University of Maryland School of Medicine - Terrae Mariae Medicus (Baltimore, MD)

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I grew shorter and the weather dampened, Lombard and Greene aequired a gray, ashen hue making Davidge appear even more historic. It was difficult to arise on those cold Saturday mornings, even for such performances as Dr. Lisansky’s “grist for your mill” sessions and the “Man and His Environment” series. It was during the latter that some of our more agile, athletic classmates discovered the hidden catacombs of Davidge Hall. As Christmas time ap- proached, urinary steroid excretion rose to un- precedented heights as a practical examination heralded the Yule season. With the precision of a Cape Kennedy countdown, and to the tune of cow- bells, we plodded from station to station identify- ing anatomical and microscopic structures. The festive mood gaily culminated by eake and cookies to honor Dr. Figge’s birthday. These are such pleas- urable memories. With the start of the second semester we shifted our base of operations to the amphitheatre of 21

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To all, every, and eaeh, there is a beginning. This was onr genesis. We converged from various paths, academically and geographically, some faces old, most new. The metamorphosis of student to physician was in its stage of conception. Some were an.xions, most were e.xcited. There were “hig” residents in white uniforms, there were industrious upperclassmen with their black bags — there were great feelings of anticipation. It all seemed so far removed. Little did we realize how rapidly our roles would change. It was warm and humid that day in September, 1962, when the Class of 1966 first convened. Drs. Woodward, Krause, and Krantz greeted 127 personalities, eighteen of us would be absent at graduation four years hence. The moods varied as we entered those first few days. Some were still frolicking college seniors, others were champing to get started. Amidst the decor of Davidge Hall, we were introduced to Drs. Figge, LeVeque, Krahl, and Crispens, four men who be- came our close friends and associates over the en- suing years. There were others also, such as the Powdermakers and the Wilsons, and the two kind, sweet ladies at the bookstore. We rapidly discovered how cognizant we were of Ruth, Gehrig and Hubbell, and of our ignorance concerning Watson, Crick, Tatum and Beadle. There were others with whom we became very well acquainted; names such as Sobotta, Wood- burne. Ham, and Ranson and Clark, were intimate escorts along the path of knowledge. The onset of classes introduced another personality, one which most shall never forget as this gentleman shall reign as one of the most stimulating professors ever to ascend our podia. I speak of Dr. Walle Nauta. The days passed rapidly as we progressed from axilla to thorax. Thanksgiving approached, a four day break, a return to inquiring families, but only after we were confronted with that first exam, com- pletely bedecked with holiday frills. As the days 20

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Davidge Hall, and we soon realized that our spoons were left behind. The main course of the biological sciences lay aheatl, as we began to taste the Iriiits ol Physiology and Biochemistry, To many ot us this was to he the most difficult semester of our training. From a.xon to tubule, from peptide linkage to oxida- tive phosphorylation, we learned of the basic units of life. Only as seniors were some of us to realize the importance of these matters — that this was and is the medicine of the future. We learned to take notes in the dark, and became accustomed to the shuffling of galoshes. We were experts upon the topic of confusion. In time, however, the mosaic presented an image. We were beginning to under- stand. We now know that man, perhaps, shall never completely understand. And so, the first year terminated. There were many new friends, bonds that were to remain for the ensuing years, and possibly for years to come. We were beginning to mature. We were taught and taught well, only ourselves to blame for our short- comings. These are pleasant recollections. 22