Harry D. Ellis oral history collection

Collection

Identifier: HHC 72

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This interview surveys the life and career of Dr. Harry D. Ellis (1921-1997), a longtime pathologist of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. One of the earliest board-certified pathologists to practice in the state, Dr. Ellis set up his private practice and laboratory in Santa Fe in 1954 and practiced there and throughout northern New Mexico until 1982. In that year, he shifted his practice to Albuquerque, while establishing The Reference Lab, Inc., the largest private pathology laboratory in the state. Among the subjects discussed in this interview are Dr. Ellis's personal and professional backgrounds; his appraisal of medical facilities and the medical profession in Santa Fe as of the 1950s and 1960s; the pioneer pathologists of the state, Dr. Aaron Margulis of Santa Fe particularly; his extensive work within the New Mexico Medical Society, which he served as president; the contributions to medical practice in the state of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine; and other topics.

Dates

1991 September 6

Conditions Governing Use

Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Harry D. Ellis (1921-1997) was a longtime pathologist who practiced in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Born in Monticello, Illinois, Ellis received his BA from Butler University in 1943 and his MD from the University of Indiana in 1944. From 1945-1947, he was a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and primarily worked at Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver. In 1952, Ellis became certified in Pathology (Anatomical and Clinical).

One of the earliest board-certified pathologists to practice in the state, Dr. Ellis set up his private practice and laboratory in Santa Fe in 1954 and practiced there and throughout northern New Mexico until 1982. In that year, he shifted his practice to Albuquerque, while establishing The Reference Lab, Inc., the largest private pathology laboratory in the state. Ellis served as president of the New Mexico Medical Society from 1970-1971 and as president of the New Mexico Physicians Insurance Company from 1975-1986.