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Watson

Nancy Watson (EDU '74)

Nancy Watson recalls the first time her husband, Charles Gray Watson, mentioned his intention to raise money to endow surgical research fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. They were sailing off the coast of Maine when Robert Flory asked Charles what he wanted to do before he retired. "I want to raise $5 million for a surgical fellowship endowment at the medical school," Charles said.

"By the next morning, Rob and Chuck had decided the goal should be $10 million," said Nancy, and Rob was to head a lay committee for the project.

She wasn't completely surprised by her husband's endeavor. A committed clinician and then surgery professor at the School of Medicine from 1968 until his death in 2000, Charles had been passionate about the teaching of students and residents and the need to ensure funding for surgical residents to have the opportunity to participate in significant research. A graduate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1961, Charles was the third generation of his family to teach surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and was awarded numerous teaching honors by the University and the medical school.

Before he died, Charles learned that his vision to support the training of young surgeons would transform the Department of Surgery, under the leadership of Chair Timothy Billiar, as they stepped behind the project. To honor Charles' long-standing commitment to the teaching of surgery, friends, patients, residents, and faculty joined together to raise $2.5 million to create the Charles Gray Watson Surgical Education Center and endowed professorship. The center opened in July 2002 at UPMC Presbyterian and will greatly contribute to the quality of surgical education at the University of Pittsburgh.

"It's exciting to think that the center and professorship in his name will live to always be associated with Chuck's ability and joy in teaching these remarkable students and residents," said Nancy. "They represent the future in surgery."

The center offers teaching conferences and is equipped with sophisticated training tools that will help the University maintain its leading role in surgical education. The advanced skills training, so necessary for minimally invasive surgery, will prepare students for computer-assisted and robotic technologies used in "intelligent" operating rooms.