Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Synapsis Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 28 text:

The first time we leaf through the yearbook we will have already begun our post-doctoral training. We will be engrossed in an attempt to apply the knowledge and skills derived from medical school. It will be a time of refinement, growth, confidence building, and, perhaps, a few humbling misadventures. But on another day, at the end of our careers, we may in all likelihood be looking at these pages in a retrospective way, recalling our beginnings, and reflecting on the years between. If we are to be satisfied when we look back upon our lives as physicians I believe there are some questions and issues which we should consider now. Certainly our patients will be our most prominent recollection. And having spent countless hours of our lives administering to their medical needs it will not be difficult to remember many interesting cases . But when we recall these therapeutic triumphs will be completely satisfied with the way in which we conducted ourselves? Will we have listened enough? Will we have taken the time to sympathize? Our patients will certainly know the answers to these questions. If we ask ourselves what kind of profession we would like to look back upon, then it ' s quite possible that we can play some role in shaping that profession. Like Robert Frost ' s character we have already chosen the less traveled road in medicine by becoming Osteopathic Physicians. Will we, as a minority, have survived on merit or will we have looked to the government for its transient protection? Will we have walked confidently among all teachers and clinicians in an attempt to broaden our knowledge, or will we have promoted and embraced a more comfortable seclusion? Will our profession have demonstrated an awareness ' that students and education are at the very heart of the matter, choosing quality over quantity in all aspects of training? And as WE attended to our patients will we have taken the time to share our knowledge with students or will we have rushed on to the next patient, preoccupied with the notion that time is money? Probably the last issue which we will one day have .to address relates not to specific aspects of our careers, but rather, to a broader consideration, i.e. Was it worth it? On balance, will the benefits have justified the price that some of us will have paid? For example, regarding economic and professional status, one has to wonder whether this status will have been achieved at the expense of our personal and family lives. I strongly suspect that th ose among us who are destined to become the happiest and most fulfilled are not necessarily those who eventually acquire the largest practice or achieve the greatest professional and political recognition. It is obviously much easier to pose rhetorical questions about our future than to provide answers. Each one of us will answer these questions and address these issues in our own time and in our own way. It is not my intention to make judgments about the past four years at PCOM for that task would have to take into account over 200 individual experiences. Nor is it my intention to discuss the issues regarding loyalty to, and support of, institutions and organizations, for that is also a matter of personal perspectives and values. Suffice it to say that we, as individuals , are capable of unimaginable achievements, despite all obstacles and restrictions. Only those institutions and organizations which provide an unrestrained atmosphere in which to flourish, and which encourage and support our ambitions, deserve our loyalty and support in return. What remains is for me to express my gratitude to all of you for allowing me to be your class chairman. It has been a privilege which I treasure. Your cooperation, willingness to contribute, and sense of fairness, have played the major role in class functions. Quite often I was left only with the job of taking the credit for your accomplishments. In the future, in whatever way I can, I will continue to represent your interests. I wish for all of you the very best that life has to offer. .s UAMvt- p as»- - zxa Steven J. Fagan

Page 27 text:

hippocratic oath I swear by Apollo the physician and Aesculapius and Hygeia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses that according to my ability and judgment: I will keep this oath and this stipulation — to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents; to share my substance with him and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers and to teach them this Art if they shall wish to learn it. Without fee or stipulation and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath. According to the law of medicine but to none others, I will follow the system of regimen which according to my ability and judgment I consider, For the benefit of my patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked nor suggest any such counsel and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and I will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption. And further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever in connection with my professional practice or not in connection with it, I see or hear in the life of men which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the Art respected by all men in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may be reverse be my lot! I do hereby affirm my loyalty to the profession I am about to enter. I will be mindful always of my great responsibility to preserve the health and life of my patients, to retain their confidence and respect both as a physician and a friend who will guard their secrets with scrupulous honor and fidelity, to perform faithfully my professional duties, to employ only those recognized methods of treatment consistent with good judgment and with my skill and ability, keeping in mind always nature ' s laws and the body ' s inherent capacity for recovery. I will be ever vigilant in aiding in the general welfare of the community, sustaining its laws and institutions, not engaging in those practices which will in any way bring shame or discredit upon myself or my profession. I will give no drugs for deadly purposes to any person, though it be asked of me. I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive co-operation, and never by word or by act cast imputations upon them or their rightful practices. I will look with respect and esteem upon all those who have taught me my art. To my college I will be loyal and strive always for its best interests and for the interests of the students who will come after me. I will be ever alert to further the application of basic biologic truths to the healing arts and to develop the principles of osteopathy which were first enunciated by Andrew Taylor Still. osteopathic oath

Page 29 text:

I am going your way , so let us go hand in hand. 1 if 1 ] ' m J m H. Walter Evans, D.O. 1890-1970 Class of 1917 Evans Hall is dedicated in memory and honor of H. Walter Evans, D.O. Distinguished member of the Faculty 1920-1970 Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1932-1954 Professional Director of PCOMs Hospitals 1955-1969 Member of PCOM Board of Trustees 1949-1970 Complete and total dedication to the osteopathic profession, to his patients and to his students Were the hallmarks of his career.