The Herff Society honors the legacy of Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig Herff, a founding physician of Santa Rosa Infirmary. Born in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1820, Dr. Herff emigrated to Texas in 1847. He helped form the Bexar County Medical Society in 1853, and in 1869, he became one of the first physicians in San Antonio to associate with Santa Rosa Infirmary.

A renowned physician, Dr. Herff is credited with performing Texas’ first appendectomy in 1878, followed by the nation’s earliest gastrostomy in 1879. He also served as the first dean of Santa Rosa School of Nursing that opened in 1903. Dr. Herff performed his last surgery at the age of 87 and died at his home on the San Antonio River in 1912. Five generations of Doctors Herff have served this community and Santa Rosa Hospital since 1850.

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In honor of Dr. Herff, and the physicians who contribute to our ministry each day, the Herff Society provides all physicians, active and retired, the opportunity to financially invest in CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System and/or The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.

Donor Benefits:

• Physicians who make a gift of $1000 or more will be recognized on the Herff Society panel and on the Annual Giving panel on the Wall of Honor.
• Physicians who have a cumulative giving total of $25,000 will receive special recognition in the Herff Legacy Circle.