Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-06-21
Dr.. Cusick Honored
By Medical Fraternity

If Dr. ". A. caslck Of salem, who
has just died in the fullness Of his s.
wears. had lived another week he
wOald have been gratified. no doubt.
by the honOrs (which physicians Of
Oregon were preparing to eaafer upon
him in connection with the important
series of medical meetings soon to be
held in Portland. The first Of these
Is the convention Of the alumni asso-
citation Of the medical school Of the
University Of Oregon. The University
OF Oregon medical department was
built. up in part on the foundation laid
lby the medical school Of Willamette
university. and Or. Cusiek was the only
surviving member Of the first graduat
ling class OF three members Of that
highly efficient pioneer Institution.
old Willamette medical school was es-
ltabhshed in 1866, and its first class
was graduated in 1867 The medical
department of the University Of Ore
gon was not opened until 1887, grad
uating its first class a year later. The
institutions were consolidated few
years ago.
Willamette medical was opened at
Salem, in furtherance Of the desires
of the pioneer college to meet the
demands not only of Oregon but of the
entire Pacific northwest for full edu
cational opportunities A little later
il removed to Portland heeausesof lack
Of clinical material in the smaller city.
For time classes were held in an old
fire hall in Portland, but it was the
spirit that counted in those days and
it attracted an ambitious class of young
men who have since given good ac-
counts Of themselves professionally. 1t
found new quarters later at Fifteenth
and Coneh streets, which were we'll
equipped for that time. The Methodist
hospital, which then had close re-
llation to Willamette medical, was con-
ducted in a building now serving as
Catholic home for aged men in a
building which is one Of the landmarks
of the. Sunnysde district of Portland.
1t is an interesting fact in connection
with the developments of the times
that there was once tempest Of CON
siderable dimensions growing out of
iobieetions to performance Of surgical
operations at this hospital on Sundays.
From the consolidated schools, now
the University Of Oregon medical
school, there was CIRCULATED early this
Juae.a class Of fifteen ambitious young
doctors. Almost coineidentally with
their graduation the school building
burned, but this loss will not be felt
because new school on Marquam
Heights is now ready for occupancy
but in other ways than in the i'm
/ provement and extension Of buildings
THE Institution has advanced. 1t will
be a matter Of interest to all loyal
!, citizens of Portland to know that I
! has attained TO the full stature which
! IS edacationally designated as "Clas
/ { A. and that every standard required
Inv the highest medical authorities il
Ameriea has been complied with. Thii
imeans much to Portland and to tht
noFthwest--a little more. perhaps, Il
: the profession than to the laity, but !
Z good deal to every citizen who believes
' in educational progress in his hom
1 town.
The convention Of the Oregon Stat,
Medical association which VIII be hel,
. on three days following the meeting
3 Of the alumni will acquire new interes
3 and Importance in view Of the fact
| already related, and will also draw
attention to the post graduate courses
to be given by the University of Ore
n gon medical school in July These fur
) ther mark Portland as center 0
! medical education. And they empha
size further contrast between educa
: tional facilities Of the present an
i those that gave DR.. Cusiek his diplomi
half century ago. The require
course now includes two years Of pre-
, medical training, four years IN tn
3 medical college and years intern
4 ship. If the old system produced III
!; results which we now know il to hav
accom- plished, what may not be expect