The Smartest and Most Promising: A History of the Emory School of Medicine

others, has been miraculous: an almost limitless opportunity for growth and excellence far surpassing early visions.

Since the outset, aspirational souls never relinquished belief in the necessity and potential for what one long-serving dean called “the kind of school of which we have all dreamed.”

This history reveals the spectacular realization of that dream.

College and the Emory University School of Medicine, practiced medicine in the Emory Clinic, where he specialized in gynecology and obstetrics and taught in the School of Medicine until his retirement in 1995. Before his death in January 2023, Dr. Hendee worked actively on this book until its submission to the publisher.

Juha P. Kokko, MD, PhD, served as the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Medicine and chair of the Department of Medicine from 1986 until 1999, when he became associate dean for clinical research. Retiring in 2002, he is now professor emeritus.

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

T

his book traces the distinguished history of the Emory University School of Medicine from its inception to the cur-

rent day and highlights the intellect, strength, endurance, and hard work of the many who

A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

Armand E. Hendee, MD, an alumnus of Emory

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING

(Continued from front flap)

planned and built an internationally renowned health sciences center. From its earliest days as a small “practitioner’s school” struggling to stay afloat, the Emory University School of Medicine has followed a path to its current place of eminence in teaching, patient care, and research.

Born of the merger and acquisition of several predecessor medical schools in Atlanta, Georgia, the Emory University School of Medicine began its odyssey in 1915, as the college and university took hold in the dynamic capital of a burgeoning New South.

After years of slow but determined growth and diligent efforts by faculty, administration— and yes, students—the school in the 1930s, in the depth of the Great Depression, received a significant boost in its upward trajectory from the benefaction of Robert W. Woodruff.

ARMAND E. HENDEE , MD

Emory SOM_DUST JACKET.indd 1

JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD

Printed in South Korea

His initial goal had been to establish a cancer clinic for the southeastern United States. What

ARMAND E. HENDEE, MD, AND JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD WITH GARY S. HAUK, PhD; SALLY WOLFF KING, PhD; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

resulted from his munificence to the University over time, combined with the deep generosity of the Rollins Foundation and thousands of (Continued on rear flap)

7/7/23 1:30 PM

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING

The pink and gray Georgia marble Anatomy and Physiology Buildings were the first home of the medical school on the new Emory campus and welcomed the school to the campus in 1917. Photo credit: Emory University Office of Alumni Publications Photographs, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University. Photography by F. & L. Photo Service.

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING A History of the Emory University School of Medicine ARMAND E. HENDEE, MD, AND JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD with GARY S. HAUK, PhD; SALLY WOLFF KING, PhD; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

D E D I C AT I O N In memory of Armand E. Hendee, MD 1924–2023 with gratitude and admiration

The new James B. Williams Medical Education Building, opened in 2007, joins the original Anatomy and Physiology Buildings and made possible a new and modernized curriculum. Courtesy of Emory University.

Photography by Jack Kearse.

A night view of the James B. Williams Medical Education Building, illuminated by the driving discipline and noble purpose of the medical school—at work while others sleep. Emory University Photo Video/Kay Hinton.

“ O N LY T H E S M A R T E S T A N D M O S T P R O M I S I N G …”

I remember from the late 1930s and the 1940s, my boyhood in Atlanta, with what esteem everyone (adults who passed their opinions on to the children) held Emory doctors. When we thought of Emory, we did not associate the name with the University as a whole but strictly with the Emory Medical School. We were proud of it to the point almost of reverence. If you wanted to brag on your physician, you might do so by commenting, “He went to Emory,” meaning the Emory Medical School. We knew that Emory chose only the smartest and most promising to train. ​ William B.​Dillingham, PhD Candler Professor of American Literature Emeritus Emory University

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING

A History of the Emory University School of Medicine Copyright © 2023 by Emory University School of Medicine.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from: Emory University School of Medicine 100 Woodruff Circle Atlanta, Georgia 30322 Project Managers Gary S. Hauk, PhD Sally Wolff King, PhD Dasi Robbins Sylvia Wrobel, PhD Contributors S. Wright Caughman, MD Carlos del Rio, MD Raymond J. Dingledine, PhD J. William Eley, MD, MPH Russell French, JD Gary S. Hauk, PhD Armand E. Hendee, MD Ronnie Jowers, MBA Sally Wolff King, PhD Juha P. Kokko, MD, PhD Thomas J. Lawley, MD Charles Harvey ”Pete” McTier W. Clyde Partin Jr., MD, FACP David S. Stephens, MD Vikas P. Sukhatme, MD, ScD William J. Todd Nanette K. Wenger, MD, MACC, MACP, FAHA Sylvia Wrobel, PhD Bookhouse Development Bookhouse Group, Inc. Covington, Georgia www.bookhouse.net Editor Rob Levin Book Design Amy Thomann Production and Archival Management Renée Peyton Project Manager Stacy Moser Index Shoshana Hurwitz ISBN: 979-8-3507-1509-5 Printed in South Korea

The renovated Anatomy Building represents both the long history of the school—where entering students were serenaded by upperclassmen on the second floor—and its commitment to education for the complex medicine of today and the future. Photo credit: Malka Robbins.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Emory University gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Ma-Ran Foundation in making possible the publication of this book about the history of the Emory University School of Medicine.

We appreciate the contributions of the individuals and entities who supported this book:

Ma-Ran Foundation Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Charles Harvey “Pete” McTier, trustee emeritus of Emory University and former president of the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation The late Armand E. Hendee, MD, professor emeritus of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine Bo Hendee, Nancy Hendee Wilen, and Becky Hendee Blalock Mrs. Charles R. Hatcher Jr. (Phyllis) W. Clyde Partin Jr., MD, FACP, Gary W. Rollins Professorship and professor of medicine, Emory University School of Medicine Sally A. West, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Emory University School of Medicine The late Carter Smith Jr., MD, clinical associate in internal medicine, Emory University; former member of the Emory University Board of Governors; former president of the Emory Medical Alumni Association; and former chair of the Emory University Board of Visitors

We are thankful to the Emory University School of Medicine History Book Advisory Committee for their oversight of this project. The members are: Daniel L. Barrow, MD Stephen D. Clements Jr., MD Carlos del Rio, MD Gilbert Grossman, MD Gary S. Hauk, PhD The late Armand E. Hendee, MD Sheryl Heron, MD, MPH, FACEP Gregory H. Jones, EdD, MBA, MSC Ronnie Jowers, MBA Sally Wolff King, PhD Juha P. Kokko, MD, PhD Charles Harvey “Pete” McTier Nelson Oyesiku, MD, PhD, FACS W. Clyde Partin Jr., MD, FACP Nancy Runner The late Carter Smith Jr., MD Gary L. Teal, MBA Nanette K. Wenger, MD, MACC, MACP, FAHA William C. Wood, MD Sylvia Wrobel, PhD

Jack Kearse, Hallie Edwards, and the staff of Emory Photo Video

(contributing authors listed at the back of the book)

Sandra Franklin, Ashley Stevens, and the staff of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library

Special thanks to Ms. Hadassah “Dasi” Robbins for her technological expertise.

John Bence, university archivist, and the staff of the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University Wyatt Kane Photography, Atlanta, GA Ariel Kaminetzky

Special thanks to the late Evangeline Papageorge, PhD, for her previous work toward a book on the history of the Emory University School of Medicine.

Contents xiii Preface

ARMAND E. HENDEE, MD

xvii Introduction

JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD

1 Chapter 1 Formative Years GARY S. HAUK, PhD

7 Chapter 2 Surviving the Depression and War to Build on the Foundation GARY S. HAUK, PhD, AND W. CLYDE PARTIN JR., MD, FACP

29 Chapter 3 “The Kind of School of Which We Have All Dreamed”: The School of Medicine in the Pivotal 1950s GARY S. HAUK, PhD; SALLY WOLFF KING, PhD; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

43 Chapter 4 A Life in Medicine: Reflections ARMAND E. HENDEE, MD, AND NANETTE K. WENGER, MD, MACC, MACP, FAHA

57 Chapter 5 The Emory University School of Medicine in Prose and Poetry W. CLYDE PARTIN JR., MD, FACP

71 Chapter 6 “With Optimism and Confidence”: The Emory University School of Medicine in the 1960s GARY S. HAUK, PhD; SALLY WOLFF KING, PhD; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

79 Chapter 7 The Partnership of the Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Memorial Hospital GARY S. HAUK, PhD; THOMAS J. LAWLEY, MD; CARLOS DEL RIO, MD; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

87 Chapter 8 “Custodians of the Past” and “Vehicles for Change”: The Emory University School of Medicine in the 1970s GARY S. HAUK, PhD; SALLY WOLFF KING, PhD; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

97 Chapter 9

135 Chapter 10 Building Big for the New Vision RONNIE JOWERS, MBA

145 Chapter 11 From Excellence to Eminence: 2013 to the Present DAVID S. STEPHENS, MD, AND VIKAS P. SUKHATME, MD, ScD

166 Deans of the Emory University School of Medicine 169 Epilogue

JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD

171 Contributors 176 Endnotes 180 Index

The Transformative Years, 1980–2013: Strategy, Structure, and Serendipity THOMAS J. LAWLEY, MD; S. WRIGHT CAUGHMAN, MD; RAYMOND J. DINGLEDINE, PhD; J. WILLIAM ELEY, MD, MPH; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

The James B. Williams Medical Education Building, named in honor of James B. "Jimmy" Williams, long-time chair of the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center Board of Trustees, joins the original, renovated Anatomy and Physiology Buildings, renamed in honor of the late Charles and Peggy Evans, generous donors to the School of Medicine.

Emory University Photo Video/Stephen Nowland.

Photograph from the 1914 Aesculapian yearbook, courtesy of Maggie Chesnutt.

Photography by Wyatt Kane, Atlanta, GA.

Preface

BY ARMAND E. HENDEE, MD

T

his book covers the growth of the Emory University School of Medicine from the

seedling ‌ planted shortly after the founding of Atlanta through its early years in Druid Hills ‌ and up to recent developments, with a look into the future. I wanted to write the

preface to this book because it has been my privilege to have had a long, close relationship with Emory and the School of Medicine.

When I arrived at Emory on July 1, 1943, as a

I feel a deep sense of reward in having had a

transfer student to Emory College, I already had

small role in the almost miraculous success of the

been accepted to the School of Medicine after grad-

Emory University School of Medicine. Recently, I vis-

uation the following year. The world was at war, and

ited the Emory campus and enjoyed a brief tour of

the country had not yet recovered from the Great

the James B. Williams Medical Education Building,

Depression. The Emory University School of Medi-

the main teaching facility of the medical campus.

cine was heavily burdened by a lack of resources,

I was amazed at the design of the building, which

hindering its quest to reach its full potential. That

had been thoughtfully planned to suit the new cur-

began to change, however. Over the next decades,

riculum and advanced technology for teaching and

I witnessed the changes enabled by the generous

learning in the twenty-first century. I thanked my

philanthropy of Robert W. Woodruff, the Rollins

guide and went alone onto the deck that stretches

family, and many others who had a vision and pas-

across the front of the building and overlooks the

sion for excellence in the health sciences at Emory

two buildings, clad in pink Georgia marble, that

and particularly the School of Medicine.

made up the School of Medicine when the Anatomy

Leadership at all levels of the University and the

and Physiology buildings opened on the campus

school has been outstanding, and a good cross sec-

in 1917. I was using my cane and went to the front

tion of these men and women have contributed to

railing of the terrace to be out of the way of passing

this book through their writing or interviews. Lead-

students, faculty, and staff going about with their

ers who have passed on will be remembered here

books and laptops. I noticed the diversity of gen-

and thanked for their contributions to the School

der and race, a vast difference from the White and

of Medicine.

mostly male class I was part of. An Asian woman

xiii

The Smartest and Most Promising | A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

asked if she could help me. I assured her that I was

the first full-time chair of medicine at Emory;

all right and enjoying some memories of the past.

Heinz Weens, MD, who had fled Nazi Germany and

As I looked down to the front steps of the Anat-

launched the radiology program at Grady Memo-

omy Building, I saw, in my reverie, my medical school

rial Hospital; Walter Sheldon, MD, a professor of

class gathered there for a group photograph. It was

pathology and also a refugee from Germany; James

a day in early September 1944, and we were wearing

Edgar Paullin, MD, who had urged the Atlanta Med-

our long, white coats (anatomy laboratory gowns) as

ical College to merge with Emory University; and

a badge of honor. We were excited, nervous, longing

many others whose stories are in this book.

Later, after beginning my career in gynecology

for success, and anticipating a long, hard road.

The daily news of the world war brought a sense

and obstetrics, I had the benefit of working with

of deep concern and urgency to the task ahead. One

remarkable medical administrators and people of

day during my sophomore year, four classmates

vision who sought to build a great health sciences

and I were instructed to go to the office of the pres-

center in the Southeast. These included John Cross,

ident of Emory University to receive our bachelor

MD, who had left his private practice to become the

of science degrees for having completed all of the

chair of gynecology and obstetrics and recruited

requirements. We went to the office of President

me as an instructor at a salary of $5,000; his suc-

Goodrich C. White, put a record player on his secre-

cessor, Dan Thompson, MD, who appointed me as

tary’s desk, and marched to the tune of “Pomp and

deputy chief of the division; and Charles R. Hatcher

Circumstance.” President White laughed, bestowed

Jr., MD, a legendary cardiothoracic surgeon and

the degrees, congratulated us, and wished us well

brilliant administrator.

Through Elliott Scarborough, MD, the first

and good luck in our careers.

We were on our way back to the medical cam-

long-serving director of the Emory Clinic, I was

pus when I stopped and asked the others to go on

introduced to the family of the great Emory

because I suddenly remembered that President

benefactor Robert W. Woodruff, who, with his

White had lost his son during the war. We five stu-

friend Robert Mizell and later associates, set out to

dents had been deferred to safety to study medicine,

help Emory build a great medical center that was

while the son of the president of Emory University

anchored by a world-class medical school.

had given his life for his country. Surely, this conge-

Eight decades after beginning my journey at

nial president was like the laughing clown weeping

Emory, I have the marvelous blessing of being able to

behind his mask. I wanted to go back to his office

look back on the evolution of my alma mater. What

and say something, but I did not. I just sat there

was for me a school to train medical practitioners

praying that somehow, in some way, I would be

has become a dynamic, vast, and transformative

worthy of the deferment to safety.

enterprise of teaching, research, and patient care

During the next few years, I had the privilege

whose impact is felt around the world. This book

of studying with some excellent professors. These

tells the story of that evolution. I am proud to have

included mentors who would become legendary:

been part of this book, and I want to be part of shar-

physician–teachers such as Eugene Stead, MD,

ing it with you.

xiv

Photo credit: Dasi Robbins/Emory University.

James B. Williams Medical Education Building.

Emory University Photo Video/Stephen Nowland.

Introduction

BY JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD

T

he field of medicine is a greatly rewarding and satisfying profession that leads to

careers ‌ in clinical practice, education, and research, always requiring new learning ‌ about the latest technologies for unraveling the etiology of diseases and offering

cures. As is true in many professions, significant developmental changes have taken place in medical schools, including the Emory University School of Medicine. This book explores the history of the school from its founding in the wake of chaotic and successive mergers of several Atlanta medical schools to its current role as an essential component of a distinguished major academic medical center, the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center at Emory University.

With a threefold mission of teaching, clinical

degree, and thus, these schools shepherd the entry

care, and research, the Emory University School

of physicians into health-care fields. An optimal

of Medicine has experienced advances in recent

curriculum ensures that students become compe-

decades that simply are dazzling. This book high-

tent in understanding the etiology of diseases at

lights the changes that already have occurred in the

the basic levels and later in using this knowledge

quest for excellence as well as those that are planned

on clinical wards and in practice settings to deliver

for the future. The faculty, students, and administra-

compassionate care. The coupling of basic sciences

tion of the School of Medicine, as well as the Emory

with clinical care is an essential part of medical

University Board of Trustees, continuously explore

education. For example, insulin can correct serum

ways to improve their tripartite mission, colloqui-

acidosis. Thus, when a diabetic patient comes in

ally known as “the three-legged stool.” The history

with ketoacidosis, the administration of insulin

of the school is an exciting story, but an overview of

will correct not only the patient’s high glucose con-

what constitutes these three missions is important.

centration but also the acidosis; on the other hand,

Teaching is the cornerstone of many medical

giving insulin to an alcoholic patient with acidosis

schools. Only medical schools can offer the MD

is often lethal. Why? Only understanding the basic

xvii

(Left to right) The late Armand E. Hendee, MD, and Juha P. Kokko, MD, PhD, were long-time friends before they began discussing the need for a history of the Emory University School of Medicine, to which they both had dedicated much energy and love. Photo courtesy of Armand E. Hendee, MD, and Juha P. Kokko, MD, PhD.

science of biochemistry will answer that question.

physician–teachers on their faculty to teach these

When accomplished effectively, the coupling of

different subspecialties. Emory is fortunate to have

basic sciences with clinical care creates an atmo-

access to a vast and varied theater of patients in its

sphere of penetrating scholarship, which routinely

primary teaching hospitals through which students

leads to improved clinical care.

rotate: Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory Univer-

Research in medicine occurs at many different

sity Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown,

levels: population studies; translational research

the Atlanta Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, and Chil-

and individual patient studies (the most sophisti-

dren’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). In addition,

cated of which are conducted in clinical research

some of the house staff and postdoctoral fellows

units); organ-based studies; and basic sciences,

have rotations at Emory Clinic and various other

including at the cellular level (where the cell mem-

Emory Healthcare hospitals that have subspecialty

brane is the focus), the subcellular level, and, most

programs of interest to the trainees.

recently, the molecular level. The newest advances

This book reviews the expansion of the three-

in biomedical research are driven by experiments

part mission of the Emory University School of

in the field of gene editing. Revolutionary research

Medicine through four periods of development—

approaches and techniques in this field are espe-

the prelude years (1854–1915), when the predecessors

cially exciting in understanding the etiology of

of the school took shape; the formative years (1915–

diseases and their potential therapeutic corrections.

1952), when the school found its footing; the years

Clinical care is the ultimate goal of medical

of renewed aspiration (1952–1979); and the trans-

education and is a complex product of teaching,

formative years (1980–present)—as well as taking a

research, and training. Top medical schools must

look into the future. With high accomplishments in

have access to enough patients in their teach-

its three integrated missions, the Emory University

ing hospitals to teach all subspecialty areas in a

School of Medicine has taken its place among the

comprehensive manner and to have competent

premier medical schools in the country.

xviii

Like its counterpart Anatomy Building, the Physiology Building was designed by renowned Beaux Arts architect Henry Hornbostel and retains its interior grace and exterior Georgian marble. Photo credit: Malka Robbins.

The Atlanta Medical College building as it appeared in 1897. Photo credit: Emory University Office of Alumni Publications Photographs, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

CHAPTER 1

Formative Years

BY GARY S. HAUK, PhD

T

he seed that would grow into the Emory University School of Medicine was planted in

1845, ‌ when the first physician in Atlanta, Dr. Joshua Gilbert, set up his practice. The town was ‌ not even a decade old that year, having begun life in 1837 with the name of Termi-

nus—the zero milepost of a new line for the Western and Atlantic Railroad—before becoming Marthasville in 1843 and, finally, Atlanta in 1845. Wooden sidewalks lined the muddy streets, where livestock roamed unimpeded.

The town had the feel of the frontier, far from

requiring students to attend five lectures daily

the graceful squares and well-appointed parlors

and offering practical instruction through three

of Savannah, the oldest city in Georgia. By 1854,

medical clinics and three surgical clinics per week.

however, both the population and the medical com-

Faculty members operated a private infirmary that

munity in the city had grown to the point that a

gave students entrée into patient care. After three

group of physicians joined in the commitment to

years of study and completion of a thesis on a med-

establish a new medical school, which was called

ical subject, students sat for exams and then were

the Atlanta Medical College. Chartered by the state

sent into the world to practice medicine.

legislature, the medical school operated for two

Legend and lore from the early years of the

years in the city hall—the site of the current state

Atlanta Medical College suggest the ad hoc nature

capitol—before the faculty laid the cornerstone for a

of medical education at the time. In this era, before

freestanding building at the corner of Butler Street

laws regulated the disposition of unclaimed bod-

(now Jesse Hill Drive) and Armstrong Street. Eight

ies of prisoners or the poor, the janitor of the

faculty members greeted the first class of seventy-­

Atlanta Medical College is reported to have served

eight students.

a twofold purpose: he not only kept the facilities

By the time the Civil War came to Atlanta, less

in order but also supplied the dissecting needs of

than a decade later, the Atlanta Medical College had

the anatomy course. Resorting to grave robbing—a

settled into the standard curriculum of the time,

well-­established precedent in medical education,

1

The Smartest and Most Promising | A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

one often aided by faculty members—the janitor

when the Union army occupied Atlanta in Septem-

frequently sought out newly turned graves in the

ber, he continued to treat soldiers and civilians alike.

cemeteries of the city.

Learning that the Union army intended to destroy

Another story passed down from that time

all buildings that could be used for military pur-

describes the ruse that saved the medical college

poses before decamping for the March to the Sea,

from the conflagration that destroyed much of

Dr. D’Alvigny knew that the empty medical college

the city in 1864. By the 1840s, Dr. Pierre Paul Noel

building could be at risk. To save it, he is said to have

D’Alvigny, a native of Paris, had made his way to

filled its rooms with imposters—staff members and

Charleston, South Carolina, where he practiced as a

perhaps some medical students and others—pre-

dentist. Accepting an invitation to join the faculty of

tending to be wounded or ill patients. When Union

the Atlanta Medical College, he became a prominent

soldiers came to burn the place, they saw beds filled

surgeon in Atlanta as well as professor and curator

with supposedly suffering patients and left the col-

of the college museum. During the siege of Atlanta

lege building standing.

by General William T. Sherman’s Union army, in

In the decades following the Civil War, the

August 1864, Dr. D’Alvigny operated on patients in

Atlanta Medical College underwent a series of splits

the open air as shells rained down on the city, and

and mergers. Disagreements among the faculty— sometimes verging on violence, according to some histories—led to the founding of rival Southern Medical College in 1878. This school created a dental department that, in time, would become Southern Dental College and, eventually, Emory University School of Dentistry (which closed in 1990). In 1898, twenty years after the founding of Southern Medical College, it reunited with the Atlanta Medical College to form the Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons. Further disagreements over the quality of the curriculum and the organization of the faculty led to the departure of a number of faculty members, who organized a new school called the Atlanta School of Medicine in 1905. This new school emphasized a higher quality of teaching, greater practical and clinical experience, and more rigorous

Cardiologist Stephen D. Clements Jr., MD, was a chief resident in medicine with legendary Emory cardiologist and professor J. Willis Hurst, MD, as part of his training and joined the Emory Clinic in 1973.

He helped develop the outpatient cardiac catheterization laboratory and echocardiography services at the Emory Clinic. Clements holds the R. Harold Harrison Endowed Chair in Medicine (Cardiology) at Emory University School of Medicine. Emory University Photo Video/ Ann Watson.

examinations in keeping with rising standards of the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

During this period, two important developments in hospital care occurred in Atlanta. The first

2

Chapter 1 | Formative Years

In 1889 Holmes Clements graduated from the Atlanta Medical College, which eventually became the Emory University School of Medicine.

The diploma or "Testamur" in Latin is the certificate of graduation from the Atlanta Medical College in that year. Holmes was the grandfather of Stephen D. Clements Jr., MD, who holds the R. Harold Harrison Professorship of Medicine (Cardiology) at the Emory University School of Medicine. Photo courtesy of Stephen D. Clements Jr., MD. Photography by Chris Comeau.

was the creation of a public hospital to care for the

Medicine. Emory continues to provide 80 percent

indigent population of the city. Opened in 1892,

of the medical services at Grady, which offers some

Grady Memorial Hospital—named for Henry W.

of the most intense clinical rotations for Emory

Grady, the renowned editor of the Atlanta Consti-

medical students and residents. In 1905, the North

tution, who had died three years earlier—became

Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal

the teaching hospital for the Atlanta Medical Col-

Church, South established Wesley Memorial Hos-

lege and later for the Emory University School of

pital in downtown Atlanta. In 1922, this hospital

3

The Smartest and Most Promising | A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

Small multicolored tickets as displayed here were passed out as entrance permits to various courses at the Atlanta Medical College. An invitation to the Commencement exercises also is pictured. The Commencement took place at the Atlanta Opera House.

Photo courtesy of Stephen D. Clements Jr., MD. Photography by Chris Comeau.

should merge or affiliate with a university to shore up their basic sciences and elevate their academic standards.

In 1913, seeking to combine forces and offer the

moved to the Druid Hills campus of Emory Univer-

strongest medical education possible, the Atlanta

sity to become Emory University Hospital.

College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Atlanta

By the end of the first decade of the twentieth

School of Medicine agreed to merge under the

century, when Abraham Flexner issued his influ-

revived name of the Atlanta Medical College. Still,

ential report on the state of medical education in

relying on a predominantly voluntary faculty, and

the United States, along with his recommendations

with no endowment and little financial margin to

for strengthening it, medical educators in Atlanta

operate on, the school had difficulty meeting the

and elsewhere in Georgia had become aware of the

more rigorous educational expectations of students

need for change. The Flexner Report cleared the way

and accreditors alike. Heeding Flexner’s recommen-

for reform. One of his recommendations was that

dation to affiliate with a university, the medical

proprietary medical schools like those in Atlanta

college soon found an opportunity to do so.

4

Chapter 1 | Formative Years

When the trustees of Emory University received

Elkin resigned as dean on June 9, 1925, and

the charter to establish their new institution in

received the distinction of dean emeritus. After his

Atlanta and bring the older Emory College into the

resignation, Elkin practiced medicine in Atlanta

University as the school of liberal arts, the Atlanta

and continued to support the Emory School of

Medical College quickly sought to merge with

Medicine. In November of 1943, he wrote to then

Emory. This was not a foregone conclusion. Ogletho-

Emory president Goodrich C. White: “Please under-

rpe University, also in Atlanta, had begun to develop

stand that I am always ready to help in any way in

a medical program and sought an affiliation with

my power. The development of the medical school

the Atlanta Medical College. Nevertheless, it was the

has always been foremost in my thoughts and

newly chartered Emory University that won out. On

efforts, and I look upon it not only with pride in

May 24, 1915—just a day short of two months since

its accomplishment but with deepest affection.”2

the chartering of the University—the Atlanta Medi-

When Elkin died, on April 24, 1944, Harvey W. Cox,

cal College transferred all of its assets to Emory and

president of Emory from 1920 until 1942, said

became the Emory University School of Medicine.

of him that “[he had] done more than any other

A gift of $100,000 from the Carnegie Foundation

man for medical education in the Southeast.”3 (See

helped ease the transition, and trustees contributed

photo of Dean W. S. Elkin, MD, FACS, on p. 166.)

funds to build classrooms and laboratories on the

Meanwhile, the School of Medicine continued

newly laid-out campus in Druid Hills.

its teaching and clinical work at Grady Memorial

With high aspirations and not enough money—a

Hospital until the fall of 1917, when the first School

description that would fit the University and the

of Medicine buildings in Druid Hills were ready.

School of Medicine for decades—Emory opened its

These were the John P. Scott Anatomy Laboratory

new campus in the fall of 1916. Only the schools of

and the T. T. Fishburne Physiology Laboratory,

theology and law welcomed students in Druid Hills.

designed by the renowned Beaux Arts architect

Emory College would not move there from its origi-

Henry Hornbostel and adorned in the distinctive,

nal home in Oxford, Georgia, until 1919.

pink-and-gray marble of the Druid Hills campus.

William S. Elkin, MD, FACS, came to Atlanta in

(The original vein of marble, near the north Georgia

1882 after receiving his medical degree from the Uni-

town of Tate, has long since been exhausted. Newer

versity of Pennsylvania. He cofounded the Atlanta

buildings on the campus are adorned by marble

Academy of Medicine and joined the faculty of the

from Portugal or Italy.) Five years later, the move of

Southern Medical College, which merged with

Wesley Memorial Hospital to its new home on Clif-

the Atlanta Medical College in 1898 to become the

ton Road made clinical teaching more convenient,

Atlanta College of Physicians and Surgeons. Named

even as faculty members continued to provide med-

dean of this new school in 1905, he continued as

ical services at Grady Memorial Hospital.

dean when it became the Atlanta Medical College

The stage was now set for the University to build

in 1913 and, in 1915, merged with Emory University.

a medical enterprise unlike any other in the state

He was dean of the Emory University School of Med-

of Georgia. First, however, the school would have to

icine until retiring in 1925.1

weather two world wars and the Great Depression.

5

others, has been miraculous: an almost limitless opportunity for growth and excellence far surpassing early visions.

Since the outset, aspirational souls never relinquished belief in the necessity and potential for what one long-serving dean called “the kind of school of which we have all dreamed.”

This history reveals the spectacular realization of that dream.

College and the Emory University School of Medicine, practiced medicine in the Emory Clinic, where he specialized in gynecology and obstetrics and taught in the School of Medicine until his retirement in 1995. Before his death in January 2023, Dr. Hendee worked actively on this book until its submission to the publisher.

Juha P. Kokko, MD, PhD, served as the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Medicine and chair of the Department of Medicine from 1986 until 1999, when he became associate dean for clinical research. Retiring in 2002, he is now professor emeritus.

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

T

his book traces the distinguished history of the Emory University School of Medicine from its inception to the cur-

rent day and highlights the intellect, strength, endurance, and hard work of the many who

A History of the Emory University School of Medicine

Armand E. Hendee, MD, an alumnus of Emory

THE SMARTEST AND MOST PROMISING

(Continued from front flap)

planned and built an internationally renowned health sciences center. From its earliest days as a small “practitioner’s school” struggling to stay afloat, the Emory University School of Medicine has followed a path to its current place of eminence in teaching, patient care, and research.

Born of the merger and acquisition of several predecessor medical schools in Atlanta, Georgia, the Emory University School of Medicine began its odyssey in 1915, as the college and university took hold in the dynamic capital of a burgeoning New South.

After years of slow but determined growth and diligent efforts by faculty, administration— and yes, students—the school in the 1930s, in the depth of the Great Depression, received a significant boost in its upward trajectory from the benefaction of Robert W. Woodruff.

ARMAND E. HENDEE , MD

Emory SOM_DUST JACKET.indd 1

JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD

Printed in South Korea

His initial goal had been to establish a cancer clinic for the southeastern United States. What

ARMAND E. HENDEE, MD, AND JUHA P. KOKKO, MD, PhD WITH GARY S. HAUK, PhD; SALLY WOLFF KING, PhD; AND SYLVIA WROBEL, PhD

resulted from his munificence to the University over time, combined with the deep generosity of the Rollins Foundation and thousands of (Continued on rear flap)

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