"A Humanitarian for All Seasons"

In 1993, members of the Dartmouth Medical School and friends gathered together to honor professor emeritus, Dr. George Margolis. Dr. Margolis was a professor of pathology at DMS from 1963 to 1982. For many physicians, students, and staff, he was a role model, mentor and social conscience. Academics and health care professionals also regarded him as a leader in the advancement of cultural competency within medical education and health care.¹

During his tenure, Dr. Margolis was instrumental in the recruitment of minority medical students to Dartmouth Medical School. "As a faculty member to head the Medical School's minority affairs program, he cared for and reached out to students of culturally diverse backgrounds." ² Dr. Margolis' deep commitment to these principles was visible in every aspect of his life. His home was considered a cross-cultural mecca, providing many students a place of welcome comfort.

"Dr Margolis penned countless letters to editors, by turns berating authorities in Washington for waging the Vietnam War or appealing for America's privileged classes to open the gates of opportunity to the excluded. One day he might have marched for a ban on nuclear weapons, and on another met with members of the 'A Better Chance' program to bring inner-city youth to better endowed high schools in the suburbs." ²

Dr. Margolis was "cofounder of the New Hampshire chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and established a radio discussion program on nuclear arms proliferation and waste disposal. He championed the cause of striking migrant workers in California and ended up corresponding regularly with Cesar Chavez, the late head of the United Farm Workers' Unions." ²

In the spring of 1993, Dartmouth Medical School paid tribute to Dr. Margolis and his humanitarian efforts. Cesar Chavez, just several weeks before his untimely death, also participated in this tribute. During the event, Dr. Margolis gave Dartmouth College Library a personal scrapbook. It contains handwritten notes, clippings, poetry, quotes, correspondence, photographs, and memoranda, which the author tipped in throughout the text of: Cesar Chavez: Autobiography of La Causa by Jacques E. Levy.³ This scrapbook, available at the Rauner Special Collections Library, is reflective of Dr. Margolis' sincere and passionate commitment to the development of a moral and ethical society. It also provides us with a deeper understanding of the person who has been considered, "A Humanitarian for all Seasons." ¹

¹ Dartmouth Medicine Summer 1993; 7-8
² Dartmouth Medicine Summer 1996; 75
³ Journal of Protest; by George Margolis; Rauner Special Collections Library - R707 .M37 1993

[Return to Cultural Competency for Health Care]