Wells A. Ruble, MD, president of the Loma Linda College of Medical Evangelists (CME), reported that student physicians were gaining clinical experience in the new Loma Linda Hospital, the Loma Linda Sanitarium, the San Bernardino County Hospital, the Los Angeles County Hospital, and at CME’s outpatient clinic in Los Angeles, “all of which is very valuable.” Financially unable to operate the Loma Linda Hospital as a charity institution, and with a small local population unable to fill enough beds with paying patients, the 70-bed facility failed to provide an adequate number of patients for clinical education. It did not provide the breadth of clinical experience needed for the training of physicians.
On March 25, 1914, a follow-up report delivered to the CME Constituency by the finance commission appointed by the General Conference Committee refers to patients in the new hospital as “inmates.” During the months of January and February, 1914, inmates averaged only 15, including babies. During this report the first indication appears that the new hospital did not meet expectations: “We find quite a difference of opinion as to how the building should be utilized, all agreeing that it cannot be used for the clinical work of the college as was first thought necessary for the work of the school. Some advocate the completion of the basement, fitting up dining room and kitchen facilities for helpers (the label given to employees of the day) and hospital patients, and treatment rooms for the hospital, using it as far as possible in connection with the sanitarium.
“Owing to the great divergence of opinion concerning the best use to which the building should be put,” the report continued, “we do not feel competent to advise, except that as it cannot be used as ordinarily originally designed for the college clinical hospital, endeavor should now be made to turn it so far as possible to the financial profit of the sanitarium.”
Carrol S. Small, MD (Class of 1934, after whom the Small Amphitheater in the Centennial Complex is named), later penned perhaps the most colorful description of the hospital’s demise and the institution’s growing pains: “So the hospital went out, not with a bang, but a whimper. How sad! All that sweat and tears and epinephrine and prayers and cries, and–pffft! All eyes now turned to Los Angeles.”
Even though the Loma Linda Hospital continued in operation until clinical resources in Los Angeles could be expanded, the commission report of March 25, 1914 concludes: “It is now conceded by all connected with the college that the clinical work, or most of it will have to be done in Los Angeles, utilizing the [outpatient] Dispensary, and making such hospital arrangements as may be possible and acceptable to the governing medical board.”
Fortunately, a few well-qualified physicians in Los Angeles became interested in the philosophy and objectives of the new School of Medicine and joined August H. Larson, MD, the first full-time member of the Los Angeles clinical faculty.
The most obvious location to provide clinical experience was the Los Angeles County Hospital, which became available two days a week, providing excellent clinical experience, especially in surgery. When CME administrators requested teaching privileges, some physicians had no interest because of so few students. However, some who were more charitable supported the request and a relationship developed.
(An interesting beginning. Today, Loma Linda University School of Medicine has graduated almost 2,000 more physicians than has any other school of medicine in the western United States.)
Prospects were good that outpatient medical clinics there would provide further educational opportunities. The affiliated Glendale Sanitarium had offered exceptional medical and surgical privileges. Dr. Ruble reported that outpatient practice in the homes of the people would present unlimited opportunities “to practice the line of therapeutics which we have adopted in our institution.”
Student physicians spent three and a half years studying basic sciences in Loma Linda, where they also received practical experience in the Loma Linda Sanitarium and Loma Linda Hospital (two separate buildings). They spent the next full year gaining clinical experience in Los Angeles and the remaining six months in review and examinations in Loma Linda.
Shortly after the first class of six physicians graduated on June 11, 1914, they applied to be admitted for the State Board of Medical Examiners of California examinations to qualify for a license to practice medicine and surgery in California. Although they applied timely, they failed to receive a reply. Knowing the time and place in Los Angeles where these exams were to be administered, the Loma Linda graduates presented themselves as candidates. Surprised and perplexed, state officials didn’t know what to do with the unexpected arrivals. CME graduates told the officials that they were qualified to sit for the exams and wondered why their applications had not received attention. They appeared because they had not been denied and felt prepared.
As officials tried to decide what to do, the time for testing to start came and went. The delay caused candidates from the University of Southern California to complain. Finally, officials decided on the spot to admit the CME Class of 1914, and each graduate did very well.
To be continued…