At the turn of the 20th century, pneumonia was usually fatal and insulin, antibiotics and treatment for high blood pressure didn’t exist. Physicians donated their time teaching in the gas lit College of Medicine and students spent their first two years in Lincoln and the second two in Omaha at the medical school campus at 12th and Pacific Streets — home today to the downtown post office.
Much has changed since April 18, 1902, when the College of Medicine joined the University of Nebraska system.
Today, full-time faculty members on the 80-acre campus in mid-town Omaha teach students how to treat pneumonia and high blood pressure. Tuberculosis is no longer a major threat and students receive more clinical experience than their 20th century counterparts.
“The College of Medicine has a long and distinguished history of contributions to research and education,” said Robert Wigton, M.D., associate dean of the College of Medicine and professor of internal medicine. “This centennial is an opportunity to reflect on the College’s rich history and on the importance of its becoming part of the University of Nebraska in 1902. This is an occasion to celebrate the past as well as to look forward to the next 100 years.”
On April 18, the UNMC College of Medicine will kick off its 100th anniversary celebration of joining the University of Nebraska with an ice cream social from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Dewey Avenue Circle between NHS Clarkson Hospital and the Eppley Cancer Institute.
The campus is invited to hear the sounds of the River City Ragtime band while enjoying chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, toppings and popcorn. T-shirts celebrating the 100th anniversary will be sold for $6. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be at the Storz Pavilion.
In addition to the ice cream social, additional activities are being planned for the yearlong celebration including historical displays in the McGoogan Library of Medicine, the connector between NHS University and Clarkson Hospital and the breezeway between University Hospital and Wittson Hall.
Banners celebrating the 100th anniversary soon will be scattered across campus. In addition, UNMC students are organizing a 4-mile run in September and a reception at the Western Heritage Museum is being planned. Watch UNMC Today for details on all centennial activities.