Conversation with Dean Joe Ceithaml
Shaun Odell and Joseph J. Ceithaml
By Shaun Odell, Graduating Class of '08
Earlier this spring, third-generation University of Chicago medical student Shaun Odell visited Dean Ceithaml at his home in Chicago. Shaun Odell is the son of John Odell, MD’79, and grandson of William Odell, MD/SM’56.
Having been raised on stories about the University of Chicago (my father graduated from Pritzker in ’79 and my grandfather in ’56), I was already familiar with many aspects of life here when I arrived to begin medical school in the fall of 2004. I had heard of the ivy-covered buildings, the demolition of the football field to build the Regenstein library, and the beauty of Rockefeller Chapel. I had also heard of many of the faculty who seemed to be even more memorable to dad and grandpa than the aforementioned physical landmarks. The name that I heard most frequently was that of former Dean of Students, Joseph Ceithaml.
Joseph J. Ceithaml Scholarship Fund
In honor of Dean Ceithaml's legacy, alumnus Norman Zinner, MD'58 created the Joseph J. Ceithaml Scholarship Fund in 2000. The endowed fund is used to support medical students at the University of Chicago, helping decrease the large debt burden they face upon graduation. In celebration of Dean Ceithmal's 90th birthday, the Medical & Biological Sciences Alumni Association has hosted a series of parties and fundraising events in support of this Fund, which will culminate with the June 3rd birthday celebration during the 2006 Reunion weekend.
To many current students, Dean Ceithaml’s name may be unfamiliar, as he has been retired for some time. It is interesting to note, however, that all of us are familiar with the many contributions he has made during his 60 plus years of service to the University (35 of which were spent as Dean of Students for the medical school). Two examples: Dean Ceithaml set up programs to help pay interest on student loans, and was even responsible for instituting our beloved Pass/Fail grading system. Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with this legendary figure. I was amazed at how deeply he cared for University of Chicago students, both past and present.
Take for instance his policy of meeting with every incoming medical student individually to get to know them and to let them know that he was available any time help was needed. Dean Ceithaml always loved working with students, regardless of their skill level, and used different methods of communicating with each. He explains: “I found that students were very capable, but sometimes some of them needed a verbal kick in the pants, and I gave it to them. Others needed a pat on the back to tell them that I realized that they were doing the best they could and they should hang in there.” He went on to say that “ University of Chicago medical students are like whipping cream. Some take a little longer to whip into shape, but the finished product is always good.”
One of his goals as Dean was to always foster a sense of collegiality within the medical school. In fact it was this aim that provided the original impetus for creation of the Pass/Fail grading system. Dean Ceithaml explains that some faculty at the time wanted to add an “Honors” distinction to the grading scale. He told them, “Oh no, I don’t want Honors, what I want is that students work together, helping one another, not saying if I do this, that, or the other, I’ll get Honors.” While this novel idea was met with some reservation at first, the faculty at the time agreed to implement it on a trial basis. Nearly 30 years later, generations of University of Chicago medical students can attest to its success.
One of the final messages Dean Ceithaml related to me concerned this year’s graduating seniors. He said the best advice he could give was the following: “When you go into your residency, work your tail off. There will be long hours, and sometimes when you are ready to leave after a long day, you may meet the surgeon going home for dinner. Wave to him, but also ask him if there is anything else you can do. You hope he doesn’t say anything, but if he does, do it. That way you will learn not only how to cope with new situations, but you will build necessary stamina.” Having been instrumental in the training of over 3,000 doctors at the University of Chicago during his tenure as the Dean of Students, it is easy to say that advice like this is not only well thought out, but doubtless has been proven true by generations of our medical graduates.
