It may have been the greatest two-for-one deal in UNMC history.
The primary recruit — Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc. — would be the new dean of the UNMC College of Nursing. The secondary recruit — her husband, John Benson, M.D. — was an icon in internal medicine.
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Tom O’Connor |
Yep, the one and only … the man who served 16 years as the first president of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the key certifying body for all internists and subspecialists in internal medicine.
With his starched blue shirt and trademark bow tie, the silver-haired Dr. Benson is a true Renaissance man.
A wordsmith, he keeps a well-worn dictionary and thesaurus near his computer.
“I’m old school, but I’m liberal,” Dr. Benson proudly proclaims.
His father never finished high school, but “he read all the time.”
Dr. Benson’s life changed when his family negotiated a free enrollment for him in the Loomis School, a prestigious prep school in his hometown of Windsor, Conn.
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John Benson, M.D. |
A gastrointestinal physician, he served on the Harvard faculty, then moved cross country to head gastroenterology at Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland, where he later served as interim dean of the School of Medicine.
His proudest accomplishment at the ABIM, he said, was implementing guidelines to ensure that physicians demonstrated professionalism and humanistic qualities.
UNMC legends Michael Sorrell, M.D. and James Armitage, M.D., are huge fans. Dr. Sorrell calls Dr. Benson “the most thoughtful, clear thinking academic administrator in the U.S.” Dr. Armitage summarizes Dr. Benson in two words — “tremendously effective.”
In less than eight years, Dr. Benson indelibly left his mark on UNMC. He spearheaded UNMC’s reaccreditation efforts in 2006, launched the popular “Music as Medicine” series and anchored the medical center’s health care reform initiative.
At the end of this month, Dr. Benson’s career will come to a close. He and Dr. Tilden will return to the West Coast to be near their six children and seven grandchildren.
“I’ve been a lucky fellow,” Dr. Benson said.
And we’ve been lucky to get eight years with “the John Benson.”
It has been a distinct privilege to have had the opportunity to interact with Dr. John Benson during the past few years. We at UNMC are indeed lucky to have benefitted from his insight, wisdom, and commitment to improving the education of health care professionals. I offer my heartfelt thanks and best wishes to Dr. Benson.
Dr. Benson will truly be missed. A true gentleman!!
It has been a privilege for Carol and me to know John and Virginia during their stay here and we are grateful that they could share their talents with us in Nebraska. We certainly wish them many joyful years as they return to their family in Oregon.
Rick & Carol Russell
It's been a privilege to know and work with Drs. Tilden and Benson. They are a class act! It was always a pleasure to interact with them and Dr. Tilden made my work highlighting the colleage easy. I'll miss them both.
Dr. Benson remains an amazing inspiration for our faculty. He was incredibly generous with his time, and a mentor for students and faculty alike. Regarding his legacy, his attention to professionalism has permeated medical education and raised the bar for an entire profession.
When Dr. Benson first arrived, I assisted him. He is a true gentleman. I remember one of my younger former colleagues who also assisted him saying she would like to adopt him as her grandfather. I'm sure he will be thought of fondly long after he is gone.
Dr. Benson is an amazing role model for both young and old medical professionals alike. His presence in the halls of UNMC will be missed.
Thanks Tom for recognizing Dr.Benson, a real treasure. I feel honored to have worked with Dr. Benson during his time at UNMC. No one would know of his many accomplishments from him. He is humble and understated, letting his actions speak for him. But under his quiet personna is a thoughtful, insightful, kind, "liberal" man who has made a huge impact on students, academics, health care policy–and those of us lucky enough to know him.
I have really enjoyed interacting with Drs. Tillden and Benson during their tenure at UNMC. They are both very appreciative and truly respectful. As previously mentioned, they are both truly a "class act".
Safe journeys, good luck and enjoy your family.
I was so fortunate to have Dr. Benson as a PBL instructor during my first semester of medical school. He left a mark on everyone in our group. What a gentle soul and a noble doctor. He is a man we all wish to emulate. Dr. Benson will be missed at UNMC, but his family will be lucky to have him close by.