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Dr. Charles Drew, the head of the surgical department at Howard University recognized for his pioneering work on blood-plasma storage techniques and transfusions, died in an automobile accident on his way to a conference in Alabama. His death left an irreplaceable void in the medical school at the university. In the seven years after his death, three chairmen have come and gone.
Burke "Mickey" Syphax was a student at Howard at the time of Dr. Drew's untimely death. After achieving his medical degree and working as a practicing surgeon, in 1957 he was selected as the chairman of the Howard University's medical school. He remained in that position for 13 years and continued as a member of the faculty until his retirement in 1978. It is estimated that Dr. Syphax trained 90% of the African-American surgeons in the Washington DC area. This only bolstered the respect the citizens of the city had for a family that resided there since the early 1800s. In fact the Syphaxes trace their roots to matriarch Maria Syphax. She was the daughter of George Washington Parke Custis -- the adopted grandson of George Washington -- and an enslaved woman.
Years later, when asked to reflect on assuming the position as head of the medical department following the esteemed leadership of Dr. Drew, the humble Dr. Syphax replied, "We just picked up and went on. More or less, you do what you've got to do. You don't think of it as insurmountable. You just think about what you need to do and keep going."
Paul in our lesson for this day offers invaluable advice, "never tire of doing what is right." If we follow Paul's advice and Dr. Syphax' example of "keep going," then a tremendous amount of good will be bestowed upon countless individuals.
Ron L.
Burke "Mickey" Syphax was a student at Howard at the time of Dr. Drew's untimely death. After achieving his medical degree and working as a practicing surgeon, in 1957 he was selected as the chairman of the Howard University's medical school. He remained in that position for 13 years and continued as a member of the faculty until his retirement in 1978. It is estimated that Dr. Syphax trained 90% of the African-American surgeons in the Washington DC area. This only bolstered the respect the citizens of the city had for a family that resided there since the early 1800s. In fact the Syphaxes trace their roots to matriarch Maria Syphax. She was the daughter of George Washington Parke Custis -- the adopted grandson of George Washington -- and an enslaved woman.
Years later, when asked to reflect on assuming the position as head of the medical department following the esteemed leadership of Dr. Drew, the humble Dr. Syphax replied, "We just picked up and went on. More or less, you do what you've got to do. You don't think of it as insurmountable. You just think about what you need to do and keep going."
Paul in our lesson for this day offers invaluable advice, "never tire of doing what is right." If we follow Paul's advice and Dr. Syphax' example of "keep going," then a tremendous amount of good will be bestowed upon countless individuals.
Ron L.
