C. Reid Edwards

C. Reid Edwards was born in Medley, WV and was educated at the Adamstown School in Frederick County, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he then was an intern for two years. From 1915 to 1916, he was an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the School of Medicine. 

At the outbreak of WWI, he entered the Army Medical Corps as a First Lieutenant, and left with the rank of Captain. Following the war, he returned to the University of Maryland as an assistant professor of surgery. He was also a visiting surgeon at Church Home and Hospital, as well as at Union Memorial Hospital. He kept offices at the Medical Arts Building.

In 1929, Dr. Edwards was named as a professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He became the head of the Department of Surgery in 1948 and held the position until 1955. In 1957, Dr. Edwards was elected President of the Medical & Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, an organization, among others, where he had long been an active member.

From 1929 until 1953, Dr. Edwards served as the “works surgeon” at Western Electric’s Baltimore Plant and on his retirement, a scholarship was endowed in his name to help graduate training for young physicians, through the support of clinical research.

In 1959, Dr. Edwards was named Chief of Surgery Emeritus at UM, and was appointed to a special legislative committee to investigate hospital costs, and Blue Cross rates. In 1962, he was selected to head a panel to conduct a nation-wide search for Baltimore’s next health commissioner.

Dr. C. Reid Edwards died February 1, 1965 at the University of Maryland Hospital, where he had been affiliated since his graduation from the Medical School in 1913.