A Personal Response

As a scientist and educator, Dr.Van Liere had unparalleled influence on the institution he served -- and he was recognized for that service. The Health Sciences Center established the Van Liere Chair of Physiology and the Van Liere Memorial Research Convocation; the University inducted him into the Order of Vandalia.  However, for many of us, myself included, Dr. Van Liere was a kindly man with a ready smile whose anecdotes about the Medical Center and whose presence in the Department of Physiology as an emeritus professor contributed to our sense of institutional loyalty and gave us an historical sense of place.

Some of the statements which follow are examples of this historicity while others are the memories of men, now old themselves, who remember their teacher in his youth and vigor.

Sally Brown
Health Sciences Library
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

 

A Tribute

It is hard for me to realize that someone does not know who Dr. Van Liere is.  When I first came to West Virginia University in 1959, there was only one medical school in the State, and he was its Dean.  Probably every one associated with the practice of medicine in West Virginia at that time knew of him.  The year 2004 saw the celebration of the one hundredth year of West Virginia University’s School of Medicine. Without the unceasing efforts of Dr. Van Liere during the years 1934-1957, this would not have been possible. For almost six decades Dr. Van Liere was responsible for the continuance of the medical community in Morgantown and in the state.  From 1921 until his death in 1979, he was without a doubt, the most influential person in the development of medical education in the State of West Virginia.

In 1921 Dr. Van Liere came to West Virginia University as Professor and Chairman of Physiology, one year after receiving the M.D. degree from Harvard.  He held this appointment until 1955 when he resigned to devote full time to his position as Dean of the School of Medicine.  He had been appointed Dean in 1935, and he served as Dean until 1960 when he reached the mandatory retirement age for administrators.  He remained as Professor of Physiology until 1966 when he reached the mandatory retirement age for faculty.

Even after Dr. Van Liere retired and became Professor Emeritus of Physiology, he continued to come to his office every day and contribute to medical education in West Virginia.  During these retirement years, Dr. Van Liere wrote many editorials for the West Virginia Medical Journal and his advice about medical education was highly sought after.  During this time period, his office was close to my laboratory, and I often saw subsequent Deans Clark K. Sleeth, Frank W. McKee and John E. Jones, as well as department chairmen and physicians from throughout the state, come to his office to consult with him.

On September 5, 1979, at the age of 83, Dr. Van Liere died at home in his sleep just several days after his last book entitled One Hundred Years of Physiology at West Virginia University, 1869-1969.

To elaborate on the kind of teacher and scientist Dr. Van Liere was and to get a glimpse about the admiration and respect the faculty and students had for him, the paragraphs which follow are taken verbatim from a speech given by Dr. Clark K. Sleeth at the Student Research Convocation on March 27, 1980. Subsequently, these yearly convocations were renamed the Van Liere Memorial Research Convocation for Students in the School of Medicine to honor his memory.

Dr. Sleeth began his speech commenting on the qualities which made Dr. Van Liere an effective teacher:
As a teacher, Dr. Van Liere very soon earned the extremely high regard of students, a recognition which continued for his more than 50 years of teaching.  Simple home made models and demonstrations were used frequently and effectively to illustrate basic principles.  I still recall a carboy of colored water, with some rubber tubing and tubing clamps which provided a most graphic demonstration of the relationship of peripheral resistance to blood pressure.  He had the ability to stimulate curiosity and a spirit of inquiry in nearly every student.  At the same time each student felt and quite accurately, that he was known as an individual, by a teacher who was genuinely interested in and concerned for his progress.  Many were surprised that the interest and concern continued long after the student had left the academic halls. Sleeth’s comments on Van Liere’s research were equally positive: “Research activity was begun virtually immediately after his arrival upon the scene.  The research laboratory of the Department of Physiology was a single room about 25 feet square, entirely devoid of equipment. Dr. Van Liere designed the equipment needed for his planned investigations, and arranged for its local manufacture.  Some of this equipment was still functioning into the seventies.  Within 10 years of his arrival here, Dr. Van Liere had gained national recognition as a primary authority in the field of hypoxia, and had also completed a Ph.D. degree at the University of Chicago.
Hypoxia remained the central theme of his very vigorous research for more than 50 years, resulting in publication of more than 300 papers and seven books.  He was author of the first definitive monograph on Hypoxia.  He was a consultant to Surgeons General of the U.S. Armed Forces for many years, made a number of international appearances, and was internationally known for his work in the physiology of diminished oxygen tension.

Dr. Sleeth closed his remarks at the Research Convocation by commenting on Van Liere’s recognition of the importance of research to the medical student and as Dean of the Medical School on his decision to do something about it: “More then half of his published papers bear the name of one or more medical students as co-investigators.  He was convinced of the value, to every physician, of some experience with the discipline of research investigation.  He often commented that most diagnostic problems encountered by the clinical practitioner are, in essence, research problems.  Under his guidance as Dean, the school had for some years conducted an annual convocation at which students who had participated in research were given an opportunity to present their work.  At the time of his retirement the school established [this] award, in annual recognition for excellence in student-conducted research.”

Those of us who knew and remember him can only hope that those who come after us will continue in those same principles which guided his actions as researcher, educator and administrator.

W.E. Gladfelter, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Department of Physiology
WVU School of Medicine

 

An Appreciation

Dr. Edward J. Van Liere was instantly recognized as a kind, effective leader by the thirty-some medical students who entered the two-years School of Medicine in 1948.

We came to know him well in the next two years before we moved on to complete the last two years of medical school in other institutions.  His interest in our progress and welfare was quite obvious, and he was readily available to answer our concerns and questions.  Physiology was the dominant basic science of that era, with discovery after discovery of the functioning of the human body.

Dr. Van Liere had established himself as one of the leading researchers in the effects of oxygen lack, or hypoxia.  This had become increasingly important as we began flights to the outer reaches of the stratosphere.  We were reminded of this daily by the presence of a large barometric tank, too large for the small physiology laboratory, which sat in the hallway at the medical school.

Many of the students participated in the varied research projects, both as researchers and as subjects.  One of these students later became a dean of the four-year school: Dr. Clark Sleeth.

Dr. Van Liere received an MD degree from Harvard in 1920, but he quickly recognized that his future lay in teaching and research.  In 1921 he joined the Department of Physiology as Chairman, and was subsequently named Dean in 1935.  He was soon to face the first of his administrative challenges: because of the Flexner Report published in 1910, which was designed to evaluate all current American medical schools, the two-year school was placed on probation.

Dr. Van Liere instituted immediate measures to regain accreditation and achieve it within two years.  He remained as Dean for twenty-five years, retiring in 1960.  However, he continued for another six year as professor of Physiology.

Throughout his tenure as Dean, Van Liere strove for the establishment of a four-year medical school in Morgantown, and convinced proponents to establish the Medical Center were such an educational program could take place.  With the passage of a penny-a-bottle pop tax by the West Virginia State Legislature, the four-year medical school became possible.  The West Virginia Medical Center opened in 1960, and two years later graduated its first class in sixteen physicians.

Dr. Van Liere served as an editor of the West Virginia Medical Journal which carried his thoughtful editorials.  He was a member of the Baker Street Irregulars and wrote of the deductive genius of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.  Since many of these deductions were based on the current medicine and science of the day, he could and did write a series of appreciative essays entitled A Doctor Looks at Sherlock Holmes.

“Eddie Van Liere” as he was called by his friends liked people.  He was devoted to his family and spoke frequently of his wife and daughter.  He drove a car of somewhat ancient vintage, which the medical students called a “Hupmobile” when they saw him rolling up Medical Center Drive.

Dr. Van Liere had his own office furniture moved into the Department of Physiology after his retirement as Dean.  His roll-up desk and wooden chairs were a welcome relief from the metal and plastic of the other offices.  I looked forward to his visits to my office.  He wanted to be kept abreast of all the happenings of the Medical Center.

Dr. Van Liere was greatly respected by the practicing physicians throughout West Virginia.  His positive influence on medical education and medical care in the state of West Virginia still abides today.

Dr. David Z. Morgan has had a long association with the WVU School of Medicine. As a member of the two-year school of medicine, class of 1950, David Morgan was a student of Van Liere’s. As a clinician he was associated with the Departments of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry. As an administrator, he was assistant dean, associate dean for student affairs, director of continuing medical education, and associate dean for medical affairs. In 1989 David Z. Morgan was named WVU School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus.

 

An Old Friend Remembers
Given at the Memorial Service, September 8, 1979

In the summer of 1921 when the West Virginia University School of Medicine was nine years old and research investigators in Toronto were less than a year from announcing the discovery of Insulin - there came to the West Virginia University School of Medicine a new Professor of Physiology, Edward Jerald Van Liere.

This twenty-six year old physician was born in Lakeshore, Wisconsin and spent much of his youth along the banks of the Ohio River in a picturesque part of Kentucky.  He returned to the University of Wisconsin for his undergraduate college work and saw his first scientific paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association before he received his Bachelors Degree.

Continuing at the University of Wisconsin, working for a Master’s degree, he took some required work at the University of Chicago, where he first encountered one of the true giants of Physiology of the first half of this century, Doctor Anton J. Carlson.  After completing the Master’s Degree at Wisconsin he proceeded to Harvard University School of Medicine, where he earned the MD degree. At Harvard he was again exposed to one of the real pioneers of Physiology, Doctor Walter B. Cannon.

After completion of the Medical Degree, he taught Physiology at the University of South Dakota for one year before coming to West Virginia University.  I have heard him say on numerous occasions that he came to West Virginia expecting to stay a year or two.  He gave 58 years of distinguished service, including 14 years after official retirement.

As a teacher, Doctor Van Liere very soon earned the extremely high regard of students, a recognition which continued for his more than 50 years of teaching.  He had the ability to stimulate curiosity and a spirit of inquiry in nearly all students.  At the same time every student felt, quite accurately, that he was known as an individual, by a teacher who was genuinely interested in and concerned for his progress.  Many were surprised that such interest and concern continued long after the student had left the confines of the school itself.

Research activity was begun virtually immediately after his arrival upon the scene. The teaching load expected of him would stagger most of today’s teachers.  He was the faculty of the Department of Physiology, and did all the teaching done by the Department.  The research laboratory was a room about 25 square feet, entirely bare of any special equipment.  Doctor Van Liere designed and arranged for local fabrication the equipment needed for his research.  As little as five years ago some of this equipment was still functioning.

Within 10 years, Doctor Van Liere had gained national recognition as a primary authority in the field of Hypoxia and had also completed a PhD degree at the University of Chicago.  Hypoxia remained the central theme of his very vigorous research endeavors for more than 50 years.  He authored the first definitive monograph upon that subject; was consultant to Surgeons General of the United States Armed Forces for many years, made a number of international appearances by invitation and was universally known for his work in the physiology of diminished oxygen tension.

In 1935, the West Virginia University School of Medicine lost its accreditation because of inadequate financial support and for a number of other reasons.  The Board of Governors of the University turned to Dr. Van Liere as one who might be able to re-establish the credibility of the school.  He carried out reorganization, strengthened the faculty, established and maintained standards of quality in education and saw the accredited status restored to the school in less than 2 years time.  He then continued as dean of the school for a total of 25 years, an unusual phenomenon even in that day.  For much of that time he continued also as professor and chairman of Physiology.

During his deanship the School of Medicine was never generously financed, but Dr. Van Liere never compromised his high standards of quality.  Students completing 2 years of medical education here were able, consistently, to transfer to other schools, including most prestigious ones, and to perform there in such a manner as to reflect entirely adequate preparation.  The administration of the WVU School of Medicine earned the confidence and respect of its sister schools of medicine, of the Governing Board of the University, the State Legislature, the medical profession, and the public.  It must be said that more than any one person Edward J. Van Liere created a climate which made possible the development of today’s modern medical center at West Virginia University.

When, in 1951, the State Legislature authorized the University to develop a modern educational center for health professions, Doctor Van Liere led the organization and planning procedures which occupied a great deal of time and effort through the decade of the 1950's.  The depth and breadth of vision he exhibited can be seen in the present scope of activities within the center.

Soon after the Medical Center construction was completed, regulations required the retirement of Doctor Van Liere.  At the time of his retirement the then President of the University characterized him in the following words: A--not only a gentleman but also a gentle man, but with a hard core of absolute integrity which he demanded also of all who were associated with him.

An Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Dean he continued to be active in writing, research and some teaching.  The book “100 Years of Physiology at West Virginia University” came from the press within the past month.  He was a member of the Editorial Board of the West Virginia Medical Journal for more than 40 years, and at the time of his death.  He attended a meeting of the editorial board in August, 1979.

At the time of his retirement, the School of Medicine established the E.J. Van Liere Award, an annual award for excellence in student-conducted research.  It is of interest that strong support for this action came from new senior members of the faculty of clinical departments, none of whom had known Dr. Van Liere for more than a year or two.  The priority which he gave to student acquaintance with the research method as an essential to the education of every physician was soon evident to all.

Even in his favorite hobby Doctor Van Liere engaged in scholarly activity.  An avid Sherlock Holmes fan he was internationally known and respected for his many analytical essays (and two books) regarding the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The present speaker is but one of hundreds of former students, colleagues, and associates whose lives have been changed by their contact with Edward Van Liere.  In one sense, however, my experience is unique.  It extended over a period of 46 years as student, research assistant, faculty colleague, assistant dean and his successor as dean, and finally, as Emeritus Dean alongside him. It may not be presumptuous, then, for the one to speak as representative of the many.  Absolutely devoted to the search for truth, convinced of the worth and dignity of every individual, he never intruded but was always available for well-considered advice and wise counsel.  Many recognize as well as I, but none better, the facility which Edward J. Van Liere showed for opening the eyes of young West Virginians vistas of opportunity for personal development and service to mankind, something many of us would never have dreamed existed.

All who knew him will remember Dr. Van Liere with respect, with gratitude, and most of all with love, and will feel a deep sense of obligation to continue the precept and example he placed before us.  In this way the man and his work will influence through the generations those who never heard his name.

Dr. Clark Kendall Sleeth was Dean of the Medical School from 1961 to 1970.  As a member of the two-year school of medicine, class of 1935, Clark K. Sleeth was a student of Van Liere’s.

 

Student Memories of Dr.Van Liere
1933-1959

These statements are from Dolores Fleming, Two Years and Beyond: West Virginia Two-Year School of Medicine (Morgantown, West Virginia School of Medicine Alumni Association, 1993)

To E. J. Van Liere and the fine faculty who gave us our beginning, our gratitude endures.
David Z. Morgan
(Class of 1950)

Class of 1933

...Bert Bradford, Jr. Charleston WV. Dr. Simpson was dean---unusual character; Dr. Van Liere in physiology--the school’s biggest asset.  Facilities were minimal and the medical school was on probation.

...Lawrence R. Leeson. Parkersburg, WV.  Assisting Dr. Van Liere on anoxia.

...Isaiah A. Wiles.  Morgantown, WV, and Port Charlotte, FL.  Work in physiology with Dr. Van Liere.  Shared some interesting experiments in anoxia.  I was a 1934 grad assistant, involved with the care of dogs, frogs, and turtles.

Class of 1934

...Robert T. Brandi.  Triadelphia, WV.  Wow!  From the first day when several of us pulled our cadaver from the vat, competition and pressure were fierce on all 81 of us.  This was September 1932.  Semester system, classes 8 hour a day, 5 1/2 days a week, constant exams and tests, sarcasm and put-downs--wow!  But finally June 1934 arrived with 47 of us surviving!  However, this discipline, which I then felt was extreme, proved its worth many times over in my practice.  I shall never forget the two-year School of Medicine.  It was there when I wanted it, and I shall continue to support it for others.  The training I received enabled me to be readily accepted at Rush Medical College in Chicago.

Class of 1935

...James D. Stratton.  Charlotte, NC.  I was one of the student volunteers for Dr. Van Liere’s physiology experiments.  I remember spending 1-o-n-g hours in a low-pressure tank while he measured my stomach-emptying-time!  It turned out to be over four hours, as I remember.

Class of 1940

...A Kyle Bush.  Philippi, WV.  The teachers at West Virginia University were of high caliber and prepared me well for transfer to the University of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Edward J. Van Liere, Dean of the School of Medicine, gave me encouragement and was always present when needed.  All of the students were a grand bunch of fellows.

Class of 1941

...Robert Z. Berry.  Baltimore, MD.  Dr. Van Liere driving up to school in his antique Buick coupe, soft top.  I am externally grateful for the good foundation in medicine I acquired at West Virginia University.

...Robert B. Hamilton.  Fairmont, WV.  The Saturday mornings we volunteers ate cold farina barium powder mixture as part of the physiology department’s experiment to determine the effect of certain drugs on gastric emptying time.

...Dr. Franklin Milam.  Morgantown, WV.  Getting to know such a great person as Dean Edward J. Van Liere was my most notable remembrance of the old two-year school.  Dean Van Liere never raised his voice above a whisper, but he had total control.  Really an extraordinary person.

Class of December 1943 - January 1944

...Reece R. Boone, Jr.  Watonga, OK.  We were the first class to transfer to the Medical College of Virginia under a new law that permitted us to attend as in-state [Virginia] students, with the State of West Virginia paying the difference in tuition.  We were the last group to have conferred up on us the bachelor’s degree in medicine, which had traditionally been proof of having completed two years of medicine.  We were the first group to receive a diploma from The Medical College of Virginia and West Virginia University--cooperating institution. Our M.D. degrees were signed by Dr. Sanger, President of the Medical College of Virginia, Dr. E.J. Van Liere, Dean of West Virginia University School of Medicine, and Clarence W. Meadows, Governor of West Virginia.  Very uniquely, Governor Meadows was the commencement speaker in honor of the occasion.

Class of 1951

...George E. McCarty.  Parkersburg, WV.  Dean Van Liere’s quiet, unobtrusive concern for the WVU School of Medicine; Dr. Northup’s bombastic defense of the policies and goals of the Department of Physiology; and Dr. Marsh dozing in the sunshine in the dog exercise compound.

Class of 1954

...Charles R. Blake.  Findlay, OH.  I have very fond memories of Dr. Edward Van Liere as he guided us through our two years at WVU.  He was truly a remarkable individual with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a perpetual love for life.

...Thomas R. Mazzocco.  The strongest memories that I have during the time spent at West Virginia University School of Medicine were working in the basement, working on a master’s degree doing animal experimentations with treadmills, making rats run to enlarge their hearts and testing the effects of drugs on them.

Class of 1958

...Charles McKown.  Huntington, WV.  Extraordinary timing--last class (M-1) in old, tiny building on main campus opposite the old Field House and first class (M-2) in new Basic Sciences Building, which would not only begin the Health Sciences Center, but also anchor development of a ‘new campus’ area.  Watching construction of the new hospital form the Basic Sciences Building gave a vision and promise of what would come--it came true and all of us are very, very proud of our Health Sciences Center complex.  It was exciting to have been there at the beginning.

...John C. Van Gilder.  Iowa City, IA.  An excellent basic two-year education in medical school; the exam in microbiology that included the physicians on the WVU Medical Center Pylons; and the camaraderie of the 1959 School of Medicine class.  I have maintained personal communication with most.

Class of 1959

...William H. Wanger.  Rumford, ME.  I graduated from Jefferson, but I am a doctor because of WVU.