Remembering C. John Hodgson

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Corrin John Hodgson, MD, MPH died on November 28, 2020 of advanced prostate cancer, heart and lung disease. John was the eldest son of Dr. Corrin H. Hodgson and Florence Pitman Hodgson of Fergus Falls, MN. When John was about two years old the family moved to Rochester. From ages 4-9 he lived in Lima, Peru where his father worked at the British American Hospital. The family returned to Rochester in the 1940s. John attended Folwell School, Rochester High School, Dartmouth College, and received his MD from the University of Minnesota.

After interning at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, he began neurology training at Mayo, Rochester. This training was interrupted when he was drafted into the Air Force during the Berlin Crisis. During 10 years of active duty, Dr. Hodgson was a flight surgeon/director of medical services at Air Force bases in Mountain Home, Idaho, Pleiku, Vietnam, Selma, Alabama and Fairborn, Ohio, where he was Chief of the Vibration Branch, Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory. 

Dr. Hodgson completed his Air Force training in Aerospace Medicine at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine and NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. He took additional internal medicine training at Mayo, Rochester and joined the Division of Preventive and Internal Medicine. Much of his practice was devoted to aviation medicine and he served as Medical Director of Northwest Airlines for years. 

Dr. Hodgson was president of the North Central Occupational Medical Association. He was a Fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association and American College of Preventive Medicine. He was a member of the Space Medicine Branch of the Society of USAF Flight Surgeons and a charter member of the Society of NASA Flight Surgeons. 

From 1988 to 1992 he served on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Aviation and Space Medicine. He served as President of the Airlines Medical Directors Association and trustee of the American Board of Preventive Medicine. He was a consultant to IBM, the Federal Aviation Administration, and USAF Surgeon General. 

Dr. Hodgson was Director of Base Medical Services, 934th Tactical Airlift Group at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport. He retired from the reserves with the rank of colonel. In 1991 he retired from Mayo Clinic to become Medical Director of 3M. He returned to Mayo, Rochester to practice internal, preventive, aerospace, and aviation medicine. He was a member of the Delta Omega Honorary Society of Public Health, was honored as Air Force Reserve Flight Surgeon of the Year and received the Airlines Medical Directors Achievement Award. 

Family came first with Dr. Hodgson and he was immensely proud of his two daughters and twin grandchildren. His daughter Helen, mother of the twins, died in 2007. He is survived by Harriet (Weil), his wife of 63 years. He is also survived by brothers Dr. Stephen Hodgson (Eleanor) and Dr. Clague Hodgson (Kristi), daughter Amy J. Hodgson, granddaughter Haley (James) Earley, grandson Dr. John Welby, and great grandsons Everett and Judah Earley. 

A memorial service will be held on a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Corrin H. Hodgson, MD Endowed Scholarship at the University of Minnesota and the Rochester Public Library. To contribute to the scholarship fund, contact the university and refer to endowment #11535.

Inexpensive Ways to Keep Kids Engaged When They Are Stuck Indoors

Guest Blog written by Jenny Wise of specialhomeeducator.com

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Sometimes, kids seem to have an endless stream of built-in creativity that keeps them going, but on other days, “I’m bored!” is all you seem to hear. When the latter happens, finding productive channels for that youthful energy can be a struggle. We found some ideas to help you with those stir-crazy days without overspending.

Health and wellness writer Harriet Hodgson has authored over 40 books. View her selections here!

Toys with Purpose

One solution for kids may seem both obvious and overwhelming at the same time: educational toys. Educational toys have been around for generations, from building blocks to memory games, but because they are such a popular go-to, they come in a tremendously broad variety. 

It’s easy to get lost in the selections, so Education.com recommends aiming first for toys that match your child’s current interests and abilities. Look for options that provide open-ended opportunities rather than singular functionality. Collaborative and pretend play toys are a boon, and toys that involve exploration of the real world are also a plus. 

Stories and Such

Reading for pleasure is beneficial to kids in critical ways. There are relatively obvious perks, such as helping them to better grasp grammar, punctuation, and spelling. However, it not only can help them academically, as there are indications that reading for pleasure helps them throughout life. They develop empathy and have healthier relationships, and their risk of issues like dementia and depression are reduced.

If your kids aren’t already bookworms, Scholastic suggests reading aloud to them and incorporating artistic play with the story. Maybe this would be illustrating a part of the story or designing a cover for a favorite book. You can save on art supplies when you use a KiwiCo promo code or coupon.

It can also help to pick out books on a favorite subject, like a sports hero, animal, or hobby. To help fit your budget, almost any electronic device can be turned into an e-reader with a free or low-cost app, and then you can load it up with free ebooks. 

Another idea is to get your own creative juices flowing and tell your youngster a story. Flintobox explains it’s a great tool to have at the ready for a wide number of circumstances, from calming tantrums to food refusals. What’s more, your storytelling offers surprising benefits to your kids, helping to boost their language and memory skills, enhancing their cognitive perception, and sparking their imaginations. You can even teach them to be storytellers! And while these exercises will cost you a little time, the memories and benefits are priceless. 

Burn Excess Energy

There are times when kids seem to have boundless energy, and if they are cooped up inside, it can sometimes lead to frustration or trouble. If your youngster needs an outlet, thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to burn that energy off. You can plug your child into some age-appropriate online exercise videos or dance videos, or you can make up your own dance playlist with your child’s favorite tunes.  

Another fun way to entertain your child is with a scavenger hunt. You can let riddles guide the game as your child searches for solutions throughout the house. It’s a great way to engage your kiddo’s mind and body at the same time!

Next time your child is bored, find something productive for that energy. Whether it’s a stimulating learning toy, storytime, or time for physical activity, there are plenty of good options available to moms and dads. Being cooped up can be frustrating, but with good tools at your disposal, your child can be engaged, learning, and having fun!