Oral History Interview, Phil Farrell (1064)

Abstract

In his three October 2009 interviews with Ann Peckham, Phil Farrell reflects on his development as a pediatrician, his research, and his roles as an administrator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. He recounts his early interest in medical research which led to career-long NIH funding and foundational work in the creation of neo-natal intensive care units around the country, and discusses early influences that encouraged his development as a researcher and clinician. He then summarizes major moments of leadership and administration in his career at UW, including moving the NICU from St. Mary’s, his cystic fibrosis research, chairmanship of the pediatrics department, deanship of the Medical School, curricular development, creation of the UW Medical Foundation, administrative changes in the medical school, campus planning and development, and the Blue Cross/Blue Shield settlement. Throughout, he offers his perspectives on major campus and state political figures and how they have related to the Medical School throughout its history. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the UW-Madison Archives & Records Management Oral History Collection.