C. Everett Koop Dies at 96

I'm saddened to learn former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop died yesterday in New Hampshire. A pioneering pediatric surgeon, Dr. Koop mentored my mother when she trained at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the 1960s and remains an example to her. I never had the honor of meeting him, but I admire his standing up to political pressure and using the nominal office of surgeon general to truly educate the public.