01.04.12 Dr. John C. McDonald could have staked his life's work and reputation on being a skilled surgeon and pioneer in the field of organ transplantation.

Fortunately for us, McDonald, who died Dec. 31 at age 81, aspired to more. For medical students, McDonald was a teacher and mentor. For northwest Louisiana health care, McDonald was a capable administrator who guided the various components of the then-LSU Health Sciences Center through mission growth and campus expansion. He also forged cooperative endeavors with other health care institutions in the community.

The result is that LSUHSC became an institution that served not only patient needs but provided a regional economic bulwark.