Entity | C. Walton Lillehei

Clarence Walton Lillehei (October 23, 1918 – July 5, 1999), was an American surgeon who pioneered open-heart surgery, as well as numerous techniques, equipment and prostheses for cardiothoracic surgery. Clarence (often called "Walt") Lillehei was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Dr. Clarence Ingvald Lillehei (1892-1973) and Elizabeth Lillian (Walton) Lillehei (1891-1973). He attended West High School in Minneapolis in 1935. He attended the University of Minnesota at the age of 17. He earned 4 degrees at the University of Minnesota, including his B.S. (with distinction) in 1939, his M.D. (Alpha Omega Alpha) in 1942, his M.S. in physiology in 1951, and his Ph.D. in surgery in 1951.