
Thanks to a generous donor, one of the gaping holes in the Historical Image Collection has been filled--we think. Rhonda Clary, granddaughter of
Dennis Swart, M.D., has sent us copies of two photos from Swart's early years.
The top image is very probably the
University of Oregon Medical School Class of 1918, gathered together at the old school building at 23rd and Lovejoy downtown (the cornerstone for the new building on Marquam Hill had just been laid in May 1918). Swart is in the first row, all the way to the right. Twenty-one newly-minted doctors graduated from UOMS in 1918, including two women (Estella Ford Warner and Kathryn Rueter).
The bottom photo is more of a poser: Swart is shown here, middle, front row, but what are these uniforms? There are crosses on the sleeves, reminiscent of the Red Cross symbol. Swart did see some military service after graduating, but was back in Portland in 1920 or 1921. As far as we know, there weren't any hospitals with the initials "NH" in the Portland area at that time. Could this have been while Swart was on assignment at the end of World War I?
What do you think? Any ideas on "NH"? Comment here or email homref[at]ohsu.edu