William G. Pace (1927-1996) was a professor and administrator in the Department of Surgery at The Ohio State University. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he graduated from Columbus Academy. Pace earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in 1950 and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952. Pace’s residency in general surgery at Ohio State was interrupted by service in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon from 1953-1955 during the Korean War. After completing his residency, he joined the Ohio State faculty in 1959 and remained affiliated with the University for the rest of his life. Pace also did a two- year post-graduate fellowship with the American Cancer Society. During his career Dr. Pace worked to research and improve treatments for varied medical conditions, including injuries in automobile accidents, pancreatitis, and multiple types of cancer. Along with Drs. Charles Meckstroth, William Molnar, and Karl Klassen, he received a gold award for medical teaching from the Ohio Medical Association for “Steering Wheel Injuries of the Chest” in 1959. He obtained grant funding for cancer research projects in the 1960s. One study explored using cryogenic (freezing) surgical techniques in cancer therapy. Dr. Pace explained the idea in Ohio State’s newspaper, The Lantern, this way: “We will begin with careful study of the potential of extreme cold in killing tumors, while preventing damage to normal tissue… it amounts to killing off the bad cells, while saving the good tissue… We will be finding out what kind of tumors do respond and how much cold it takes to kill them.” In 1963 the Ohio State University Monthly reported that Dr. Pace was appointed assistant dean and director of the Center for Continuing Medical Education. As Center director he was involved in founding, growing and promoting the Ohio Medical Education Network (OMEN). By June 1968 OMEN broadcasted over five hundred “two-way programs” on the radio that connected physicians and nurses at medical schools and hospitals in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Dr. Pace, as director, often moderated the question-and-answer portions of the programs. Participants received formal continuing education credit. In 1973 Pace returned to “full time duties” as a professor in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Pace authored over one hundred articles and several books, created scientific exhibits, and filmed motion pictures for medical teaching. He participated in professional organizations, including the Columbus Surgical Society and the American College of Surgeons. As well as researching and treating cancer, Dr. Pace worked to raise money for cancer research. In the 1960s he established the William G. Pace Fund within the University Development Fund and helped it to grow into a multi-million-dollar resource for cancer research. In April 1991 he received status of clinical professor emeritus in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Pace passed away in 1996. He is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.
The William G. Pace, MD Papers (0.25 linear feet) contains glass and 35mm film slides illustrating a variety of medical conditions and treatments. Subjects include amputation, auto injury, cancer and Cushing’s Syndrome among others. There are also slides depicting allied medical education in the fields of dietetics and occupational therapy. Illustrations are artist’s renderings while images are photographic depictions of subjects, including patients. As some patients are identified by name on slide labels and some patients pictured may be identifiable, the entire collection is restricted.
The collection is arranged in alphabetical order by subject.
The collection is open to the public and is available for viewing in the Medical Heritage Center. Materials do not circulate and must be used in the supervised reading room. Restrictions, including copyright, may exist and some materials may be too fragile to photocopy or digitize. The MHC charges for duplication services, which must be performed by staff.
[Identification of item], William G. Pace, MD Papers, SPEC.202423.PACE, Medical Heritage Center, Health Sciences Library, The Ohio State University.