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

Page 14 text:

THE PRESIDENT To the Class of 1981: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times As I have thought over the content of my message to you, keep coming to my mind. In so many ways and from so many different perspectives, they apply to each of you. It is spring of 1981 as I write this; we are preparing for the 1981-82 budget. Things look dismal. Federal capitation is being phased out but, more disturbing, significant cuts are anticipated in loan sources. Our operational costs keep rising. My present concern is for the generation that will follow you. Will they be able to finance their education? Will medicine once again be a rich man ' s profession? More and more, our students are coming to me at the end of their own and their families financial resources. For you, then, difficul t as it may have been, but at least possessing the opportunity to finance your education, these past four years have been the best of times. The world of osteopathic medicine you are entering as a graduate of PCOM also ranks among the best of times. Fourteen colleges strong now, the osteopathic profession has developed into a force in health care in America. Without sacrificing the identity of the osteopathic profession so strongly rooted in general practice, osteopathic specialists and subspecialists continue to develop and return to our hospitals and colleges, renewing our academic and patient care strengths. The opportunities available to you for study and professional growth did not exist twenty, or even ten, years ago — yes, it is the best of times. In another area, however, the picture is not as bright. Despite our medical advances, we have not been able to prevent the devastation of cancer, multiple sclerosis, and a host of other debilitating illnesses. Treat the disease, yes — prevent them, no. As long as we lack that potential, it continues to be the worst of times. So much for my musings ....:. I ' m sure that when you read the quote at the beginning of this missive, you thought that I was referring to the past four years of your life. And, ' in a way, that, too, was on my mind. It probably can be said with certainty that you have some vivid memories of moments that you would rate as the worst of times — first year finals, an away away away rotation, National Boards. And, with equal certainty, I ' m sure some memories are the best of times ' — a truly good clinical rotation, beginning to realize what you do know, moments shared with classmates who are also friends. No one institution can be all things to all people. It is difficult for me to accept that I can not always make everything happen yesterday. However, I have seen our educational program continue to develop and grow in strength during the last four years; I hope that you have felt that growth. In your individual scale of events, you will continue to rate your best of times and times. Your own professional history will help you to realize, as the world continues to ch that your college has done its best to prepare you to be able to face whatever times lay ah You have been our students and we have been proud to know you as such.- 1 know we will be even prouder of you as our graduates. Congratulations and God bless each of you 10

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We desperately need to reaffirm the human values in medical practice. We must not be so sterile in our approach to disease that we overlook man. The patent is more than his body, he is more than his disease. A true physician cannot be a physician to the body alone. He must be concerned with the internal homeostasis which relates to the patient ' s mind, his spirit, his soul. Some may say that these words sound well to the ears, and that they are what everyone obviously believes. But our deeds fall too far short of our beliefs. We are too often diverted by the siren song of financial security and professional complacency. But can we be morally justified in being complacent in our world? Can we bask in the glory of having extended so dramatically the human life span, when we have failed so often to make that life worth living. George W. Northup, D. O., 1980

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Four years is a big chunk of anyone ' s lifetime. For us, it presented the unique challenge of obtaining the degree of knowledge needed to heal the afflictions of our neighbors. Memorizing facts is important, but it is only a part of the educational experience. Our two years in the classroom taught us how to deal with ourselves and those sitting around us. We were able to work together and party together, learning that to help ourselves, we must help others. No task was too difficult, no mountain insurmountable, when individual personal feelings were thrown aside so that we could pull together. The clinical years honed this interdependency, when personal knowledge and experiences were shared for a common goal — to relieve, comfort, and sometimes cure our patients. I am grateful to have been part of all of this, having in the process the opportunity to become an Osteopathic physician. I am proud not only to be part of the Class of 1981, but also to be given the privilege of being your chairman. Your cooperation and willingness to contribute made my role a pleasure. Too many times, it was left only for me to take the bows for your accomplishments. And in those sometimes insecure moments, the cries of Buy it! kept me going, realizing that I never completely lost your faith. Thank you and may you find every happiness that life has to offer. BUY IT!