Stanton, Joseph R.

English

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The Linacre QuarterlyVolume 37 | Number 4 Article 3November 1970A Life of CommitmentJoseph R. StantonFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnqRecommended CitationStanton, Joseph R. (1970) "A Life of Commitment," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 37 : No. 4 , Article 3.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol37/iss4/3c Medical Society, a physician e methadone maintena nce for the 11 rol of heroin addict ion would ~ll'lll to have the ethics and profes-sional competence of a chiropractor, and to the Society, the phrase "Methadone Cline" might be con-sidered one never to be used in mixed company. Yet , when the physician member goes to New York State, the New York State Medical Society co nsiders methadone maintenance therapy ethical . and exemplary service for the welfare of the community, and the State of New York fi nances his methadone clinic. The parent medical association. the American Medical Association, has been aware of this diverge nce of opinion among its component societies regarding metha-done therapy for two years, and probably also aware of the advantages of methadone therapy in the coni rol of heroin addiction. It has been aware for two years that possibly the adamant ignorance of the Board of Directors of component societies has suppressed methadone therapy in certai n sections of the United States. thereby unnecessarily destroying tho usands of American families. sending thousands of sick Amerian citizens to penal instilutions unneces-sarily, and imperiled the existence of our nation condoning the expansion of heroin addiction in the absence of me thado ne programs. Physician members of the AMA who are also members of component societies out-lawing methadone therapy have, on occasions. followed their conscience rather than the dictates of boards of 236 directors regarding the ethic add iction with methadone. board of directors of ( societies labeled methadone as unethical for membe1 society, the physicia n is aut liable to criminal federal by the Federal Bureau ot and Dangerous Drugs - as previously, the Federal 81 siders whatever is ethit. opinion of the Medi cal Soc for the physicia n. The Medical Association does sarily speak for the majorit can physicians: in fact, 1 speak and thundering silen• mean diluted integri ty. Amazingly, many phy that the only apparent 1 American Medical Assol shown in health rights traditional denial to mino . In the past, a quota system number of Jewish admissi' caJ schools, ·and even in 1 the negro is often labeled and patient second-class. changed, and the enlighll now knows that health is a affair. and medicine is for not the people for medic1 taken by organized medic1 always been approved by American physician; let u the American Governme1 American Citizen give tl group - the American pl fairer treatment regarding health rights than organiL has given other minu1 "Physician, heal thyself.'' heroin ·en the ponent atment of this Jtically ctment ucotics 1tioned IU COO· in the is legal merican neces-Ameri· oes not an only 1ns feel rest the ·on has n their groups. 1ited the to medi· preseut, J doctor nes have J citizen mmunity e people. . Actions have not ,e average hope that :md the minority ician - a s civil and 1 medicine ~ groups. Linacre QuarterlY A Life Of Commitment Joseph R. Stanton, M.D., F.A.C.P.* Father Gilday, Guild members, and most warmly wives of members already called to their reward. the instruction of William O'ConneJJ, the Guild of St. of Boston was organized and presided over by Dr. Thomas t, Professor of Anatomy at the Medical School, author of of a Catholic Anatomist," a man who once entering a • • ..-osection room where a certain levity going-on - struck the table bJy and said, "Gentlemen , This body once contained an soul!" ~.~~~~,  • ., •• given at the Carney Hospital Boston on November 13, Dr. Stanton is an associate Professor of Medicine, Tufts .. !fltc.al School. need for a rededication of this Guild . indeed. of all doctors, to the profound respect fo r human life that marked our first President? Should not trus guild come fo rth in a clear and ringing statement to all who would abandon a tradj tiona! and honored position of medicine? "Gentlemen, desist! The fetus from the moment of conception inherently possesses the capacity for ensoulment with an immorta l soul! As such, it must not be ravaged by the surgical curette!" The story is additionally told of Dr. Dwight that each year in the mon th of November he wouJd have mass o ffered in the Cathedral of The Holy Cross for the souls of the bodies that were the subjects for dissection that yea r. It is undoubtedly from that source of inspiration that some members o f this Guild keep a list of aU those who die in their care during the year and in November have mass offered for their souls. I suggest to you that this custom and the mass for deceased doctors we offer tonight are part of a noble tra-dition that is eminen tly worthy of survival. .237 .· : . . .. • .... What v. ord does one say to his peers, the1r wives and widows in the quiet of a chapel remembering the deceased doctors he has been privileged to know? One could reflect on the nobility of the calling of the physician - the total dedication that marks his entire professional Life if he but remain true to his earliest inspirations and aspirations. One might speak of the long years of difficult preparation occasionally longer than the years left to practice and of the seeming waste of a short medical life viewed in the eyes of the world. One could in this day of discovery and seeming love of particular words -ment ion the words conscience, commitment , involvement and bearing witness and indicate that the worthy physician has Lived these words in their fullest meaning through the centuries. What doctor's wife or widow among you has not known the delayed or missed meal, the cancelled social engagement, the putting the children to bed alone, the shortened evening, or witnessed the bone weary fatigue due to medi cal conscience, personal involvement and commitment and aU Are You Moving? because , "Someone was sic needed." And with what 1 generosity of spirit have no1 and widows responded? I you that it probably will dedicated doctor or his wil say "Lord when did we see ' suffering or in want?" r nature of his calling rivall the priesthood if he but be perceptive the doctor ha served Christ in the sick, th the dying. I would then pass t hesl and give to you words • literally the promise of sal\ the gospel of this mass, " I' surprise - an hour is comi1 all those in the tombs w• voice and will come forth have done right will rise to finally the liturgical reflec the raison d'etre for this ' is a holy and wholesome pray for the dead" and w quiet prayer Oh Lord re your kingdom, the deceas• of The Guild of St. Luke or I was nificent u wives gest to ' t be a ho will sick or by the 1nly by 1ritually en and 1ffering, ings by hope -1n from 1eed for n which 1ear His ose who e." And 1 that is ning. "It mght to that the mber in 11embers 1ston. If the next issue of this journal should be delivered to o liffer· ent address, please advise AT ONCE. The return r 5tage and cost of remailing this publication is becoming me } and more costly. Your cooperation in keeping us up-to-do ~ with your address will be most helpful. -238 Lina~. • .: QuarterlY The Sleeping Giant Eugene F. Diamond, M.D. great legacy left by the • •lllUII I; community to the American scene is a succession of politicians. A procession of leaders, usually o perating from minority political base, have positions of influence and through a combination of zational drudgery and an inborn for the unspoken will of the . To a large extent, these politi-leaders have been first or second products of European which were characterized by ion and coercion of the disen-Though their pursuit of was born of a desire to escape vulnerabilities. their use of has, by and large , been charac-by a sensitivity of the needs of underdog and a dedication to the F. Diamond, M.D., Professor l.:l'lflrl•in,...;·,... Stritch School of Medi-Loyola University. obligation of government to protect the defenseless elements in the society. Since most ethnic politicians achieved office after a power struggle with an entrenched Anglo-saxon Protestant adversary, there was lit tJe occasion to agonize over the proper role of a Catholic minority in a pluralistic society. Fierce identification with a conspicious Catholic position was fre· quently the key to amalgamating a coalition of other minority groups against an intolera 11 and oppresive overlord. The infrastructure of this Catholic political system still exists in many areas although there has been a dilution of its homogeneity by the need for some of its principals to broaden their appeal in order to fulftll national aspira tions. There has also been a modification of its social pre-occupation as its constituents move from the sweat shops to the country clubs. The most unfortunate develop-ment in the fu nction of the Catholic political system, however , has been its estrangement from the institutional church during its current epochal battles. : 39 

A Life of Commitment

The Linacre QuarterlyVolume 37 | Number 4 Article 17November 1970A Life of CommitmentJoseph R. StantonFollow this and additional works at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnqRecommended CitationStanton, Joseph R. (1970) "A Life of Commitment," The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 37 : No. 4 , Article 17.Available at: http://epublications.marquette.edu/lnq/vol37/iss4/17c Medical Society, a physician e methadone maintena nce for the 11 rol of heroin addict ion would ~ll'lll to have the ethics and profes-sional competence of a chiropractor, and to the Society, the phrase "Methadone Cline" might be con-sidered one never to be used in mixed company. Yet , when the physician member goes to New York State, the New York State Medical Society co nsiders methadone maintenance therapy ethical . and exemplary service for the welfare of the community, and the State of New York fi nances his methadone clinic. The parent medical association. the American Medical Association, has been aware of this diverge nce of opinion among its component societies regarding metha-done therapy for two years, and probably also aware of the advantages of methadone therapy in the coni rol of heroin addiction. It has been aware for two years that possibly the adamant ignorance of the Board of Directors of component societies has suppressed methadone therapy in certai n sections of the United States. thereby unnecessarily destroying tho usands of American families. sending thousands of sick Amerian citizens to penal instilutions unneces-sarily, and imperiled the existence of our nation condoning the expansion of heroin addiction in the absence of me thado ne programs. Physician members of the AMA who are also members of component societies out-lawing methadone therapy have, on occasions. followed their conscience rather than the dictates of boards of 236 directors regarding the ethic add iction with methadone. board of directors of ( societies labeled methadone as unethical for membe1 society, the physicia n is aut liable to criminal federal by the Federal Bureau ot and Dangerous Drugs - as previously, the Federal 81 siders whatever is ethit. opinion of the Medi cal Soc for the physicia n. The Medical Association does sarily speak for the majorit can physicians: in fact, 1 speak and thundering silen• mean diluted integri ty. Amazingly, many phy that the only apparent 1 American Medical Assol shown in health rights traditional denial to mino . In the past, a quota system number of Jewish admissi' caJ schools, ·and even in 1 the negro is often labeled and patient second-class. changed, and the enlighll now knows that health is a affair. and medicine is for not the people for medic1 taken by organized medic1 always been approved by American physician; let u the American Governme1 American Citizen give tl group - the American pl fairer treatment regarding health rights than organiL has given other minu1 "Physician, heal thyself.'' heroin ·en the ponent atment of this Jtically ctment ucotics 1tioned IU COO· in the is legal merican neces-Ameri· oes not an only 1ns feel rest the ·on has n their groups. 1ited the to medi· preseut, J doctor nes have J citizen mmunity e people. . Actions have not ,e average hope that :md the minority ician - a s civil and 1 medicine ~ groups. Linacre QuarterlY A Life Of Commitment Joseph R. Stanton, M.D., F.A.C.P.* Father Gilday, Guild members, and most warmly wives of members already called to their reward. the instruction of William O'ConneJJ, the Guild of St. of Boston was organized and presided over by Dr. Thomas t, Professor of Anatomy at the Medical School, author of of a Catholic Anatomist," a man who once entering a • • ..-osection room where a certain levity going-on - struck the table bJy and said, "Gentlemen , This body once contained an soul!" ~.~~~~,  • ., •• given at the Carney Hospital Boston on November 13, Dr. Stanton is an associate Professor of Medicine, Tufts .. !fltc.al School. need for a rededication of this Guild . indeed. of all doctors, to the profound respect fo r human life that marked our first President? Should not trus guild come fo rth in a clear and ringing statement to all who would abandon a tradj tiona! and honored position of medicine? "Gentlemen, desist! The fetus from the moment of conception inherently possesses the capacity for ensoulment with an immorta l soul! As such, it must not be ravaged by the surgical curette!" The story is additionally told of Dr. Dwight that each year in the mon th of November he wouJd have mass o ffered in the Cathedral of The Holy Cross for the souls of the bodies that were the subjects for dissection that yea r. It is undoubtedly from that source of inspiration that some members o f this Guild keep a list of aU those who die in their care during the year and in November have mass offered for their souls. I suggest to you that this custom and the mass for deceased doctors we offer tonight are part of a noble tra-dition that is eminen tly worthy of survival. .237 .· : . . .. • .... What v. ord does one say to his peers, the1r wives and widows in the quiet of a chapel remembering the deceased doctors he has been privileged to know? One could reflect on the nobility of the calling of the physician - the total dedication that marks his entire professional Life if he but remain true to his earliest inspirations and aspirations. One might speak of the long years of difficult preparation occasionally longer than the years left to practice and of the seeming waste of a short medical life viewed in the eyes of the world. One could in this day of discovery and seeming love of particular words -ment ion the words conscience, commitment , involvement and bearing witness and indicate that the worthy physician has Lived these words in their fullest meaning through the centuries. What doctor's wife or widow among you has not known the delayed or missed meal, the cancelled social engagement, the putting the children to bed alone, the shortened evening, or witnessed the bone weary fatigue due to medi cal conscience, personal involvement and commitment and aU Are You Moving? because , "Someone was sic needed." And with what 1 generosity of spirit have no1 and widows responded? I you that it probably will dedicated doctor or his wil say "Lord when did we see ' suffering or in want?" r nature of his calling rivall the priesthood if he but be perceptive the doctor ha served Christ in the sick, th the dying. I would then pass t hesl and give to you words • literally the promise of sal\ the gospel of this mass, " I' surprise - an hour is comi1 all those in the tombs w• voice and will come forth have done right will rise to finally the liturgical reflec the raison d'etre for this ' is a holy and wholesome pray for the dead" and w quiet prayer Oh Lord re your kingdom, the deceas• of The Guild of St. Luke or I was nificent u wives gest to ' t be a ho will sick or by the 1nly by 1ritually en and 1ffering, ings by hope -1n from 1eed for n which 1ear His ose who e." And 1 that is ning. "It mght to that the mber in 11embers 1ston. If the next issue of this journal should be delivered to o liffer· ent address, please advise AT ONCE. The return r 5tage and cost of remailing this publication is becoming me } and more costly. Your cooperation in keeping us up-to-do ~ with your address will be most helpful. -238 Lina~. • .: QuarterlY The Sleeping Giant Eugene F. Diamond, M.D. great legacy left by the • •lllUII I; community to the American scene is a succession of politicians. A procession of leaders, usually o perating from minority political base, have positions of influence and through a combination of zational drudgery and an inborn for the unspoken will of the . To a large extent, these politi-leaders have been first or second products of European which were characterized by ion and coercion of the disen-Though their pursuit of was born of a desire to escape vulnerabilities. their use of has, by and large , been charac-by a sensitivity of the needs of underdog and a dedication to the F. Diamond, M.D., Professor l.:l'lflrl•in,...;·,... Stritch School of Medi-Loyola University. obligation of government to protect the defenseless elements in the society. Since most ethnic politicians achieved office after a power struggle with an entrenched Anglo-saxon Protestant adversary, there was lit tJe occasion to agonize over the proper role of a Catholic minority in a pluralistic society. Fierce identification with a conspicious Catholic position was fre· quently the key to amalgamating a coalition of other minority groups against an intolera 11 and oppresive overlord. The infrastructure of this Catholic political system still exists in many areas although there has been a dilution of its homogeneity by the need for some of its principals to broaden their appeal in order to fulftll national aspira tions. There has also been a modification of its social pre-occupation as its constituents move from the sweat shops to the country clubs. The most unfortunate develop-ment in the fu nction of the Catholic political system, however , has been its estrangement from the institutional church during its current epochal battles. : 39 

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A Life of Commitment

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