The Reporter: June 1998, Vol.9, No.3
Forum Celebrates Legacy of Famous P&S Graduate

	This year's P&S Alumni Weekend was unofficially inaugurated with a special program honoring the life and work of one of the school's most famous graduates--Dr. Benjamin Spock. "The Spock Revolution: How One Pediatrician Changed the World" brought together an acclaimed panel of participants who spoke warmly of the influence Dr. Spock had on them professionally. Photo highlights from the program--attended by about 350 alumni, friends, and Columbia employees--are presented here. 1. Thomas Maier, whose biography of Dr. Spock inspired the forum, shared personal stories about his meetings with Dr. Spock before the latter's death in March. Mr. Maier's book opens with the line Dr. Spock made famous: "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." Says Mr. Maier of Dr. Spock's words, "By offering a little bit of comfort in the dark of night, he has proven himself a true friend." 2. At a post-forum dinner in the Faculty Club, Dr. Mary McCord, P&S assistant professor of clinical pediatrics, spoke about "Life as a Pediatrician in 1998." Dr. McCord has M.D. and M.P.H. degrees from Columbia, and she spent part of her residency under Dr. Margaret Heagarty at Harlem Hospital Center. Dr. Heagarty hosted the dinner and introduced Dr. McCord. 3. The panel of speakers, from left... * Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, P&S class of 1943, is one of the best-known pediatricians of the post-Spock era. He is widely recognized as host of LIFETIME television's "What Every Baby Knows" series and as a best-selling author. He is professor emeritus at Harvard Medical School. * Jane Brody is the New York Times "Personal Health" columnist and author of nine books and scores of magazine articles. She also lectures on health and nutrition to both professional and lay audiences. * Dr. Margaret Hamburg, assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and former New York City Commissioner of Health, has served on the faculty of the Columbia School of Public Health. * Dr. Margaret Heagarty, director of pediatrics at Harlem Hospital Center and P&S professor of pediatrics, is an advocate for the children of Harlem and a leading researcher of pediatric AIDS, the effects of cocaine abuse in unborn children, and the delivery of health care for children from low-income families. * Thomas Maier is the author of the 1998 biography "Dr. Spock: An American Life" and an award-winning author and journalist. He has been a writer for Newsday since 1984 and was formerly on the staff of the Chicago Sun-Times. * Dr. Martin Stein, a consultant for the latest edition of Dr. Spock's "Baby and Child Care," is professor of pediatrics at the University of California at San Diego. * Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a psychosexual therapist who helped pioneer the field of media psychology through radio, television, video, newspapers, books, games, and computer software. Besides having a private practice, Dr. Westheimer leads seminars at Brookdale Hospital for residents and interns in pediatrics and lectures frequently at universities across the country.

4. Dr. Herbert Pardes, vice president and dean, presented the Dean's Award for Distinguished Service posthumously to Dr. Spock. Mary Morgan accepted the award for her late husband. (See page 5 for story.) 5. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, shown here beside a portrait of Dr. Spock, titled her presentation "Sexuality Education: Something Missing." Dr. Spock's writings touched only briefly on the issue of sexuality education, although his work incorporated ideas from Freudian psychoanalysis. Dr. Westheimer said she'd like to carry on his legacy by making sexuality education and communication her contribution to improving the lives of children. 6. Panelist Dr. T. Berry Brazelton holds 5-month-old Hannah, daughter of Martha Wells, development associate in P&S Alumni Relations, and Scott Lifschin, left. Dr. Brazelton was happy to share baby advice with the first-time parents. 7. New York Times columnist Jane Brody spoke about the groundwork Dr. Spock's writings provided for journalists like herself in her talk titled "To Your Health: The Introduction and Popularization of Complex Medical Ideas for Consumers." Dr. Margaret Hamburg is seated beside Ms. Brody. 8. Dr. Spock's widow, Mary Morgan, left, and Dr. Margaret Heagarty visited following the forum. Dr. Heagarty's presentation on "What Urban Children Owe Dr. Spock" paid a touching tribute to Dr. Spock, whose ideas supported the programs she oversees as director of pediatrics as Harlem Hospital Center.