Inspired to Action

I was inspired to read “Restoring Hope” by the beautiful picture of Lisa Harvey on the cover of the fall 2005 issue of Medicine at Michigan. Now I am inspired to promptly get on the bone marrow donation registry after reading Lisa’s Web log statement: “I think to myself, this day isn’t like any other day. This is the day someone saved my life.” I also have a daughter named Lisa. Lisa Harvey’s story should inspire everyone who can to become potential bone marrow donors.

I would like Lisa to know that by inspiring others to donate marrow, she too could save a life.

Thank you Lisa.

Sheri Kalenkiewicz
Monroe, Michigan
skalenkiewicz@hotmail.com

The true nature of Horace Davenport

I recently learned of Dr. Horace Davenport’s passing in the fall 2005 issue of Medicine at Michigan. My memory of him, among many, is from my days as a medical student. One night while struggling over a concept in physiology from the day’s lecture, I became totally exasperated. Calls to other classmates were not helpful, and so I took the bold step of calling Dr. Davenport at his home. I did this with great trepidation, but I could not sleep until the issue was resolved.

After calming my apologies for calling at an ungodly hour, Dr. Davenport explained to me that there are two phone lines at his home — one for the family who used it incessantly, and the other a private line used by him solely; luckily I had dialed the private line. We spent a long time going over the problem and had an extended conversation of other things totally unrelated.

When the call ended, I had no feeling of imposition. In fact, Dr. Davenport had made me feel that, if the need arose in the future, I could call anytime. I never did again, but the experience revealed to me the true nature of Horace Davenport.

LeRoy McCarthy (M.D. 1974)
West Covina, California
McCarthyl@armc.sbcounty.gov

A remarkable Michigan mentor

Reed O. Dingman

The fall 2005 issue of Medicine at Michigan (“The Lifelong Importance of Mentors”) sparked many memories of a Michigan mentor who was so influential in my own career.
As a third-year medical student, my first contact with Reed O. Dingman (M.D. 1936, Residency 1945), D.D.S., was in a small conference when he called on me for my opinion. I was able to stammer through an answer, and I could tell that residents Bill Grabb and Jack Alger enjoyed my surprise and discomfort, but both complimented me afterward. I later learned that was one of the hallmarks of this unique teacher — to include the students, especially when the residents were around. I think that started me thinking about plastic surgery as a career specialty.

During my first year of plastic surgery residency, I rotated through Dr. Dingman’s private service at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. We operated with him almost every weekday. The operating room was always filled with visiting professors and other interested plastic surgeons who wanted to see the latest techniques. Dr. Dingman never, to my knowledge, refused any qualified surgeon an audience. The conversations were continuous, spirited, philosophical, practical and ranged from medicine to sports. He always included the students and nurses. He was unfailingly polite, searching, humorous, and there was that glint of mischief in those amazing blue eyes. In the operating room, those strong boxer hands (he boxed to pay his way through dental school) moved methodically through each procedure. He rarely backtracked and even though he seemed to be moving slowly, his surgery times were always respectable. No wasted motions — a valuable lesson in the O.R. and in life!

Dr. Dingman owned a small house across the street from St. Joe and saw patients there on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. It was a real education to see him react as a doctor in the private setting.

I finished my M.D. at the U-M in 1961 and went to Henry Ford Hospital for internship in general surgery and plastic surgery. After my military commitment I moved to Atlanta in 1970 and began a private practice in plastic and reconstructive surgery, retiring on December 31, 2002.

I wish recent and current residents could have had the privilege of working with this truly remarkable mentor.

Harvey A. Weiss (M.D. 1961)
Mancos, Colorado