John V. Verner Jr. and Ashton B. Morrison

Abstract

Doctors John Verner Jr. and Ashton B. Morrison happened to be sitting next to each other at a case presentation of a patient who died with profuse watery diarrhea attributed to chronic laxative abuse. The autopsy report noted the presence of a benign islet cell that was felt to be of no clinical significance. These two astute physicians realized that more was afoot, and when a second patient with a similar presentation was found, they realized they were on to a new clinical entity. Verner was an endocrinologist with an interest in hypokalemia and Morrison was a pathologist whose primary research interest was in chronic renal insufficiency. They partnered to make a seminal discovery in endocrine surgery by describing the syndrome of watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria that bears their monikers. This chapter details the backgrounds, careers, and personal perspectives on their important contribution.

that serendipitous happening

—John Verner MD