University of Illinois College of Medicine

In 1882, five physicians opened a medical school and named it the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago.  In 1913, the C&S faculty donated their stock to the University of Illinois, and the Board of Trustees established the University of Illinois College of Medicine.  When I joined the College of Medicine in 1971, I came to know it as “U of I,” and the University Hospital as “R&E,” which stood for Research and Education.  Since my time at UIC a New Hospital and several research buildings have been added to its impressive campus.  Dr. Dimitri Azar MD, MBA a distinguished academician is its current Dean.

My two decades at the University of Illinois, Department of Radiology in Chicago were magical. I was fortunate to meet and work with honorable people, a few of whom I will mention for the profound influence they had on my career. 

Dr. Capek, my chairman, was a father figure to me.  His honesty and his unwavering support for every member of the department were admirable traits rarely found among men of his stature.

Another person that played a pivotal role in my career was Dr. Olga Jonasson, a transformational individual with whom I worked at UIC, CCH, and OSU.  It was Olga who trusted me to perform a splenic embolization on a patient of hers, the singular event that started my career in interventional radiology.  Dr. Jonasson also trusted me to perform biopsies under ultrasound guidance—a procedure that is the standard practice worldwide today.  Finally, it was she who allowed me to drain fluid collections with catheters rather than perform surgery.

I would also like to mention Dr. Bernard Siegel, who sought my assistance while he was the Dean at UIC.  I was fortunate to work with Dr. Siegel in the OR and the lab, where we developed operative ultrasound—a diagnostic tool used by oncologic surgeons today.  Dr. Siegel was a kind man and a dedicated investigator. He was a true embodiment of the phrase, “a gentleman and a scholar.” 

Another individual who has been my mentor since my first day as a resident at UIC is Dr. Leonard Berlin.  Even during his days off from work, Dr. Berlin would come in to teach the new residents. As a resident, I learned from his extensive knowledge. Later, as a colleague, Dr. Berlin became a trusted friend of mine.  He has written extensively and is now the world’s authority on issues of malpractice.  These four individuals made it possible for a young man such as myself to spearhead the field of Interventional Radiology at UIC and in the city of Chicago in the 1970’s, and also to develop the administrative skills I used later in my career. Those accomplishments, together with many of others, made our department at the University of Illinois a center for innovation.

The College of Medicine’s decision to honor me for my contributions by inducting me into the group of Distinguished Alumni of its Department of Radiology on September 8, 2013 was the pinnacle of my life in academia.  I am pleased that the newly established “D. G. Spigos, MD PhD Scholarship in Interventional Radiology” will assist students who strive to work and innovate in the field of interventional radiology.

Standing in front of the statue of Hippocrates at University of Illinois College of Medicine Campus.  Hippocrates the father of western medicine lived on the island of Kos in Greece from 460-370BC.  He advocated that the proper order of care should be the pursuit of health, followed by medical treatment, then surgery, as needed.

Chicago

Chicago is a thriving metropolis known for its beautiful architecture and its harsh winters. The city is an international hub for finance, commerce, industry, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.  Chicago has several nicknames, including the “Windy City,” the “Second City,” and the “City of Broad Shoulders.”  Chicago’s cultural contributions include the creation of first class museums—such as the Art Institute, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Adler Planetarium—and unique venues for musical events, such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  The name "Chicago" is the French rendering  of shikaakwa, (translated as "wild onion" or "wild garlic"), the original name for the region as termed by the local Miami-Illinois Indian tribes. In 1679, Robert de LaSalle came upon the area where the Chicago River and Lake Michigan meet.  From its humble beginnings, Chicago became the world’s fastest growing city in the mid-1800s. However, the city’s meteoric progress came to a halt when the fire of 1871 destroyed a large part of the city—including most of its center.  During the rebuilding period that followed, the world’s first skyscraper was built.  The building methods that were developed in the early construction of skyscrapers—namely the use of steel—were soon adopted worldwide.  

Chicago now has one of the most beautiful skylines and lakefronts of any city in the world. The contributions of talented architects such as Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Charles Atwood, and Mies Van der Rohe have enabled the city’s iconic status.

When we arrived in Chicago, the temperature was actually colder than that of Antarctica.  Though it may be hard to believe, according to a WSJ article, Arana the polar bear (who lives at the Lincoln Park Zoo) had to stay indoors to keep warm.  The frozen shore of Lake Michigan, the skyline of the Magnificent Mile, and the deep blue winter sky created a spectacular setting—a delight to the many photographers who wish to capture the magnificent beauty of the city.  Visitors and locals alike marvel when they see the steam rising from the Lake Michigan on very cold days.  It is the result of the interaction between the warmer water of the lake and the frigid air, which makes the evaporation instantly visible.