Otis Historical Archives
National Museum of Health and Medicine
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology

Date of Records:1911-1993
3 Cubic Feet, 4 Boxes

Description
Papers of plastic surgeon Alfred J. Suraci (1911-1993), chief of plastic surgery at Providence Hospital, Prince George's Doctor's Hospital, and Sibley Memorial Hospital. Suraci received his M.D. from George Washington University Medical School in 1936, interned at Providence Hospital from 1936 to 1937, then spent three years as a surgical resident at various hospitals and one year as a pathology resident at Sibley. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he began private practice in Washington D.C. in 1948. Suraci published several articles on surgical techniques. He was president of the Washington Medical and Surgical Society; a founder of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; and founder and president of the Washington Metropolitan Area Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Suraci received a commendation from Surgeon General Norman T. Kirk and several Gold Headed Cane awards.

The collection includes photograph albums and case histories of World War II patients; reprints and lectures; a pathology laboratory notebook from George Washington University Medical School; and biographical information, service records, a small amount of correspondence, certificates, motion pictures, and memorabilia. There are also Suraci Collection artifacts in Historical Collections. A portfolio of prints called "Sutures in Ancient Surgery," produced by Davis & Geck, Inc., was removed from the collection and added to the General Medical Products Information collection.

Folder List

Box 1
"Agenesis of Vagina - Plastic Reconstruction" (script of motion picture by Suraci)
Agreement between Medical Service of D.C. and Suraci
Articles, miscellaneous
Birth report and certificate, 1911
Certificates
"Cleft Lip Repair" directions
Clippings about Suraci
Correspondence, 1942-1946
Correspondence, 1986, 1988
I.D. cards
Journals
Lectures (also final examination in plastic surgery)
Memorabilia
National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, Emmitsburg, Maryland (donations, 1980s)
Obituaries
Pathology Lab notebook (two folders)
Photo album, unidentified (clinical)

Box 2:
Photos, miscellaneous
Photos of patients
Photos of Suraci
Pill Pusher newsletter, Stark General Hospital, Charleston, 1943-1944
"Reconstruction of External Ear" article
Reprints
Resumes and biographies
Service and Veteran's Administration records
Speech on D.C. Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
World War II case histories (two folders)

Box 3
Certificates
Life magazines with World War II plastic surgery articles
Photo of Col. DuFrenne, commander of Stark General Hospital
Photos of Suraci

Box 4
Photo albums of World War II patients (one boxed; two unboxed)
Two boxes of 8mm motion-picture film footage (unidentified)

Finding aid by Joan Redding, July 12, 1996; additions January 28, 1997