On Memorial Day, many of us have family members whom we think about for their service to our country.
At SSM Health, we share the story of how one family not only expanded health care greatly in Wisconsin but saw four veterans volunteer their work and time to serve in the military during two world wars.
Dean Medical Group in Wisconsin derives its name and heritage from the Dean family, who founded the Dean Clinic.
Four members of the Dean family who worked at the Dean Clinic and at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wis., served in the U.S. military, one in World War I with the U.S. Army and later the Wisconsin National Guard, and three in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Dr. James P. Dean was the brother of Dr. Joseph Dean, the founder of the Dean Clinic, and an original member of the St. Mary’s Hospital medical staff. Dr. James Dean joined the U.S. Army on July 15, 1917, about a year after finishing his internship and was assigned to the 127th Field Hospital, part of the 32nd Division made up of units from the Wisconsin and Michigan National Guard.
The 32nd Division served in France from March 1918 until the end of war and then served as occupation troops in Germany until the end of April 1919. As part of the 127th Field Hospital, Dr. Dean treated casualties from three major campaigns. Dr. Dean was discharged from the U.S. Army on May 15, 1919.
In May 1926, he joined the Wisconsin National Guard as the executive officer of the 135th Medical Regiment with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Dr. Dean was promoted to colonel, and commanding officer of the 135th Medical Regiment in October 1933, and he held that post until he retired in October 1939.
Dr. James Dean joined Dean Clinic in 1915. He would become Chief of Staff at St. Mary’s Hospital from 1931 to 1935. Dr. James Dean retired from medicine in 1948 due to ill health.
Dr. James L. Dean was the oldest son of Dr. James P. Dean. Dr. James L Dean was in medical school at the University of Wisconsin when he joined the U.S. Navy on June 4, 1942, as an ensign. After additional training, he was named an acting assistant Surgeon in March 1943 with the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade). Dr. James L Dean served at several shore installations in the US during his time in the Navy, but he did have sea duty aboard the destroyer USS Rooks (DD-804) from Aug. 28, 1944, to May 5, 1945. During his time aboard the Rooks, the ship supported amphibious operations at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During the Iwo Jima operation, the ship was struck by enemy fire. During the Okinawa operation, it was attacked by Kamikaze aircraft.
Dr. James L. Dean left the U.S. Navy on September 6, 1947, with the rank of lieutenant. After his Navy service Dr. James L. Dean joined the Dean Clinic as an OB/GYN physician and also cared for patients at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Dr. Joseph C. Dean was the oldest son of Dr. Joseph Dean. He joined the Dean Clinic in 1932 as a surgeon. On Sept. 13, 1944, he joined the U.S. Navy with the rank of lieutenant. Dr. Joseph C. Dean served aboard the amphibious attack transport USS Mellette (APA-156) from Nov. 5, 1944 to Feb. 2, 1945 and the amphibious attack transport USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) from Feb. 4, 1945 to April 18, 1945. While aboard the Thomas Jefferson, he treated soldiers wounded from the invasion of Iwo Jima. Dr. Joseph C. Dean left active Navy service on Dec. 16, 1945, and moved to the inactive reserve. He stayed in the inactive reserve until March 1, 1954.
He returned to the Dean Clinic and St. Mary’s Hospital after the war. He continued in practice until 1955 when he retired due to illness.
Dr. Frank K. Dean was the second son of Dr. Joseph Dean. Dr. Frank Dean had been out of medical school for eight years when joined the U.S. Navy on Sept. 1, 1942, as a medical officer with the rank of lieutenant. Along with several shore postings, Dr. Frank Dean served aboard the assault transport USS President Polk (AP-103). During his time on the President Polk, he treated wounded soldiers from amphibious landings at Kwajalein, Guam, the Philippines, and Iwo Jima. Dr. Frank Dean left active Navy service on May 2, 1946, at the rank of lieutenant commander and was placed on the inactive reserve. He stayed in the inactive reserve until May 23, 1951.
Dr. Frank Dean was a longtime staff member at St. Mary’s Hospital, serving as Chief of Staff from 1957 to 1959. Dr. Frank Dean retired in 1973 but he volunteered at St. Mary’s for many years after his retirement.
On Memorial Day, as we remember U.S. troops who gave their lives in service to their country, we’re also grateful to all soldiers who served, like these Wisconsin doctors.
