Starzl Awarded Distinguished Alumnus

By
Klem Web Team
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(Le Mars) — On Wednesday, the Le Mars Community School Foundation and the Le Mars Community School Alumni Association awarded the Distinguished Alumnus to Dr. Tom Starzl from the Class of 1944.  Unfortunately, Dr. Starzl’s health prevented him from traveling to Le Mars and attending the banquet and award ceremony.  Dr. Starzl was an innovator in organ transplants, especially with liver transplants.  Seventh grader Sara Meis of Le Mars conducted a research project on the work of Dr. Tom Starzl and presented an exhibit display at the banquet.  Sara’s display was also used as her National History Competition project.  Both Sara Meis and Dr. Wendell Downing spoke about Dr. Tom Starzl. Sara Meis explains she chose Dr. Tom Starzl as her topic mainly through encouragement from her mother.  Meis says she learned a lot about Dr. Tom Starzl.

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Dr. Wendell Downing of Des Moines attended the award’s ceremony on behalf of Dr. Tom Starzl, and is familiar with Dr. Starzl’s work.  Downing says Starzl was an innovator and a pioneer with organ transplants.

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Dr. Downing says Dr. Starzl would observe Downing’s father, who was also a physician and surgeon in Le Mars, and that led to his interest in medicine.

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Downing offers his thoughts about Dr. Starzl.

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