Contact: Will Sansom
Phone: 210-567-2579
E-mail: sansom@uthscsa.edu

Laredo, Texas (March 20, 2007) — The art of narrative and the appreciation of story is being put to good use in medical student education at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, physician-author Abraham Verghese, M.D., said during the inaugural Lilia Martinez Lecture March 6 at the university’s Laredo Campus Extension.

Shirley Gonzalez (left), president of the Lilia Martinez Foundation, and Maria Louisa Sandlin, vice president of the foundation, visit with Abraham Verghese, M.D., who occupies the Joaquin G. Cigarroa Jr., M.D., Distinguished Chair established by the foundation.
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Dr. Verghese, professor and director of the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics in the School of Medicine, holds the Joaquin G. Cigarroa Jr., M.D., Distinguished Chair, which was established in 2005 through the generosity of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation. He is a widely published author and currently a writer-at-large at Texas Monthly, whose article, “Bedside Manners,” appeared in the February 2007 issue. This is the first of a series of columns he will produce for the magazine.

The Cigarroa Chair, the Health Science Center’s first distinguished chair to be donated from the Laredo community, honors the distinguished Laredo internist Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa Jr. The Lilia Martinez Lecture Series is in memory of Guadalupe Martinez, a rancher, businessman, philanthropist and community leader, and his wife, Lilia, a dedicated educator, mentor and role model for many.

Health Science Center President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D. (left); his mother, Barbara Cigarroa; and his father, Joaquin G. Cigarroa Jr., M.D., (right) greet the Honorable Judge Solomon Casseb Jr. at the Laredo Campus Extension.

Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa and his wife, Barbara, attended the event with other members of their family, including Health Science Center President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., and his wife, Graciela. About 100 Laredo philanthropists and business and community leaders filled the D.D. Hachar Building auditorium to share the evening and hear Dr. Verghese’s thoughts on adding a focus on self-reflection and service-based learning to the way medical students are educated.

“Abraham is the perfect role model for our students,” President Cigarroa said. “We are grateful to the Martinez Foundation for providing the distinguished chair that he occupies. Guadalupe, who was here two years ago to announce it, wanted the holder to be someone who has not forgotten the compassion of practicing medicine. Abraham is that person.”

Dr. Verghese began his presentation by recounting the scene from Troyat’s book describing the death of Dr. Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), the famous Russian physician, short story writer and playwright. As Dr. Chekhov lay dying of tuberculosis, the physician in attendance tried various treatments. Chekhov dissuaded him by saying, “What’s the use? I am going to die.” So the physician ordered a bottle of champagne. As Dr. Chekhov drained his glass with great satisfaction, he said, “It’s been so long since I had champagne.” With that, he died.

This vignette demonstrates how a physician winds up playing a key role, a catalytic role in the narrative story of a patient’s life, Dr. Verghese suggested.

“We as physicians are always engaged in story,” he said. “Our students come to medical school with a wonderful ability to imagine the suffering of patients. From the second year to the third year, there is a transition from the preclinical curriculum to the clinical. They are learning so much about disease that it is very easy for students to lose sight of the person behind the disease. Our goal at the Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics is to keep the story of the patient in front of our students.”

This is accomplished through a curriculum of clinically relevant literature, film and art; teaching the art of the bedside exam; and community service, he said.

“All of this brings us to our knees,” said Shirley Gonzalez, president of the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation. “You humble us with all you are doing.”

Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa commented: “It has been a privilege to listen to Dr. Verghese and see in him the qualities we all want in a person who cares for us.”