Atlanta — Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) mourns the death of long-time  MSM advocate W. Carl Gordon, Jr., M.D. The noted Albany surgeon died Jan. 30, 2008 of heart complications.

Gordon, who received numerous awards and recognitions for his community involvement during his life, was a member of the MSM Board of Overseers and became a trustee of MSM in 1981. He was instrumental in obtaining the first state financial commitment for MSM from then-Gov. George Busbee.

"Without Dr. Gordon, Morehouse School of Medicine might not exist. His steadfast commitment to MSM since its inception, combined with his leadership, opened the door for the first state of Georgia financial support of the institution. Carl Gordon was a highly skilled surgeon, innovator, philanthropist, and community activist. He also was a great and valued friend to Morehouse School of Medicine," said MSM President Emeritus Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.

Gordon was born in Albany, Ga. He held degrees from Hampton and Tuskegee Institutes and a medical degree from Meharry Medical College. He completed his internship at Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco and his residency at Walter Reed Army Hospital. Gordon became the first black surgeon at Walter Reed.

During his service as a military doctor in Vietnam and Korea, Gordon assisted in the development of a life-saving procedure, designed to slow the blood loss of soldiers wounded in combat.

Gordon taught at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., and at Albany State University in Albany, Ga.

Gordon served as a chief of staff for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Ga., where he worked for 35 years. Upon his to return to Albany in 1968, he became the town's first black surgeon.

Funeral services for Gordon were held on Wednesday in Albany.