Page 9 - Delaware Medical Journal - April 2016

Dr. Duncan Honored for Distinguished Career; Duncan Center for Delaware Medical History Dedicated
The William H. Duncan, MD Center for Delaware Medical History at the Medical Society of Delaware Building was dedicated on February 20, 2016. The MSD Past President amassed a vast collection of materi- al about the Medical Society’s founders and Delaware military medi- cal history, which he has donated to the Medical Society. Colleagues speaking at the dedication ceremony included Dorothy M. Moore, MD, MSD President; Stephen R. Permut, MD, MSD Past President, on the medical career of Dr. Duncan; and Brigadier Gen. (Ret.) Kennard R. Wiggings, Jr., Delaware Air National Guard, on the military career of Dr. Duncan.
The event also included a book signing for Founders of the Medical Society of Delaware, the compilation of Dr. Duncan’s historical series of the 27 founders of the Medical Society of Delaware.
During the mid-2000s when the Medical Society of Delaware was seeking a lo- cation to call home, a small group of visionary leaders taking part in the process realized that the history of medicine that took place in the state and by Delaware physicians needed to be preserved, and the Society had a responsibility to help make that happen. With that, the search for a permanent home for the Society was to include opportunity for the creation of a repository for medical history in Del- aware. MSD itself is rich in history from its beginnings, to its founding fathers, and in helping to shape today’s health care landscape. The Society’s goal is an attempt to bring as much information as possible to one central location. For those of you who are interested in Delaware medical history, the William H. Duncan, MD Center for Delaware Medical History provides convenience, ease of access, as well as the opportunity for a more thorough search concerning the Medical Society of Delaware’s founders and Delaware’s most in depth collection of our state’s rich military medical history. - Dorothy M. Moore, MD, MSD President, in remarks at the dedication ceremony
During Gen. Duncan’s tenure as commander of Delaware National Guard 261st Signal Command, he participated in numerous mobilization missions which included Egypt, the Middle East,
Somalia, Japan, Korea, Okinawa,
and Hawaii. His retirement under military policy was mandatory in 1987 after a distinguished career of 35 years. He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the highest non-valor medal that can be awarded. A grateful state of Dela- ware recognized his service with the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross to the state honorary rank of Lieu- tenant General. – Brigadier Gen. (Ret.) Kennard R. Wiggings Jr. in remarks at the dedication ceremony
Clockwise from top: William H. Duncan, MD and MSD President Dorothy M. Moore, MD cut the ribbon to the Wil- liam H. Duncan, MD Center for Delaware Medical History during the dedication; Dr. Duncan addresses guests at the ceremony; Dr. Duncan signs a copy of his book Founders of the Medical Society of Delaware; guests examine the collection of materials in the Center.
Del Med J | April 2016 | Vol. 88 | No. 4 105