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

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Dr. Bert R. Boone’s appointment to the position of Assistant Dean for Research exemplifies the increasing importance of this sphere of activity at Temple. His main function is to coordinate the various research projects of the school and hospital staff. With the advent of multiple facilities offered by the new research building and the new research wing of the hospital, he has no mean task. Dr. Boone received his M.D. degree from the University of Michigan School of Medicine in 1931. He then entered the Public Health Service as an intern at the U.S. Marine Hospital in New Orleans. In 1940, he became County Health Officer for Clay and Bradford Counties in Florida after serving in clinical positions at the Charity Hospital, New Orleans and the Staten Island Marine Hospital. Two years later he was appointed Chief Medical Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard. Beginning in 1944, he spent four years at Temple University Medical Center in cardiovascular physiology and roentgenology research. This work led to the development of electrokymography, a technique in which Temple was a pioneer. He then left Temple to become Chief of the Laboratory of Technical Development of the National Institutes of Health. He was designated Medical Director of the Research Fellowship Unit. Grants and Training Branch, National Heart Institute in 1956, serving in this capacity until 1961 when he accepted his present appointment at Temple. Dr. Boone is vitally concemd with the relationship of research to the totality of medical affairs in our society. Under Dr. Boone’s supervision and coordination, we can be assured that Temple will continue to be a source of ever expanding, frontiers of knowledge in the medical sciences. Bert R. Boone, M.D. Assistant Dean for Research 21 Sue Etter

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Arthur D. Nelson, M.D. Assistant Dean of the Medical School Dr. Arthur D. Nelson was appointed Assistant Dean in 1961. The necessity for this position was a direct result of the growth in size and complexity of the Medical School. Dr. Nelson was first known to us as an able lecturer on environmental health from our first year course in Public Health and Preventive Medicine. We welcomed his addition to the administrative staff of the school. In his subsequent relationship with us he has also shown an acute awareness of the special problems and needs of the medical student. His numerous functions include: medical school admissions, student affairs, plant construction and maintenance, and health maintenance. His capable handling of these activities is now well known to all of us. Dr. Nelson was graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a B.S. degree in military engineering in 1944. After three years of troop duty, in the U.S. and Europe, and another three years as an engineering officer in Honduras, he enrolled in the Graduate School of Engineering at Harvard University from which he received an M.S. degree in civil engineering. He then returned to West Point to teach physics and chemistry. In 1953, he enrolled at Temple Medical School. After being graduated in 1957, he served a year of internship and another as chief resident physician at Montgomery Hospital in Norristown, Pennsylvania. An interest in occupational medicine led to several positions in this field. In addition to his present activities, Dr. Nelson and his wife, Dr. Sarah Burton Nelson conduct an active general practice. Betty Dunn 20

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In Memoriam W. Wayne Babcock, A.M., M.D., LL.D., Sc.D., F.A.C.S. He loved the truth and always sought it.” Dr. W. Wayne Babcock, world famous surgeon and medical educator, and Emeritus Professor of Surgery, died at his home on February 23, 1963. He was 90 years old. Dr. Babcock received his first M.D. in 1893 from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, spent a year as a resident physician in Salt Lake City, Utah, then came to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania for an additional year of medical education. He received a second M.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1895. During the next seven years, Dr. Babcock held various positions at Philadelphia General Hospital, and the Kensington Hospital for Women establishing his reputation. At the age of 31 he accepted the Chair of Gynecology at the Temple Medical College. In that same year, 1903, he accepted the Chair of Surgery at Temple Medical College. His teaching ability and operating skill brought Temple world-fame. He has been Emeritus Professor since his retirement in 1943. Dr. Babcock was a man of courage, imagination, insight, and indefatigable stamina. He made many important contributions to the field of surgery, Perhaps his greatest medical contribution was represented by his forty years as a teacher, surgeon and chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Temple University School of Medicine. Dr. William N. Parkinson, .former Dean, has described him as the outstanding man in the history of this medical school and hospital. In 1928, Dr. Babcock published his textbook, Principles and Practice of Surgery, that became a recognized text in medical colleges throughout the country. It was revised in subsequent editions in 1944 and 1954. Among his major contributions were: the introduction of spinal anesthesia to American medicine, the introduction of alloy steel wire sutures, the introduction of his “lamp-chimney” sump drain, the Babcock vein stripping operation for varicose veins, a new technique for vaginal inguinal herniorrhaphy, a technique for the repair of divided nerves, and the well-known abdominoperineal proctosigmoidectomy for diseases of the sigmoid colon and rectum, commonly known as the “pull through” operation. For these contributions and others. Dr. Babcock has been the recipient of many honors and honorary degrees, including one of the highest honors in medicine: the Distinguished Service Medal of the American Medical Association, awarded in 1954. His fine influence in the medical profession will long be felt.