The Legacy of Anthony F. DePalma, MD
Anthony F. DePalma, MD, born in 1904 in Philadelphia to Italian immigrant parents, left an indelible mark on orthopedic surgery. A 1929 Jefferson graduate, DePalma began his career at New Jersey Orthopedic Hospital in Orange. In 1942, he volunteered for military service, serving as chief orthopedic surgeon aboard the hospital combat ship USS Rixey during World War II.
The USS Rixey played a critical role in evacuating casualties from Guam, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa. Unlike traditional hospital ships, it was armed, allowing it to operate close to the battlefield. One of DePalma’s most notable contributions occurred when a marine sergeant arrived with his legs crushed under a tank. In shock, he was set aside to die. DePalma, realizing toxins were spreading from the injury, wrapped the marine in a rubber sheet and iced him from the abdomen down, halting the toxins. This stabilized the marine, allowing DePalma to perform an amputation and save his life. The method became the standard treatment for crush injuries.
Following his military service, DePalma returned to Jefferson, eventually becoming chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He founded a PhD program in anatomy, established an orthopedic research department, and authored over 70 manuscripts and five major medical textbooks. After retiring from Jefferson in 1970, he moved to Florida but soon led the Orthopedic Department at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey from 1971 to 1976.
In retirement, DePalma turned to writing, completing several unpublished novels, including medical mysteries. He humorously avoided showing his manuscripts to his filmmaker son, Brian, saying he would, “steal my ideas and make them into movies.” DePalma passed away in 2005, just shy of his 100th birthday.
Our narrator, Frederick "Fritz" Ruccius, brings a personal connection to this story. Having worked in the Office of Institutional Advancement for nearly 20 years and eventually rising to the position of senior vice president, Fritz had the privilege of meeting many alumni and faculty during his career. Though now retired from Jefferson, Fritz's deep familiarity with the community and its history allows him to share the rich stories of remarkable figures like DePalma, adding insight and warmth to the retelling of this extraordinary legacy.