Walter Pritchard

Walter Herbert Pritchard (April 14, 1910, Hancock, New York – August 31, 1982) was an American track and field Olympian and cardiologist. He is credited with contributing to the science of cardiac resuscitation and defibrillation to restart the human heart.[1]

Walter H. Pritchard
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born(1910-04-14)April 14, 1910
Hancock, New York
DiedAugust 31, 1982(1982-08-31) (aged 72)
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)3000 meter steeplechase
College teamHamilton College (1929–1932)

Athletic career

Pritchard broke the American record in the 3000 meter steeplechase on July 16, 1932 while qualifying for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Fordham's Joseph McCluskey won the trials that day and ultimately held the American record. Pritchard would go on to finish eighth in the Olympics later that summer in a race that is considered one of the biggest errors in Olympic history.[2] Officials incorrectly counted the number of laps completed and forced runners to complete an extra lap.[3] In honor of Pritchard, Hamilton College, where Pritchard attended college, named the track and field facility after him.[4]

Cardiology career

He graduated from Harvard Medical School. After college Pritchard became a preeminent cardiologist. He helped develop the science of cardiac resuscitation and defibrillation to restart the human heart.[1] During his career he was Director of Cardiology and Chief of Staff at the University Hospitals of Cleveland and Argyl J. Beams Professor of Medicine at the Case Western Reserve University.[5][6]

References
  1. Beck, C. S.; Pritchard, W. H.; et al. (13 December 1947). "Ventricular Fibrillation of Long Duration Abolished by Electric Shock". Journal of the American Medical Association. 135 (15): 985. doi:10.1001/jama.1947.62890150005007a. PMID 20272528.
  2. "Spring 2012 Seldom Told Tales". Hamilton College. Spring 2012.
  3. "The Unseen Hurdle in the Steeplechase at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics: When 3,000 Meters Measured About 3,460". The Olympians. February 25, 2017.
  4. "Love Field/Pritchard Field". Hamilton College. August 2, 2016.
  5. "Spring 2012 Seldom Told Tales". Hamilton College. Spring 2012.
  6. "Walter Pritchard Obituary". International Journal of Cardiology. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
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