University of Michigan Medical and Nursing School - Aequanimitas Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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Dr. Kraft thinks that the most difficult thing about teaching is finding the time to get the doctor and students together. Time is the most important commodity a doctor has. Everyone wants a piece of your time, but the good teacher must always find the time to devote to his students. believes Dr. Kraft. There have been three men in Dr. Kraft's career who he thinks are outstanding teach- ers and who have made contributions to his philosophy of teaching and medicine. Natu- rally all three are surgeons and all have been affiliated with the University of Michi- gan Medical Center. They are Drs. William DeVVeese, VVilliam Fry, and George E. Block. Says Dr. Kraft of these men: I have learned much from each, and I have extracted from each a bit of philosophy to build my own. This then is Richard O. Kraft. NI.lJ,. dynamic teacher. general surgeon and friend. We are proud to stand at his side and be called students: we are proud to look upon him and call him teacher. Ajay llarnexx ww, ,si-Sw. Qi, it 'C

Page 30 text:

RICHARD O. KRAFT spam 1 it Richard O. Kraft, Assistant Professor of Surgery Born August 16, 1928 B.A., M.D., University of Michigan Intern, Resident at University Hospital, Ann Arbor Galens Shovel St. .joseph Mercy Hospital and the University of Michigan are proud to have a teacher like Richard O. Kraft walk their halls. lt takes many adjectives to describe this forty year old general surgeon, He is dynamic, energetic, enthusiastic, witty, colorful, loving and most important of all, he is a kindly family doctor. WVhen one mentions his name he finds that the common denominator of all the responses is one of respect. One rarely finds Ur. Kraft walking aloneg for at his side are many students of medicine. Senior and ,junior residents. interns and medical students, nurses and orderlies all are close at hand to have Ur. Kraft add another bit of knowledge to their understanding of medicine. Everyone laughs and is delighted when Ur. Kraft uses one of his colorful examples to aid in remembering a fact. VVhat sorts of philosophy does this man have? What are his thoughts on teaching? Dr. Kraft believes that in the academic medical world there are three main areas of responsibility: research, teaching. and patient care. Each man in a department is expected to be active in all three areas, but the area of most status and reward is research. But how about the man who does not like research? Shouldn't he be rewarded and have status because he is a great teacher and gives excellent patient care? Dr. Kraft feels strongly that a good academic depart- ment should have men that are strong in each ofthe three areas of responsibility. and that a man should be rewarded equally for doing an excellent ,job in the area he is best ai. When asked how he would describe teaching. Dr. Kraft always answers, lt's just plain hard work! He feels that there are three basic methods of medical teaching: didactic lectures, bedside presentations, and humor. He feels that didactic lectures have a very important role in medical education as long as they are presented in an interesting and informative manner. Bedside presenta- tions and lectures are important since they help the teacher and student remember that medical knowledge is to be applied to the individual patient. Lastly. Dr. Kraft feels that humor has an important role in teach- ing because it helps to keep people's atten- tion and give them examples to help remem- ber important points.

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uProject yourself into the seat ofa student or patient and try to think as they are think- ingfi It is this style of philosophical apoth- egm which has gained for Dr. Ritter the recognition of the student body. He is known as a capable lecturer who is able to take his speciality field and present it in a clear, concise fashion with a touch of refreshing, practical, home spun humor that makes the most difficult information not only easy, but more importantly, enjoyable to assimilate. This straightforward approach to educa- tion is perhaps a development of the close friendship he had with his uncle, Joseph Cardinal Ritter, the Archbishop of St. Louis Cnow deceasedl. From the Cardinal, Dr. Ritter gained a great deal of humor and spiritual and intellectual enlightenment. He was also good friends with Dr. Tom Dooley, a fellow student, who dedicated his life to missionary medicine in Southeast Asia. It is from these men, perhaps, that he derived the desirous qualities of tolerance and compata- bility with his fellow man and the efferves- cent friendliness that seldom fades. 28 FRANK N. RITTER These are the qualities which make any student feel at ease when talking with him. There is no sign of condescension or impa- tient intolerance when he talks to you. He gives his frank opinion on problems of medi- cal education or your future in medicine. He is always willing to listen to student com- plaints, and is flexible and open minded enough to execute immediate change to legi- timate gripes.