AN ENCOUNTER WITH DR. OTIS
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To the Editor : |
I enjoyed reading Dr. Otis’s How It Really Happened essay in
the February 2000 issue of the Journal concerning his initiation into respiratory
physiology (Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000;161:354-364). I had the pleasure of
meeting Dr. Otis approximately 10 years ago, and I wanted to share my experiences that I
had with this special scientist. One day in 1989 during my pediatric pulmonary fellowship
at the University of Florida I was due in clinic, and I noted that an elderly man, Dr.
Otis, accompanied a girl with severe asthma to her appointment. The patient’s mother,
a single parent, worked as a caretaker in the Otis home, and Dr. Otis had assumed the role
of surrogate grandparent. I had just begun a research project on the use of the
interrupter technique to measure airway resistance, and in my review of this topic I had
read a paper written by Dr. Otis (Am J Physiol 1948;152;106-112). My mentor, Dr.
Marc Yeager, who had worked with Dr. Otis in the department of physiology at the
University of Florida, had told me all about Dr. Otis. Thus, when I found out that this
elderly gentleman was Dr. Otis I was extremely excited. After completing the clinic visit
I had the opportunity to discuss my research with him. He remembered his studies with the
interrupter technique as if he had performed them yesterday, and he offered to meet with
me to discuss the research further.
My initial impression of Dr. Otis was that he was quiet, gentle,
unassuming, and kind. He put me at ease immediately and treated me as a colleague. It was
obvious that he was proud of his accomplishments but that he expected no one to be
impressed by them. In addition, it was certainly apparent that he loved respiratory
physiology.
Later, Dr. Otis kept his word and met with me in my lab (a liberal term
for my small room). There I showed him my equipment and my humble research plan. My
equipment was far from state-of-the-art; some of it was homemade, and there was no
computer in sight. However, Dr. Otis immediately put me at ease by recounting his
experiences with investigating the interrupter technique. Although he had performed these
experiments 45 years ago, he clearly outlined the problems he had with performing them.
For one, my "old equipment" was much more elegant than the instruments he used.
He had to make his own pressure transducers using rubber fabric drawn over metal frames,
and later he used a series of reflective mirrors, I believe, to measure pressure changes.
He had a slight smile on his face as he quietly, precisely, and clearly recounted these
research experiences. I realized that he enjoyed the challenge of solving problems, not
just theoretical ones, but mechanical and practical ones as well. He gave me some advice
and then told me to go to it.
I spoke with Dr. Otis several more times during the following two years,
usually when he brought the young girl to her clinic appointments. He always took the time
to inquire about my research. In 1992, I presented this research to members of the
University of Florida department of physiology, and I was deeply moved and honored to see
Dr. Otis in the audience. There are few moments as special as having one of the icons of
science take the time to single you out as an individual and a collaborator in the pursuit
of knowledge. Dr. Otis did not have to do this for me, but it came naturally to him. I
know that if he reads this correspondence, he will probably turn to Dr. Yeager and say,
"I remember this person, but I didn’t do anything special."
I know Dr. Otis is an exceptional man, not just because of those
accomplishments of his that are recorded in the scientific literature, but because I have
met him and have experienced his personal character. I know him to be a giving, generous,
and modest gentleman with a sharp mind and a life-long dedication to science. He is an
exceptional person, and I am indeed fortunate to have crossed his path.
Col. EDWARD R.
CARTER, M.D
Department of Pediatrics
Madigan Army Medical Center
Tacoma, Washington
