Dr. Charles Cameron Sprague told graduates of Louisiana State University School of Medicine Friday that the physician must assume his role as a responsible citizen and be active in the life of his community if he is to contribute maximally to the development of our democratic society.
Dr. Sprague, dean of Tulane University School of Medicine, was the principal speaker at the LSU Medical School's graduation ceremonies at Municipal Auditorium.
CITES SPECIALIZATION
"In this technological age with its ever increasing specialization,'' he said, "there is a greater and greater tendency for people, whether they be" physicians, lawyers, engineers or insurance salesmen, to spend more and more of their time becoming as proficient as possible in their business or profes-i sion so as to meet the competition.
"As a result, we permit, by default at times, serious deficiencies to develop in our system of government, be it by election of incompetent or even dishonest public officials, unwise legislation or failure to voice an enlightened opinion. Unfortunately, all too frequently the physician, preoccupied with the day to day care of his patients and devoting what free time he has to medical reading, is often poorly informed and quite naive about really important matters relating to the welfare of his community, state and nation."
He urged the 110 graduates to play a significant role in their own communities and to carry their fair shares of the load of civic responsibility.
This year's graduates bring to 2,656 the number of students graduated by LSU Medical School since the first class in 1933.
CONFERS DEGREES
Dr. John A. Hunter, president j of LSU, conferred degrees on the graduates. Dr. Edgar Hull, associate dean of the medical school, welcomed those attending.
Dr. Robert L. Simmons, associate dean, presented the 1964 LSU Medical Alumni Award to Dr. Albert Richard
nejj. Dr. Corne was hon-ored for his outstanding scholastic achievement, having maintained a 90.42 average during four years of schooling. He is from St. Martinville.
The ceremony's invocation was given by the Rev. J. D. Grey, pastor of the First Baptist Church, and the benediction by Msgr. A. T. Screen, pastor, St. Pius X Church. PHOTO: PICTURED at Friday's commencement exercises for the Louisiana State University School of Medicine at Municipal Auditorium are (from left) Dr. John A. Hunter, president of the university; Dr. Albert R. Come Jr., who won the Medical Alumni Award for outstanding scholastic achievement; Dr. Edgar Hull, associate dean, School of Medicine, and Dr. Charles C. Sprague, dean of the Tulane University School of Medicine, principal speaker at Friday's ceremonies.
