In the United States, polio is an old story that has been largely forgotten. The Salk vaccine, made available to children and families starting in 1955, led to the elimination of the disease in this country. But “it’s still out there in the world,” says Dr. Hannah Wunsch, Distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology Research and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Anesthesiology. In her view, historical amnesia and complacency are unacceptable and even dangerous.
Her passion for that history and its present-day implications is rooted in her experience as an anesthesiologist and intensive care doctor; one who puts patients on a ventilator in the ICU when they’re having trouble breathing.
It turns out that the modern ventilator originated in Denmark, spurred by the polio epidemic in that country’s capital, Copenhagen, in 1952. That innovation led to modern intensive care.
Through her research, writing and advocacy, Dr. Wunsch aims to share her knowledge and foster awareness, thus helping to prevent the re-emergence on our shores of a horrific, entirely preventable disease.
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