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

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Mrs. Kolmer, Brian, Richard, John Kevin and Dr. Kolmer Dr. John Albert Kolmer was born in Lonaconing. Maryland on April 24, 1886. His education prior to medical training was received at Lonaconing High School from which he graduated in 1902, and at Charlotte Hall Military Academy to which he was awarded a state scholarship and from which he graduated In 1904 having accumulated in the interim seven gold medals for scholarship and soldiership. He entered the University of Pennsylvania the same year, received his M.D. degree in 1908 and upon graduation was awarded the Packard Prize in Clinical Medicine. His next two years were spent interning at St. Vincent's Hospital, St. Agnes' Hospital and Philadelphia Hospital for Contagious Diseases. Following his internships, Dr. Kolmer served as Pathologist at Philadelphia Hospital for Contagious Diseases from 1910-1915; Assistant Professor of Experimental Pathology at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine from 1912-1919; and Professor of Pathology and Bacteriology at Philadelphia Polyclinic and College for Graduates in Medicine from 1912-1919. Further appointments have included: Professor of Pathology and Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine. University of Pennsylvania, 1919-1932; Professor of Chemotherapy, Temple University School of Medicine, 1930-1932: Professor of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, 1932-to date; Professor of Medicine, Temple University School of Dentistry, 1936-to date; Director, Research Institute of Cutaneous Medicine, 1934-1949; Director Institute of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Temple University, 1949-to date. Honorary degrees bestowed upon Dr. Kolmer include M.S., Sc.D. and LL.D. awarded by Villanova College. St. Joseph's College and La Salle College, respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1914. Other awards include the Mendel Medal of Villanova College, 1929, the Strittmatter Medal of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, 1932. and the Ward Burdick Medal of the American Society of Clinical Pathology. 1934. During these years of education and service, Dr. Kolmer married and raised a family. He married Bessie Cecelia Herron of Freeland, Pennsylvania, on September 12, 1912. The Kolmers have two sons, Dr. John H. and Mr. Daniel A. Kolmer. and eight grandchildren for whom Dr. Kolmer has an especial fondness. It was with deep regret that we learned of Mrs. Kolmer's death in January 1954.

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Dedication John A. Kolmer, M.S., M.D.. D.P.H., Sc.D., LL.D., L.H.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.D. (Hon.) Professor and Head of the Deportment of Public Health and Preventive Medicine As we, the class of 1954, prepare to take the Hippocratic Oath, it is particularly appropriate that we should dedicate this, our yearbook, to a man whose life so well exemplifies the ideals set forth in this oath. Dr. John Albert Kolmer, as physician, teacher and personality, has influenced us directly and indirectly throughout our medical education. A man of great faith and humility, a proponent of clean living, a man possessing a deep sympathy for human suffering. Dr. Kolmer has a high regard for his profession and has constantly urged his students to maintain its highest standards and dignity. His outstanding contributions and accomplishments make a consistent and endless pattern within his biography. 21

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When we consider the contributions Dr. Kolmer has made to medical science, we find the following published works: INFECTION. IMMUNITY AND SPECIFIC THERAPY; INFECTION. IMMUNITY AND BIOLOGIC THERAPY- CHEMO-THERAPY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SYPHILLIS: CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY, BIOTHERAPY AND CHEMOTHERAPY (with Tuft); ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES (with Schamberg); SERUM DIAGNOSIS BY COMPLEMENT FIXATION; LABORATORY DIAGNOSTIC METHODS (with Boerner); APPROVED LABORATORY TECHNIQUE (with Spaulding and Robinson); PENICILLIN THERAPY: CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS BY LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS. Despite the impressive list of published literature. Dr. Kolmer is perhaps best known for research devoted predominantly to bacteriology, immunology and chemotherapy. He is author or co-author of over 490 articles on research, including papers and addresses on medicine and medicine in relation to dentistry. In 1920 he attained what is undoubtedly his greatest research achievement and contribution to the world —the Kolmer Complement Fixation Test for Syphilis, now being employed nationally and internationally. Further, in the matter of meritoreous accomplishments, Dr. Kolmer. in association with Drs. Schamberg and Raiziss, established the Research Institute of Cutaneous Medicine. In 1914, they succeeded in the synthesis of salversan and neo-salversan for the treatment of syphilis and other diseases. Dr. Kolmer became director of the Institute and president of the Board of Trustees in 1934 and the Institute, under his directorship, became amalgamated with the Temple University School of Medicine as the Institute of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 1949. Turning our attention to Fraternities and Organizations we see that Dr. Kolmer is a member of Sigma Chi and Alpha Kappa Kappa; honorary member of Psi Omega. Sigma Epsilon Delta. Omicron Kappa Upsilon, dental fraternities; and honorary member of Phi Alpha Pi, chiropody. He is a Fellow of the American Medical Association. College of Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Honorary Fellow of American College of Dentists and the Academy of Dental Medicine. Also, he is a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Pathology and American Board of Clinical Pathology. In addition to those mentioned. Dr. Kolmer has membership in many other medical societies. Stephen, Dr. Kolmer, Michael, Kathy, Susan and Mrs. Kolmer