Dr. John S. Odess, second from right, was honored this week at the portrait unveiling. Also present at the ceremony were, from left, artist Michael Shane Neal, Dr. Robert Ossoff, and Carol Odess. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Odess honored at portrait unveiling
The portrait will be displayed in the John S. Odess Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Clinic.
A pioneer in the field of otolaryngology, Dr. John (Jack) S. Odess was recently honored at a portrait unveiling where speakers cited his generosity and contributions to the field of medicine.
The portrait will hang in the John S. Odess Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Clinic.
“This portrait is a small representation of appreciation that Vanderbilt Medical Center has for Jack and Carol Odess,” said Dr. Harry R. Jacobson, vice chancellor for Health Affairs. “Jack was a leading practitioner in Birmingham and a credit to the field of otolaryngology. His generosity has helped create a modern clinic in a magnificent structure.”
Now retired, Odess continues to stay abreast with the quickly changing medical field by attending various medical meetings and reading medical journals.
The John S. Odess Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Clinic opened in 1998 on the second floor of the Vanderbilt Clinic as a result of a $1 million gift. The clinic hosts thousands of patients each year seeking specialized treatment.
“Dr. and Mrs. Odess allowed the department of Otolaryngology to move into the John S. Odess Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Clinic in 1998,” explained Dr. Robert H. Ossoff, Guy M. Maness Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology. “This move created the necessary space for the department to double our clinical capacity and facilitated the continued growth of the department and its faculty. There is no doubt in my mind that the timing of the Odess gift was critical to the success of the department of Otolaryngology at VUMC as well as to our ability to offer our patients state-of-the-art care in all subspecialties of otolaryngology.”
Odess graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1943 with B.A. degree, and went on to receive his M.D. degree from Vanderbilt School of Medicine in 1946.
The Odesses, who live in Chelsea, Ala., are members of the Canby Robinson Society Founders Circle.