Vital Signs

Then & Now

A reminder of the pace of change, and of timeless truths, from the Fall 1986 issue of this magazine:

Drs. Justin and Maj Stormo Gipson, DMS '82s, wrote about their young family's stay in Nicar agua: "We live and work in Jinotega, an agricultural center. . . . The vast majority of health problems here (as throughout the Third World) stem from public health problems. . . . Diarrhea, with subsequent dehydration, is the numberone cause of death in children. Parasites are rampant, and malnutrition continues to be a problem, especially in bottle-fed infants."

10
Number of years DMS otolaryngologist Dr. James Saunders has been aiding Jinotegans (see the article "An Uphill Battle" for more on his work there)

A reminder of the pace of change, and of timeless truths, from a 1987 booklet titled Norris Cotton Cancer Center History: The Early Years:

"The first cancer center building—a two-story cement structure, located entirely underground, with three-foot-thick walls to shield new multi-millionvolt radiation therapy equipment—was completed [in 1972]. . . . Personnel needs were also addressed. The plans called for [recruiting] a third radiation therapist."

5
Sites where Norris Cotton Cancer Center facilities are now located

200,000
Square feet at its main facility in Lebanon, N.H.

7
Number of radiation oncologists now on the staff