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Father Alphonse M. Schwitalla, S.J.,
and the Expansion of the School of Medicine
 In 1924, Father Alphonse M. Schwitalla, S. J., became dean of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. From that year until his retirement in 1948, Father Schwitalla was a key figure not only in the development of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, but also in the School of Nursing, the School of Dentistry and in medical education, health care and academic accreditation at the national level.
 Schwitalla, who had moved with his family to St. Louis from Germany in 1885, entered the Society of Jesus in 1900 and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1915. After receiving both bachelor and master of arts degrees from Saint Louis University, Schwitalla received a doctor of philosophy degree in zoology from Johns Hopkins University in 1921. Father Schwitalla was among the first Jesuits to receive an advanced degree from a "secular" university. Johns Hopkins would later list Schwitalla as one of its "distinguished" alumni and as "one of the five leading" medical instructors in the United States.
Among the many accomplishments due entirely or in large part to the work of Father Schwitalla are the organization of Saint Louis University’s department of social service in 1926, the re-building of the School of Medicine building in 1927 (now known as Schwitalla Hall), the organization of the Saint Louis University School of Nursing in 1928, the organization of the committee on grants for research in 1930, the planning and construction of Firmin Desloge Hospital in 1933, the re-organization of the St. Mary’s Infirmary as a hospital for African-Americans in 1933, and the expansion of the School of Medicine building in 1948.
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The opening of Firmin Desloge Hospital in 1933 (now known as Saint Louis University Hospital), was a remarkable accomplishment as it was built at the height of the Great Depression. The Hospital was made possible by the generosity of Firmin Desloge and his two sons, Firmin Desloge II, and Joseph Desloge. Learn more about the Desloge Family. |
Father Schwitalla was instrumental in the creation of the Catholic Hospital Association, and he was the first non-medical doctor to receive the American Medical Association’s Certificate of Merit.
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