I've given medical Grand Rounds and lectures at a number of medical schools and state medical societies including at the Cleveland Clinic, Baylor University, Georgetown and the Universities of Maryland and Virginia. The first talk outlined below is my most relevant and popular with a video presentation accompanying the second. Please get in touch with me if you would like me to speak to your group on topics related to the history of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or medical quackery. You can reach me at BobGreenspan2000@aol.com.

 

Useful Medical History for the Modern Physician

This is not the traditional "names and dates" history lecture but in a short period of time it provides all that physicians should know about the history of their profession. Also included is a description of some of the missteps made by past practitioners and the pseudoscience still mistakenly believed by many patients today. Mistrust and confusion regarding medical care leads to inadequate compliance with unfortunately poor therapeutic outcomes. No matter how scientifically well designed and appropriate is physicians' advice it's worth very little if lifesaving medications and vaccinations sit on shelves. The lecture concludes with relevant practice guidelines by past great physicians.

 

a) Landmarks in the Second Oldest Profession

  • Aesculapius, the Caduceus, and the Hippocratic Oath
  • Anatomy and the First Medical Illustrations
  • Landmarks in Medical Literature and Art
  • Early Diagnosis and the Origin of the Stethoscope
  • The First Therapeutics and early Medical Procedures
  • Great Medical Discoveries: Asepsis and Anesthesia
  • Emergence of Modern Medicine and the Scientific Method

b) Doctors Behaving Badly

  • Gender Bias
  • Physicians Hiding their Medical Discoveries
  • Plagiarism and Dangerous Advertising
  • Medical Quackery and Pseudoscience
  • Observations by Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, and Mark Twain

d) Practice Advice from the Greats

  • Quotes by Hippocrates, Maimonides, OW Holmes, and Wm Osler

 

Lecture objectives to improve medical care:
1) Medical symbols, art, books and discoveries. 
2) Instruments and medications we use every day.
3) Doctors behaving badly and current public perceptions.
4) Pseudoscience and understanding your patients' behavior.
5) Practice guidelines from past medical greats.

 

History of Medicine Lecture Series

 

 

Medicine through the Ages

Medical school training in history is often neglected, so here I hope to acquaint the audience with what students, and in fact all faculty and practicing physicians should know about the origins of their profession.

 

a) Anatomy

  • Classic Art
  • Great Books

b) Physical Diagnosis

  • Origin of the Stethoscope
  • Urine Diagnosis

c) Bleeding

  • The Four Humours
  • Cupping

d) Surgery

  • Hemostasis
  • The Discovery of Anesthesia
  • Asepsis

e) Trauma Surgery

  • Trepanning
  • Civil War Surgery

f) Obstetrics

  • Great Art
  • Discovery of the OB Forceps
  • Vesiculo-Vaginal Fistula

g) Urology and the Treatment of Stones

h) Ophthalmology and ENT

i) Medicine

  • Infectious Disease: Plague, Leprosy, Syphilis
  • Smallpox and Vaccination

j) Pharmacy

  • Herbs
  • Homeopathy
  • Advertising

k) Dentistry

l) Quack Medicine

  • Magnetism
  • Electricity
  • Radioactivity

 

Lecture Objectives:
1) Review the origins of medical and surgical specialties
2) Achieve an appreciation of great medical classics and art
3) Get a better understanding through audience participation and direct quotes

 

 

Robert E. Greenspan MD, FACP.
Painting: Tulp's Anatomy Lesson, Rembrandt van Rijn Doctor

The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholaes Tulp, oil on canvas by Rembrandt van Rijn (1632).

 

Recipient of the Baylor University
John P. McGovern Annual Lectureship Award
in the History and Philosophy of Medicine, 2011

 

May 15, 2018

Dear Bob:

Thank you for everything you've done for so many years to enrich the educational experience of students at the University of Maryland School of Medicine with your entertaining and highly informative presentations on the history of medicine. Your generosity in giving willingly of your time, vast expertise and access to your personal collection of medical artifacts have been an inspiration to me personally and the many young physicians whose lives you've touched.

All the best,

Phil Mackowiak, MD, MACP
Emeritus Professor of Medicine
Carolyn Frenkil and Selvin Passen History of Medicine Scholar- in-Residence
University of Maryland School of Medicine

 

November 1, 2014

Dear Bob:

Thanks for coming to the MSV Annual Meeting and giving your talk on medical history. As usual, this was well received and I have heard many positive comments on your talk.

Much Appreciated! Bill

 

William C. Reha, MD, MBA
President, Medical Society of Virginia

 

March 12, 2011

Thanks again for 2 great talks...people are coming up to me quoting various interesting stories that caught their attention and imagination.

 

Joseph Nally, MD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

 

June 25, 2009

Dear Bob:

Thank you for a most energizing lecture...I can't remember when I enjoyed a Grand Rounds as much as I did this morning. Your presentation was excellent and you are to be congratulated in bringing together so much of the richness of medicine throughout the ages to those of us who are entrusted to the care of patients today.

With all best wishes, Joe Bellanti

 

Joseph A. Bellanti, MD
Professor of Pediatrics & Microbiology-Immunology
Director, International Center for Interdisciplinary
Studies of Immunology
Georgetown University Medical Center
Washington, DC 20057

 

November 6, 2006

Dear Dr. Greenspan:

It was a pleasure having you speak at our American College of Physicians Ohio Chapter Annual Session recently...I have gotten good reviews on your talk...It was very interesting and compelling.

Very truly yours,

David L. Bronson, MD, FACP
former President, American College of Physicians

 

...What makes the book even more fascinating are the numerous anecdotes in it ̬ material which, if used appropriately, can liven up potentially boring lectures in medical school or elsewhere.

—The National Medical Journal of India
(Vol. 22, No. 1, 2009)
Sanjay A. Pai, MD
Columbia Asia Referral Hospital
Bangalore, India