COM Outlook Winter 2019

14 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE As a child growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the 1920s, Arnold Melnick was resolute by the precocious age of five in his determination to become a pediatrician. “Because of the family contact I had with my uncle, who was a pediatrician, I suddenly announced that I also wanted to be a pediatri- cian,” said Melnick, who called Philadelphia home until 1980. “After I made such a grand pronouncement, I guess I couldn’t escape from it.” After earning his bachelor’s degree from Temple University in 1941, Melnick decided to attend Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine after he was introduced to the profession through his father’s friend. “When I graduated, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, which was work in child psychiatry,” he explained. “However, there was only one pediatric residency available in the osteopathic profession at that time, which was based in California, and there wasn’t any kind of training available in child psychology.” In 1946, Melnick opened a pediatric practice with the help of a senior surgeon, who graciously invited the novice physician to use the extra office space located in his home. “This doctor was a good friend of mine, because we had served at the hospital togeth- er,” explained Melnick, who maintained his pediatric practice until 1976. “He asked me to come into his office and didn’t charge me a dime until I started making money. In fact, he refused to take money from me for the first 18 months.” While he was busy building his practice, Melnick decided to expand his expertise by pursuing a master’s Arnold Melnick Describes a Lifetime of Bold and Decisive Action an Osteopathic Icon Honoring Top: Examining a pediatric patient in 1950 Above: Anita and Arnold Melnick celebrate their 25th anniversary in 1970.