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

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I years of medical school as a balance of studying and partying. He found that he has stayed in touch with numerous people who he met during those years. However, he describes his third and fourth years as “rough because he and his classmates scattered for rotations and lost some of their cohesive-ness. Dr. Harbison remembers feeling “like a fifth wheel while on his surgical clerkship during his third year of medical school. 'Phis experience and the hardships of his residency shaped his behavior toward medical students. He says, “I want to engage students in surgical experiences and involve them in the decision-making process. 1 want students to be close to the action in the operating room and incorporate students as human beings into the surgical experience. For those who spent time with Dr. Harbison in the operating room, it is obvious that this ideal was a reality. Numerous students have spoken of their fear and anticipation when Dr. Harbison handed them the scalpel to make the opening incision. This is a memory that they will never forget. Even though Dr. Harbison would have loved to stay at Temple Hospital for his residency, he served as 3 resident at Graduate Hospital. Following residency, he headed to New York (the furthest distance he traveled from Broad Street) to the Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center for a surgical on- cology fellowship. While he is fellowship-trained in oncology, Dr. Harbison describes himself as a “general surgeon. He explains that he was attracted to surgical oncology because “it is one area of general surgery that will remain general. I enjoyed general surgery and found oncology to be a good adjunct to this. After his fellowship, Dr. Harbison returned to Graduate Hospital as an attending physician and became very involved in the residency program. In 2003, he returned to his alma mater after being recruited by the chairman of surgery, Dr. Daniel Dempsey. Dr. Harbison relates that he was overjoyed to come to Temple and work with Dr. Dempsey. He adds that Temple is a great place to work and notes that he likes that the dean of the medical school is also a surgeon. It is interesting to note that Dr. Harbison and Dean John Daly share many similarities including their educational journey: both attended LaSalle University for their undergraduate education and Temple University School of Medicine. When asked about his goals as a Temple surgeon, Dr. Harbison keeps it simple, Teaching and good care. In his three years at Temple, Dr. Harbison has learned that human interaction with the medical students and the patients [is] most important. He recounts that he usually starts his patient interactions with a joke which helps build rapport and form a j Apple of his eye: Grace Like father, like son: Connor 6 Temple University School of Medicine

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demonstrated his son was following the right path. While Dr. Harbison spent his school years close to Broad Street attending Abington High School, LaSalle University, and Temple Medical School, he spent his summer vacations down the shore.” He met his wife while lifeguarding and he says that she “lured him into dating with lunch!” While Sue Harbison corroborates his story, she also contends that he “lured” her into staying out later than she usually expected. Sometimes, she remembers they would stay out so late that he had to borrow money from friends to pay the bar tab! They began dating while he was in medical school and have been happily married for twenty years. Twelve years ago, they welcomed a son named Connor into their family and three short years later, their daughter Grace was born. One attribute Sue emphasizes is that Dr. Harbison is a great father. He rides bikes with the kids and reads to them. She says he is capable of getting on their level and understanding them. In turn, Connor and Grace absolutely adore their father. Grace loves reading American Girl books with her dad and shares his love of music. One year she saved her money and bought an Apple iPod nano so that she could be like her father. Now, she and her dad can rock out together! Connor enjoys ocean kayaking with his dad. In the summer of 2005, Dr. Harbison and Connor kayaked to a buoy that was about two miles off Sea Isle, New Jersey. It was a hazy day and they were soon out of sight. Mrs. Harbison was worried and approached the lifeguards about calling the Coast Guard to rescue her husband and son! Needless to say, the Coast Guard was not dispatched and Dr. Harbison and his son had a great time kayaking and safely returned to shore. Dr. Harbison began surfing as a teenager along the coast of New Jersey, yet this sport has continued to enrich his life and taken him to numerous exotic locales: Mexico, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. Dr. Harbison competes in the long-board events as well as vintage surfboard events. While Dr. Harbison participates in about three amateur surfing competitions a year for various charitable organizations, he de- scribes surfing as a “refuge.” He says, “surfing is an activity in which you have to continually respond to the waves and nature and make it look elegant.” He finds the ocean infinitely fascinating” and describes the solitude of surfing as a “euphoric experience.” Among his surfing buddies, he is known appropriately as “Doc.” Dr. Harbison has passed on his love of surfing to his family. Sue Harbison describes herself as a “fair-weather surfer.” For her fortieth birthday, Dr. Harbison bought her a brand-new surfboard. “Surfing is something that the four of us can relate to. It is something that we do together as a family, said Sue. Keep your eyes peeled for the Harbison family in up-coming surf competitions along the New Jersey shore. After all, the family that surfs together stays together! In addition to surfing. Dr. Harbison also enjoys running. He began running with the track team in high school and continued during his first years of college. He has competed in numerous marathons over the years including the Broad Street Run. Only the truly physically fit should try to keep pace with him because he is fast. 1 remember seeing him walking to his car after he finished the race and I still had three miles left to run! Another little known tidbit about Dr. Harbison is that he is a spectacular chef. His wife says that he selects the menu and cooks the food when guests come to visit. His specialty is ribs with his own secret sauce. Sue Harbison says that preparing the ribs is an all day affair, but the work is certainly worth it as two tough food critics - Connor and Grace - give their dad two big thumbs-up! He even has a cookbook for his sole use and covets the recipes in the New York Times each week. After graduating with a degree in Biology from LaSalle University, Dr. Harbison joined the Temple University School of Medicine Class of 1986. He realized in college that he wanted to be a surgeon and medical school helped shape his perspective of the type of surgeon he wanted to be both in and out of the operating room. He describes his first two continued ABOVE: Dr. Harbison looks adorable in a tuxedo! RIGHT: Striking Rcscmb-lence: Napoleon Dynamite or Dr. Sean Harbison?!? ABOVE: Temple University School of Medicine Class of 1986: Dr. Harbison receives his medical school diploma. 2006 skull 5

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BELOW: Winter Surf: Dr. Harbison wears a “full metal jacket, protective gear that keeps the cold water out during a January surf competition. relationship. As physicians, Dr. Harbi-son believes that we need “human-to-human interaction and this cannot be simulated.” Dr. Harbison strives to show students that this is possible and can be successful in a busy place. I found it amusing that Dr. Harbison likened himself to Napoleon Dynamite, a socially awkward nerd from a movie. He describes himself as a person who loved science and excelled in school, two characteristics usually associated with nerddom. He ran track in high school and college, a sport not likely to propel one into the socially elite high school crowd. Yet, he found a way to balance these less socially desirable attributes with lifeguarding, surfing, and surgery. The final product is a self-assured family man who prides himself in educating medical students and providing good care to patients. We, as students, were lucky to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Scan Harbison, whose down-to-earth nature and passion for education and patient care left an indelible mark on us. -Corinne L. Bria, MD BELOW: Beach Babies: Grace Connor, who share their parents’ love for the beach take a break from surfing, kayaking, and enjoying the sun to smile for a picture! Heal with Steel, Save Life with the Knife Time well spent: Dr. Harbison his wife. Sue, enjoy some well-deserved rest relaxation at their beachhouse in Sea Isle, New Jersey! 2006 Skull