Drexel University College of Medicine - Medic Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 22 text:

To the Members of the Graduating Class: Two thousand years ago, a thoughtful observer of the small world he saw concluded that there is nothing so constant as the phenomenon of change. And now, as never before, the human experience daily testifies to his wisdom. What he could not have foreseen, of course, is the acceleration of the pace of our change-our bane or blessing, depending largely, I suspect, on one's age. We are privileged or condemned to witness the interment of the eternal verities, and in the space of a generation we have seen major alterations in valuations of such basic hu- man enterprises as religion, the arts, and moral- ity. These changes are profound, and they are probably irreversible. But one aspect of man's nature appears not to have changed-his impera- tive to search for facts. While the imperative to question has not changed, the increasing rate of discovery has made many changes possible or inevitable. We can, if we choose, blast every vestige of life on the earth into total oblivion. On the other hand, it is possible to control the population so that we will not eventually stand shoulder to shoulder on the earth's land. lt is possible to save life and to make that life- more productive and happier than ever before. There is, even the troublous prospect that we PRESIDENT Charles S. Cameron, M.D. may soon be able to influence genetic forces so as to produce the kinds of people we decide we need, if such decisions were ever possible. As you now leave the formal preparation for your life's work, I am suggesting that you reflect, now and then, on your own special role in structuring the era of social evolution. We all now have a voice in this new phase of evolution as con- trasted with eons of biological evolution in which the decisions were not ours. ln this scheme of social evolution, doctors of medicine can and must chart the course. You areknowledgeable in the vast field of biological science and you know the needs of the human spiritvas few men do. In you are blended these two fundamentals of the human experience-the instinct to understand and control the material aspects of living, and the deep, pervading, less tangible conviction of the need to see a brother in every fellow-traveler on the cosmic odyssey. l beg you to strive pur- posefully to cultivate these great powers which are yours, and to become activists in the abso- lutely essential crusade to improve human rela- tionships as well as the health of humans. They are hardly inseparable any more. For each of you, I most sincerely wish long and robust years, filled with the inner rewards which are uniquely the privilege of doctors of medicine. Sincerely yours,

Page 21 text:

Dear Doctor: Now that the real trauma of four years of medical education is over, you may feel that any further words from your old teacher and advisor are redundant. Undoubtedly you are right, and I would not blame you for turning a deaf ear. The rapid pace of social change and almost immedi- ate obsolescence of knowledge lends credence to your attitude. Yet, let me try to give you some parting words that may inspire some modicum of confidence in a moment of doubt. Have you ever pondered on why the profession of medicine commands re- spect? ls it really because the physician is a person who has memorized ten million facts and knows how to cope with a variety of medical situ- ations? To a certain extent the answer must be positive. However, the ordinary diagnosis and therapy of disease is less mysterious to the com- mon man than the workings of his television or automobile. If this were the total competence of the physician, then he must be considered to be a technician, rather high class, but still a technician. The true esteem for the doctor by the public re- sides in his ability to render sound judgements on matters which concern the lives of men. It is in this respect that he vies with the other great professions: the law and the clergy. Therefore, if you would be among the foremost of your breed, ever cherish and guard the ability to make judge- ments. Attain and maintain that maturity of mind. that surety of spirit, and that sense of culture which together can guarantee the soundness of a critical mind. Never be so busy, so devoted to your trade, as to neglect the study in depth of man as a human in his expression in the arts, in history, in religion, and in philosophy. Man is not merely an ingenious assembly of plumbing which may be patched and transplanted. Man is man because he is creative, and his creations are more important to him than life itself. Man is the only animal l know of that regularly finds means of killing himself to attain peace of mind. In this parting, then, l am not telling you simply to be ever a student. Rather more. be a humanist so that you may contribute wise judgements in the social upheaval which now faces us and in those which are sure to erupt even more in the near future. With all good wishes. Most sincerely yours. ja-W Mai-afiuonso 17

Page 23 text:

ASSOCIATE DEAN Hugh D. Bennett, M.D. To My Friends and Colleagues of the Class of 1969: - Your four years at Hahnemann have been years of change. In four short years you can recall physical change: The Klahr Auditorium, the old library, the Elkins Building, the Nursing School, the Schaff Building, the Hotel Philadelphia, the 16th Street Annex Building, the Feinstein Clinic, the accident ward, the 18th Floor, and finally the demolition of the old college buildings. ln these same short years, you have seen aca- demic growth: the honor code, the first elective programs and their growth, the first psychiatric clerkships, teaching physical diagnosis to fresh- men, affiliation with Fitzgerald Mercy, Chester, Harrisburg Polyclinic, Magee, re-organization at .PGH, establishment of Community Medicine De- partment, Clinical Science Course, and the birth of a new curriculum. You have watched vast social changes occur in medicine: Medicare, Mental Health Programs, Regional Medical Programs, Pennsycare, Pedi- care, Health Professions loans and scholarships, SHO, re-birth of SAMA, emergence of specialists as a majority among medical practioners, and the virtual elimination of rotating internships in medi- cal school hospitals. ln this same time, much of what you learned in basic science has become obsolete, and some of what you learned in clinical medicine was al- ready obsolete at the time you learned it, despite the best efforts of the faculty to stay abreast of the scientific explosion. ln the face of such change what, then, can you take from Hahnemann that is real and lasting? To start with, you have an honored diploma which permits you to progress further in your studies. With the National Boards, you will have attained essential licensure and the privilege of practicing medicine. ' I believe that you have been provided a good base from which you can launch yourself into the perpetual task of updating and expanding your knowledge. l trust that you have attained effi- cient habits of study. l pray that you have learned the inestimable value of each human being and have dedicated yourself to the preservation and enrichment of life. l have watched you develop the skills of medicine to a high degree. I sense you have learned that essential mixture of confi- dence and humility so necessary in the physician. Lastly, you take with you the human examples which you have encountered and the friendships which you have made. If you take with you only these things, then the years at Hahnemann were worthwhile and your success as a physician is assured. My congratulations on your accomplish- ments. Sincerely yours ,QQMJAZMAEQ4