Abraham Verghese, MD

     THE 2007 BICENTENNIAL convocation was a festive and exciting occasion. It started with a scholarships and awards breakfast on May 17. Later that day, graduation ceremonies were held for students in the physical therapy and rehabilitation science, medical and research technology and genetic counseling programs. Fifty-three students in the physical therapy and rehabilitation science program received doctoral degrees (doctor of science in physical therapy, transitional doctor of physical therapy and doctor of physical therapy). Twenty-nine medical and research technology students received BS and MS degrees, and post baccalaureate certificates. Eight genetic counseling students received master of science degrees.

The next day—May 18—was pre-commencement convocation for the medical school and graduation for the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Pre-commencement convocation was held at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall for 157 graduating medical students and their families and friends. Graduation nicely coincided with the alumni reunion; so the school’s 200th anniversary was commemorated with a standing-room-only crowd, augmented by alumni from each class as far back as 1934, who were part of the procession and platform party, and a record number of faculty who attended as part of their academic citizenship requirement.

L-R: Dean E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, stands with the three School of Medicine deans who directly preceded him; Donald E. Wilson, MD, MACP, John M. Dennis, ’45, and John H. Moxley, III, MD.

The special guest speaker, chosen by the graduating students, was Abraham Verghese, MD, distinguished chair in medicine and the distinguished professor of ethics at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio. He is also the founding director of the center for medical humanities and ethics at the university. Verghese, a writer, humanist and practicing physician, talked about the importance of the human touch in practicing medicine in the 21st century.

Also in attendance at convocation were representatives from the four private medical schools that are older than Maryland. Representing the four Ivy League private schools were: Alan Wasserstein, MD, vice dean for faculty affairs, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1765), Lanny G. Close, MD, Howard W. Smith Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (1767), Daniel D. Federman, MD, senior dean for alumni relations and clinical teaching, and the Carl W. Walter Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, Harvard Medical School (1782), and Charles Mannix, JD, associate dean and chief operating officer, Dartmouth Medical School (1797). Dr. Darrell Kirch, president of the Association of American Medical Schools, represented the remaining 120 American medical schools.
Dean Reece also shared the stage with the three deans who preceeded him: Dr. Donald E. Wilson (1991–2006), Dr. John M. Dennis (1973–1990) and Dr. John H. Moxley, III (1969–1973). The four represent 37 of the 200 years of enduring leadership at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Thomas Scalea, MD

Could President Abraham Lincoln survive a gunshot wound from an assassin’s bullet if it had occurred in 2007 instead of 1865, due to modern advances in trauma care? If so, what would have been the impact on history? Those questions were the focus of the 13th annual Historical Clinicopathological Conference (CPC) sponsored by the Medical Alumni Association, University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System in Baltimore.

Held in historic Davidge Hall, this annual conference is devoted to the modern medical diagnosis of disorders that affected prominent historical figures. More than 300 alumni, faculty members, students and local history buffs attended the CPC, one of the alumni association’s reunion programs.

President Lincoln sustained a massive head wound after the bullet from John Wilkes Booth’s derringer entered the back of his head and stopped just behind his left eye, destroying the left side of the brain in the process. Thomas M. Scalea, MD, professor, department of surgery, director, program in trauma, and physician-in-chief at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, explained how Lincoln would be treated at Shock Trauma, home of the world’s first dedicated trauma center, opened in 1968.

Tom Scalea, MD, professor of surgery, Sharon Henry, MD, associate professor of surgery, and Governor Martin O’Malley

Maryland governor Martin O’Malley at the gala

Scalea said he believed there is little question that President Lincoln would have been disabled. But he believes that if Lincoln had been brought to the Shock Trauma Center in 2007, his survival, while not guaranteed, would have been a very reasonable expectation.

Philip A. Mackowiak, ’70, professor and vice chair, department of medicine, and director of medical care at the VA Maryland Health Care System, created the Historical CPC in 1995. He has authored a new book, Post Mortem: Solving History’s Great Medical Mysteries, which re-examines 12 of the cases that have been presented at these Historical CPCs.

On Friday May 18th, 1400 people descended upon the Baltimore Convention Center to celebrate the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s bicentennial. The black-tie gala was attended by faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends, many of whom were in town for commencement and reunion weekend activities. From 6:30 p.m., through midnight and beyond, the crowd was wined, dined and entertained, in a period setting that was befitting this unique event. Dean Reece welcomed special guests, including Maryland governor Martin O’Malley, Maryland House of Delegates Speaker of the House Michael Busch, and former Maryland state senator Francis X. Kelly.

Comedian Dennis Miller

Bicentennial gala honorary co-chairs Melvin Sharoky, ’76 (far left) and his wife, Alexias (far right), enjoy the night’s festivities with Richard Colgan, MD, associate professor of family & community medicine, and wife Deborah

In the ballroom, the stage was set with a near-exact replica of the façade of Davidge Hall. From there, the program began with welcome remarks from Dean Reece, a special appearance by medical school founder John Beale Davidge (portrayed by actor Alan Wade), followed by a speech by Governor O’Malley and remarks by honorary co-chairs Melvin Sharoky, ’76, and wife Alexias. Entertainment was provided after dinner by comedian Dennis Miller. Known for his candor, Mr. Miller’s quick wit and rants kept the crowd laughing while he covered topics ranging from politics to pollution.

Willarda V. Edwards, ’77, with Vernon R. McIntyre

Dessert was presented in the reception area where the band Stevie V & The Heart Attackers hit the stage and opened the dance floor. Led by Stephen Valenti, ’78, they played a selection of hits from the 50s to the present including rock, soul, Top 40, and swing. Over the past nine years, Stevie V & The Heart Attackers have performed only once per year at a local fundraiser called Heartfest. But, since the band is comprised of many University of Maryland School of Medicine alumni, they not only agreed to help celebrate the bicentennial in grand fashion, but performed pro bono.

The bicentennial gala was made possible by generous corporate, department and alumni sponsors. The Medical Alumni Association of the University of Maryland, Inc, served as the presenting sponsor of the event; Whiting-Turner, was the platinum bicentennial sponsor; and gold sponsors included Mercantile Bank; Provident Bank; Somerset Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; The University of Maryland Medical System; University Physicians, Inc.; and James Frenkil, ’37 and wife Carolyn McGuire Frenkil. Profits from the gala will help the University of Maryland Fund for Medicine assist the school’s missions in medical education, biomedical research, patient care and community service.