The Gann family has garnered a great deal of fame in Saline County over the years, but did you know that in 1940 they visited Havana, Cuba? Dr. Gann, Jr., worked for many years as Chief of Staff at St. Vincent’s Infirmary and at Little Rock General Hospital from 1919 to 1924. Reportedly, it was during this time that he invented his famous Gann Resuscitator. He received a certificate of merit from the International College of Surgeons for his work on his resuscitator.[1]

On Sunday, February 25, 1940, the Miami Daily News, reported that Dr. Gann, Jr., then professor emeritus at the University of Arkansas Medical School and Chief Surgeon of St. Vincent’s Hospital, was in town between February 11-14 to promote his resuscitator at the Hotel Alcazar in Venice, Florida. Dr. Gann Jr., was accompanied by his wife, Agnes, and his father Dr. Gann, Sr. The article also mentioned a trip to Havana. According to an immigration document, the Ganns traveled on the S.S. Florida from Havana, Cuba to Miami, FL on February 18, 1940. They arrived back in Miami on the 19th.[2]

Earlier this year, Richard Kutt of Arizona was kind enough to loan the museum a real Gann Resuscitator. It is currently on display at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton.

[1] Max L. Baker, Ph.D. “From Other Years – Dewell Gann, Jr., M.D.,” The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society, Vol. 81, 1984-1985.

[2] Jesse W. Brodey, “Visiting Surgeon Announces Rubber Resuscitation “Lung”,” Miami Daily News, Sunday, February 25, 1940. And “List of United States Citizens,” List No. 22, S.S. Florida sailing from Havana, Cuba, Feb 18, 1940, Arriving at Port Miami Fla Feb 19, 1940.