Leslie W. Whitney, age 99, passed away peacefully on Saturday January 11, 2020 at Barclay Friends in West Chester, PA. He had resided at Maris Grove, Glen Mills, PA The son of a Baptist minister he was born in Philadelphia, New York, in 1920 and felt called to a life of service. He chose medicine as a vocation as he often said he wanted to do something of significance with his life. He graduated from Buckell University in 1941, entered Temple University School of Medicine graduating in1944 completing his surgical residency at Temple Hospital in 1950. He was called to military service during his medical education and served in WW2 and the Korean war being honorably discharged as a lieutenant.
Dr. Whitney’s career in cancer detection and treatment spanned several decades. He was the Director of the Tumor Clinic at the Delaware Hospital in 1951and was instrumental in building a state wide tumor registry and having cancer designated as a reportable disease. He obtained a grant in 1973 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) with the designation of Wilmington Medical Center as one of only 26 nationally funded Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Programs in the country. His research in mammography as a tool for cancer detection was groundbreaking at the time. Dr. Whitney was instrumental in the selection and training of new doctors during his career giving guidance and encouragement He played an active role in the development of the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research ( DIMER) as Executive Director for the program. He promoted the first merged residency program in America between Christiana Care Residency Programs and Jefferson Medical College.
His leadership roles were demonstrated by his contribution to medicine in Delaware beginning before the merger of Wilmington’s three hospitals and the creation of the Medical Center of Delaware which is now Christiana Care. He served as Vice President for Medical Affairs (1989-1990), President of MCD’s Medical – Dental Staff (1983-1987), first chair of the Department of Surgery for Wilmington Medical Center (1965-1973), Director of the Tumor Clinic (1951-1957). He was Director for the Department of Surgery of the Wilmington General Hospital (1956-1965). .With is colleagues, Dr. Whitney was instrumental in establishing hospice in Delaware. He served as a Diplomat for the American Board of Surgery. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadlephia in 2000 and was a life long member of the Board of Trustees for Christiana Care. Dr. Leslie W Whitney retired on June 30, 2000 with more than a half a century of service to his patients and his community.
The various memberships include American Medical Association, New Castle County Medical Society, Fellow American College of Surgeons, Fellow Southeastern Surgical Congress, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, National Tumor Registrars Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American College of Surgeons, Diplomat for the American Board of Surgery, and the Blood Bank of Delaware. He was awarded the 5th Annual Dr James Tilton Distinguished Service Award in 2006, the 2010 Lewis B Flinn Presidents Award and the Inaugural Commendation of Excellence Award for Christiana Care. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Wilmington
Leslie W Whitney was dedicated not only to his chosen profession but to his entire family. He enjoyed time with the family and friends at his house on Lake George., swimming, boating and enjoying the peace of the lake.
Dr. Leslie W Whitney was predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Joan Davidson Whitney and his son Timothy Parkinson Whitney. Surviving members of the family are the children: Jennifer Farver ( Jeffrey ), Christopher J.Whitney,MD ( Rebecca ) Jonathon Whitney, Heather Price , Holly Whitney. Grandchildren: Jeremy Farver, Jill Smith ( Grant ), Jessica Finnegan ( Connor ), Christopher M. Whitney , Matilda Whitney and 6 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking if anyone wishes to donate they may do so to the American Cancer Society, the Blood Bank of Delaware, or Friendship House.
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