Irvin Abell

Who was Irvin Abell?

Irvin Abell was a surgeon from Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Louisville Medical College in 1897 and then studied in Germany at the University of Marburg and the University of Berlin. He joined the faculty at Louisville Medical College faculty in 1900 and became professor of surgery when the school merged with the University of Louisville in 1908. He was named to the school's board of trustees in 1935.

Abell was the first Grand Presiding Senior of Phi Chi Medical Fraternity in 1897.

Abell was president of the American Medical Association from 1938 to 1939, and also served as president of the American College of Surgeons, Southeastern Surgical Association, and the Kentucky State Medical Association. During World War II he headed the national committee that consulted with the Department of Defense on matters of public health.

He was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.