Thomas R. Chambers

Thomas Rodney Chambers was born in Baltimore, the son of prominent surgeon, Dr. John W. Chambers. He was educated at Deikermann’s Preparatory School and the Johns Hopkins University. He received his medical degree from Hopkins in 1910.

As a child, he was in a firearms accident and suffered the loss of several fingers on his left hand. Despite that, he managed to become a surgeon.

He completed his two-year residency at St. Agnes Hospital and for the next five years, he taught surgery at Mercy Hospital and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, where his father was chief surgeon. Additionally, he practiced at the out-patient department of Hopkins Hospital. It was also during this time that Dr. Chambers served for two years as the city coroner.

In 1917, he volunteered for WWI duty and served on the front lines of France where he performed more than 1,000 operations. He was discharged as an Army major.

When Dr. Chambers returned to Baltimore, he became associate professor of surgery at the recently combined College of Physicians and Surgeons and University of Maryland and resumed his practice at Hopkins Hospital.

He continued his teaching and practice schedule until the outbreak of WWII. Because of his arthritic disability, he was turned down for active duty, and served on the Examining and Advisory Board at the Fifth Regiment Armory.

In 1946, he became the President of the Medical & Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, where he had been a member for years. He was also associated with Hopkins Hospital, Mercy Hospital, the University of Maryland Hospital and Church Home and Hospital.

Dr. Chambers gradually gave up teaching and his post as the director of the rectal clinic at Hopkins, although he continued in private practice and insurance compensation work.

He had been in failing health for several months, and died on September 7, 1964 at his home in Roland Park in Baltimore City.