In 1978, Dr. Marjorie Smith joined the faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology of the two-year Medical Education Program of the School of Medicine at Morehouse College. Morehouse School of Medicine was established as an independent institution in 1981. Over 29 years, Smith has become a highly respected faculty member, risen to the position of department chair, been appointed as interim dean, established a scholarship fund and served as a mentor for faculty and students. She's touched the lives of hundreds of faculty, staff and students with her commitment to serve. Here, she speaks with us about longevity, stepping up, giving back and stepping down.

In three decades, what has changed in teaching?
Well, classes were much smaller when I started. The number of students in the 1978 entering class was 24; we now have an entering class of 55 students. Basic science courses also have changed in terms of presenting more clinical application of basic science concepts, with more integration of clinical cases into the teaching material. Of course, the technology is quite different and has changed a lot of the ways we teach. Some lectures can be accessed online. Much of the lecture material for morphology was formerly taught using 2 x 2 slides; now most of the lecture material is presented using computer technology. This is the first year we stopped using glass slides and microscopes altogether for presentation of the disease morphology. I'm really 'old school' so it took me a while to give up those teaching tools. I used to cringe when a student broke a slide because it was hard to replace. In the case of glass slides, because they were actual tissue sections, each student had a different cross section. In several instances, that would mean a different aspect of the tissue morphology, but now every student can examine the same sections which are more representative of the disease process. It's just as effective and more consistent, but I think it takes a little bit of the detective work out of pathology.

What about the students themselves?
MSM's particular mission is dedicated to addressing the health care needs of underserved populations and our aim is to admit students who have goals consistent with our mission. Most of our M.D. graduates end up in primary care specialties and are often in underserved communities. In that regard, things are the same in 2007 as they were in 1978. But students are younger now- most are right out of college. They are more technically savvy; but for the most part, I think students are basically the same, especially with regards to their ultimate goals.

In your opinion, what characterizes MSM on a local and national level?
We are still a very young institution, just 32 years old, and still small in terms of both students and faculty. We probably have the highest percentage of any medical school of students going into primary care. For this year's residency match, more than 70 percent of our graduating M.D. students chose primary care residency positions, although like students at many other medical schools, our students could go into more lucrative specialty areas. Our research programs have grown considerably and we have several noted research centers and programs. Our faculty includes former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Louis W. Sullivan. I don't know that a lot of medical schools can boast that - especially ones only 32 years old.

You were named acting dean from October 2004 to April 2006. Do you think you were tapped because of your deep wellspring of experience?
Because we had already begun the search process for a new dean following the announcement that Dr. E. Nigel Harris would be leaving the medical school at the end of September 2004, Dr. James Gavin, our third president, believed that the position would be filled by June 2005 and that would be the length of the interim position. But the search process was delayed due to a change in presidents and Dr. David Satcher was named as interim president to replace Dr. Gavin. Dr. Satcher asked me to stay on until a new dean was selected and I agreed. As to why Dr. Gavin selected me, I can only speculate that one factor influencing the decision was the knowledge of the institution I had gained through many years of service on the faculty and in leadership positions on faculty committees. I've been here quite a while and I know a lot about the institution. We were also preparing for an accreditation survey visit to access the undergraduate medical education program, by a team of individuals representing the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. This was scheduled for February 2005. I had been chair of the steering committee that was directing the self-study process in preparation for the site visit. Dr. Gavin felt probably that my leadership of that process and the knowledge gained through the self-study would be assets in terms of that upcoming visit.

Were you ever a candidate for the position?
No. There was a conscious effort on Dr. Gavin's part not to have someone interested in the position serving as interim dean.

What was your focus during your tenure as acting dean?
The major thing was to ensure that the undergraduate medical education program received reaccreditation. There had been major changes in our administrative leadership in a very short time. I wanted to make sure there was enough stability and credibility in the program that outside agencies wouldn't think there were any issues because of the turnover of leadership. We had a very successful visit and received the full term of accreditation; our next review is not scheduled until 2013.

What was your professional take-away from the experience?
The main thing I realized is that I got a lot of support. Most people, if I asked them to do something, gladly did it, at all levels: faculty, staff, and administration. As a leader, I believed that you can only achieve and be successful if you get the cooperation of those you are working with.

During this time were you still teaching?
Yes, I didn't drop anything; I was still teaching pathology. The hardest thing was all the meetings I had to attend; that was truly a double duty. However, sometimes you don't really realize what you can do until you are pushed into service.

You were like the energizer bunny!
Well, you know his cymbals? There were sometimes long pauses between my 'booms!'

It's been almost a year since you stepped down.
What I really enjoy is teaching; I am devoted to that. As head of pathology, I teach a major course for second-year students and I have much more time to devote to the course than when I was teaching and serving as interim dean.

I'm sure you've had other academic opportunities. Why have you stayed at MSM?
I am one of those people who tends to stay with something that seems to be a good fit; I tend to wear the same shoes almost every day, and shop at the same stores. Coming to Morehouse School of Medicine was a really good fit for me. I believe in the mission and the institution has supported my career, and being here has provided me with a true sense of worth and accomplishment. I really get to know our students well and hopefully help them achieve their career goals. The thing I really love about being here is bringing in a group of students, seeing them mature as they matriculate in the programs, graduate, and then seeing them as they achieve in their careers, sometimes through presentations at medical meetings. I'm not a traveler. I don't go all over the world, but I feel like a little bit of me is taken with our alumni as they go into various parts of the United States and even other countries in the world. It's a great feeling and that's what keeps me here. I'm making a difference and training students to make a difference. That recharges me every year.

In 2003, you were named one of four Joy McCann Foundation scholars and awarded $150,000.
I was sitting at home when I got the call that I had been named an inaugural McCann scholar and had received the no-strings cash award. One principal criterion in the selection of students for the scholarship is a demonstrated commitment to service to Morehouse School of Medicine and the community. I used the award to establish the Marjorie McCoy Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund. Members of the MSM family and others also have donated money to the fund. The interest from this fund will help support undergraduate and graduate students.

How many students have you been able to help with these funds?
Six students have benefited. I have received a thank-you card each year since the initial award about three years ago.

And looking ahead…?
Retirement! I see another four or five years, and then I am going to hopefully, retire. Professor emeritus is my goal at that point. Thirty years is a long time. I'm going to relax-although my husband doesn't think so; he thinks I am driven, but I think I can do that.

So even when you are in the Bahamas, you will be getting student thank-yous?
I'll still have my tentacles reaching out to students here at the Morehouse School of Medicine.