IVAR JOSEPH LARSEN

Dr. Ivar J. Larsen was born March 20, 1914 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His parents were Per Joseph and Maria (Hultgren) Larsen. Dr, Larsen received his B. S. degree from Connecticut State College (now Univ. of Connecticut) in 1935. His M. D. degree was received from Cornell University in 1939.

Dr. Larsen married Marion Louise Holm on August 5, 1939. They had two children: Ivar, Jr. and Greta Louise (Mrs. Leonard Meyers). Marion Larsen died in 1977. Dr. Larsen subsequently married Frances Knowlton.

He came to Hawaii for internship at The Queen's Hospital 1939-41. Dr. Larsen then went to the island of Hawaii and served as plantation physician for the Kohala Sugar Company from 1941 to 1946. He left the islands to return to the mainland for specialty training in orthopedics. He was at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York 1946-49 during which time he had roatations to Children's Rehabilitation Institute in Cockeysville , Maryland and the 6th Surgical Service Boston City Hospital (for fractures). He passed his boards in orthopedic surgery in 1952.

After his orthopedic residency, Dr. Larsen joined the Honolulu Medical Group as orthopedic surgeon in 1949. He became Chief of Staff at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in 1957, a position he held until 1978. He was consultant in orthopedics for Tripler Army Hosp., Leahi Hospital, Veterans Administration and Sultan School for Crippled Children.

Dr. Larsen was active in many professional organizations including Honolulu County Medical Society, Hawaii Medical Association and A.M.A. He served as President of the Western Orthopedic Association in 1968, and had been President of the Hawaii Chapter in 1958. He was on the Board of Directors of the Easter Seal Society for many years and also the board of Oahu Society for Crippled Children and Adults.

Medicine in Hawaii: Oral History Series

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