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

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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.

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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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In Memoriam John A. Kolmer, M.S., M.D.,Dr. P.H., Sc.D., LL.D., L.H.D., F.A.C.P. The Class of 1963 considers itself fortunate to have been a part of the era of Public Health and Preventive Medicine personified by Dr. John A. Kolmer. He was a teacher who made his subject enjoyable, and, more important, he possessed that quality that not only produced great things of himself but motivated others to greatness. His dedication and sincerity, wisdom and humility, inspired us all. Few of us will ever forget his “fire and brimstone'' manner of delivering a lecture. We chuckled at times, but our respect for this man of medicine was dauntless. As the years pass and each of us has the opportunity to put into practice Public Health and Preventive Medicine, his ideas and advice will continue for fortify our medical armamentarium. Dr. Kolmer achieved world-wide recognition through his work in serodiagnosis. He was a pioneer in the research for a vaccine against poliomyelitis. He authored numerous books and articles and was the recipient of numerous honorary' degrees and professional awards. The Kolmer Test and Kolmcr- Reiter antigen honor his research contributions. Dr. Kolmer received his M.D. degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1908 and a Doctor of Public Health degree six years later. He was a founder of the Institute of Public Health and Preventive Medicine of Temple University in 1921. Serving as Professor of Bacteriology' at Penn's Graduate School of Medicine before joining the Temple University Medical School faculty in 1932, he achieved emeritus rank at Temple in 1957, but continued working at the Institute and Medical School until his death on December 11, 1962. His lifetime of 76 years saw many advances in chemotherapy, serodiagnosis and immunology — special fields to which he contributed greatly. His work abroad with Bordet, Calmette, Ehrlich and Hata, his care of President Coolidge’s son during a fatal illness, his pioneer book on penicillin therapy which brought him the friendship of Sir Alexander Fleming — these facets of a distinguished career will long be remembered by his friends and pupils. 23