Med School celebrates 50 years

By Gary Norwood Hermann

The UK College of Medicine celebrated its 50th anniversary by looking back at its success and ahead to the future. To commemorate the milestone, the college held its Academic Convocation and Awards Day, as well as the Munich Memorial Lecuture in the Hospital Auditorium.

This year’s Munich Memorial lecturer was Dr. Lois Nora, the former president of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy and dean emeritus of the College of Medicine. She also served as associate dean of Academic Affairs and Administration at the UK College of Medicine, as well as professor of Neurology and Law.

“So much has changed in the eight years since I’ve been here,” Nora said. “The UK College of Medicine is poised for great things. The healthcare system has dramatically changed. The leadership of the medical center and college have prepared this institute to be a leader in the transition.”

Nora also had high praise for President Lee Todd’s commitment to the UK Medical Center.

“In 10 years he will look back with pride knowing how this place flourished under his leadership,” she said.

In her lecture, Nora said she wanted to “link the past 50 years to the next 50.” She profiled four people currently or formerly associated with UK who influenced her and set an example for the College of Medicine’s coming years.

The first person she mentioned was Dr. Edmund Pellegrino. He set an example for making medicine a moral undertaking, Nora said.

Nora said Dr. Jacqueline Noonan was noted for making people think about the school’s attitude.

“She was an uncommon person with a common touch,” Nora said.

Wanda Whitehouse was an administrative assistant. She set an example of “how important teams are and that team success is our success,” said Nora. Dr. Richard Schwartz was the last person singled out by Nora.

“He reminds us that we may not have 50 years,” said Nora. She believes Schwartz shows how to, “find our passion and use it everyday.”

Fifty years from now, Nora believes UK will still set an example for medical schools.

“The country looks to the UK College of Medicine to ‘show us how to do it,” she said.