Dr. Simon pioneered health services research, outcomes improvement, safety, technology development, and computer applications in healthcare.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1926, he received his MB, BCH, from his home country's Witwatersrand University and Medical School in 1948, and then completed his fellowship with the Faculty of Radiology at London Hospital in 1956. Dr. Simon became a faculty member at Beth Israel Hospital (BIH) in 1958, where he worked for nearly 50 years. He served as Acting Chief of Radiology at BIH from 1960 to 1962 and Chief of Radiology from 1963 to 1970. He was also named Professor Emeritus at Harvard Medical School.
Since his passing in 2005 at age 79, Dr. Simon has remained a cherished pioneer of the Department of Radiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
“Some people are uniquely skilled and blessed to live their life to the fullest, constantly seeking to improve the lot of their fellow human beings, and doing so in an utterly unassuming, humble, and gentle yet productive manner. Morris was such a man. I don’t think many are aware of the enormous reputation he had amongst fellow South Africans, of his role as an emotional and supportive community leader and mentor, as a patron of both the sciences and arts, and, believe me, as our beacon on the North American shore.”
—Jonathan Kruskal, MD, PhD, Chief of BIDMC Radiology, and fellow South African
Learn More About Dr. Simon
Dr. Kruskal delivered an overview of Dr. Simon at the beginning of the 2023 Morris Simon Research Day event. Listen here.
The New York Times published an obituary about Dr. Simon in 2005, which can be accessed here, and more information about his contributions to the field of radiology is available via the Harvard Library here.
For additional information about Dr. Simon, view his Wikipedia page.