Journal of Pediatric Surgery

VOI, 32, NO 8 AUGUST 1997

IN MEMORIAM

Arnold M. Salzberg, MD, BB 1922-1997

RNOLD M. SALZBERG was born in Patterson, A New Jersey, on May 21, 1922. He attended under- graduate school at the University of North Carolina from 1938 to 1942. Arnold obtained his medical degree from the New York Medical College in 1946. After 2 years in the US Army Medical Corps (1946-1948), Dr Salzberg moved to Richmond, Virginia, and trained in general surgery at the Medical College of Virginia from 1948 to 1953. After a year of training in thoracic surgery at George Washington University, Arnold trained in pediat- ric surgery at Babies Hospital, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Dr Salzberg returned to the Medical College of Virginia in 1961 at the rank of Assistant Professor of Surgery. He rose up the academic ladder and served as Professor and Head of the Division of Pediatric Surgery from 1970 to 1990. He was an active faculty member until 1996, when a career-ending illness developed.

Dr Salzberg died March 21, 1997, after a difficult illness. His wife was with him at the end, just as she had been for almost 25 years. He left behind his sons, David and Harry, and his daughter, Bambi. He is also survived

Journal ofPediatric Surgery, Vol 32, No 8 (August), 1997: pp 1137-l 138

by countless surrogate children, his students and pupils from his near 50-year career at the Medical College of Virginia. It’s a privilege to share a few reflections on the most significant professional relationship of my life and, after my family, the most meaningful personal one as well.

The first conversation I ever had with the man my kids know as “Uncle Arnie” was in his office 21 years ago. I was interviewing for an internship at MCV. His first remark was, ‘Krummel, why do you have such lousy Board scores?” Our last visit was a week before he died; he was still inquisitive and critical. He was quick to point out the mistakes he thought I was making with my department! You always knew what he was thinking!

Of course, these shortcomings were all forgiven be- cause, as he used to tell all of his students, “There are only two things wrong with you-DNA and RNA!”

On this planet, there are a few rare transcendent people that so inspire by what they do that they make the world a better place. Michael Jordan is a genius with a basketball, Wayne Gretzky with a hockey puck, and Joe Montana with a football. Arnold ranks with them-his genius was

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as a teacher with people. Not a teacher on a pedestal, but a teacher who let us get close enough to share his humanity, a teacher always ready to learn, and a teacher who rejected compromise and convenience. He made all those around him stand a little taller and be a little bigger human beings.

Human Being, the HB degree, as he called it-more important than an MD or a PhD, and far more difficult to achieve. Amie showed us how to achieve it, how to be a human being, with his life. In so doing, he influenced almost 50 years worth of physicians and surgeons at MCV and beyond.

There are a million Salzberg stories to make the HB point; here’s one only a few know.

One evening, Arnie and I were sitting in his office, schmoozing. The place, of course, reeks of cigar smoke. (My wife, Susie, always knew those nights when he and I would talk by the aroma when I walked in the door.) In walks the cleaning lady to pick up the trash. Arnie knows her, like he knows everybody else, and strikes up a conversation about her kids. He discovers that her high-school-senior daughter (a bright kid) wouldn’t be applying to college because they can’t afford the applica- tion fee. Ernie reaches into his pocket, whips out $100, and simply says, “Let me know if you need any more.” That kid went to college, went to medical school, and

today practices as a pediatrician. Ten years later, Amo- Id’s only comment was, “Best bet I ever made!” That’s a human being, that’s the HB degree.

Dr Salzberg made bets on everyone whose life he ever touched; he bet his time, his energy, his love, and his life. His death was inevitable, as is our own-but how we live the rest of our lives is not inevitable. If all of those who knew him were just a little bit better and little bit bigger human beings each and every day, we would win those bets that he made on each of us. If we all do that, we will bestow upon Amie the kind of immortality of spirit and ideal that he so richly deserves.

As a tangible memorial, the Medical College of Virginia, and his countless friends, have established the Arnold M. Salzberg Professorship in Pediatric Surgery. This Professorship will forever acknowledge his contribu- tions to this community, to his colleagues, to the Medical College of Virginia, and to the field of pediatric surgery. As further acknowledgment of his contributions as men- tor and teacher, the Section on Surgery of the American Academy of Pediatrics has established an award for mentorship, which will be presented at the annual meet- ing of the Academy.

Thomas M. Krummel, MD Hershey, PA