He undertook his internship at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital under Harvey Cushing, who inspired him to practice neurosurgery.
He founded the neurosurgery service at the University of Louisville medical school in 1926, and remained in charge there until he retired in 1960.
He published Practical Neurological Diagnosis, with Special Reference to Problems of Neurosurgery in 1935.
During the Second World War he was the first Chief of Neurosurgery at the Walter Reed General Hospital and organised the neurosurgical service for the United States Army while serving as Assistant Chief of General Surgery.
[6] He became an editor of the Journal of Neurosurgery during the Second World War, and later became chairman of the editorial board, remaining an advisor until his death.