DEAN J.
JAY
KEEGAN
College of Medicine
HE
future of the College of Medicine may best be judged
by the past. Since establishment of the College of
Medicine at the present site in Omaha in 1913, it has
grown to include two large laboratory buildings, a
250-bed University Hospital, Nurses' home, men's
dormitory, power plant, greenhouse, carpenter shop and
an athletic field.
The College of Medicine has taken
its place in the foremost ranks of the medical schools
of the country. Its graduates have increased from ten
in 1915 to a maximum of ninety in 1925, and have been
leaders in post-graduate work and private practice.
The College is rendering a three-fold service to the
state, the training of young men and women to enter
the practice of medicine, the setting of a standard of
excellence in medical education and hospital service
of which Nebraska can well be proud, and a direct
service to the state in hospital care of worthy poor
patients.
Future growth of the College of
Medicine will increase these services. The College is
still young in its modern development. The prestige of
the accomplishments of its recent graduates will be
added. Increased opportunities for scientific
investigation of medical subjects will lead to
important contributions to medical knowledge. The
hospital service to the state is being increased this
year by the construction of a second wing, this also
furnishing much needed clinical teaching opportunities
for the greatly increased classes. As the needs of the
state grow, additional wings to the University
Hospital will be added, perhaps beyond the actual
needs of the Medical College, for co-ordination of
Medical School activities and state hospital service
works for economy and excellence not attainable by
separate institutions. Future growth is more often
under-estimated than over-estimated. Neighboring
states have undertaken extensive programs of
development of their medical schools and hospitals.
Psychiatric, public health and orthopedic service are
quite properly developed at the medical schools.
Private, city and county hospitals locate in the
vicinity of the state institutions, for economy of
time and centralization of medical activity. Private
endowment should be added to the state support,
particularly for medical library, public health and
largely local benefits, for infectious diseases and
dispensary.
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