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COM Outlook . Summer 2012
MELNICK MEMORIES
Looking Back…at Graduation Awards
By Arnold Melnick, D.O., M.Sc., FACOP
Founding Dean of Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM)
Dr. Terry served for most of its
history as the first president.
When the merger with Nova
occurred in 1994, he became
the first chancellor of the NSU
Health Professions Division.
His wife Geraldine (Gerry) was
closely allied with him and most supportive.
Matthew A. Terry, D.O., Memorial Award
Matthew served as dean of SECOM during its
middle years. He was the eldest son of Morton and
Geraldine Terry and came to SECOMwith high cre-
dentials because he was one of the few doctors in
the country to earn a degree in medical education
at the time. Sadly, he died tragically at an early age,
which is why this award is given in his memory.
Albert L. Weiner, D.O., Memorial
Psychiatry Award
Dr. Weiner, with a strong psychiatry background,
came to SECOM at its start, serving as the inau-
gural assistant dean of admissions and student
affairs and establishing that department on a firm
footing. Unfortunately, he died within a few years
of accepting the position. He also served on the
faculty as professor of psychiatry.
Morton and Mary Smith Achievement Award
Morton Smith, D.O., and his
wife, Mary, both contributed
greatly to the founding and
operation of SECOM. Dr.
Smith was with SECOM from
its inception, serving in many
capacities, including director
of clinics and professor of family medicine. Mary,
who had been an employee of Osteopathic Gen-
eral Hospital, continued with SECOM—and then
NSU-COM—for many years until her retirement
several years ago, serving in many administrative
positions, including college registrar.
Samuel J. Salman, D.O., Award
in Family Medicine
A local practicing family physician, Dr. Salman was
a very early supporter of the fledgling SECOM and
joined the faculty as clinical professor of fam-
ily medicine. He was extremely active in family
medicine organizational affairs, including serving
as president of the Florida Society of the American
College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.
A. Alvin Greber, D.O., Cardiology Award
This prize was established to honor Dr. Greber
for his long service and contributions to the
college as professor of internal medicine and
cardiology as well as chairman of the Depart-
ment of Internal Medicine.
Daniel R. Barkus Outstanding Achievement
in the Study of OB/GYN
One of the longest-serving
professors in the college,
Daniel Barkus, D.O., FACOOG,
headed the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology
from its very inception up
until his death in 2010. A con-
sistent performer, he was often chosen as the
students’ favorite professor.
Rose Community Service Award
Community service people themselves, Johna-
than Rose, Ph.D., and his wife Terri Rose, O.D.,
established this award. Jonathan first served as
president of the SECOM Foundation and later
joined the Health Professions Division as vice
chancellor for operations; Terri was one of the
early graduates of our College of Optometry.
Donna Jones Moritsugu Award
Donna was the wife of Kenneth Moritsugu, M.D.,
a career officer in the U.S. Public Health Service
who reached the heights of assistant surgeon
general of the United States, deputy surgeon
general, and eventually acting surgeon general. In
the process, he became a rear admiral. Through-
out his service, he was always a friend to the
osteopathic profession and grew to know and
work with many D.O.s. Donna met a tragic and
untimely death, and this award was established
by SECOM to memorialize her.
Many honorable students win these awards—all
named for honored icons of our college.
Graduation is a time
for celebration and an
opportunity to reward
graduates for specific
accomplishments in
their student days. Last
year, 32 graduating
seniors received awards.
Some of those awards
are named in honor of
special people or donors,
and it is easy to lose
sight of who they are. Let
me try to remedy that.
The
Morton and
Geraldine Terry Internal
Medicine Award
. This
naming is an obvious
one, but for the few who
do not know, Morton
Terry, D.O., FACOI, was
the driving force and
founder of Southeastern
College of Osteopathic
Medicine (SECOM)
in 1979.