The history of the College of Medicine is filled with landmark research, life-changing discoveries and outstanding patient care. But, the story is best remembered and told by the personal tales of those that walked the halls while history was being written. For the physicians, staff, students and residents who have been a part of this noteworthy institution and cornerstone of the Commonwealth, please share your memories and experiences at UK College of Medicine.

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During the second year of medical school, our class learned of an upcoming guest lecturer who was notorious for picking students out of the class to “pimp.” He was known to embarrass students by saying things such as, “Hey, you in the Pink Floyd T-shirt, stand up and tell me everything you know about adrenal leukodystrophy.” Being a well prepared class, we all wore blue shirts and jeans. As the first volley was tossed by the professor, our class president, Dr. Brett Coldiron, stood and announced to the class, “It is time!” We all put on our paper grocery bag masks as the professor stood in amazement.

UK College of Medicine: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty, 1976-1987, Dean and Vice Chancellor for Clinical Professional Services, 1987-2004, Director of Health and Research Development, 2004-present

We had a psychiatry professor once who was a little strange. At the beginning of each lecture, he always asked someone to close the back door to the lecture hall. We would always leave it open, knowing that he would ask for it to be closed. We became angry one day because he decided that we should read different psychiatry books and write book reports. Whether true or not, we thought that he wanted that information because he was writing his own book and wanted to include our perceptions. So, prior to class one day, we took the door off the hinges and when he asked someone to close the door, we all roared when the classmate yelled, "It’s gone!"

UK College of Medicine: Member of the original College planning staff and Professor of Medical Sociology, 1957-1960, Coordinator of Academic Affairs, 1959-1962, founding chair, Department of Behavioral Science, 1959-1987

When the College of Medicine's first class of just 40 students arrived in 1960 only the basic science wings of the Medical Center had been completed. These included a spacious lounge with comfortable couches and chairs, TV and other amenities. Because the Hospital with its cafeteria was still two years from completion, a vending machine room was provided with healthy sandwiches, fresh fruits, juices and milk as well as the usual sodas. There was even a shower in one of the rest rooms. Each student was issued a key to the building assuring 24 hour access and a study cubicle with desk, shelves, drawers, a clothes locker and a personally assigned microscope. About half way through the academic year it became apparent that one enterprising student had not arranged for housing in the University or community but was managing quite well to meet all of his personal needs of living within the College.

UK College of Medicine: Dean and Vice Chancellor for Clinical Professional Services, 1975-1984, Admissions Committee, 1995-present, Acting Assistant Dean for Admissions, 2003-2004

It was a wintery night in January 1978. The snow was already so high that horses could walk across the four board fences. At 6:00 a.m. my home phone began to ring—students were calling, sure that medical school classes would be cancelled. I would simply say, “No, doctors must plan to always be available to patients.” I got my 16-year-old son up and loaded our four-wheel drive truck with logs and two shovels. For the next three days, we struggled with staffing the hospital. There were 12 plus hour shifts getting some to their homes and picking others up. One of the most memorable moments was when one of our surgeons rode up on horseback, covered in snow and proclaimed, “Where do I report?” Another memorable moment came when President Singletary walked all the way from Maxwell House to the hospital to check on how things were going and to be sure the hospital had enough food. Despite this legendary blizzard, most classes were held, but I didn’t keep attendance.

Director of Finance, 25 Years at the College of Medicine

I remember when Dean Wilson and other College of Medicine leadership made the decision to renovate the Dean's Office suite which included converting the MN corridor as part of the Dean's Office. During the renovation, the majority of us were shifted to one end of the suite until a portion of the office was renovated and then we were shifted to the other end. The construction workers put up a "make shift wall" constructed of a very thin sheet of plywood which had a knot hole in it. Someone (not sure who but I have my suspicions) pushed out the knot hole so it became a "peep hole" allowing us to see to the other side at the construction. One day, Dean Wilson was caught "peeping" through the hole by many of his staff while he was admiring the construction. I think we even snapped a picture of him in the act but I haven't been able to locate it yet. It made for a very funny event and the staff enjoyed many laughs from it. Dean Wilson eventually wrote around the peep hole, "Look Here." Since this happened a very long time ago and my memory is sometimes fuzzy, I could have embellished the story a bit.