Anderson remembered for CME contributions(As remembered by his former colleagues in the Office of Continuing Medical Education)Dr. Marion C. Anderson, 74, of Charleston, a retired dean and former chairman of the Department of Surgery at MUSC died Feb. 2. Dr. Anderson was born in Concordia, Kansas. At MUSC he held the positions of executive associate dean in the College of Medicine and associate dean for continuing medical education and graduate medical education. He served as president of the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo and was a member of the faculty at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. He was a member of the American Surgical Association. He was known as a great teacher of surgery, and physicians in Charleston described him as a tradition at MUSC. Beyond his reputation as the great surgeon, employees in the Office of Continuing Medical Education knew and respected him as their department dean and mentor. Dr. Anderson took the position of associate dean for continuing medical education when the office consisted of one person and offered limited services. Dr. Anderson met with Layton McCurdy, M.D., in his first month as dean of the College of Medicine and asked for his support of continuing medical education. Over the next decade Dr. Anderson continually raised the issue of the importance of continuing medical education and its relation to life-long learning. As a result, continuing medical education and life-long learning are recognized as important parts of the continuum of physician education by the College of Medicine and the university administration. Continuing medical education is now involved in many aspects of undergraduate and graduate medical education within the College of Medicine. As a result of Dr. Anderson’s leadership, the Office of Continuing Medical Education has grown in all areas from personnel to the amount and types of activities offered. His vision for continuing medical education went far beyond the traditional “live-body” lecture. Ideas for web-based courses and self-directed learning were presented by Dr. Anderson many years ago. Dr. Anderson's involvement in national organizations such as Association of American Medical College and Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education has allowed MUSC to be involved in national projects and research. In fact, Dr. Anderson served as secretary of the society for four years. “I miss Dr. Anderson now, but I am sure that there will be many instances in the future when I will miss Dr. Anderson's guidance, support and caring even more. I have lost a friend and a mentor,” said Odessa Ussery, program coordinator. “However, I am so glad that he accepted the position as my boss many years ago because he became so much more to me.” Dr. Anderson was a visionary for medical and continuing medical education. His professional legacy lies in the generation of physicians who learned clinical/surgical skills as well as his commitment to advance lifelong learning in licensed practicing physicians. He recognized the personal and professional challenges faced by physicians in their efforts to provide quality health care in a rapidly changing medical profession. During his last 10 years as associate dean for continuing medical education, Dr. Anderson expanded program offerings, advanced the quality of program content and expanded life-long learning to research focusing on enhancing physician performance and overall health outcomes. His establishment of the South Carolina Medical Leaders Partnership Initiative would access leadership statewide to focus on health issues and concerns facing our state that could be addressed through continuing medical education. MUSC continuing medical education also advocated providing continuing medical education credit to physicians who were involved in teaching/presentations to be able to receive credit for their efforts. This later was nationally adopted and implemented. “Dr. Anderson made a difference in my life and was the ultimate mentor to me, said Jan Temple, Ph.D., director of professional development at MUSC. “He advanced my growth through development and did so with guidance and direction. Our dialogue included agreements and disagreements that provided stimulation and growth. He was forward-thinking, open to suggestions, and developed a team effort that made all feel as valuable contributors to the advancement of continuing medical education. I most admired his vision and wisdom. It reflected a life balance that I aspire to achieve.” “Dr. Anderson was the most respectful, kind and generous boss,” said Pam Benjamin, another program coordinator. “He was sure to compliment your good works and made you feel happy to be a part of his staff. His open door policy and readiness to listen and help was one that any employee would appreciate and value. It was quite an honor to work for Dr. Anderson and to get to know him and his family. His generosity and respect will never be forgotten.” “Dr. Anderson was one for whom I hold the highest degree of respect and admiration,” said Valerie Morton. “He was a straight-forward man regarding his needs, wants, and requirements as dean of continuing medical education. He was one of the easiest people to work for and be acquainted with. He will be sadly and greatly missed.” “I feel so very fortunate to have been associated with Dr. Anderson and to have been acquainted with his family,” said Gerri Hollis, of the Office of Continuing Medical Education. “During his illness, he taught me humility and thoughtfulness of others
by allowing me to feel useful and helpful to him and to his family. The
loving and caring of people, he obviously taught his residents, was practiced
daily with his employees and his family. Along with me, MUSC, colleagues,
friends and family, we will all miss him! The world and MUSC are a better
place because Dr. Marion C. Anderson chose to spend a part of his life
here.”
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