The Chancellor and Dean invite you to join them for the unveiling of the portrait, “Gateway to the Polio Vaccine” by Artist Alan Witschonke

The portrait celebrates an important, transformative and Nobel Prize-winning event in medical science, public health and the history of medicine by growing the polio virus for the first time in tissue culture, here in Massachusetts, which enabled the vaccine development. Dr. Leonard Morse, Professor of Medicine at UMMS, and Commissioner of Public Health for the city of Worcester from 2002 to 2011, commissioned the portrait through the auspices of the Boston Medical Library (BML). In 1963, Dr. Morse also spearheaded the initial program for polio vaccination in Worcester through the sponsorship of the Worcester District Medical Society (WDMS).

With this background of partnerships and collaboration that spans the UMMS, WDMS, the BML, Worcester and our broader region, along with our shared commitment to public health, the history of medicine, and the legacy of Dr. Leonard Morse as a physician, clinician scientist, leader, role model and champion of public health and the medical humanities, the BML is pleased to support the "on-loan" display of the polio portrait at the UMMS campus.

Date: Tuesday, May 29, 2018, 3 p.m.
Location: Lamar Soutter Library, University of Massachusetts Medical School
There will be a short speaking program followed by networking and light hors d'oeuvres.

RSVP here: https://library.umassmed.edu/news-events/gateway-polio-vaccine-event

Directions and Parking Information: https://library.umassmed.edu/about/hours-directions

Program sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, The Lamar Soutter Library, and the Boston Medical Library.