Memories of Medicine at Michigan

The articles on genetic counseling in the fall 2004 issue of Medicine at Michigan brought memories back to me. In 1946 I applied for a rotating pediatric internship at Michigan largely because of the presence of Dr. Lee R. Dice’s heredity clinic. I had already received my Ph.D. in zoology (genetics). At Ann Arbor I was able to meet with Drs. James V. Neel, Harold F. Falls, and Charles Cotterman, attend meetings with them, and meet visiting dignitaries.

Anderson (front row, center) and members of his genetics staff on the roof of the Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital on January 10, 1949

Anderson (fourth from left) on a matsutake (“pine mushroom”) hunt with friends just east of Hiroshima on October 17, 1948. According to Anderson, these mushrooms are very expensive and highly sought after today. Photos: Courtesy Ray Anderson

Another feature of my internship at Ann Arbor was my month in Obstetrics, then located in an old mansion adjacent to the main hospital. I was the sole intern and I lived in the small attic room on the third floor. I was there for the month of December, and my only time off the entire month was three hours on Christmas Eve to be with my wife and son! As an intern, I had to do all routine lab work, and did the nighttime deliveries (12). The delivery room was similar to the little circular amphitheaters pictured in old books. Incidentally, I saw the professor of ob/gyn only once that month, since he occupied himself with gynecological work in the main hospital. A memorable experience for me occurred during one of the early evening deliveries with about six medical students in attendance. As the infant’s brow appeared, first one student, then another, fainted and slipped under the rail alongside my stool!

On completion of my internship I entered the Army and was tracked down by Dr. Neel at Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver in August of 1947, and was asked if I would be willing to join him in organizing the genetics program that was to be part of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission in Japan. Thus, I was involved in the start of that program in November of 1947. I decided to document my experiences there by keeping a daily diary and taking photographs (about 500). The librarian at the Texas library where records of the ABCC were being filed learned of my diary and asked for permission to copy it and some photographs about five years ago, and I was happy to oblige. I realized that no one else had documented the early start of ABCC as I had, and I am therefore in the process of having my records published by Elan Press.

Ray C. Anderson, M.D., Ph.D. (Residency 1947)
Sun City, Arizona
Raycarl5@AOL.com

Global Grad

It is wonderful to read in Medicine at Michigan of my colleagues and teachers! I enclose news of a recent, unexpected award that has come my way, presented in Toledo on February 19, between my missions to Mindanoa and Sudan (see Class Notes). I hope it represents a theme carried forward from my “Maize and Blue” days in encouraging medical students toward a global outreach.

I will be returning to Haiti in late spring. Please visit my online journal. Cheers!

Glenn W. Geelhoed (M.D. 1968)
Derwood, Maryland

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