People: Charles Fisher

DOCTOR, SOLDIER, PATRIOT, SPARTAN

As head of Critical Care Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, he stays busy, overseeing 120 critical beds. As director of the CCF's Critical Care Research Unit, where he helped develop many drugs like Centoxin--an effective drug that cuts death rates from septic shock--he stretches his work to 18 hours a day. In addition, his publications, awards and achievements fill some 20 pages. But that's not all in the professional life of Charles Fisher, '71, M.D. '73.

At any given time, when his beeper sounds, Fisher as Lt. Colonel and Deputy Command Surgeon of U.S. Army Special Operations, is sent round the globe on missions known only by his commanding officers and the U.S. President. He has provided medical support in various armed conflicts ranging from Bosnia and Croatia to Liberia and the Ivory Coast. No wonder Charles was recently awarded MSU's Distinguished Alumni Award. 'I transferred to MSU from San Diego State,' he recalls. 'The College of Human Medicine was very avant garde in medical education. Today you see Harvard claiming credit for new medical education techniques. I laugh, because MSU pioneered those techniques.'

Fisher cites MSU's relatively small class sizes and the personalized attention he received. Today, MSU's College of Human Medicine is regularly ranked among the top five primary care programs in the nation. 'I was so impressed with the MSU campus,' adds Charles, who played rugby. 'Unbelievably beautiful. Fall, spring, winter or summer--it didn't matter. Each season was great.'

He dismisses any special praise for his patriotic service. 'I have a simplistic view of things,' he explains. 'Our country is built on volunteerism. People make contributions at the local, regional and national levels. I have a unique set of skills that make possible my contribution at the national level.' He hastens to emphasize, 'I've had the privilege to take care of patients. I've had the privilege to be a teacher. And I'm privileged to be an American.'