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Harry McFadden Jr., M.D. |
“The students loved Harry. There were three things he loved most in this world — his family, teaching and UNMC. He was a real gentleman and wouldn’t say an unkind thing about anyone. He was president of the American Board of Pathology when I passed my boards. His signature is on my certificate.” — Samuel Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the department of pathology and microbiology and Havlik-Wall Professor of Oncology
“When people come into our lives that are so rich with authenticity you want them here forever. Dr. McFadden was wonderful as is his entire family.” — Connie Rosales-Winters, administrative associate in pathology/microbiology
“Dr. McFadden was trained as a pathologist, but he was a superb microbiologist. He was a gentleman and a scholar — a true physician in every way. Students talk about him to this day. You couldn’t ask for a nicer person” — Jim Newland, M.D., emeritus professor of pathology and microbiology
I remember him lecturing, rubbing the podium, and saying "we are talking about a few hundred million bacteria on my hands here". He seemed to love to teach, and was always kind and caring.
John Colombo, Peds Pulmonology
I was a student when Dr. McFadden was a professor. His course in medical microbiology was a solid and comprehensive overview of key pathogens and techniques. It served me well in my career in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. I did my residency in New Mexico where we treated a lot of patients with bubonic plague, and disastrous hemophilus infections. I worked with hemophiliac boys who were infected with HIV and often were seen as pariahs that could infect anyone with even casual contact. His lessons on isolation technique made it possible for me to understand the risk they truly posed and deal compassionately with them. He will always be one of my heros because of that.
Jim Harper, MD
As an inexperienced graduate, Dr. McFadden provided me my first opportunity to advance my career in the profession of clinical microbiology. He inspired me and supported my interests and gave me the encouragement to continue my educational endeavors. I will fondly remember him not only as a mentor, but as a gentleman and man of integrity who genuinely showed interest in me and my family. He will be missed. –Peter Iwen, PhD, professor in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology
"Harry McFadden hired me. He was my mentor. After he handed over the M2 microbiology course directorship to me, he said 'Jim, keep teaching the basics. It is what is most important.' We still teach the basics. Harry has left a legacy of teaching excellence." –Jim Booth, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Pathology and Microbiology
Dr. McFadden represented a classic individual and is the type species for one of microbiology's grand old man except that he never acted old.
His kindness was legendary even to a Microbiologist who found himself as a new faculty member in a Department of Biochemistry and offered me an courtesy appointment to his Department.
Our respects also go out to Mrs. McFadden and family.
Robert Ramaley Profesor Emeritus, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Bology