West Virginia University School of Medicine - Pylon Yearbook (Morgantown, WV)

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Husband hm- Visionary Animal Lover Researcher Gourmet

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In dedicating the 1977 PYLON to Dr. Stanley Shane, perhaps the best summation of his ideals and his work comes from Dr. E. B. Flink, his colleague and friend: Dr. Stanley Shane is a man of many superlative human qualities. He is a sensitive, compassionate, humor- ous , and generous person . A devoted father and husband in full support of his children , his hours away from the Med Center are devoted to family camping and skiing excursions. Certainly he is one of the busiest physicians in our hospital ! Dr. Shane has been a leading member of the Department of Medicine in its whole gamut of activities. A fierce competitor, first with himself and then with others, he has creative ideas and manages to do clinical investigation in addition to his overwhelming work load. He is imaginative and very intelligent, but he never tries to impress others with his knowledge or ability. Anyone who has read his terse, incisive and readable notes in charts can understand why he is a very much sought after medical consultant. Dr. Shane really is a very special person - a genuine human being .

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THE OA TH OF MAI MON IDES The eternal providence has appointed me watch over the life and health of Thy creatures. May the love for my art actuate me at all times; may neither avarice nor miserliness, nor thirst for glory, or for a great repu- tation engage my mind; for the enemies of truth and philanthrophy could easily deceive me and make me forgetful of my lofty aim of doing good to Thy children. May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain. Grant me strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowl- edge is immense, and the spirit of man can extend infinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements. Today he can discover his errors of yesterday and tomorrow he may obtain a new light on what he thinks sure of today. » i s. ( QI2 ) 0, God, Thou has appointed me to watch over the life and death of Thy creatures; here am 1 ready for my vocation, and now I turn unto my calling. Moses ben Maimon (better known as Maimonides), was born in Cordova, Spain in 1135. Early in life a religious war in Spain forced his family to flee to Africa, with final refuge in Fostat (old Cairo) Egypt, where he began his study and practice of medicine. His skill as a physician and his broad knowledge of medicine was so respected that eventually he became physician to Saladin, Sultan of Egypt. Despite this high position, he continued to care for patients from all walks of life. His parallel interests in religion and philosophy led to his appointment as the spiritual head of Egyptian Jewry. Maimonides recognized the limited scope of the physician ' s skills, knowledge, and ability to heal. He abundantly displayed modesty, humility, and sterling moral character, together with medical talents of such obvious quality that he was referred to as prince of physicians. Nevertheless, he humbly sought divine guidance in fulfilling his medical and spiritual duties TO and FOR his fellow man. He transcended his egocentric needs and urged his medical colleagues to be concerned over every patient, humanely, with love and mercy, regardless of station in life. His oath acknowledges human limitations and prays for strength, wisdom, and knowledge to enable the physician to alleviate pain and allay the suffering of his patients.