Interview with Joseph F. Volker, June 28, 1984

Interview Summary

University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center; Volker Family history; Volker's educational background; growing up in an ethnic neighborhood in Elizabeth-- New Jersey; working for Combustion Utilities; Volker attending Rutgers University; the influence of the Great Depression and his neighborhood on Volker's decision to make dentistry a career; attending Indiana University Dental School; intern work in Montclair-- New York; receiving a Rockefeller scholarship to attend the University of Rochester; the influence of George Whipple; Volker's interest in tooth decay research; Volker's involvement in research with radioactive isotopes; accepting a position at Tufts University as head of Clinical Dentistry and eventually becoming dean; decision to accept deanship at the University of Alabama-Birmingham; Volker's work with topical applications of flourides; establishing a dental school at the University of Alabama-Birmingham; the development of a multi-college Medical Center; Volker's appointment as vice president for Health Affairs at UAB; Matthew McNulty as a hospital administrator; including Optometry and Allied Health in the Medical School at UAB; establishing the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the Medical School's role; the development of the University of Alabama-Huntsville and Werner von Braun's role; the Dental School's relationship with the Crippled Children's Hospital; the importance of long-range planning; the national image problems of Birmingham-- Alabama; Volker's opinion on the qualities needed to be a good administrator.

Interview Keyword

Health Services Medicine Physicians

Interview LC Subject

Academic medical centers University of Alabama at Birmingham Volker, Joseph F. Volker, Joseph F.--Interviews

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Interview Usage

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