Once dubbed the “Dracula of Medical Technology,” the artificial heart continues to capture public imagination and provoke interest in the medical community as a potential treatment to fight end-stage heart disease. At the Friends of the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library’s 35th Annual Dinner-Presentation Monday, Nov. 14, at 6:30 p.m., medical historian Shelley McKellar, Ph.D., will trace the development of artificial hearts back to the 1950s and explore the debates surrounding organ replacement technology. Dr. McKellar is an assistant professor in the department of history and cross-appointed with the history of medicine program at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Friends, there will be displays of historical photos, mementos of the organization and an award presentation of the first Emilio J. Romero M.D. Prize for best student essay on a medical historical theme.
Join the friends for an evening of good food and fellowship, and for Dr. McKellar’s special presentation on the artificial heart. Everyone is welcome. In an effort to stimulate student interest in the history of medicine, members are encouraged to bring a student guest to the dinner.
Dr. McKeller focuses on the role of medical technology in fighting disease – specifically, medical and social expectations, risks and limitations. Themes contained within her work include patient decision-making practices, changes in medical research conduct and the rise of cardiovascular disease.
The annual dinner-presentation will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, 37 N.E. Loop 410 at McCullough across from North Star Mall.
The dinner costs $40 for members and guests, and $20 for students, residents and post-doctoral fellows. For more information or to make reservations for the annual dinner, please contact Special Collections Librarian Pennie Borchers at 567-2400 or
borchers@uthscsa.edu.
