Morris Simon papers

Morris Simon (1926-2005), M.B., B.Ch., 1948, Witwatersrand University and Medical School, Johannesburg, South Africa, was Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, from 1972 to 1997 and Radiologist-in-Chief at Beth Israel Hospital (now Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center), Boston, from 1963 to 1970. Simon’s research focused on chest radiology, including pulmonary blood circulation and the use of thermal shape-memory alloys for devices such as stents and vena cava filters, as well as computerized language information processing for medical reporting.

Morris Simon was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1926. He received a M.B., B.Ch. from Witwatersrand University and Medical School, Johannesburg, in 1948. After finishing his graduate studies, Simon completed his internship and residency in South Africa first at Baragwanath General Hospital serving as House Physician and later House Surgeon (1948-1950), and then at Johannesburg General Hospital as a Surgical Registrar (1950). Simon and his family relocated to London, England, where he joined the staff at The London Hospital (now The Royal London Hospital) as a Junior Registrar (1951-1952). While in London, Simon decided to further his medical training and earned a D.M.R.D. from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1952. He then served as Registrar (1953-1954) and Senior Registrar (1954-1958) at Guy’s Hospital, London. During this time, Simon completed several fellowships, including a Fellowship in Neuroradiology at The Maudsley Hospital, London (1954-1958), and a Clinical Fellowship in the Diagnostic X-Ray Department at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London (1954-1958). In 1958, Simon was asked by Felix Fleischner (1893-1969), Radiologist-in-Chief at Beth Israel Hospital, to join his department. Simon accepted Fleischner’s offer, and over the course of his career at Beth Israel Hospital, held several positions in the radiology department, including: Associate in Radiology (1958-1960); Acting Radiologist-in-Chief (1960-1962); Radiologist-in-Chief (1963-1970); Director, Clinical Radiology, (1970-1997); Director of Chest Radiology (1970-1997); and Senior Radiologist, a position held until his death in 2005.

At Harvard Medical School, Simon went on to become Assistant in Radiology (1958-1960); Instructor in Radiology (1960-1961); Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology (1961-1963); Associated Clinical Professor of Radiology (1963-1972); and Professor of Radiology in 1972, becoming Emeritus in 1997. Simon also taught at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, in various capacities from 1960 to 1967.

Simon is also recognized for his multiple inventions, including medical instruments and patents for the Simon Nitinol Filter and Stent. Simon created the Simon Nitinol Filter using nitinol, a thermal shape alloy developed by NASA, to trap dislodged blood clots. He also patented a caliper rule, rotary disc calculator, and a needle localiser. In addition to his clinical and research activities, Simon authored numerous articles and was an active member of many professional organizations. He was President of the New England Roentgen Ray Society from 1972 to 1973, founding member and President of the Fleischner Society in 1976, and a member of the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America, the American Medical Association, and the Massachusetts Medical Association. Simon was also a member of the Faculty of Radiology, England, who awarded him a F.F.R. in 1956.

Morris Simon married Josephine Rubin in 1950. They had four sons, Daniel, Adam, Jason, and Mark. Simon died of cardiac arrest in 2005 in Boston.