2023 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

Provide historical homage to Drs. Jule Dejerine and Augusta Klumpke by outlining their neurologic contributions, and revealing how their unique partnership fostered neurologic discovery, community, and inclusivity.

Background:

Augusta Dejerine Klumpke (1859-1927) and Jules Joseph Dejerine (1849-1917) represent a powerful partnership, brought together by neuroscience, solidified in marriage, and cemented in their legacy of neurologic contributions. This paper summarizes the history of Dejerine and Klumpke’s serendipitous relationship developed at work and how their partnership catalyzed advances to the field of neurology. We then raise the larger question of whether workplace relationships should remain taboo or even become more encouraged in medicine. We bring to light other successful neurologic partnerships for comparison.

Design/Methods:

Not applicable.

Results:

Drs. Jules Dejerine and Augusta Klumpke were a married couple who both significantly contributed to the history of medicine and neurology beyond the commonly used eponyms related to their discoveries. Dejerine rose to the highest prominence in the field of neurology during his time and contributed to establishing the foundation of our current understanding of clinical neurology with the likes of Charcot, and Klumpke was the first female intern in a Paris hospital. Dr. Klumpke and Dejerine used to host neurologists and research collaborators at their home regularly. Their partnership and the way in which it promoted discovery and community enabled synergistic and exponential impact.

Conclusions:

Drs. Dejerine and Klumpke relationship and collaborations have no doubt made a positive impact on the future of neurology, and through historical review may serve as a healthy model for scientific collaboration within relationships.