College of Medicine 1944 alumnus visits alma mater

From left: John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Medicine, meets with Howard Baker, M.D., a member of the UNMC College of Medicine’s class of 1944. Dr. Baker, who lives in Granada Hills, Calif., recently visited his alma mater for the first time in more than 50 years.

Gordon Todd, Ph.D., professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy, discusses histology technology with Dr. Baker.

From left: Members of the College of Medicine class of 1944, Howard Baker, M.D., Charles Root, M.D., and Stanley Truhlsen, M.D., reminisce about their medical school days.

Howard Baker, M.D., College of Medicine class of 1944, from Granada Hills, Calif., recently paid a visit to Omaha and his alma mater, UNMC.

Dr. Baker hadn’t been back to UNMC in more than 50 years. With a phone call to the UNMC Alumni Office, his visit was arranged. Lenal Bottoms of UNMC Alumni Affairs, and Gwen Nemec of the University of Nebraska Foundation served as hosts.

During his visit, Dr. Baker learned about the McGoogan Library of Medicine from Teresa Hartman, assistant professor and head of the library education department, and spoke with Gordon Todd, Ph.D., professor of genetics, cell biology and anatomy, about the anatomy and histology labs.

“When I went to school here, the library was in the nursing building,” Dr. Baker said. He also commented about the anatomy lab being on the top floor of what was then, North Hall (currently Poynter Hall).

Dr. Baker stood across the street from the construction site of the new Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Sciences and shook his head in amazement with the new building and what it would hold for future UNMC students.

Dr. Baker was surprised during the tour with a stop at the office of John Gollan, MD, Ph.D., dean of the College of Medicine. As Dr. Baker looked out the window from the fifth floor of Witton Hall, Dr. Gollan explained that they were looking at the original entrance of University Hospital. Seeing this brought back many memories for Dr. Baker.

Two of Dr. Baker’s 1944 classmates, Charles Root, M.D., and Stanley Truhlsen, M.D., joined him for lunch. The three told stories of their medical school days and career experiences.

“It was wonderful having Dr. Baker visit at UNMC after graduating 63 years ago,” said Kim Cuda, UNMC Director of Alumni Affairs. “He was amazed and impressed with UNMC and the progress that’s been made.”