We were saddened to learn this week of the loss of one of the legends of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Robert Kistner, D.O., who died at age 89 years. An alumnus and former dean, Dr. Kistner was a lifelong member of the CCOM family who helped make the school what it is today.
Dr. Kistner graduated from the Chicago College of Osteopathy (CCO) in 1941. At that time, D.O.s were not able to gain licensure to practice medicine in the state of Illinois. Many alumni moved to more osteopathic-friendly states, such as Michigan and New York. Dr. Kistner, however, stayed in Illinois and worked at the Chicago Osteopathic Hospital (COH) in Hyde Park. In order to make sure the osteopathic hospital could function and that the physicians could write prescriptions, Dr. Kistner applied to the allopathic school at Loyola University and completed his M.D. degree. With this credential, he was able to earn his medical license to practice in Illinois and to ensure that COH could operate under his license. Finally, in 1955, D.O.s earned the right to take the licensure exam in Illinois.
In 1958, Dr. Kistner was named Dean of the College. He served in this position for 25 years, also becoming Vice President for the hospital. As dean, he believed strongly in the value of family. The faculty treated all of the students as members of their family beyond the classroom, making sure that they were treated with respect as future colleagues. If a student's family member became ill, the CCO faculty would take care of them. Certainly, these are values that are well-engrained in the institution and continue until this day.
Dr. Kistner retired to North Carolina, but he continued to stay in touch with his beloved alma mater. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Kistner once, when he returned to campus for the Centennial Ball in 2000. He struck me as a very kind man who exuded a quiet confidence. He was revered by many generations of CCOM alumni who knew him as their dean. Just earlier this year, we received a generous donation from Dr. Kistner to join our Millennium Society and benefit the education of our current students. Clearly, CCOM was in his heart, as he remains such a legend at the school.
The history of CCOM is filled with individuals like Dr. Kistner, who dedicated their entire lives and careers to the school and the osteopathic profession. Can you imagine, today, completing your four-year D.O. degree and going on to another four-year M.D. degree program so that the hospital you love could continue to operate? That is the kind of commitment Dr. Kistner had to his chosen profession. While he did also have an M.D. degree, he practiced as a D.O. and led the osteopathic college throughout his career.
As the founding college of Midwestern University, CCOM continues to inform the values and culture of the university. We are truly blessed to have so many faculty, leaders, and alumni who carry the history of the school with them and ensure that the values are passed on from generation to generation. Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with the Kistner family, and our memories and respect for his legacy are never-ending.
