On
March 12, it was my 87th birthday. Just two days
earlier, I received an anticipatory grand birthday
present in the form of a letter (reprinted below)
from the University of California at Davis Medical
School. It was an informal announcement that a new
endowed chair of geriatrics was being set up.
This chair was the end of a beginning from four years ago. Then it was, under
the urging of the senior community, that the state budget was amended to provide
for endowed chairs in geriatric medicine.
The thinking was that such chairs would uplift and upgrade the training of geriatricians
and also provide for the ongoing necessary research on ailments inflicting the
elderly. The special positions also would result in better training of future
doctors.
Initially, budget provision was made for two chairs in the six state-supported
medical schools. Because the university system couldn’t decide which two
medical schools should receive that money, it was unallocated until more funds
accumulated. Finally, the point has arrived where five medical schools can each
set up a geriatrics chair.
So that’s what happened. Hallelujah! With this momentous development, California
stands to become one of the nation’s leaders in geriatric research and
care.
Dear Ted:
We want to update you on the many positive things that have happened in the planning
of our Healthy Aging and Geriatrics Program since you have been integral to our
efforts in the last two years. We have completed the first phase of our fund
raising with $2,000,000 identified through generous donors and University of
California internal resources. This unnamed Chair offers the opportunity for
an individual, a family or a corporation to name this prominent position. We
are entering final negotiations with an outstanding candidate to hold the Endowed
Chair.
Many efforts have already been amplified in the Healthy Aging and Geriatrics
Program, including enhanced medical and community education linkages to the outstanding
scientists on the Davis campus, the Alzheimer’s Center and Neurosciences
Program, as well as strong efforts in cancer and vascular medicine.
But most of all, we appreciate your help. We hope that you will continue to work
with us as we now have the opportunity to name our Endowed Chair with someone
within our community who wishes to be associated with clearly one of the most
prestigious programs in the region. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Frederick J. Meyers, M.D.; Professor of Medicine and Pathology; Chair, Department
of Internal Medicine;
Robert E. Chason; CEO; UC Davis Medical Center
Yes, Davis Medical School, to the best of my ability I will continue to work
with you. To celebrate the occasion, I wrote a little poem, a birthday poem,
if you please:
My 87th Birthday
This is no big joke
I’m no old soak
It’s me, Bristlecone, I’m just an elderly bloke.
Didn’t know it was a crime
And I’m punished with a daily fine
Instead of doing time.
The charge is the crime of advanced aging.
Mother Nature makes me do the paying
And I can’t dissuade her by praying.
So every morning
To escape Mother Nature’s wrath and jail
I have to come up with some daily kale.
Therefore, without fail, I follow her sayings
By putting on my bifocals,
Inserting my hearing aids,
Fitting in my false teeth.
Then I do my hour of aerobics
Eat healthy, take pills, while not being phobic
In any way, I’m forced into this routine every day.
Otherwise, warns Mother Nature,
There is grave doubt I’ll be about
To even pout, much less shout, on my 88th birthday.
Ted
Ruhig is well-known in Sacramento for his tireless advocacy
for proposals designed to help seniors live long, happy,
full lives. He has held leadership roles in several advocacy
groups and on government advisory boards. Ruhig once sued
the California Department of Aging for age discrimination,
and won!
Young
and Old Fiddle Around at Monthly Jam Session
A
Birthday Gift That Will Keep on Giving for Generations 