The Investiture of Malcolm M. DeCamp Jr., MD, as the Fowler McCormick ProfessorWednesday, June 2 was an evening of commendations and camaraderie as Malcolm M. DeCamp Jr., MD, was invested as the Fowler McCormick Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Following a brief reception where Feinberg faculty and staff, members of the Northwestern community, and family and friends of Dr. DeCamp gathered to share their congratulations on the momentous occasion, Nathaniel J. Soper, MD, Loyal and Edith Davis Professor and chair of the Department of Surgery, emceed a lively program.  | Drs. DeCamp and Soper (l to r) |
Dr. Soper first discussed the great importance of professorships at the medical school, citing their invaluable role in attracting supremely talented faculty-physicians like Dr. DeCamp. He went on to describe Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, Heller-Sacks Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery, and director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute—who would extol Dr. DeCamp—as a similarly excellent compatriot to the surgery team at Feinberg. Following these introductions and a description of the legacy of philanthropy afforded to all of Chicago by the late Fowler McCormick, Dr. McCarthy took the podium for his formal remarks. In a well-received, humorous presentation, Dr. McCarthy led the audience on a tour through Dr. DeCamp’s life, beginning with baby photos and stories from his days as a football player at Harvard University, to his days at the Cleveland Clinic and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he started the first comprehensive chest disease center in the nation. Since joining Northwestern in December 2009, Dr. DeCamp already has made a tremendous impact on the Department of Surgery, which Dr. McCarthy captured through a final video clip of Dr. DeCamp morphing into Superman. Dr. McCarthy cheerfully proclaimed that Dr. DeCamp will most certainly continue to “break down walls, build bridges, and ultimately, save the planet.”  | Drs. McCarthy and DeCamp (l to r) |
The presentation of the professorship medallion invoked a rousing applause from the audience, as Dr. Soper briefly introduced Dr. DeCamp in his new role and invited him to make his own remarks. Expressing how flattered and excited he was to be in Chicago and honored in such a meaningful way, Dr. DeCamp extended gratitude to many groups and individuals who helped shape his life. Firstly to his family, in particular his mother, Dr. DeCamp referenced his future: “one day you will retire and all your diplomas, certificates, and papers will not keep you warm at night, but instead you will draw close to and enjoy those special people in your life (family, friends, trainees, and colleagues) who have always been there for you.” Dr. DeCamp next acknowledged his many mentors, including Dr. McCarthy and Douglas E. Vaughan, MD, Irving S. Cutter Professor and chair of the Department of Medicine, who have helped shape his professional career and were instrumental in his recruitment to Northwestern. In thanking these and other individuals, Dr. DeCamp expressed his pride at the support offered by so many colleagues of only a few months’ time. Lastly, Dr. DeCamp discussed the legacy of Mr. McCormick, whose tremendous generosity touched the lives of so many individuals across the city and continues to this day at Northwestern University. In doing so, he referenced the book Built to Last, written by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras, about successful habits of visionary companies. A main theme of the book—the clock builder versus the time teller—was Dr. DeCamp’s final reference. Rather than simply telling time in the now, Dr. DeCamp explained the importance of building a legacy—like a clock, and like that of Mr. McCormick—that will “keep time” long after you are gone. By: Andrea Arntsen-Harris
Photo Credit: Nathan Mandell | 
