Harwell Wilson, served as longtime chairman of the department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. During his tenure which began in 1948 he oversaw the growth of the department from one person to a large multi specialty department. Born in Lincoln, Alabama May 23, 1908, Dr. Wilson received both his BA in 1928 and his MD in 1932 from Vanderbilt University. While at Vanderbilt, he worked with Dr. Alfred Blalock in the early study of shock. His post graduate surgical training was conducted at the newly established Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago where he served as Chief Resident and Instructor in Surgery in 1938 - 1939. During World War II, Dr. Wilson served with the Vanderbilt Unit of the 300th General Hospital. He later was appointed Chief of Surgery of the 225th station hospital, and was subsequently named to be Surgical Consultant to Dr. Edward Churchill in the European Theatre. Following the war, Dr. Wilson came to Memphis to establish a private practice but was soon asked to become Chairmain of the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, a position he held until his retirement in 1974. He died October 10, 1977 in Memphis. The Harwell Wilson Award was established at Vanderbilt to recognize a surgical resident who epitomizes the ideals of dedication to patient care, research, and teaching. It was first presented in 1978 through a bequest made by Dr. Wilson.