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

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TO With Dr. Soloff and members of the Radiology Department of Temple, he became a pioneer in the developing field of angiocardiography. These workers made significant strides in developing and perfecting the techniques and describing the classical findings in a variety of cardiac lesions. diseases of the chest. While still a medical student he also developed a lasting interest in the use of radiology as a diagnostic tool. In 1944 he earned his degree of Doctor of Medicine, and at graduation exercises was awarded the faculty prize for attaining the highest average in the senior year. During his internship at the Jewish Hospital of Philadelphia (now Albert Einstein Medical Center. North Division) he was stricken with tuberculosis and became a patient at the Eagle-ville Sanatorium. Two years were spent there in a dual role as patient and resident in diseases of the chest. Frequently he made rounds in a bathrobe and was known as “Dr. Z to his fellow patients. He recalls with amusement having often resuscitated patients who had suffered air embolism during therapeutic pneumothorax, then submitting with some apprehension, to the same treatment. His interest in radiology was nurtured while at Eagleville for he often fluoroscoped as many as fifty patients in a day. In 1947 he returned to Temple as a resident in internal medicine and was certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1952. The same Board gave him its certification in Cardiovascular Diseases in 1958. A member of the staffs of Temple and Episcopal Hospital since 1950. he serves now as Clinical Professor of Medicine at Temple, and Teaching Chief in Medicine at Episcopal. 6

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I N the course of a medical education, transition from the accumulation of knowledge in the basic sciences to its application in the clinical evaluation and treatment of human disease represents a major milestone. For the medical student, a crucial factor in his attempt to bridge this gap is a solid foundation in the fundamentals of physical diagnosis. For if that foundation be firm, upon it may be built (through the daily observation of patients and a continued program of academic study of disease) the ability to recognize the specific pathology at hand and therefore to initiate a sound plan of management to correct it. We were particularly fortunate in having for a subject so vital, one well fitted for the task of presenting it to us. The problems of enlisting the best men in the respective departments to speak to us each Saturday, and insuring their presence in the classroom on the appointed day, doubtlessly consumed considerable time and effort. Added to these problems were those of making the necessary arrangements for our weekly treks into the various clinical departments of Temple and its affiliated hospitals. His avid pursuit of the principles and techniques of bedside diagnosis led to a collection of observations which were presented to us in clear, concise, and highly informative lectures and were later published as a text, Notes on Physical Diagnosis. Our ovation on the last Saturday of our Sophomore year was perhaps the loudest, longest, and most sincere we have yet given. But this man’s service to us goes beyond his course in physical diagnosis. As juniors some of us met with him again during our clinical clerkship in medicine at the Episcopal Hospital. There he assumed the responsibility for one of the medical wards in order that the patients be available to us. He conducted daily teaching rounds with enthusiasm, and forcefully drove home the artful application of bedside medicine. This year he conducted an elective in medicine for seniors at their request. Hence it seems fitting that we consider the background of this man who logs such an amazing number of hours in student contact and instruction. He was born in Philadelphia on October 8. 1920; and in early youth he set his goal at becoming a physician. He was an honor student at Central High School and Temple University where he acquired a B.A. degree in Chemistry in 1941. He became a medical student at Temple the following September. During his student years he decided that his particular interest was in the field of 5

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JACOB ZATUCHNI, M.D. In addition to his textbook, this prolific writer has authored or co-authored a total of seventy-five articles dealing with a host of medical problems ranging from Ebstein's disease and cardiac planigraphy to thiazide diuretics. At present his research activity is focused on gathering clinical data concerning a new diuretic agent, ethacrynic acid. The rosters of the Pyramid Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha, and Sigma Xi include his name, as do a number of medical societies including the American College of Physicians and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. A large amount of his non-professional time is consumed by the application of his philosophy of continuing education. Several hours daily are spent in perusing the current medical literature. A cross-referenced file which he began in his junior year of medical school has become a voluminous source of readily available, detailed information on an infinite variety of medical problems. He has recently taken up golf and enjoys getting out on the links for recreation. In addition, he enjoys traveling with his family: his wife, Evie, and their four children. Stephen, age 16, Dory 15, Beth 13, and Michael 9. Together they have travelled extensively through the United States and abroad. He speaks with fondness of his wife's understanding of the large amount of time he devotes to medicine, to Temple, and to medical students. That this necessarily separates them in time and space is made more bearable by her encouragement and a common dedication to his ideals. To our private, oft unspoken admiration of his philosophy we now add this tangible evidence of our appreciation for a man who has dedicated his life to fostering continuing education in clinical and academic medicine — the dedication of this 1965 Skull to Dr. Jacob Za-tuchni. 7