In Memorium: Dr. John Pryor (1966-2008)

I just finished listening to a moving obituary of UPenn tramua surgeon and Army Reserve Maj. John Pryor by Philly-based NPR reporter Joel Rose. As I was listening, the name sparked a memory in my mind. After a few minutes it finally dawned on me that I had spent some time with Dr. Pryor in 2007.

Writer John Hurdle and I spent part of an overnight shift with Dr. Pryor in the trauma unit at the Univ. of Pennsylvania. We were working on a story about gun violence in Philadelphia. We had a lot of time waiting for a victim to come in (inevitably, being Philly, a man came in with a gunshot to the leg) and during that time Dr. Pryor told us about his work bringing the techniques developed in Philly to the frontlines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He seemed to be a supremely thoughtful, passionate and caring man.

I send my condolences and best wishes to his family, friends and colleagues.