The Investiture of Lee P. Shulman, MD, as the Anna Ross Lapham Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology  | Drs. Elias, Shulman, and Jameson (l to r) at the ceremony |
On Tuesday, May 20, colleagues, family, and friends joined together to celebrate the investiture of Lee P. Shulman, MD, as the Anna Ross Lapham Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Shulman, who also serves as chief of the Division of Reproductive Genetics, medical director of the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, and co-director of the Northwestern Ovarian Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Program, was extolled by chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and his long-time friend and mentor Sherman Elias, MD. Dr. Elias spoke highly of Dr. Shulman, describing him as "a truly outstanding physician and clinical investigator, who always has the best interests of his patients at heart." The department chair described his long history with the honoree, which began at Northwestern University when Dr. Shulman applied and was accepted to a fellowship in the section of human genetics under Drs. Elias and Joe Leigh Simpson. Dr. Shulman recalled this as "a fateful decision," even joking that there must have been no other candidates for the competitive position. In 2003, both physicians returned to Northwestern as colleagues.  | Dr. Shulman and family enjoy Dr. Elias's remarks |
With his own comments, Dr. Shulman walked attendees through his medical journey, thanking all those who assisted him along the way. Quoting a favorite poet, Constantin Cavafy, he described how the support of those around him and his love for learning, teaching, and research led him to this recognition.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Shulman graciously described the evening’s other honoree. "Anna Ross Lapham was a true pioneer, becoming the first woman professor at Northwestern University Medical School in 1919. I am deeply honored to even be mentioned in the same discussion as Dr. Lapham, and I hope that my work will help to continue her legacy and enrich future generations of students and physicians at the Feinberg School of Medicine and the patients that we serve." The Anna Lapham Professorship was created in 1954, one year after Dr. Lapham died at age 83. It was later renamed the Anna Ross Lapham Professorship of Obstetrics and Gynecology in memory of Dr. Lapham’s devotion to women’s health. Dr. Lapham received her medical degree cum laude from Northwestern University in 1898. In 1919, she joined the faculty of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as the first female professor of the medical school, and was named professor emeritus in 1946. For many years, she also worked closely with Dr. Joseph DeLee, noted obstetrician and founder of the Chicago Lying-In Hospital. |
