 | JAMES GARBER GALBRAITH |
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 1977.
James Garber Galbraith, an eminent neurological surgeon and teacher, was born in Anniston,
Alabama, on May 28, 1914. He attended the University of Notre Dame from 1930-32 and
received his B.S. degree in 1936 from St. Louis University School of Medicine. He is licensed to
practice in the states of Alabama, New York, and Missouri.
Dr. Galbraith served his internship at the Lloyd Noland Hospital, Fairfield, Alabama, 1938-39,
and his residency General Surgery also in Lloyd Noland Hospital, 1939-40; neurological surgery
residency in the New York Neurological Institute and at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center,
New York, 1940-43. After his military service, 1943-46, with the U.S. Naval Reserve Medical
Corps, Dr. Galbraith began medical practice as a neurological surgeon in Birmingham in 1946,
continuing until 1965. Since 1954 he has been Professor of Surgery, Director of the Division of
Neurosurgery of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, and Chief of Neurological
Service, University of Alabama Hospitals and Clinics.
Prior to present teaching activity Dr. Galbraith was instructor of Neurology, Columbia
University, 1942-43; associate professor, Neurological Surgery, University of Alabama School
of Medicine, 1945-54. He has consulting appointments with Mt. Vincent's Hospital, Children's
Hospital, Lloyd Noland Hospital, Veterans Administration Hospitals in Birmingham,
Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery, and the Anniston Memorial Hospital.
His academic honors include membership in Alpha Omega Alpha and Alpha Sigma Nu; citation
for Distinguished Service, Columbia University in 1957; Distinguished Faculty Lecturer,
University of Alabama Medical Center in 1973; Alumni Merit Award, St. Louis University in
1973: honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, St. Bernard College in 1974. He has
received the special honors of House Joint Resolution 151, August 9, 1973, from the Alabama
House of Representatives, Montgomery, and the Distinguished Service Award, South Medical
Association in 1976.
Dr. Galbraith is associated with many medical associations such as Jefferson County Medical
Society, president in 1960; Medical Association of the State of Alabama, president in 1974-75;
Southern Neurological Society, president 1956; Southern Medical Association, president 1965-66; American Academy of Neurological Surgery, president 1968; Society of Neurological
Surgeons, president 1973-74; Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Diseases;
American Board of Neurological Surgery, 1963-74; American Board of Neurological Surgery,
Chairman 1972-74; American College of Surgeons, Board of Governors, 1974-77, president of
the Alabama Chapter 1973-74; chairman, Residency Review Committee for Neurological
Surgery, 1962-74; American Medical Association; American Association of Neurological
Surgeons; American Medical Association Committee on Aging in 1972; member, Board of
Censors, Medical Association of the State of Alabama 1969-76; Alabama State Board of Mental
Health since 1972.
In addition to medical associations, Dr. Galbraith has been affiliated with such organizations as the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce and on their Board of Directors, 1960-63; Board of Governors, St. Bernard College, Cullman, Alabama, 1956-76; Board of Directors, Brooke Hill
School, 1956-71; Chairman of the Governor's Committee on Aging and the Indigent from 1960
to 1962; Community Service Council of Birmingham, Board of Directors 1960-62; Alabama
Mental Health Board 1973 to present; and Alabama State Committee of Public Health, 1969-73.
He is married to the former Marguerite Stabler and they have four daughters: Ann, Jan, Mary
Kay, and Laura.
Updated: March 14, 2007