Allison T. Wanamaker Endowed Professorship in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Est. 2003

The Allison T. Wanamaker Endowed Professorship in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery was established in 2003 to attract and retain distinguished faculty. It was created by Alice J. Wanamaker as a tribute to her father’s life and work in the field of otolaryngology.

Allison Temple Wanamaker was born in St. Martin’s, New Brunswick, on March 13, 1881, and he died in Seattle on June 21, 1944. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Coupeville, Wash., on Whidbey Island, and he lived there until he left to attend the University of Washington in Seattle. In the first grade, he met George Swift, who became his close associate and lifelong friend.

In 1901, Dr. Wanamaker received a certificate in pharmacy; a year later, he received a degree in pharmacy from the University of Washington. He worked his way through Northwestern University School of Medicine by working nights as a pharmacist, receiving an M.D. in 1907. Two internships followed, one at Pittsburgh General Hospital, 1907–1908, and another at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, 1908–1909. He was joined in Chicago by Dr. Swift, who had accompanied him through grade school, high school, the University of Washington and Northwestern University School of Medicine. They both interned at Cook County Hospital and practiced for two years with Drs. Allport and Wood in Chicago. In 1910, Drs. Wanamaker and Swift returned to Seattle and set up a practice together.

During World War I, Dr. Swift performed brain surgery while serving in the U.S. Army, and he practiced in that field after his return. Dr. Wanamaker continued in the field of otolaryngology. In 1929, Dr. Wanamaker was joined in practice by his nephew, Dr. Frank Wanamaker — another Northwestern medical graduate — after his residency. This partnership lasted until Dr. Allison Wanamaker’s death in 1944.

On October 20, 1915, Dr. Wanamaker married Mary Helen Allmond, who was born and raised in Seattle. She attended Stanford University and graduated from Smith College. The Wanamakers had two children, Alice Jane (’39) and Allison Temple, Jr. Both enjoyed extensive careers in the U.S. Foreign Service and traveled all over the world.

Dr. Wanamaker served on the staff of Swedish and Providence Hospitals, and was a consulting physician at Harborview Medical Center and Seattle Children's. For many years, he held the position of head of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at the King County Hospital. Dr. Wanamaker attended national and international medical meetings and presented a number of papers at these conventions. He was a member of the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society (chair, Western Section 1931), American Medical Association, Pan-American Surgical Society, American Laryngological Society and King County Medical Society (past president).

If you are interested in supporting this work, please make a gift.