2021 Service Awards

1961

60 YEAR RECIPIENT

Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., MD – Cleveland Clinic Community Care Dr. Esselstyn was born in New York City in 1933. He graduated from Yale University in 1956. He also competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, winning a gold medal in the “eights” as a member of the American team. Dr. Esselstyn received his MD from Case Western Reserve

University School of Medicine in 1961. During this time he met and married Ann Crile, the granddaughter of George Washington Crile, founder of Cleveland Clinic. Esselstyn was an intern (1961– 62) and resident (1962–66) at Cleveland Clinic. In 1968 he completed a tour as an Army surgeon in Vietnam where he was

awarded the Bronze Star. Upon his return he rejoined Cleveland Clinic and has served as the President of the Staff, chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Breast Cancer Task Force and as a member of its Board of Governors. While serving as chairman of the Breast Cancer Task Force, Dr. Esselstyn became interested in preventing disease by targeting the high levels of fat consumed in the typical American diet. Through research, Dr. Esselstyn and his wife have promoted a whole foods, plant-based diet to prevent coronary and cardiovascular disease. He served as the President of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons in 1991. Since 2009, Dr. Esselstyn has served as a Preventive Medicine Consultant and Director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Reversal Program for Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute. Dr. Esselstyn has published 2 books and over 150 scientific publications in peer reviewed journals. He has received numerous awards and distinctions including the first ever recipient of the Benjamin Spock Award for Compassion in Medicine, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Cleveland Clinic, the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame Award, the Deerfield Academy Alumni Association Heritage Award in Recognition of Outstanding Achievement and Service, and the Yale University George H.W. Bush ’48 Lifetime of Leadership Award. He served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Nutrition Action magazine, published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Esselstyn is also on the advisory board of Naked Food Magazine, for which he is also a regular contributor of articles espousing a plant-based diet.

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