Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Letters - Pannill, Cander, Taylor 1972 History of Heroes
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Pannill June 9, 1972 Erwin Charge Challenged

Pannill June 9, 1972 Med School Upheavel Spreads to Hospital District

Pannill June 9, 1972 Interim Dean Bringing His Own People

As we approach the 50th Anniversary Gala of UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine, I am reminded of its origins.  What is notwa leading provider of excellent healthcare in South Texas is the result of a heavy price paid for by the “founding fathers.” 

Recently, I have learned of the fates of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence.   I was shocked to discover how many had been executed by the British, and how many gave everything and lost everything, to die in poverty for their sacrifice.  Progress always comes with a cost and often others are unaware of the cost which was paid by those who made progress possible.

As I read the three articles attached above from June, 1972, and as I remember the events from personal experience, and as I read the names Pannill, Cander, and Taylor, I remember.  I realize how the reputations of these men were besmirched by the “powers that be,” and I realize what a price they paid to bring our School of Medicine into existence so that it could become what it is today.

Dr. Pannill was our Dean.  A more noble man you could not find.  Impeccably honest and visionary.  He refused to take the steps which would have saved his job but which would have compromised his values.  Among the things I am proud of in my own life is that in 1964 when in Louisiana the KKK threatened my life, and  when in 1972, circumstances gave me the opportunity to stand up for F. C. Pannill, Dean of the School of Medicine.  (see http://jameslhollymd.com/Letters/dr-fitzhugh-carter-pannill-jr-md-my-dean-and-my-mentor)  To say that the students resented Dr. Pannill’s firing and resented those who took his place is to understate how angry we were.  When our 1973 graduation diplomas were not signed by Dr. Pannill, most of us resented that, too.

Dr. Cander was the chairman of the Department of Medicine at UT Health.  He was not beloved by many because he was brilliant and driven.  He was not attacked for a moral failure, or because of some disgraceful act, he was attacked because he was committed to bringing healthcare to those he had none.  And, Dr. Pannill was fired by the Chancellor of the UT System because he refused to fired Dr. Cander.

Dr. Taylor was the Dean of Admissions and he was my very good friend.  I remember the day that I walked into his office and he pointed out the window and said, “Do you see those two men?”  He added, “In that brief case there is $100,000 in cash.  They offered me that money to admit both to the freshman class and to guarantee their graduation.”  With his wonderful sense of humor he added, “I deeply resent their proposition.”  Thinking that he was incensed at the bribe, I laughed out loud when he added, “It is worth much more than that.”   I could fill a book with stories of this wonderful man.

The loss from the School of Medicine of these three men and others must never be forgotten.  And, as we celebrate those who have built this great institution, let us now forget the names of Pannill, Cander and Taylor.  I hope that these brief recollections in a small way add to the legacy of these great men upon whose shoulders we stand today.

James L. Holly, M.D.
CEO, SETMA

Adjunct Professor
Department of Family and Community Medicine
UT Health San Antonio
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine 

Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine
Texas A&M University
School of Medicine 

The following is an excerpt from the following brief history of the early hears at UT Health Long School of Medicine --  http://jameslhollymd.com/Letters/ut-health-historical-summary-in-response-to-drs-henrich-and-berggren.

Trouble was Brewing

As a student and particularly of one in clinical years of training in academic years 1971-1972 and 1972-1973, I was unaware of many of the undercurrents threatening UT Health San Antonio, until they erupted in the firing of Dr. Pannell in June 1972. 

Texas healthcare politics were active during these early years.  My class (1969-1973) was the first full class to go through all four years at UTMSSA.  The Founding Faculty members were outstanding clinicians and academicians with strong teaching and research credentials. They also were socially conscience and immediately began to seek ways to expand excellent healthcare into the minority and indigent communities of San Antonio.   The Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Dr. Leon Cander, led many of those efforts and ran afoul of the Texas Medical Association and state healthcare leaders.

My Letter to UT Regents Published in San Antonio Express News

A number of those leaders and local physicians pushed for Dr. Cander’s dismissal.  Dr. Pannill refused.  In June 1972, the Chancellor of the UT System fired Dr. Pannill.  Unfortunately, for the Chancellor he based his action upon the AAMC Accreditation Site visit reports, both of which I had read.  Knowing that the Chancellor had misrepresented the reports, I wrote a letter to each of the University of Texas regents which included Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson.   I sent a copy of the letter to the San Antonio Express News which, rather than publishing it as a Letter-To-The-Editor, published my letter on the front page of the paper above the fold in 40-point type.  (Regrettably, all of this material was lost in a move of my medical office in 1996.)
 During this time, Bob Dale, the internationally known editorial cartoonist for the Express News, did four original sketches on this subject.  One day, during the controversy created by the publication of my letter, I was at the Express News’ office.  Walking past Bob Dale’s desk, I saw his original pen and ink sketches, and he gave them to me.  Framed, these sketches hang in my son’s office to this day.
These files are from the June, 1972 San Antonio Express news.  They are of the events surrounding Dr. Pannill's dismissal  Bob Dale was or is a nationally known editorial cartoonist.  One day, I went to the News after they published my letter to the Regents of the University of Texas Board.  I expected a letter to the editor; they published it as 40 point type, front page, above the fold.
I saw the original pen and ink editorial cartoons on Bob's desk and asked him what he was going to do with them.  He said, "Throw them away."  I asked if I could have them; I still do.  I have taken the originals out of the frames and  had very high resolution, digitized versions made -- far too large to e-mail.  I am having two sets printed and framed. One for Fittz and the other for the School of Medicine. 
http://jameslhollymd.com/In-The-News/dismissal-of-school-of-medicine-dean-f-c-pannill-md

 

Trouble was Brewing
As a student and particularly of one in clinical years of training in academic years 1971-1972 and 1972-1973, I was unaware of many of the undercurrents threatening UT Health San Antonio, until they erupted in the firing of Dr. Pannell in June 1972. 

Texas healthcare politics were active during these early years.  My class (1969-1973) was the first full class to go through all four years at UTMSSA.  The Founding Faculty members were outstanding clinicians and academicians with strong teaching and research credentials. They also were socially conscience and immediately began to seek ways to expand excellent healthcare into the minority and indigent communities of San Antonio.   The Chairman of the Department of Medicine, Dr. Leon Cander, led many of those efforts and ran afoul of the Texas Medical Association and state healthcare leaders.

My Letter to UT Regents Published in San Antonio Express News

A number of those leaders and local physicians pushed for Dr. Cander’s dismissal.  Dr. Pannill refused.  In June 1972, the Chancellor of the UT System fired Dr. Pannill.  Unfortunately, for the Chancellor he based his action upon the AAMC Accreditation Site visit reports, both of which I had read.  Knowing that the Chancellor had misrepresented the reports, I wrote a letter to each of the University of Texas regents which included Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson.   I sent a copy of the letter to the San Antonio Express News which, rather than publishing it as a Letter-To-The-Editor, published my letter on the front page of the paper above the fold in 40-point type.  The title of the article was, “Senior Medical Student Challenges Chancellor’s Truthfulness.”  (Regrettably, all of this material was lost in a move of my medical office in 1996.  The archives of the Express News do not include this material.)
 During this time, Bob Dale, the internationally known editorial cartoonist for the Express News, did four original sketches on this subject.  One day, during the controversy created by the publication of my letter, I was at the Express News’ office.  Walking past Bob Dale’s desk, I saw his original pen and ink sketches, and he gave them to me.  Framed, these sketches hang in my son’s office to this day.
The following are reproductions of all four cartoons.  One shows Drs Pannill and Cander’s names, and depicts them as victims of the Chancellor.  (See:  In The News - The dismissal of School of Medicine Dean, F. C. Pannill, M.D.)

A more detailed history of my activities with the AAMC is given at the following link:  Addendum Written April 20, 2016 - 45 years later - Dr. Holly Elected OSR’s First Chairman
In August 2012, I attended Dr. Pannill’s Memorial Service; on October 10, 2012, I wrote his children and grandchildren and said:

“Today, I am preparing to leave tomorrow for San Antonio.  On Saturday night, I shall receive the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award.   I shall carry with me to this event, the framed copy of my letter of acceptance to the 1969 entering class, signed by ‘MY’ Dean, Dr. Carter Pannill.   My greatest regret is that your father and grandfather will not be there.  In my professional career, no person has influenced me more than Dr. Pannill - I could no more call him Carter, than I could stop breathing.  He shall always be the epitome of professionalism, leadership, scholarship and the kind of physician I have always wanted to be.

“You know these things but as I stand before the convocation on Saturday evening, I want to know that I have laid this honor at his feet and expressed my gratitude that I knew and loved him and that he respected me.  No honor could be more valued by me.  I am pleased for you to know that in my judgment, Dr. Henrich and your father are men of the same caliber and cut from the same cloth.  I think your father would like that.”