Marion Rapp, 1920-2011

Marion Rapp was one of the most loyal and longest-serving staff members in the American College of Surgeons’ (ACS) history, and played an integral role in shaping the College during the second half of the 20th century. Born in 1920, she joined the ACS in January 1953 as personal assistant to then College Director, Gen. Paul R. Hawley, MD, FACS(Hon), an innovative leader and a man Ms. Rapp deeply admired.^{2 href=''>3 href=''>}

After Gen. Hawley retired in 1961, Ms. Rapp held several positions of increasing responsibility at the College, primarily in the Fellowship Department, reorganized as the Division of Member Services in 2002. Most notably she was the College’s International Liaison, serving thousands of International Fellows, Honorary Fellows, and guest surgeons. When Gen. Hawley died in 1965, he bequeathed his estate to the College. This allowed the College to set up the International Guest Scholarships program in 1968, aimed to help young surgeons from other countries outside the U.S. and Canada.^{5 href=''>}

Marion Rapp retired in 1999 after 46 years with the College. She was a constant presence for international members and Fellows, as well as College staff throughout the second half of the 20th century. As of 2020 there have been International Guest Scholars from more than 70 countries,

Marion Rapp was interviewed by C. Rollins Hanlon, MD, FACS, in February 2001 and June 2002 for the College’s oral history program. These interviews are available in the Archives Catalog at the following links:

February 2001 interview (transcript only)

June 2002 interview

References

1. Bulletin, Volume 46, Number 1, p20
2. Marion E. Rapp Oral History Interview transcript, P 2, ACS Archives
3. Marion E. Rapp Oral History Interview transcript, P 3, ACS Archives
4. International Guest Scholarship Awards, https://www.facs.org/member-services/scholarships/international/igs/igsaward
5. Marion E. Rapp Oral History Interview transcript, P 10, ACS Archives
6. International Guest Scholarship Awards, https://www.facs.org/member-services/scholarships/international/igs/igsaward