--- title: War Story image: https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/Origins/War%20Story/Centennial-WarStory-Social.jpg --- [![Cleveland Clinic Magazine - Giving Does Good | Centennial](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine%20Template%20Assets/img/logo-cc-magazine-centennial-mb-inverse.png?noresize&width=224&height=38&name=logo-cc-magazine-centennial-mb-inverse.png) ![Cleveland Clinic Magazine - Giving Does Good | Centennial](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine%20Template%20Assets/img/logo-cc-magazine-centennial-inverse.png?noresize&width=552&height=65&name=logo-cc-magazine-centennial-inverse.png)](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://give.ccf.org/CCMAG) ORIGINS # War Story The Lakeside Unit planted the seed for Cleveland Clinic. ## Share - [Share on facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/war-story&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) - [Share on twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/war-story&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/war-story&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) - [Share on linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/war-story&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) - [Share on email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20War%20Story%20&body=Check%20out%20https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/war-story&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) ![polaroid of a forest](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/Origins/War%20Story/Centennial-WarStory-Wide.jpg?width=1030&height=798&name=Centennial-WarStory-Wide.jpg) *The handwritten caption reads: “The Forest of Rouen — where Ed and I, then Bunts and I used to walk and dream dreams.” | Photo: Cleveland Clinic Archives* ## Starter Kit Early in their careers, Dr. Frank Bunts and Dr. George Crile worked for Dr. Frank Weed, who had a large office practice in Cleveland. After he died, the future Cleveland Clinic co-founders pooled their money and purchased various tools of the trade and other items from Dr. Weed’s estate for the sum of $1,778.10. The bill of sale included: 2 intestinal clasps....$1 4 nasal dilators....$1.25 4 self-retaining catheters....$1.75 1 clamp....$2 2 large retractors....$2 3 syringes....$2 1 head reflector....$2.50 2 forceps....$2.50 14 pairs of scissors....$2.50 1 bone drill with 4 tips....$3 1 stomach pump....$6 1 medicine....$25 1 microscope....$40 4 horse-drawn buggies....$130 4 horses*\**....$300 *\***Roy, Roseline, Duke and Brown Jug* Far from Cleveland, near the blood-drenched battlefields of World War I, Cleveland Clinic was dreamed up in late-night talks by three weary surgeons who thought they could transfer the lessons of teamwork, organization and trauma treatment that they learned in military hospitals to their hometown. George Crile Sr., MD, went to Paris in 1915 with his cousin William Lower, MD, and a group of colleagues to work at the American Ambulance Hospital. Upon returning to Cleveland later that year, Dr. Crile approached the Red Cross with the idea of taking a team of civilian medical personnel overseas. The result was the Lakeside Unit. It left Cleveland on May 6, 1917, with 26 physicians — including Dr. Crile, Dr. Lower and their associate Frank Bunts, MD — and 64 nurses joined by enlisted soldiers and even a few civilians. Just under three weeks later, they arrived in Rouen, France, where they would staff U.S. Army Base Hospital No. 4. It saw nearly 83,000 injured soldiers during the war. Dr. Bunts, Dr. Crile and Dr. Lower took turns as base commander. Each of them had previous military medical experience — Dr. Bunts and Dr. Crile in the Spanish-American War; Dr. Lower with the 9th U.S. Cavalry in the Philippines. The three physicians had started working together 25 years earlier, when Dr. Lower joined a practice that Dr. Bunts and Dr. Crile bought from the estate of Frank Weed, MD. Dr. Bunts, Dr. Crile and Dr. Lower also were active in Cleveland’s medical teaching community. After the war, the trio returned to Cleveland. Realizing they needed an internist in their ranks, they recruited prominent local physician John Phillips, MD, for the ambitious new clinic that they had first conceived in France. Within two years, it would become a reality. ## Explore the Decades ### [![Polaroid of forest](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/Origins/War%20Story/Centennial-WarStory-SmallThumbnail.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=Centennial-WarStory-SmallThumbnail.jpg) Origins](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/origins?hsLang=en) ### [![Cleveland Clinic Building](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1920s/Decade%20Page/1920-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1920-Small.jpg) The 1920s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1920s?hsLang=en) ### [![Clinic Building](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1930s/Decade%20Page/1930-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1930-Small.jpg) The 1930s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1930s?hsLang=en) ### [![George Crile Sr.](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1940s/Decade%20Page/1940-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1940-Small.jpg) The 1940s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1940s?hsLang=en) ### [![Willem Kolff, MD, PhD, holding a can](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1950s/Decade%20Page/1950-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1950-Small.jpg) The 1950s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1950s?hsLang=en) ### [![Dr. Rupert Turnball, MD with 3 women](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1960s/Decade%20Page/1960-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1960-Small.jpg) The 1960s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1960s?hsLang=en) ### [![Floyd Loop, MD](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1970s/Decade%20Page/1970-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1970-Small.jpg) The 1970s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1970s?hsLang=en) ### [![Joseph Hahn, MD operating on a patient](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1980s/Decade%20Page/1980-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1980-Small.jpg) The 1980s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1980s?hsLang=en) ### [![Sherwin building](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1990s/Decade%20Page/1990-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1990-Small.jpg) The 1990s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1990s?hsLang=en) ### [![Taussig Cancer Institute](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/2000s/Decade/2000-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=2000-Small.jpg) The 2000s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/2000s?hsLang=en) ### [![Stewart Kohl and Larry Pollock](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/2010s/Decade%20Page/2010-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=2010-Small.jpg) The 2010s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/2010s?hsLang=en) ### [![Lara K. Kalafatis](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/Top%20Stories/Letter%20from%20Lara/Centennial-Lara-SmallThumbnail.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=Centennial-Lara-SmallThumbnail.jpg) Top Stories](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/top-stories?hsLang=en) - [Archive](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/archive?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/contact-us?hsLang=en) - [Subscribe](https://donate.clevelandclinic.org/sign-up?hsLang=en) - [Purchase](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/get-your-copy-today?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://give.ccf.org/CCMAG) [![Cleveland Clinic](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine%20Template%20Assets/img/logo-cc.png?width=300&name=logo-cc.png "Cleveland Clinic")](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/) © 2026 Cleveland Clinic. All rights reserved. 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Job. Interview. Ever.](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/best-job-interview-ever?hsLang=en) - [Gland Theft Thyroid](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/gland-theft-thyroid?hsLang=en) - [May We Help You?](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/may-we-help-you?hsLang=en) - [Room with a View](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/room-with-a-view?hsLang=en) - [Signs of the Times](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/signs-of-the-times?hsLang=en) - [Greetings from Cleveland Clinic](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/greetings-from-cleveland-clinic?hsLang=en) - [1940s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1940s?hsLang=en) - [Anchors Aweigh](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/anchors-aweigh?hsLang=en) - [From the Top](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/from-the-top?hsLang=en) - [Meet the Press](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/meet-the-press?hsLang=en) - [Research Superstar](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/research-superstar?hsLang=en) - [1950s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1950s?hsLang=en) - [A Real Heart-Stopper](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/a-real-heart-stopper?hsLang=en) - [Artificial Intelligence](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/artificial-intelligence?hsLang=en) - [Dye! Catheter! Action!](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/dye-catheter-action?hsLang=en) - ['Everyone's Father Figure'](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/everyones-father-figure?hsLang=en) - [For Whom the Phones Toll](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/for-whom-the-phones-toll?hsLang=en) - [Lab Work](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/lab-work?hsLang=en) - [The Diet-Heart Connection](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/the-diet-heart-connection?hsLang=en) - [1960s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1960s?hsLang=en) - [A Campus Grows in Cleveland](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/a-campus-grows-in-cleveland?hsLang=en) - [How May I Connect You?](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/how-may-i-connect-you?hsLang=en) - [On the Trail of a Killer](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/on-the-trail-of-a-killer?hsLang=en) - [Team Player](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/team-player?hsLang=en) - [Thinking Big](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/thinking-big?hsLang=en) - [1970s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1970s?hsLang=en) - [Big Data](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/big-data?hsLang=en) - [Gut Instinct](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/gut-instinct?hsLang=en) - [Image Is Everything](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/image-is-everything?hsLang=en) - [The Expanding Man](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/the-expanding-man?hsLang=en) - [World-Class Care](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/world-class-care?hsLang=en) - [1980s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1980s?hsLang=en) - [Building Boom](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/building-boom?hsLang=en) - ['Dr. CEO'](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/dr.-ceo?hsLang=en) - [Goodbye, Glass Ceiling](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/goodbye-glass-ceiling?hsLang=en) - [Kidney Success](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/kidney-success?hsLang=en) - [1990s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1990s?hsLang=en) - [Now See Here](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/now-see-here?hsLang=en) - [Research Recruiter](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/research-recruiter?hsLang=en) - [The Urge to Merge](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/the-urge-to-merge?hsLang=en) - [Top of the Charts](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/top-of-the-charts?hsLang=en) - [Miles of Files](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/miles-of-files?hsLang=en) - [2000s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/2000s?hsLang=en) - [Art Heals](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/art-heals?hsLang=en) - [Brain Gain](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/brain-gain?hsLang=en) - [Common Ground](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/common-ground?hsLang=en) - [Heart and Soul](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/heart-and-soul?hsLang=en) - [Making the Grade](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/making-the-grade?hsLang=en) - [Towering Achievements](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/towering-achievements?hsLang=en) - [2010s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/2010s?hsLang=en) - [Leading with Compassion](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/leading-with-compassion?hsLang=en) - [Personalized Cancer Care](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/personalized-cancer-care?hsLang=en) - [Tomorrow, the World](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/tomorrow-the-world?hsLang=en) - [Versatile Venue](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/versatile-venue?hsLang=en) - [Top Stories](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/top-stories?hsLang=en) - [A Better Tomorrow: 100 Years in the Making](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/a-better-tomorrow-100-years-in-the-making?hsLang=en) - [Heavy Mettle](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/heavy-mettle?hsLang=en) - [2121 Visions](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/2121-visions?hsLang=en) - [Make a Historic Difference](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/make-a-historic-difference?hsLang=en) - [Too Many Candles to Count](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/too-many-candles-to-count?hsLang=en) - [Then and Now](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/then-and-now?hsLang=en) Search terms Search - [Subscribe](https://donate.clevelandclinic.org/sign-up?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/contact-us?hsLang=en) - [Purchase](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/get-your-copy-today?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://give.ccf.org/CCMAG) ## #MaskUp & Help Us Help Others Close