Douglas F. Geiger, M.D. - letter from a UToledo Distinguished alum
October 7, 2022
Dr. Liu,
Thank you for helping to make my homecoming to the Department of Biological Sciences a warm, interesting and exciting experience. I am so impressed with the quality of the research and the creativity of the people I met. The future of the department is bright!
As for current students in the department, I offer this:
It all began with freshman biology, painful labs dissecting pigs’ eyes, chasing escaped fruit flies around, writing laborious lab reports and wondering where this was all going to lead. For me, I finished my degree in biology, fortunately studied under some brilliant and inspiring professors, and went on to pursue a master’s degree concentrated in immunology. I worked as a graduate teaching assistant, teaching undergraduates biology lab, the same one I had dreaded (at times) and eventually completed my thesis and a successful oral examination (which covered the whole field of biology) to earn my Masters of Science. This was a very proud moment for me since I had to complete the degree between my first and second year of medical school for which I had applied while still a masters student.
On further reflection, I think the reason for my proud moment was the feedback I received from my professors. By the time I was a senior student, and certainly as a graduate student, I felt a kinship with my professors, almost collegial in our interactions. The depth of our intellectual discussions (not really highbrow) was real and meaningful. I had become committed to my studies at this time, and the professors seemed to have a similar commitment to my education. I remember this being a powerful interaction that culminated in them telling me after my oral exam, “You really made that exam easy for us by being so well prepared”. At that point in my education, I felt like I was paying a debt of gratitude to the people that had challenged and inspired me to achieve a high level of knowledge in the biological sciences. Doing well on my exams was my payment to them. With that chapter closing, I began the next phase of my education at the University of Toledo (then called the Medical College of Ohio).
As a first year medical student, I harkened back to my year as a college freshman in biology. I felt overwhelmed by the volume of information we were responsible for and felt like I had a long road ahead of me. Fortunately, my knowledge base from undergrad was solid (there is only one Kreb’s Cycle) and the principles and strategies for learning were deeply rooted in my methods of studying. We were told by our medical class advisor that our school was the “Harvard of the Midwest” and after completing my medical degree, I would have to agree with him. As I left the nurturing confines of our great university and went out into the world to pursue an orthopedic residency, and subsequently a fellowship in spine surgery, I tested my mettle against people from many other highly acclaimed institutions and always felt like I was on their same level intellectually and academically. The University of Toledo had educated and empowered me to embark upon a successful career as a spine surgeon.
Recently, I returned to the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toledo for homecoming and the 150th Anniversary of the institution. It was truly a remarkable experience for me. 38 years after leaving the university I toured the biology facilities and had a private audience with several professors and learned of the exciting and creative work that they are doing in the lab and in the community. I was inspired all over again and secretly wished I could be a student with them. However, that is for the current students to pursue; to engage their professors, practice healthy skepticism and inquisitiveness, and to open themselves up to a wonderful education. As a student in freshman biology, I truly had no idea where it was going to lead me. Apparently the professors in the biology department and the University had an idea where this might lead and I am so happy that I jumped on their Rocket, where the next stop was success and fulfillment for me.
Best regards,
Douglas F. Geiger