Class of 1975 graduate celebrates 50 years with IU School of Medicine—West Lafayette

Patrick O’Neil grew up on a rural northern Indiana farm where he developed an affinity for animals. He attended Purdue University with sights on becoming a veterinarian until his future father-in-law steered him toward a career in medicine.

Now a practicing anesthesiologist in Lafayette, Indiana, O’Neil, MD, has been affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine for over 50 years. He was one of 12 medical students in the first graduating class for the school’s West Lafayette campus, which officially launched in 1971.

The small class size never bothered O’Neil. Neither did the pea gravel floors in the Purdue veterinary school basement where the anatomy lab was located — along with the county morgue. O’Neil was just happy to be in medical school.

“The facilities were a bit primitive,” he said. “Several of our teachers in things like anatomy and histology were veterinarians because there’s a lot of overlap. At the other end of the basement, there were some dog kennels where a professor was doing experiments on hip dysplasia.”

Nevertheless, O’Neil found the environment supportive and invigorating. He credits the medical center’s first director, Lindley Wagner, MD, as a pioneer and cheerleader for the regional campus’ growth during its early years.

O’Neil transferred to the Indianapolis campus to complete his medical education, graduating in 1975, but returned to Lafayette after his residency to start practicing as an anesthesiologist. Wagner wasted no time in asking O’Neil if he wanted to “help out” with teaching medical students on the regional campus.

“Of course, I did,” O’Neil said. “And I still do.”

As an adjunct clinical assistant professor of anesthesia, O’Neil welcomes trainees to learn alongside him at Franciscan Health Lafayette. Although he has stepped away from leadership commitments, O’Neil plans to keep practicing and teaching as long as he is able.

“I still enjoy it,” he said. “It’s really rewarding when I see students ‘get it.’ That’s the highlight for me.”

His trainees over the years have included his own daughter, Erin Datzman, MD, now a practicing anesthesiologist. “I remember vividly when I was 3 years old, I told my dad I wanted to be a nurse, and he asked me, ‘Why a nurse and not a doctor?” she recalled. “I thought girls couldn’t be doctors, but he said, ‘That’s not right. Girls can be doctors, too.”

From then on, Datzman knew she wanted to be a doctor like her dad. However, as she began medical school at IU, she wanted to do “anything but anesthesiology.” There were too many anesthesiologists in the family — at least 9 including her grandpa, dad, brother and several uncles.

In the end, she couldn’t resist the field. Her future husband also became hooked on anesthesiology after his medical school rotation with her father.

“It’s been really fun to learn technical skills from my dad,” Datzman said.

Over the years, her father has taught her much more than medical procedures.

“He taught me perseverance,” she said. “Put in the work, and you can accomplish your goals.”

It’s the same advice he shares with current medical students when the days are long and the work is rigorous: “Don’t despair. It really is worth it in the end.”

 

 

 

Supporting the school’s growth

O’Neil describes the current IU School of Medicine—West Lafayette space at Purdue’s Lyles Porter Hall, built in 2014, as “deluxe” compared to the regional campus’ humble beginnings.

The facility includes a simulation lab with manikins and ultrasound technology and a much nicer anatomy lab, along with dedicated group study rooms and a medical student lounge. There’s also a student-run clinic, a partnership with the IU Health Arnett Family Medicine Residency program, which offers experience working with patients from year one.

“It all happens right here,” O’Neil said. “It’s very convenient. I just think it’s great.”

Along with giving back to IU School of Medicine, O’Neil volunteers on oversees medical missions. He recently returned from his sixth trip to Comayagua, Honduras, where he was part of a team that performed 120 surgeries in one week at St. Benedict Joseph Medical Center.

“It’s very rewarding,” he said. “You see the grinding poverty down there. You see things that you don’t see here, like men with hernias so big they can’t even wear pants and lots of goiters.”

When O’Neil isn’t working as an anesthesiologist, he retreats to his rural roots.

“I live on a farm, and I like pigs,” he said, noting he’s had several champion hogs at the Indiana State Fair. It’s a way to stay active and engage with his grandkids, nieces and nephews.

Matthew Tews, DO, MS, associate dean and director of IU School of Medicine—West Lafayette, appreciates O’Neil’s continued desire to train medical students.

“For almost 50 years, he’s been teaching on the campus in one form or another, and he still comes every year — he’s still taking students in the clinical setting,” Tews said.

IU School of Medicine—West Lafayette will honor O’Neil during an end-of-year celebration on April 11.

“Having someone who’s been part of the campus since the beginning is really special,” Tews said. “I’m so happy we get a chance to recognize that and thank him for service to our school and our campus.”