Through the generosity of Helene Kurshan Jacoby, the first endowed chair in the Department of Anesthesiology was established on July 8, 2005 in honor and memory of her late husband, Jay J. Jacoby, MD, PhD. Dr. Jacoby is recognized for his dedication and leadership as a chair, physician, and educator in the Department of Anesthesiology at The Ohio State University Medical Center.
The Jay J. Jacoby, MD, PhD Chair in Anesthesiology will support the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, who is a nationally eminent anesthesiologist, professor of anesthesiology and an outstanding educator whose focus is to support the advancement of medical knowledge in the field through teaching, improved patient care and research.
Dr. Jacoby founded this department in 1947 and was nationally renowned for establishing the hospital “code blue” system and the postoperative care unit. His career in academic medicine spanned over 60 years, during which 40 years were spent in chairmanship positions. Under his leadership, the department moved in the direction of excellence in patient care, teaching and research, growth and integrity.
His efforts as chairman, faculty member, clinician and teacher were instrumental in positioning The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health and the University Hospitals to rise to our present standing as one of America’s top hospitals and universities. And all along, his passion for teaching was strong and his demeanor warm and compassionate with medical students and residents.
Dr. Jacoby has a legacy at Ohio State and his loving wife, Helene, through the generosity of the Jay J. Jacoby, MD, PhD Chair in Anesthesiology, has preserved his memory and ensured that the good work he started will continue forward.