Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings January 2014, Volume 27, Number 1 | Page 53

Tributes to Marvin J. Stone, MD, on his retirement arvin J. Stone, MD, founded the Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in 1976 and directed it for more than 30 years. When he retired in July 2013, a reception was held in his honor (Figure 1), and a sample of tributes given at the event and submitted afterwards are reprinted below. An interview of Dr. Stone was published in Proceedings in 2001 (1). M MICHAEL EMMETT, MD When William Osler was preparing to go to Oxford in 1905 he gave a famous farewell speech to his colleagues at Johns Hopkins and said, “I desire no other epitaph . . . than the statement that I taught medical students in the wards, as I regard this as by far the most useful and important work I have been called upon to do.” There is no doubt that Marvin Stone, who regards Sir William as one of the greatest physicianphilosophers in history, agrees completely with this statement. Marvin has had a wonderful and remarkable career as a physician, scientist, and medical administrator, but I am certain he regards his role as a teacher to be the high point of his long and distinguished career. Still, on the occasion of Marvin’s semiretirement, I must mention some of the bricks and mortar monuments to his legacy at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas (BUMC). For his entire career at BUMC, he led the oncology and hematology programs. For most of that time they were “housed” in a cancer center of oncology and hematology excellence that had no physical walls. This virtual structure was held together by the strength of Marvin’s academic excellence and the universal respect accorded him by his local colleagues, an increasing number of former students as well as leaders and experts throughout the world. The interaction of oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, technicians, and others provided thousands of patients with expert care, extended the lives of untold numbers of individuals, and always provided that care with heartfelt compassion and sensitivity. A definitive building was not required. Nonetheless, over the past few years the Sammons Cancer Center and the T. Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital have been completed and stand as wonderful physical testimonials to Marvin Stone’s legacy. However, I must return to Marvin the teacher. Whether in the classroom giving a formal lecture on the latest developments Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2014;27(1):51–55 in an area of hematology or oncology, always rooted in medical history, at the microscope during one of his famous “what does the blood smear show?” sessions, or at the bedside where he expertly blended the science of medicine with the humanism required of the true physician, Marvin has been a master (and indeed he is a Master of the American College of Physicians). The legions of medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty that he taught so well by example carry his lessons forward. When Osler gave the speech I mentioned above, he was 55 years old. In the same speech, he proposed that scientists a b Figure 1. Dr. Stone (a) listening to the tributes and (b) with his wife, Kathy Stone, and his son, Rob Stone. 51