Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


In The News - Dr. Holly's Acceptance Address for the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio School of Medicine
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Dr. Holly's Acceptance Address for the 2012 Distinguished
Alumnus Award University of Texas Health Science Center
San Antonio School of Medicine


University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio School of Medicine
Distinguished Alumnus 2012
Manuscript of Acceptance Address
James L. Holly, MD
October 13, 2012



Introduction

Thank you.  You will not know in this life, what this evening and this award means to me.

Forty-eight years ago, on December 7, 1964, I had my first date with a young lady.  On February 7, 1965, I asked her to marry me and on August 7, 1965 – the same year that Medicare Care became law – she said, “Yes,” when she maybe should have said, “I’ll think about it.”  That young lady is my wife of almost 48 years, Carolyn Bellue Holly.  We have traveled this medical professional journey together all of the way. It is a fact; it is not false humility, or self effacement to say, “Without her and her support, I would not be standing her tonight.”  My son, his wife and their four children – the delight and joy of my heart – are here. My daughter and her family were unable to attend.

On November 22, 1968, 44 years ago, I received my letter of acceptance to the 1969 class at UTMSSA.  It is signed by my professional mentor, Dr. F. C. Pannill.  My wife framed it and I brought it with me tonight.    On October 9, 2012, I wrote Dr. William Henrich, the President of the Health Science Center and said:

“As Carolyn and I prepare to go to San Antonio this weekend to receive the honor which I most desired in this life – to be a Distinguished Alumnus of my beloved School of Medicine – I wish to tell you and Mary that if I had a choice of knowing
you and being your friend, or receiving this award, I would choose to be your friend.   You have afforded me opportunities which I never imaged would be possible and I am grateful.   You have extended your warm embrace to me and to my family beyond anything I could have imagined and I am grateful.

“As Carolyn and I continue to hope and to believe for your full and complete recovery, we want you to know the esteem in which we hold you and the love which we have for both of you.   God bless you.  Larry”

In August, 2012, I attended Dr. Pannill’s Memorial Service; on October 10, 2012, I wrote his children and grandchildren and said:

“Today, I am preparing to leave tomorrow for San Antonio.  On Saturday night, I shall receive the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award.   I shall carry with me to this event, the framed copy of my letter of acceptance to the 1969 entering class, signed by ‘MY’ Dean, Dr. Carter Pannill.   My greatest regret is that your father and grandfather will not be there.  In my professional career, no person has influenced me more than Dr. Pannill – I could no more call him Carter, than I could stop breathing.  He shall always be the epitome of professionalism, leadership, scholarship and the kind of physician I have always wanted to be.

“You know these things but as I stand before the convocation on Saturday evening, I want to know that I have laid this honor at his feet and expressed my gratitude that I knew and loved him and that he respected me.  No honor could be more valued by me.  I am pleased for you to know that in my judgment, Dr. Henrich and your father are men of the same caliber and cut from the same cloth.  I think your father would like that.”

Tonight, I remember that I have always been proud of my school of medicine and that I have often wondered if my school of medicine could and would be proud of me.


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