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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VI - Page 31« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Dr. Robert Mcclelland Nelson)

Mr. Specter.
Have you received a letter from the Commission which enclosed a copy of the Executive order creating the Commission, and a copy of the Congressional Resolution pertaining to the Commission, and a copy of the procedures for taking testimony under the Commission?
Dr. Mcclelland.
Yes.
Mr. Specter.
And is it satisfactory with you to answer these questions for us today, even though you haven't had the 3 days between the time of the receipt of the letter and today?
Dr. Mcclelland.
Yes.
Mr. Specter.
What is your profession, Doctor?
Dr. Mcclelland.
I am a doctor of medicine.
Mr. Specter.
Would you outline briefly your educational background, starting with your graduation from college, please?
Dr. Mcclelland.
Since graduation from college I attended medical school at the University of Texas, medical branch in Galveston, Tex., and received the M.D. degree from that school in 1954. I then went to Kansas City, Kans., where I did a rotating internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center from June 1954 to June 1955. Following that period I was a general medical officer in the Air Force for 2 years in Germany, and subsequent to my release from active duty, I became a general surgery resident at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas in August of 1957. I remained at Parkland from that date to August 1959, at which time I entered private practice for ten months, and then reentered my general surgery training program at Parkland in June 1960. I completed my 4 years of, general surgical training in June 1962. Following that time I became a full-time instructor of surgery on the staff of the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, and I am at the present time an associate professor of surgery at that school.
Mr. Specter.
Dr. McClelland, in connection with your duties at Parkland Hospital, or before, have you had any experience with gunshot wounds?
Dr. Mcclelland.
Yes.
Mr. Specter.
Where in your background did you acquire that experience?
Dr. Mcclelland.
Largely during residency training and subsequent to that in my capacity here on the staff.
Mr. Specter.
And what has provided the opportunity for your experience here at Parkland in residency training and on the staff with respect to acquiring knowledge of gunshot wounds?
Dr. Mcclelland.
Largely this has been related to the type of hospital which Parkland is; namely, City-County Hospital which receives all of the indigent patients of this county, many of whom are involved frequently in shooting altercations, so that we do see a large number of that type patient almost daily.
Mr. Specter.
Could you approximate for me the total number of gunshot wounds which you have had an opportunity to observe?
Dr. Mcclelland.
I would estimate that it would be in excess of 200.
Mr. Specter.
What was your duty assignment back on November 22, 1963?
Dr. Mcclelland.
At that time I was showing a film on surgical techniques to a group of students and residents on the second floor of Parkland Hospital in the surgical suite, where I was notified of the fact that President Kennedy was being brought to the Parkland emergency room after having been shot.
Mr. Specter.
And what action, if any, did you take following that notification?
Dr. Mcclelland.
Immediately upon hearing that, I accompanied the Resident, Dr. Crenshaw, who brought this news to me, to the emergency room, and down to the trauma room 1 where President Kennedy had been taken immediately upon arrival.
Mr. Specter.
And approximately what time did you arrive in Emergency Room 1?
Dr. Mcclelland.
This is a mere approximation, but I would approximate or estimate, rather, about 12:40.
Mr. Specter.
And who was present, if anyone, at the time of your arrival?
Dr. Mcclelland.
At the time I arrived, Dr. Perry---would you like the full names of all these?
Mr. Specter.
That would be fine, I would appreciate that.
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