Page 41 - The Early Life and Times of Bob Card

The Queens Years: The Second Chapter

fter recovering from my illness I returned to Queen’s University medical school. I was allowed
Ato re-enter second year, 1959-60 in a new class – Meds’64. Things really began to change
and that year was memorable. By then, I had matured and began to truly embrace my path in
medicine. We began studying anatomy, which included dissecting cadavers. Back then, that hands-
on approach was standard, though it has become rare in modern medical schools. There was even a
solemn ceremony to honor those who donated their bodies to science. These experiences grounded
us in the humanity of medicine, thanks in large part to our professor, Dr. John Basmajian. He
brought a personal touch to the material, making anatomy more than just a technical subject—it was
about understanding life itself. Two decades later, I was doing a sabbatical at McMaster University.
Dr. Basmajian was on faculty there at the time and when we met in the hall he remembered me
straight away.

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