Charles Sanders, MD, Longest-Reigning Chair of Medicine in Country, Retires
Dr. Charles (Bo) Sanders is a living legend, both in the LSU School of Medicine as
well as in the entire medical profe
ssion, particularly among practitioners of internal medicine and infectious diseases.
He is also the longest-reigning chair of medicine in the country.
Dr. Sanders announced his retirement in August 2021. He has been a member of the LSU faculty his entire professional career, after joining the LSU Department of Medicine in 1970 and advancing in rank and responsibility over the years. He became chief of the section of infectious disease in 1975, and was named to the Edgar Hull Professor and Chair of Medicine in 1989.
Dr. Sanders is a revered teacher who has inspired thousands of students, residents, and fellows with his love of medicine. His leadership skills have been recognized with major roles in professional organizations, just as his overall excellence has been rewarded with a plethora of awards. He has served as governor of the Louisiana chapter of the American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine from 1999-2003, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Professors of Medicine, and as president of the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation in 2010. His many accolades have included his being named Laureate of the Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Physicians in 1997 and receiving the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation's Founders' Award in 2008 and the Spirit of Charity Award in 2011.
He has authored 180 original peer reviewed papers, 31 book chapters and a book.
Dr. Sanders was born at the old Shreveport Charity Hospital and raised in a series of small Louisiana towns. He graduated from the LSU School of Medicine in 1964. In December 1964 he rotated onto the internal medicine service and met Dr. Ike Muslow, head of the Internal Medicine Department at CMMC, a 650-bed Charity Hospital. Dr. Muslow's influence on him was so great he soon started his residency in internal medicine on July 1, 1965.
From the very beginning, he was entranced by internal medicine and all it had to offer. In addition to the intellectual intricacies and detective work needed to diagnose medical problems, he enjoyed the great variety of patients he was able to treat. More than anything else, he loved his ongoing interactions with his patients and the way he was able to play such a profound role in their lives and well-being. He was greatly influenced by Sir William Osler, particularly with his philosophy that “medicine should begin with the patient, continue with the patient, and end with the patient.”
Of particular note was his stalwart leadership in shepherding the largest department in the LSU School of Medicine through the dark days and chaos following Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
The endowed Charles V. Sanders, MD ('64) Chair of Medicine has been established by the Committee of 100 - Champions of Excellence in 2009. Contributions in his honor can be directed to the LSU Health Foundation.