Anesthesiology Library Honors Family Legacy
The School of Medicine celebrated the dedication of the Caine Anesthesiology Library on Wednesday (Dec. 16) at Tulane Medical Center. The Caine Library represents a "quantum leap in the resources available for our anesthesiology students," said Dr. Frank Rosinia, chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, who presided over the ceremony.
Dr. Curtis W. Caine Sr., right, addresses anesthesiology residents and others at a ceremony dedicating the Caine Anesthesiology Library. (Photos by Paula Burch-Celentano)
"It is the story of a family legacy that links Tulane almost to the beginnings of our specialty in this city," Rosinia said.
Tulane alumnus Dr. Curtis W. Caine Sr. helped fund the library in honor of the three generations of his family who left indelible marks on the field of anesthesiology.
Dr. Ansel Caine, his father, graduated from the School of Medicine in 1907 and went on to become the first full-time practicing anesthesiologist in the city of New Orleans and the first chief of anesthesia at Southern Baptist Hospital.
Curtis Caine Sr. followed in his father's footsteps, becoming the first anesthesiologist in private practice in Mississippi. His son, the late Curtis Caine Jr., another Tulane alumnus, continued the family tradition in anesthesiology as well.
Dr. Frank Rosinia, left, chair of anesthesiology, and Debra Klein, right, granddaughter of Dr. Curtis W. Caine Sr., hold an honorary vase displayed in the renovated library.
During the ceremony, Debra Klein shared an e-mail from her sister, Dr. Becca Susong, a pediatrician, illustrating the continuing influence their grandfather, Dr. Curtis W. Caine Sr., continues to exert on their family.
"Even though I live in Portland now, we discuss my patients and rotations on the phone, and he sends me e-mails about patient care," Klein read. "I am very proud to be his granddaughter."
Caine, visibly moved, thanked his wife, Evelyn, for her support throughout his long career, and unveiled illustrations of the plaques bearing his family's name.
The state-of-the-art Caine Library is equipped with Smartboards video-linked to Tulane campuses uptown and in Metairie, La. In addition, the library space received a full upgrade outdated shelving was removed, seating arrangements were vastly improved and walls, ceiling tiles and furniture were replaced.
Michael Ramos is a development writer in the Tulane Office of Development Research and Writing.
