Message from the Dean
Journey Begins for Class of 2003
“The education of the doctor, which goes on after he has
his degree,
is, after all, the most important part of his education.”
– John Shaw Billings, MD
The Hoosier-born Dr. Billings knew a thing or two about the value
of a medical education. He rightly discerned the cap-and-gown experience
marks only the beginning in the physician’s lifelong journey.
This is the path taken by Laurie and Taha Shipchandler, a married
couple who have distinguished themselves in their four years at
IUSM. They were among the students, faculty and staff to be inducted
recently into Alpha Omega Alpha, a national honor medical society.
They now are advancing their education at Moi University in Kenya,
working with IU and local physicians.
Next month, the Shipchandlers will return to Indianapolis and join
their classmates to receive their medical degrees. And not long
after this milestone, they will pack their belongings and head to
Cleveland where Taha will do a residency in otolaryngology and head
and neck surgery; Laurie’s residency will be in pediatrics.
They are two of many fine IUSM graduates whose level of achievement
today foretells the contributions they will make in their careers.
I am unabashedly proud of the Class of 2003 and all their accomplishments.
Medical school demands a tremendous amount of true grit; boundless
motivation to maneuver four years of lectures, labs and clinical
training; and the enthusiasm and inquisitiveness to know that asking
the right questions sometimes is more important than reciting the
correct answers.
Our competency-based curriculum, which interweaves traditional
course work and clinical experiences, is a perfect example of Dr.
Billings’ admonition. (Please see Viewpoint, p. 17.) I am
confident all agree these competencies represent the true essence
of medicine and are the attributes that make it a profession rather
than just a job or a business.
Lately our profession has become threatened. This makes it all
the more important to imbue our students, faculty and staff with
the conviction that medicine is a calling that not only implies
but demands a commitment to others and to the profession itself.
On Mother’s Day, with families and friends looking on, we
will attest that each member of the Class of 2003 has grasped the
rigorous fundamentals of medicine. Amidst the joy, congratulations
and also the sadness of parting, more than one graduate will be
greeted with “What’s up doc?” It goes with the
turf.
From the century past, Dr. Billings reminds us of what lies ahead
for them. The Class of 2003 is beginning the most important part
of their medical education. We have the utmost confidence in them
– and we will continue to find new ways to ensure their successors
also live up to the highest standards of our profession.
D. Craig Brater, MD
Dean and Walter J. Daly Professor
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