Tree Connected to "Father of Medicine" Planted Between the UMass Chan Diabetes Clinic and Research Laboratories
A branch from the “Tree of Hippocrates” from an Oriental plane tree on the island of Kos, Greece was planted on the UMass Chan Medical School campus. According to legend, Hippocrates of Kos, who is considered to be the father of medicine, educated his students near the tree more than 2,500 years ago. Cuttings from the original tree in Kos have been planted at institutions throughout the world.
Michael P. Czech, PhD, the Isadore and Fanny Foxman Chair in Medical Research, was instrumental in getting the planting on campus. “This tree is something we can look back at over the years with pride,” Dr. Czech said. “It is a symbol of hope and a reminder to resist complacency and to keep our creative juices flowing.”
It was planted in between research buildings on the UMass Chan Medical School campus and the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) building, in which the adult and pediatric UMass Memorial diabetes clinics are located.
Among the speakers at the dedication ceremony were UMass Chan Diabetes Center of Excellence vascular surgeon-scientist Tammy Nguyen, MD, PhD, and Silvia Corvera, MD, the Endowed Chair in Diabetes Research.
“A lot has changed in 2500 years,” said Dr. Nguyen. “Today professional burn out is prevalent and the values in the practice of medicine and research can lose clarity. This tree serves provides an opportunity for us all to take time out of our busy day to pause and be reminded of the core values that motivates our practice of medicine and research.”
