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Regarding the story of Harriet Cole in the Winter/Spring issue of the Alumni Magazine, the researchers appear to have, as their starting point, the goal of upending the traditional history of the remarkable feat of Dr. Weaver, the anatomist. This is an unfortunate example of ideologically driven historical revisionism. The article’s wording is self-convicting: “how wrong... the narrative might be” (italics mine), at the same time revealing the motive of “improving the representation of women of color.” The story is not “mythical”; Cole’s own nerves are there to see. The subtle implication that her body was obtained surreptitiously is unfounded. “Many iterations of this narrative exist in the print record...” and yet the researchers seem bound and determined that those print records must be incorrect. Why label this record as inadequate and in need of correction? Isn’t it possible, even likely, that there was some degree of acquaintance and admiration between Cole and Weaver and that she simply wished to honor that relationship by her donation? Better to leave a tender moment alone. Facts are either true or false; no new facts are revealed in this article, just the agenda of the researchers. The races of the participants are immaterial to the facts of the story. The tone of the article is divisive, not inclusive.
Jerry J. Svoboda, MD, HU ’77, FACS, Col (ret.)
Adelaide J. Svoboda, PhD

Reading the history [of Hahnemann, Winter/Spring 2023 Alumni Magazine] brought to mind Dr. Charles Cameron, who was president of Hahnemann when I was a freshman in 1962. He was the first Hahnemann grad to win a prestigious internship at Philadelphia General Hospital and was a classmate of my dad, Ben, in the class of 1935, and a friend of my uncle David Broselow, class of 1932. His presence was formidable, and he led Hahnemann successfully through many difficult periods.
Robert J. Broselow, MD, HU ’66
Medical Director, Texas Civil Commitment Center