Christian Fenger

Biography

Christian Fenger, a Danish surgeon who made Chicago his home, became a pioneering physician at Cook County Hospital and in medical education, introducing European advances in pathology and surgical technique to his students. His careful research and steady hands were credited with helping to raise the standard of care in the city’s public hospitals.

He was also a beloved teacher, tirelessly guiding interns and residents through the rigors of anatomy, diagnosis, and patient compassion. The medical community remembers him for his mastery of science and for the warmth with which he inspired new generations of healers.