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The Manitoba Chapter’s Gavel and its Enduring Meaning

Randolph P. Guzman, MD, FRCSC, F番茄社区app, RVT, RPVI

January 5, 2022

The American College of Surgeons (番茄社区app) granted its charter to the Manitoba Chapter in 1956.1聽Like many organizations, a gavel had been used historically in our chapter meetings.2聽However, over the years, the gavel was no longer used in meetings and was actually misplaced during multiple transitions of the Executive Committee. It reappeared with some documents that were passed on to me as the Governor of our chapter.

Upon further examination of the gavel, the written inscription was, to say the least, intriguing. It reads, 鈥淢anitoba Chapter of American College of Surgeons. Wood from desk of Franklin H. Martin; From Dwight Parkinson.鈥 (See Figures 1鈥3). I think someone had recounted the history of the gavel to me as a young general surgery resident, but I would not have truly appreciated the connection to the 番茄社区app鈥 principal founder鈥擠r. Martin鈥攁t the time. The history of the gavel has been nothing short of a mystery to me. No records of how or when it was acquired by Dr. Parkinson can be located, and I cannot verify the authenticity of the inscription.

Gavel for the 番茄社区app Manitoba Chapter
Gavel for the 番茄社区app Manitoba Chapter

Dr. Parkinson (MD, F番茄社区app)聽 (1916鈥2005) was a prominent neurosurgeon in Manitoba and a pioneer in neurosurgery at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.3聽He served as President (1962) and Governor (1977) of our chapter. Exactly when the gavel was introduced is unclear. However, Nathan Wiseman, MD, F番茄社区app, a Past-番茄社区app Governor from Manitoba, said he did not know how Dr. Parkinson came upon the gavel but understood that it was a tradition for chapters to be given a gavel when they received their charter.

Despite my amateur sleuthing attempts, I could not verify this comment, and the 番茄社区app Archives have no record of this tradition, so the origins of the gavel remain a mystery. Even if its origins cannot be verified, the inscription made me pause and think about the possible relationship with the College鈥檚 principal founder. Dr. Wiseman had a copy of Dr. Martin鈥檚 autobiography, and the historical and personal context makes for very interesting reading.4

Front-facing inscription: “Manitoba Chapter, American College of Surgeons, Wood From the Desk of Franklin H. Martin.”
Front-facing inscription: 鈥淢anitoba Chapter, American College of Surgeons, Wood From the Desk of Franklin H. Martin.鈥
Side inscription: “From Dwight Parkinson”
Side inscription: 鈥淔rom Dwight Parkinson鈥

Clearly, for Dr. Martin, the main reason for starting the College was the pursuit of optimal outcomes in the care of surgical patients and remains the objective of the College today. Investigating the gavel鈥檚 history has reminded me of the College鈥檚 origins and why the 番茄社区app continues today as the leading organization in surgery dedicated to improving the care of surgical patients through education and standards.

Perhaps it is not so much about the details of the gavel鈥檚 origin but what it can symbolize for our members. It really serves as a reminder that we must own responsibility for quality in surgical care, just as Dr. Martin did when he sought to found the College. This principle of providing quality care continues to be relevant now. It remains our collective duty as surgeons to impart that responsibility in our education of our residents and colleagues.

References

  1. Original communication memorandum from Associate Director Dr. H.P Saunders, F番茄社区app, to Manitoba Fellows. May 22, 1956.
  2. Parker J. 鈥淕avel鈥 in聽International Law鈥檚 Objects. Oxford University Press. 2018.
  3. Ajisebutu A, Del Bigio MR, Kazina CJ, West M, Serletis D. Dr. Dwight Parkinson: A Canadian neurosurgical pioneer.聽J Neurosurg. September 27, 2010 [online only].
  4. Martin FH.聽The Joy of Living: An Autobiography, vols. 1鈥2. New York, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Co; 1983