Holmes, T H 1997-07-02

Dr. T. H. Holmes, longtime Lubbock pediatrician, reflects on the changes in Lubbock medicine and presents his views on the future of medicine and various controversial topics.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dr. T. H. Holmes

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: July 2, 1997

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Fred Allison

Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Background and career, Raised in Ralls Texas, Early interest in medicine, Texas Tech pre-med (1939), University of Tennessee College of Medicine, U. S. Army Specialized Training Program, Internship Fort Worth, Service in Japan, Private practice in Ralls, Pediatric training, Houston, To Lubbock (1959), Private practice, Retirement (1987), Teaching at Texas Tech Medical School (1989), Childhood memories, Depression, Farm life, Cattle killings, Popularity of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Interest in medicine, Family physicians Clyde Snow and Yell Haney, Dislike of farming, Work at West Texas Hospital after high school, Depression (again), President Herbert Hoover, Schools in Ralls Texas, Texas Tech experience (c. 1939), World War II effects, ‘Frightening’, Lubbock’s size, Military in town, Community/church relations, Changes wrought by, Work at West Texas Hospital, Influence on early doctors there, Respiratory diseases, Treatment, World War II changes in medicine, Drugs, Penicillin, Recycling urine, T. H. Holmes (again), University of Tennessee Medical School.

Tape 1, Side 2: T. H. Holmes (continued), Army experience, Medical school (Memphis), VD training, Difference in Lubbock and Memphis, Race relations, Mutual respect, Observations, Japan, post-World War II, Duty on military government team, People’s attitude, Response to war crimes trial, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Return to U. S. (1949), Residency in Fort Worth, Private practice in Ralls, Development of interest in pediatrics, To Lubbock (1959), Methodist Hospital 'open staff', Description of hospital staff set-up, Effect of ‘closed staffs’, Good doctors, Doctor discipline, Lubbock, Crosby Garza Medical Society, Hospital staffs, Process of discipline, Litigation, Old doctors’ perspective of newcomers, Mentoring relationships, Dr. Jenkins, T. H. Holmes (again), Perception of camps (West Texas and Lubbock Memorial).

Tape 2, Side 1: T. H. Holmes (continued), Perception of camps (continued), West Texas Hospital philosophy, Lubbock Memorial Hospital philosophy, ‘Krueger contract’, Competition, Specialization effect on, Methodist Hospital effect, Modern day recurrence of declension, ‘Town-Gown’, Government involvement in medicine, Background (late 1940s), Medicare, Managed care, Doctors resentful, Abuses, Analogy with cars, Dilemma created, Best care vs. litigation, Indigent care before government involvement, Some not cared for, Anecdote: idealism of profession, Medicaid—low paying at first, Minority care, Segregated hospitals, Transition from segregation, White resentment, Black nurses, Chatman Hospital, Surgery in, Dr. Chatman, Other black doctor, Assisting him, Development of Lubbock medicine, Dr. Brandon Hull’s influence, Key events, ‘Open staffs’, Subspecialist training, Overall change in medicine, Neo-natal intensive care, Texas Tech Medical School, Lubbock doctors’ doubts, Hospitals, Pediatrics, Childhood illnesses change, Transition of practice of T. H. Holmes (again), In Lubbock tornado (1970).

Tape 2, Side 2: T. H. Holmes views (continued), Lubbock tornado (continued), Methodist Hospital activities, Patients at coliseum, Abortion legalization, Permissible circumstances, Illegal abortions, HMOs, Doctors as health care providers (distasteful), Doctors as technicians (wrong!), New doctors’ attitude, Less emphasis on money, More caring, Advice to aspiring doctors, Respect for profession, Optimistic about future.

Range Dates: 1920-1997

Bulk Dates: 1960s

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