Roger O. Egeberg
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Roger Olaf Egeberg | |
|---|---|
 Dr. Egeberg in an interview | |
| Born | November 13, 1902 Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Died | September 13, 1997 (aged 94) Washington, D.C., US |
| Title | Assistant Secretary for Health |
| Term | 1969–1971 |
| Predecessor | Philip R. Lee |
| Successor | Charles C. Edwards |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse | Margaret McEchron Chahoon |
| Children | One son, three daughters |
Roger Olaf Egeberg, M.D. (13 November 1902 – 13 September 1997
Early life and family
Egeberg was born in
Education and career
Egeberg received a bachelor's degree in 1925 from Cornell University where he was a member of the Quill and Dagger society. He earned his medical degree in 1929 at Northwestern University school of medicine. He became an internist and joined the faculty of Western Reserve University School of Medicine.[4]
Military service
During World War II, Egeberg was a member of the 4th General Hospital which was sent to Australia. From there he transferred to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea (PNG) where he organised field stations and was a malaria control officer.[5] Through determined attempts to control illnesses such as malaria and sexually transmitted diseases in PNG, Egeberg was noticed by MacArthur who made him his personal physician and aide-de-camp. Egeberg rose to the rank of colonel and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit. At the end of the war, Egeberg treated the Prime Minister of Japan, Hideki Tojo who had shot himself. Tojo was later hanged.[6]
Academic positions
After the war, Egeberg was Chief of Medicine at Wadsworth General Hospital, head of
Nixon administration
From 1969 to 1971, Egeberg was the Assistant Secretary for health and scientific affairs in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In this role, he was an advocate for expanding
- "The White House just doesn't appreciate, doesn't know, what is going on in the health field."
also,
- "I just can't get through to Ehrlichman," (referring to John D. Ehrlichman, the president's chief aide for domestic matters.)
and,
- "I may be fired because of my words and actions, but I won't quit."
Officials of the department, including Finch, expressed dissatisfaction with Egeberg's managerial skills. [citation needed] From 1971 to 1977, Egeberg was the health secretary's special assistant for health policy and special consultant to the president in health affairs. In 1976 and 1977, he was also special assistant for health education.
Marijuana
In 1970, Egeberg introduced an amendment to legislation governing penalties for marijuana offences. The nature of a conviction for possession of marijuana was changed from felony to misdemeanor.[7] The committee reviewing the
- "Dear Mr. Chairman, In a prior communication, comments requested by your committee on the scientific aspects of the drug classification scheme incorporated in H.R. 18583 were provided. This communication is concerned with the proposed classification of marihuana...It is presently classed in schedule I(C) along with its active constituents, the tetrahydrocannibinols and other psychotropic drugs...Some question has been raised whether the use of the plant itself produces "severe psychological or physical dependence" as required by a schedule I or even schedule II criterion. Since there is still a considerable void in our knowledge of the plant and effects of the active drug contained in it, our recommendation is that marihuana be retained within schedule I at least until the completion of certain studies now underway to resolve the issue. If those studies make it appropriate for the Attorney General to change the placement of marihuana to a different schedule, he may do so in accordance with the authority provided under section 201 of the bill."[8]
Egeberg intended for marijuana to remain in Schedule I only until the Shafer Commission completed its report. However, Nixon refused to implement the Commission's recommendation that marijuana be legalized.
Books
- The General: MacArthur and the Man He Called 'Doc.' (1984 Hippocrene Books) ISBN 978-0882548548
- Reaching for the world: early memories. (2000, Washington Expatriates Press) ISBN 978-0960906246
References
- ^ Dr. Roger Egeberg, 93, Nixon's Health Officer (Pace, Eric. The New York Times. Health Care. 15 September 1997) Accessed 28 June 2012.
- PMID 9601122.
- ^ Margaret Egeberg (San Francisco Chronicle. 24 June 2011) Accessed 28 June 2012.
- ^ PMID 9601122.
- ^ Colorful dean of USC Med School had a healthy appetite for life Rasmussen, Cecilia. Staff Writer. (Los Angeles Times. L.A. Then and now. 9 December 2001) Accessed 28 June 2012.
- ^ Tojo may survive (AAP. New York. 13 September 1945) Accessed 28 June 2012
- ^ Nixon's top health official, Roger O Edeberg passes away (News Briefs. National drug strategy network. Criminal justice policy foundation, a private, non-profit organization that educates the public about the criminal justice system. September–October, 1997) Accessed 28 June 2012
- ^ [1] (Marijuana's Dependence Liability - 1970, Roger O. Edeberg) Accessed 3 Oct 2016
External sources
- "Two national officials who advocated drug policy reform pass away National Drug Strategy Network.
- Gettman, Jon Science and the end of marijuana prohibition
- Obituary NY Times. Accessed 28 June 2012.
- Interview with Roger O. Egeberg 30 July 1991. Accessed 28 June 2012.
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