Philip Syng Physick

1768–1837 (age 69)

surgeon

Biography

Philip Syng Physick studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and completed further surgical training in London and Paris before returning to Philadelphia, where he established a practice near Christ Church and introduced carefully executed operations and new instruments to the city.

He taught generations of students at the University of Pennsylvania, urged scientific rigor in hospital wards, and kept close ties to his parish, sharing both instruction and charity to help sustain medical education and compassionate care.