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DEAN’S LETTER
As the University of North Dakota community mourns the
recent death of former President Tom Clifford, I am
reminded of Chapter 5 in the medical school’s centennial
book, North Dakota, Heal Thyself, called “Clifford’s
Gamble.” It chronicles the school’s difficult transition from
a two-year to a four-year institution, and President Clifford’s
pivotal role in making the transition happen successfully.
“It was the first thing on my agenda when I
took office,” says Clifford. “One of the first
letters I received from the American Medical
Association said, ‘you can either change or
go out of business.’ That news was difficult
to accept because we had a very good twoyear
school, great research, and great
acceptance of our students. It was hard to
think that all that would come to an end and
yet that was exactly what the letter was
telling me. We had to go into unchartered
waters and we started immediately.” (p. 127)
An astute politician and visionary, President Clifford
recognized the value and importance of in-state medical
education. Our school may not even exist today had it not
been for his leadership. He left an unbelievable legacy.
As my tenure at the medical school draws to a close
after 14 wonderful years, I often think of my own legacy.
What will I be remembered for I’d like to be associated
with the projects that brought me great joy—the
incorporation of patient-centered learning, the focus of
research on issues that affect North Dakotans, and the
increased emphasis on prevention activities through our
education and programming.
And now I ask you, my friends, what will your legacy
be Like President Clifford, you can also have a lasting
impact on the UND School of Medicine and Health
Sciences. With medical school debt approaching a
staggering $150,000 and other programs straining under
similar figures, there is no time like the present for you to
create an endowment that funds student scholarships. I
encourage you to contact Diane Walters, our new
development officer (profiled on page 29), and she’ll walk
you through the process. We all thank you for your
consideration.
Until next time,
H. David Wilson, M.D.
Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean
2 NORTH DAKOTA MEDICINE Spring 2009