School of Medicine celebrates 100 years

One hundred years ago, the first class of 18 students entered the state's newest and only medical school, the IU School of Medicine.\nOn Tuesday, all eight branches of IU's medical school came together in a statewide birthday party to celebrate the achievements and advances of the past century. \nThe celebration was complete with red and white balloons at every campus, huge sheet cakes shaped like Indiana and sets of pins proclaiming the centennial anniversary of the school's formation. All campuses were able to celebrate together through a videoconference hookup and even sang "Happy Birthday" in unison.\nThe "virtual" festivities began with broadcasted remarks by Dr. Craig Brater, the Dean of the School of Medicine. Brater congratulated each regional campus of the medical center for their accomplishments that have led to the increase in the School of Medicine from a faculty of five to a faculty of over 800 clinically-focused faculty members. \nHe also encouraged them to continuously look forward to future advances and innovations. \n"We have set ambitious goals, and we have accomplished them," Brater said, noting the countless scientific advances that are accredited to IU. "Spectacular things are happening now. Let us be equally excited about our future."\nBrater's remarks were joined by congratulations bestowed on the medical school by each of its sister branches in Evansville, Fort Wayne, Muncie, Gary, South Bend, West Lafayette, Terre Haute and Bloomington. Directors of each facility noted their accomplishments and milestones and wished their faculty and students successful futures. \nBut most importantly, each school noted the importance of leading productive lives while still remaining a part of the IU family.\nThe centers that make up this "family" of regional campuses across Indiana were formed in the early 1970's in order to spread the benefits of medical education and research across the state. Medical students spend their first two years on their regional campuses and then the remaining two on the central Indianapolis campus. Though each now functions as an independent unit, the solidarity and connections between each is a source of great pride for IU, Brater said.\nSpecial guests at Bloomington's celebration included IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm and distinguished alumnus Dr. Edith Schuman, one of the oldest living alumni of the School of Medicine. \nBrehm noted the strong coordinate system that exists between the Indianapolis medical school and its sister campuses, congratulating all involved on the strong unifications and connections between them that have benefited Indiana as a whole. \n"You are having a great 21st century," Brehm said. "I want to thank you all for your efforts in education and research."\nSchuman, who entered the IU Medical School in 1929 in a class of 120, only six of which were female, shared her personal memories of Bloomington during the celebration. Schuman had previously earned her undergraduate degree from IU in Latin, with minors in both math and Greek, but had always dreamed of pursuing a career in medicine. After two years as a high school teacher, she finally decided to pursue that dream -- she entered IU's medical school "by hook or crook," as she says. \nSchuman said she fondly remembers the football team playing in the mud of Dunn Meadow, and laughs to think of the changes in the price of tuition since she was in medical school -- when it cost a mere $30. \nBut mostly, Schuman remembers the tight relationships she enjoyed with the other students and professors who saw her through medical school.\nBefore Schuman blew out the red candle marking the 100-year anniversary of the School of Medicine, she reflected on the her part of the past century.\n"We had wonderful teachers; we were all one big family," Schuman said. "All along I seemed to have had more opportunities than you can ever imagine to enjoy medicine. Seventy years -- just think of all the changes. I envy you. I wish you well."\n-- Contact staff writer Kelly Phillips at kephilli@indiana.edu.