University of Michigan Medical and Nursing School - Aequanimitas Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

Page 177 text:

f 'S Yet when all is considered he is still left with the feeling that the core of the medical center should be his education. And because of this feeling, even when tempered by new insight, he becomes angry and a bit synical. Frequently the medical student has been captive to poorly prepared lectures. Too often he has been an interruption in the days research. As a junior he has made ward rounds with a staff that some- times seemed oblivious to his presence. He has taken exams that were verbatim from previous years, knowing that the instructor was not willing to take the time to make up a new exam. Almost daily he has been confronted with programs and in- structors that are inadequate. While in school the medical student tends to see only the negative side of his education. But in later years he will remember with enthusiasm the good instructors and those departments that had enlightened training programs. Ni He will be glad he went to a school that had so many teaching professors and well organized departments. Yet if he forgets the negatives he will be doing his school and profession a disservice. For some day he may bein aposition to remedy the faults and promulgate the strengths he saw as a student, If he remembers that truly good scientists can be excellent teachers too he will seek these men out for new appointments. When he recalls that the good teaching departments were given their impetus by their chairmen he will urge careful selection for these positions. He will know from experience that a good medical school must choose its faculty from the best scientists and clinicians available, but that the final choice of faculty must be determined by enthusiasm, ability and interest in teaching. Sander S. Shapiro '63 23

Page 179 text:

Richard Candide, a senior medical student, had just finished his final day on the wards. The day had been most taxing, Candide had required six cups of coffee. While on the last cup, he met his friend and tutor, Doctor Phillip Pangloss, an instructor in the Department of Nosology. Candide: It has certainly taken us a long time, Dr. Pangloss. One would scarcely imagine four years could pass so slowly. Dr. Pangloss: To me the time seems to have gone rather quickly. Was it really four years ago thatl taught you how to peel the skin from the back ofa corpse? Candide: l imagine more than one friend of medicine has spent his last days on slab forty-four since then. At times, I almost wish I could go through it again, just to tell them how it ought to be done. Pangloss: Friend, you have missed the point. This is the best of all possible medical schools, how could you not know that? If there have been some problems, they are only part of the master pla.n. Medicine will not be easy and simple when you leave the Universityg this is certainly sufficient reason to make things a bit difficult while you remain here. Candide: I see your point, Pangloss. Error is part of our heritage, so we must be certain to make some mistakes now, in order that mistakes will continue to happen in the future. I believe that Iunderstand you completely, But still, I would suggest some changes. Pangloss: What are your grievances, Candide? They cannot be as many, nor as profound, as you would have me believe. Candide: It is too long a list for one evening. Iwill tell you of one incident, though, so that you will realize my sincerity. Consider my classmate, Huntington Orf. When he went to submit his application for a diploma, a secretary in the outer office told him she was very sorry, but he had been dismissed from school after the first year. Something about a delayinthe mails. Hunting- ton was completely shaken by this, so much so that he immediately proposed to Pacquette Coloboma, the most beautiful medical studentinthe school, hoping that she had not yet heard the news. Pacquette said yes, and the ceremony was planned. However, she soon found out about her fiance's recent setback. Deciding that she didn't want to support Huntington, Pacquette ran away to a traveling circus, where she began working as a faith healer. The medical school found out about it when Pacquette tried to put up a billboard in the parking lot g but since no one had noticed that she was skipping all of her classes, Pacquette was told she could continue working for the circus, as long as she didn't receive any money from them. Pangloss: Enough, Candide, enough. At times it is difficult to perceive the master plan, but it is always there. I have only last month been to that same circus and spoken to Miss Coloboma, She told me she is accepting a research grant from the medical school and will shortly return here in the Department of Psychoso- matic Medicine. I offered her my assistance at any time, should she need it. A charming woman, she is certain to do well. Everything is for the best. Candide: True, very true. But these things happen again and again. The administration treats us like pawns, to be moved and ordered about simply to save the hospital time and money. Will they never appreciate that we are brilliant scholars? Pangloss: I assure you, Candide, they appreciate you already. At times, though, this obvious scholarship is scarcely visible. During an afternoon lecture, Ionce offered a dollar to anyone who was awake. . .didn't lose a cent! Only last year we were forced to switch the physical diagnosis class to the cafeteria, because the sophomores all went there anyway. You know yourself that the students' interest is not always what it should be. Candide: You have a point, some of us do take advantage of the Mecca, but only in self-defense. Pangloss: You make it sound like a stand-off, with both the school and the students losing. Tell me, Candide, would you do it again, if you had to start all over, or would you try another school-or perhaps another pro- fession altogether? Candide: Well. . .n0w. . .that's hard to say. Ihaven't thought much about it, but. . yes, Ithinklwould go through it again here, if l had to. But only, you understand, if I could tell them how it ought to be done. . . Maurice B. Landers '63