John Peter Mettauer

Overview
John Peter Mettauer (1787-1875) was an American surgeon and gynecologist. He studied medicine at Hampden-Sydney College and later in Philadelphia. In 1837 he founded a private medical school located between Prince Edward Court House and Kingsville. In 1847 he allied his school with Randolph-Macon College, which became the first medical department at Randolph-Macon.

Mettauer is remembered for his development of innovative surgical practices. Along with his two sons, he trained many physicians at his private medical school. In the 1830s and 1840s, he did pioneer work involving closure of vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF). He is also credited with performing the first cleft palate operation in the Americas (1827).

Mettauer also designed and developed his own surgical instruments, some of which are on display at the Esther Thomas Atkinson Museum at Hampden-Sydney College. Also, The John Peter Mettauer Award for Excellence in Research is a prestiguous award issued by Hampden-Sydney College.