(L-R) Emilio F. Romero, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Pennie Borchers, special collections librarian, and Jay Bradley Aust, M.D., who holds the Dale H. Dorn Distinguished Professorship in Surgery, celebrate the Friends’ past presidents during a reception held at the Briscoe Library last week.
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The Friends of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library is celebrating 35 years of providing support and opportunities to those interested in the health sciences. A reception was held last week at the Briscoe Library in honor of its past presidents’ support of the society and rare-book collection.

Charleen M. Moore, Ph.D., president of the Friends and professor of cellular and structural biology, said, “Without the dedication and efforts of the past presidents, the society would not be here today supporting the wonderful historical collection that has grown in part because their efforts. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of all of the individuals who have served the society in this position. It is a great legacy we are passing on to future physicians and other health care workers. We have a superb rare-book collection in the Nixon Library and I am happy to be a part of the organization that has supported it throughout the years.”

The reception is one way the Friends is celebrating its 35th year of supporting the rare-book collection in the Briscoe Library. Other activities include a student essay competition and the development of a new Web site that will include electronic reproductions of many of the rare books from the Nixon Library. A rare edition of Charles Bell’s Engravings from Specimens of Morbid Parts (1813) and books about the history of medicine in Texas and Bexar County by P.I. Nixon are some items that will be included.

A picture of the past presidents was taken at the reception and will be displayed at the 35th annual meeting and dinner of the Friends of the P.I. Nixon Library. At the dinner, to be held Nov. 14, Shelley McKellar, Ph.D, department of history, the University of Western Ontario, will speak about “Artificial Hearts: Rebuilding Bodies with Mechanical Devices.” Her discussion will trace the development of artificial hearts, which began in the 1950’s, and explore the various debates about artificial hearts and organ replacement technology.

Students interested in participating in the Friends’ essay competition can submit entries until Oct. 1. The competition is open to students studying in San Antonio, including undergraduate and graduate students, residents and postdoctoral fellows. Emilio F. Romero, M.D., past president of the Friends and professor of psychiatry, has provided the funds for the Emilio J. Romero, M.D., Prize, named in honor of his father. The $250 prize will be given to the winner at the Friends Annual Dinner.

For more information about the various activities of the Friends, please contact Pennie Borchers, special collections librarian: (210) 567-2400 or borchers@uthscsa.edu.