The Legend: Dr. Robert Hawes Bartlett and Extracorporeal Life Support Organization

Dr. Robert Hawes Bartlett, universally recognized as the Father of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), dedicated his life to revolutionizing critical care medicine.From premature infants to elderly patients with heart or lung failure, his innovations offered countless individuals a second chance at life.Today, ECMO is a standard of care worldwide-a testament to his vision, perseverance, and pioneering spirit.Dr. Bartlett's journey began as a surgical resident at Peter Bent Brigham and Children's hospitals, where he was encouraged by Dr. Robert E. Gross to improve the artificial membrane lung.Embracing this challenge, he devoted decades to refining ECMO technology.In 1989, he founded the extracorporeal life support organization (ELSO), a global platform that promotes research, collaboration, and training in ECMO.Today, the ELSO registry records over 100,000 lives saved a direct reflection of Dr. Bartlett's extraordinary contributions.[1][2][3][4][5][6]