Medicine
Essays by speakers in medical professions.
Burgess, Alex. M.
Alex M. Burgess, Chief Physician of the Rhode Island Hospital, defines belief as something which is accepted as fact, and describes his belief that the future depends upon the qualities of courage, kindness, generosity, and self-sacrifice that he observes in those whom he encounters in his hospital work.
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Carlson, H. Clifford (Henry Clifford), 1894-
Physician and basketball coach H. C. Carlson describes the rewards he experiences through serving others and accomplishing simple tasks, and states his belief that the people with whom he comes into contact deserve the best he has to offer them.
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Dietrich, Harry F.
Pediatrician and college professor Harry Dietrich describes how his family background, his teachers, and the tools and techniques invented by doctors of previous generations have all equipped him to achieve healing more effectively than ever before, and his belief that his responsibility is to help dispel fear in his patients.
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Fox, Thomas P.
Dentist and educator Thomas Fox describes his belief that one is happiest when serving others, and recounts the people in his life who shaped that belief.
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Gaither, Gant, 1884-1968
Surgeon Gant Gaither describes his belief in his responsibility to serve God and others, his love for the underdog, and his responsibility to always do his best.
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Gill, Arthur E.
Physician Arthur Gill describes his belief that children’s dreams are his hope for the creativity, innovation, progress, and peace of the future.
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Houghton, Henry S.
Physician and teacher Henry Houghton describes his childhood experiences of visiting his grandparents’ Quaker meetings, and how those experiences led to a belief in an inner voice which provides moral direction.
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Mayo, Charles W. (Charles William), 1898-1968
Surgeon Charles W. Mayo (son of Mayo Clinic co-founder) tells of his belief in a purpose to everything in life; the need for compassion and respect for other people; how science supports his faith and belief in the immaterial; our responsibility to help others; and the value of humor in life.
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Menzies, P. K.
Surgeon P. K. Menzies describes his belief in the physician’s responsibility to treat his patients with respect and dignity, and explains how his study of the intricate workings of the human body formed his belief that the universe must have been designed by a “supreme architect.”
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Miller, Louis
Louis Miller, director of the Jewish Memorial Hospital in New York City, remembers the important lesson he learned from his mother, to always help those in need, and describes how this led him to a career in hospital administration.
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Penfield, Wilder, 1891-1976
U.S.-born Wilder Penfield, neurologist and Professor of Neurology at McGill University, describes his feeling of purpose and destiny when his boat was torpedoed during World War I and describes the relationship between science and religion.
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Reiling, Walter A.
Surgeon and optimist Walter Reiling describes his belief that all persons have a right to happiness, which is dependent upon the ability to achieve one’s aspirations, and upon a freedom from fear.
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Rusk, Howard A., 1901-
Educator and physician Howard Rusk describes how the challenges of healing sick individuals drew him to practice medicine, and states his belief that suffering produces character.
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Saul, Leon J. (Leon Joseph), 1901-1983
Teacher and psychiatrist Dr. Saul’s beliefs are shaped by his experiences in science and he describes his conviction that the fight-or-flight reaction and suffering in childhood can lead to developmental problems as adults; modern society must focus its energy on developing emotionally mature adults for future harmony.
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Weinreb, Joseph
Austrian-born psychiatrist Joseph Weinreb reflects on ethics and morality and resolves that nothing is created bad or evil but becomes so through misdirection; and love, compassion, and hard work are means by which we can achieve a harmonious world.
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Wilson, Charles McMoran, 1st Baron Moran, 1882-1977
Charles Wilson, personal physician to Sir Winston Churchill, recounts how one judged a person during World War I and the importance of altruism and selflessness in determining a person’s character.
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Yang, You Chan, 1897-
You Chan Yang, surgeon and South Korean ambassador to the United States, describes his hope that he has made a difference in the lives of injured or disabled persons during his tenure on earth, and relates a story in which a boy discovers that only God knows the definition of goodness.
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