Temple University School of Medicine - Skull Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19140 Office Of TMC DEAN The theme of this year's Skull, The Art of Medicine , would be deserving of emphasis in any year—past, present or future. Without constant attention to the skillful, humanistic application of our knowledge toward the maintenance and restoration of health of fellow human beings, our profession would never fulfill its highest obligation. This year the theme seems especially appropriate as we hear cries throughout the country for better health services, for a more equitable distribution of physicians, for more primary care physicians, for more effective health delivery systems, and for an approach to patients which is less problem and more people oriented. Medical schools are being called upon to go beyond their usual task of graduating a sufficient number of physicians, to help bring about a better distribution of physicians—intraprofessionally as to kinds of doctors, as well as geographically to medically needy areas. The obligation of schools to assist students in developing the skills and attitudes so essential in applying their medical knowledge directly to people has not changed over the years. How well the obligation is being fulfilled is what is being questioned. The tremendous advances in science and the resulting technology and information explosion has perhaps drawn attention away from traditional skills. Even more the general advances in science and technology have led to such expectations of unlimited growth, production and consumption in western society that values are sometimes lost sight of. Surely the time for reassessment of ourselves and our values is now'. Perhaps medicine as one of the noblest professions should lead the wray. To spend more time with people and less with machines and appliances might make life more enjoyable as well as more worthwhile. However, don't let our praise and emphasis of the art of medicine be interpreted as counter to science. That art and science complement each other is especially evident in medicine—and may that always be so! It is doubly pleasing for me to write a comment for this year's Skull in view of its dedication to Dr. Papacostas, a long-time friend and colleague. He is especially skilled in the art of helping students to learn. To be selected for the dedication of this year's Skull with this particular theme is a fitting tribute to an excellent teacher. Dean Temple University School of Medicine X-9W k .

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 n (Soph iSumatt ICtfr So goes the human life—with all its clamorings, all its turbulent activities, doomed to the silent victory of death. And in this losing fight there stands, like a solitary defender against an oncoming host, the heroic figure of the physician. All his training and education are to prepare him for his duties toward humanity. For this do men honor him, that his knowledge and skill, his energies and ambitions, his hopes, fears, triumphs and defeats arc bound up in his daily intelligent struggle with death. He is dedicated to a heroic purpose, to an unfaltering fight. His call to battle is found in the air. Yet his triumphs are but temporary and his greatest victory is but a delayed defeat. For all that, fight on he must until he is beaten back and his last effort fails against the foe. Who is it that is so hastily summoned when the shadows of death darken the light of the living? When pain tortures the body and life hangs in the balance? He is the guardian of the well and the courage of the sick. One needs more than skill to be a good physician. There is a call for devotedness, and for generosity of character. Harry li. Bacon, M.D. Skull 1925