Standing Strong: The Mitchell Donor Wall

Pillars of Their Community: The Rita and William Mitchell, MD Donor Wall

A tribute to one monumental family and their ongoing generosity to the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center

By Olivia Watson | Photo: Beth Burris

A healer and teacher at heart, William Mitchell, MD served the Gulf South medical community for decades. Passionate about understanding the causes of diseases, Dr. Mitchell was drawn to pathology and began specialized training at Tulane University following his graduation from medical school in the 1950s.

In 1956, his career took a slight detour when he was drafted by the U.S. army to serve in Tokyo, Japan, as a medical officer. But it was this twist of fate that brought him the love of his life, Rita Wallenius, an American who was also overseas working for the army. When they returned, Dr. Mitchell went on to complete his residency at Tulane and Ochsner Health. The rest is history.

The new donor wall in the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center was made possible thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Mitchell.

The wall is dedicated in memory of Dr. William T. Mitchell, Jr.

Dr. Mitchell joined the Ochsner Pathology Department and never looked back. He served the Ochsner community with kindness, compassion and a commitment to building up the people around him for almost 40 years—with his loving wife by his side.

Beyond delivering the highest quality care to his patients, Dr. Mitchell was passionate about sharing his knowledge with his colleagues. In 1966, he was awarded The Hurst B. Hatch Memorial Award for Outstanding Teacher as a clinical professor of pathology.

As he did for so much of his life, Dr. Mitchell continues to give to his community, even after his death. This time, his service is in the form of ongoing financial support in partnership with Mrs. Mitchell.

Together, the Mitchell family’s generosity has helped support innovations in research, purchase new equipment and ensure that future generations of physicians have the training they need to provide the best care possible. In more ways than one, the Mitchells have built a lasting legacy from the ground up.

The Mitchell family has been part of Ochsner for decades—they were a pillar of what Ochsner was and the reason we are where we are now.

— Craig Bardell, Director of Planned Giving

Among the Mitchell family’s most significant contributions to Ochsner has been expanding the hospital’s cancer facilities. With the ability to deliver more high-quality cancer services and advanced clinical research, Ochsner has become one of the leading comprehensive destinations for cancer care across a multi-state region.

Today, the Mitchell family’s legacy is quite literally built into Ochsner’s foundation, thanks to their support in creating the Rita and William Mitchell, MD Donor Wall. “This wall tells a story about who we are here,” Craig Bardell, Ochsner Health’s Director of Planned Giving, said. “The Mitchell family has been part of Ochsner for decades—they were a pillar of what Ochsner was and the reason we are where we are now.”

Using four colors to evoke the four parts of DNA and a suspension design to represent the double helix shape, the design of the wall is a nod to cancer care advancements.

“In the past, we treated cancer based on tumor location. Now we’re sequencing the genes to know how best to treat it,” said Anna Combes, Director of Development for Ochsner Cancer Institute. “The wall’s design is a metaphor for this advancement in cancer treatment.”

The wall consists of glass bricks that will acknowledge donors for their financial support to the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center. Though the wall is complete, new donors still have the opportunity to provide support alongside Mrs. Mitchell.

Mrs. Rita Mitchell

Photo: Melissa G. Landry

When visitors walk into the River Road entrance of the Benson Cancer Center, they’re greeted by high ceilings and the colorful Rita and William Mitchell, MD Donor Wall. “You can’t miss it,” said Craig.

“It’s a beautiful tribute to all of our cancer center donors, who all have their own individual reasons for donating, but especially the Mitchell family,” Craig explained. “It really brings to light Dr. Mitchell’s commitment to his work as a physician, as someone who cared for so many people throughout his long career—and trained other doctors to do the same.”

For patients and their families entering Ochsner for the first time, this wall is an immediate reminder of the compassion and spirit of service that lay the foundation for a superior quality of care. Simply put, “As long as there is Ochsner and a cancer treatment center, we are grateful to the Mitchell family.”