The radio, the scalpel, the Internet ? a lot has changed in 200 years of American medicine.
The first public medical school in The United States, University of Maryland School of Medicine kicked off its 200th year Wednesday as the current and former deans joked about what advancements to “fill in” founder John Beale Davidge on since his tenure ended in 1822.
Davidge, played by a re-enactor in high collar and buckled shoes, nodded appreciatively as 30th Dean E. Albert Reece listed the school?s accomplishments, including leading a field of 75 other public medical schools and netting $350 million last year for research.
“I think we can say that the university of Maryland School of Medicine is right up there with the Ivy League medical institutes not just in age, but quality as well,” said University System of Maryland Chancellor William Kirwan. “I look forward to many events over the next year as we celebrate both the past and the future of this great institution.”
When the university was founded, the city of Baltimore was 10 years old and plagued with yellow fever. The kitchen knife was a common surgical instrument.
Now, the school educates and trains more than half of Maryland?s practicing physicians and generates $22 of economic activity for every $1 invested by the state, according to school information.
And former Dean Donald Wilson detailed several decades of improvements to the diversity of the school?s students and studies. “Much of our great demand is because of increasing diversity.”
Key events from the University of Maryland School of Medicine?s bicentennial year:
» Jan. 30: Annapolis Day with the General Assembly, new governor and University System of Maryland leadership
» Feb. 26: Bicentennial lecture series Part I: Diabetes
» April 26: Bicentennial lecture series Part II: The Enduring Power of Leadership
» May 17 and 18: bicentennial commencement ceremonies
