January Release of:
The University of Maryland School of Medicine:
The First Two Centuries

Bicentenial Book Makes Debut

The Medical Alumni Association’s publication is getting rave reviews from alumni and faculty. The book, entitled The University of Maryland School of Medicine: The First Two Centuries, traces the growth of the medical school over its 200-year history and includes faculty and alumni contributions in medicine. The MAA Board of Directors staged a reception on December 11 to distribute advance copies to members of the board, alumni past presidents, and members of the staff of Dean E. Albert Reece. More than 75 supporters attended the event, including all but one living past president of the MAA. The event, held at the Maryland Club in downtown Baltimore, was also attended by former dean John M. Dennis, ’45.

In mid-January the book was placed in faculty mailboxes and mailed to all alumni. The senior class received copies during the Match Day celebration on March 15, and the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes are set to receive theirs soon. In addition, the publication was sent to the deans of all 125 medical schools and 150 media outlets.

Maryland Day in Annapolis
January 30

Official recognition of the medical school’s 200th birthday was recognized in Annapolis on January 30. Nearly 100 medical school personnel including administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni gathered at the Miller Senate Office Building for an early morning celebratory breakfast. Speakers included Mike Busch, speaker of the house of delegates, Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr., president of the senate, and university system chancellor William E. Kirwan. Following breakfast, medical school dean Dr. E. Albert Reece and UMB president David J. Ramsay appeared in chambers of the house and senate to hear resolutions honoring the medical school’s tremendous milestone.

Bicentennial Lecture Series Part I: Diabetes
February 26
Hundreds of faculty, staff, students, alumni, grateful patients, and friends of the medical center attended the inaugural bicentennial lecture at the Hippodrome Theatre on February 26. The two-hour program, co-sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical System, focused on diabetes treatment. It included insights into living with the disease from legendary R&B/soul singer Patti LaBelle. Dr. James Shapiro, director of the islet transplantation program at the University of Alberta also spoke during the meeting. Shapiro was a former Maryland fellow under Dr. Stephen T. Bartlett, Maryland’s professor and chair of the department of surgery. Medical school co-hosts included Dr. E. Albert Reece, dean of the medical school, and Dr. Alan Schuldiner, professor of medicine and physiology and medical director for Maryland’s Joslin Center.

Bicentennial Lecture Series Part II: The Enduring Power of Leadership
April 26
7:00–9:00 pm
Hippodrome Theatre
12 N. Eutaw Street

The enduring power of leadership is the topic for our second Hippodrome event. Special guests include baseball Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and Judith Stiehm, PhD, professor of political science at Florida International University and author of the new book Champions of Peace, about the 12 women who have won the Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. Bob Arnot, who is currently working on a documentary about the situation in Sudan, will also speak on his work establishing clinics in war-torn areas of Africa. This lecture is free and open to the public, but tickets are required by visiting the bicentennial website at www.sombicentennial.umaryland.edu or by calling 410.706.2007.

Then, on April 27, medical students will spend the day with Maryland school children to excite them, their teachers, and their guidance counselors in scientific endeavors as well as in careers in medicine and allied health.

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