Donald Jaffin remembers Dr. Richard J. Smith ’51. “I met Dick Smith in September 1947, when we were both assigned rooms in Adams House on George Street. Early in his Brown career, Dick indicated his intention to study medicine. Shortly after receiving his medical degree, Dick decided that he was going to specialize in surgery of the hand. After serving in the military, he received fellowships with famous hand surgeons in California and England. Following years of practice in New York, Dick was appointed chief of the Massachusetts General Hospital department of orthopedic hand surgery. During his entire career, Dick was a strong supporter of training and mentoring young doctors. He wrote many articles and lectured all over the world. In recognition of his achievements, Mass. General created the annual Richard J. Smith memorial lectureship, which was attended by prominent hand surgeons from all over the world. Apart from his medical accomplishments, Dick had a wonderful personality and was very well known and respected. My wife and I were very close friends of Jane and Dick Smith. We have never recovered from his passing at such an early age. Dick Smith was a treasure to medicine and to Brown University. He should be appropriately remembered.”
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Class of 1951