At 100, Tucker US' oldest practicing physician – with no sign of slowing down". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  4. 1 2 "100-year-old neurologist still practicing medicine". WEWS. 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  5. "A 100-year-old Jewish doctor in Cleveland is officially the world's oldest practicing physician". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
  6. "Chemist To Take Stand In Sleeping Beauty Case". The Marion Star . 1960. p. 12.
  7. 1 2 Jordan, Jennifer (2022-07-14). "100-year-old Cleveland neurologist still working, breaking records". WKBN.com. Retrieved 2022-07-18.