(DDS 1944, MS Oral Surgery 1947)

Dr. James Rogers Hayward, a world-renowned oral surgeon, died May 20 in Naples, Florida.  He was 91.

During a distinguished career at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and the Medical School, Dr. Hayward trained 83 residents in oral surgery and was known worldwide as an extraordinarily gifted surgeon who demanded knowledge, preparation, and excellence in the clinic and the classroom as keys to quality care of patients.

The son of a dentist, Dr. Roy G. Hayward (Class of 1911), James R. Hayward was born in Detroit on December 16, 1920.  He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1944 and a master’s degree in oral surgery three years later.  In 1943, he married Dr. Jane Slocum, a U-M dental graduate.

Dr. Hayward was a clinical instructor as a graduate student.  From 1947 to 1950, he taught one day a week at the School of Dentistry as an assistant professor while maintaining a private practice in Detroit as an oral surgeon.

In 1950, he entered the U.S. Army Dental Corps and was the head of oral surgery at Fort Carson Army Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  There he assisted in the facial restoration of wounded soldiers returning from the Korean War.

Young Department Chair

In 1952, Dr. Hayward was invited back to the U-M School of Dentistry to chair the Department of Oral Surgery following the death of department chair Dr. John Kemper.  Only 32 years old at the time, Dr. Hayward was one of the youngest persons to ever hold a department chairmanship at the School of Dentistry and continued to do so for 30 years.  As a dedicated teacher and researcher he was greatly influential in developing the specialty of oral surgery.

He became a professor of dentistry in 1956 and seven years later a professor of dentistry in surgery at the Medical School.  In addition to his duties at the School of Dentistry, he also directed the Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Department of Hospital Dentistry at the University Hospitals and served as director of the Cleft Palate Project.

Distinguished Career

Dr. Hayward helped organize the International Association of Oral Surgeons in 1962 and helped develop training standards for the oral surgery profession.  He was an examiner for the American Board of Oral Surgery from 1950 to 1964 and served as the Board’s president in 1963.  That year he was also president of the Chalmers J. Lyons Academy of Oral Surgery.

He was a Fellow in the American Academy of Oral Pathology, the International Association of Oral Surgeons, and the American College of Dentists.

During his distinguished career, Dr. Hayward received numerous awards and honors.  He was the first recipient of the Simon Hullihen Memorial Award, which was established to honor the man considered to be the father of modern oral surgery. 

In 1975, Dr. Hayward received the William J. Gies Foundation Award, the highest award given by the American Society of Oral Surgeons.

A prolific writer, which included publishing more than 175 journal articles, textbook chapters, and a textbook, Dr. Hayward was the editor of the Journal of Oral Surgery from 1966 to1972.  He also was on the editorial boards of the Journal of Hospital Dentistry and International Journal of Oral Surgery.

Dr. Hayward retired in 1982 following 34 years as a faculty member at the School of Dentistry and 30 years as chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.  Afterwards, he continued to work part time as an oral surgeon with his former resident, Dr. Peter Mestnik, in Marquette, Michigan during the summer and with the VA Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida during the winter.  He also participated in medical mission trips to Central America, Jamaica, and Nepal to perform cleft lip surgeries to help children.

In 1986, Dr. Hayward and his wife, Jane, retired to Bonita Springs, Florida, where they enjoyed 25 more years together with family and friends.  

Returning to Michigan

Dr. Hayward returned to his alma mater in October 2004 when his mentor, Dr. John Kemper, was inducted into the School’s Hall of Honor.  In remarks, he spoke fondly of Kemper, “my chief for many years.”  His last visit to U-M was in June 2009 as graduation speaker for the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,

Dr. James R. Hayward was married for 67 years to Jane Louise Slocum (DDS 1943) prior to her death in January 2011.  He is survived by his son, James S. Hayward (DDS 1973) who directed the Marquette County Health Department’s dental clinics in Marquette, Michigan; daughter Martha Hayward Sparks (DH 1973) of Edisto Island, South Carolina; a son, Ralph, of Whitmore Lake, Michigan; 7 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren.   

Funeral arrangements are being made by the Shikany Funeral Home in Bonita Springs, Florida.  A memorial service celebrating Dr. Hayward’s life will be held at the Community Congregational Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, with a reception to follow at the church.  Internment will be with his wife at the Rose Garden of the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs.

The family requests that any memorials be made to the Hayward Professorship fund of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.  Please make checks payable to the University of Michigan.  Mail to the Office of Development, 540 E. Liberty, Suite 204, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.  Please note “Hayward Professorship” on the check memo line.

Dr. James S. Hayward, said, “I would like to thank all his professional colleagues and friends at the School and the community for their concern and especially their friendship and support that meant so much to dad over these many years.”