BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES. INC.
UPTON, LLL N.Y.
TEL.
AREA CODE S!6
4022813
11973
YAPHANK 4-6262
REFER:
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
7 December 1971
Dr. John R. Totter
MEPOSITORY
DoE/,PAs
7
COLLECTION
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Director
BOX No.
United States Atomic Energy Commission
Washington, D. C. 20545
FOLDER
Division of Biology and Medicine
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[dar “Exo #3
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B/0- MEO, OR.CONHAD
or rHeY (2/1/9228
7
Dear John,
As you know, there have been serious difficulties in en
forcing a satisfactory treatment program in the Rongelap thyroid
. cases, Dr. Conard has found that the employment of a Marshallese
health aide has not resulted in satisfactory treatment, and he
is anxious to have a physician in the Islands for a prolonged
period of time to straighten out the therapy program. Dr. Knud
Knudsen who has been on the medical staff of Brookhaven National
Laboratory since 1964 and participated in the last Marshall Island
survey has expressed his willingness to spend a year in the Mar-
shall Islands and endeavor to straighten out the thyroid treatment
program and assist in general with the health care of the exposed
Marshallese. Dr. Knudsen is an excellent clinician and in view of
his interest in the project and obvious capabilities demonstrated
during the recent survey, Dr. Conard feels that his efforts in this
regard will be most valuable. The conditions under which Dr. Knudsen
would agree to this is that he would be able to live at Kwajalein
and have his family with him.
Dr. Knudsen has expressed interest in continued assistance and
participation in the Marshall Island program and the experience gained
by his year in the Islands would be invaluable in this regard. As
mentioned in the past and incorporated into our Six-Year Forecast and
189, the need for obtaining a replacement prior to Dr. Conard's retirement (seven years hence) has been considered. Though this may
appear premature, I recommend that Dr. Knudsen be considered for this
position and believe that the arrangements discussed here would permit
him to become better acquainted with the project and in a better
position to assume responsibility for the project when the time comes.
In the meantime, he would continue his major research interest working
with Dr. Dahl's program on hypertension. Dr. Conard feels that Dr,
Knudsen is well fitted to be his replacement.
400195
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