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University Libraries Special Collections

FC/5

Robert R. Cadmus, MD (1914 - 1995)
Papers, 1966 - 1971

In

UMDNJ Libraries Special Collections
George F. Smith Library of the Health Sciences
Newark, NJ

Revised 2003

Biographical Sketch

Robert R. Cadmus, MD [1] was born June 16, 1914 in Little Falls, NJ. Originally intending to enter the Presbyterian ministry, he attended Wooster College in Ohio, where he changed to medicine in his last two years. Dr. Cadmus received his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, interrupting his schooling for services in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Following the War, Dr. Cadmus returned to Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital intending to continue his surgical residency. Instead, he became director of the Outpatient Department, Vanderbilt Clinic from 1945-1948 and became "hooked on Administration."

From 1948-1950, Dr. Cadmus was assistant director of University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1950, accepting a position as hospital director, he moved to the University of North Carolina, which was planning a new hospital along with a new medical school, dental school, and nursing school.

The Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry was purchased by the state of New Jersey in 1965 and renamed the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry (NJCMD). Dr. Cadmus was selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as president of the NJCMD in 1966. His immediate objective was to prevent NJCMD from loosing its accreditation by the Association of American Medical Colleges. During his five years as president of NJCMD, Dr. Cadmus oversaw the selection of a new site for the school, the relocation to Newark, the planning and early phases of construction of the new campus, and the merger of the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry with Rutgers Medical School to form in 1970 the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. In June 1971, he left the College to take the position as director of the Medical Center of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Dr. Cadmus lived in Milwaukee with his wife, Lorna, until his death on August 12, 1995, at age 81.

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[1] For an in-depth account of Dr. Cadmus' career, see the oral history interview conducted in 1983.

Scope and Content Note

The Robert R. Cadmus, MD papers are composed of materials donated to the UMDNJ-Archives by Dr. Cadmus. The materials were part of Dr. Cadmus' personal papers, which he maintained when he left the institution in 1971. Not all of the material, which was accessioned as part of this donation has been placed in this collection. The collection contains materials on Dr. Cadmus and his direct contact with and operation of the college. The materials, which were related to the college but not Dr. Cadmus directly, were placed in the record group for the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry (RG/B).

The collection is strongest in the areas of speeches made by Dr. Cadmus (23 total) and newspaper clippings. The speeches reflect Dr. Cadmus' "Thrust" while at Newark. The newspaper clippings are extensive, covering topics dealing with nearly every aspect of the College's history during the five years of his presidency.

Though the collection includes series on correspondence and photographs, these are rather limited in their quantity and topics. For additional material of this nature, see RG/B New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry.

Of interest are two cassettes of recorded radio and television broadcasts concerning the College during the crucial period surrounding the selection of the Newark site.

The collection is composed of seven series. The inclusive dates are 1966 to 1971, the complete time of Dr. Cadmus' tenure at the New Jersey College of Medicine and Dentistry, and occupy two linear feet.

For additional information on Dr. Cadmus' life and career, see the oral history interview conducted with him in 1983, available in UMDNJ Special Collections.

Series Description

Series A: Correspondence, 1955, 1966-1971

The series consists of general correspondence to and from Dr. Cadmus. A large section (1968) deals with his article, "Interaction with the Inner City", a reprint of the article and a copy of Urban Crisis Monitor in which it was reprinted, are included in the series. The series is arranged chronologically.

Some of the correspondents in the series are:

George F. Smith, Chairman of the Board of Trustees-NJCMD

Richard Hughes, Governor of New Jersey

Paige D. L'Hommedieu

Alden Mills

Quantity: 4 folders

Series B: Speeches, 1966-1970 and undated

The series is composed of speeches given by Dr. Cadmus while at NJCMD. The material was received with a note attached from Dr. Cadmus, "...speeches I made at Newark which show my thrust!" The audience to whom the speech was delivered and/or the place are included in the listing, when available. The series is arranged chronologically.

Quantity: 23 folders

Series C: Reports, 1966-1970

The series is composed of reports prepared by Dr. Cadmus on the direction and development of the college. The series is arranged chronologically within 4 sub series. Sub series 2 contains correspondence directly related to the report, "State Wide System for Health Education in New Jersey." The material for this sub series was received as a complete folder titled as above, the Archivist judged it best to maintain the entire folder's original order and content rather than place the correspondence in Series 1.

Quantity: 5 folders

Series D: Newspaper Clippings, 1966-1970

The series is composed of newspaper clippings dealing with the NJCMD, its faculty and staff, construction, relocation, and with Dr. Cadmus. The series is arranged in chronological order. Almost all of the clippings are identified as to source and date. Those clippings appearing without a date have been placed at the end of the year in which the surrounding dated clippings indicated. The following newspapers are the sources for the clippings:

The Hudson Dispatch

The Jersey Journal

Morris County's Daily Record

The Newark Evening News

The Newark Star Ledger

The New York Times

The Paterson News

Quantity: 12 folders

Series E: NJCMD Extramural Activities, 1967-1970

The series is composed of material that represents Dr. Cadmus' activities outside his administrative duties. The material in the series consists of brochures, speeches, and leaflets, and is arranged in chronological order.

Quantity: 6 folders

Series F: Media Recordings, 1967-1968

The series consists of two audiotapes, which contain recordings of radio news broadcasts concerning NJCMD and a TV interview with Dr. Cadmus. The recordings were made at the end of 1967 and the early months of 1968. A content information outline on each tape is listed below. The series is arranged chronologically. The tapes are located in box 3.

Quantity: 2 cassette tapes

Tape One:

The tape consists of nine radio broadcasts (eight are news items and one an editorial) on WMTR Radio in Morristown, NJ and a recording of the television show Meet the Press. The sound quality of the recordings is very good. The contents of the tape follow and are in order of recording.

1. An editorial by Dr. Samuel Barkus, a member of the NJCMD Board of Trustees, on why he cast the only dissenting vote on the relocation of the College to Newark. In the editorial, Dr. Barkus gives a brief history of the school, stressing the difficulties that existed between Seton Hall and the Jersey City Medical Center, and asserting that the NJCMD will have the same problems in Newark. The procedures and conclusions reached by the independent Site Committee composed of deans selected by the AAMC and their selection of the Dodge Estate. The intervention of Mayor [Hugh] Addonizzio in the Newark site. The reaffirmation of the Deans Site Committee selection of the Dodge Estate. The political reasons for locating the College in Newark. (The important argument of George F. Smith was that if the Board put the school in Republican Morris County, the Democratic legislators of Hudson and Essex would refuse appropriations for the College and indefinitely delay building in Madison.) The price of land in Newark versus Madison. He goes on to outline the early removal to Newark, the Newark Riots' impact on land allocation. Dr.Barkus concludes with a summation of why he feels that the selection of Newark is a hoax to 1. the College, 2. The Negro Community, 3. The Citizens of New Jersey.

The editorial was probably broadcast on December 21, 1967.

2. News broadcasts on February 27, 28, 29, March 1, 4, 11, 12, 1968 relating the various developments that were occurring at the Site Hearing, the funding sources for the student body's appeal to Washington, DC on the relocation, use of prefabricated facilities, and the announcement on March 12, 1968 that the College would relocate to Newark.

3. A March 3, 1968 broadcast of Meet the Press in which six mayors discuss the recent urban riots. Though Addonizzio was one of the mayors, there is no mention of NJCMD in the incomplete recording.

Tape Two:

The tape is a recording of an interview with Dr. Cadmus on the WOR-TV news program, New Jersey Report, broadcast circa early 1968. The interviewers were John Scott of WOR-TV News and Carol Martin of United Press International's Trenton Bureau. The sound quality is very good. The recording is approximately 25 minutes in length.

The interview topics includes: size of the NJCMD; what NJCMD really is; history of the College; location in Newark; displacement of local residents; need for such a large tract of land; attitude of the community towards the school; size of population to be relocated; the school as a catalyst for the revitalization of the community; health services that will be provided by the College to the people of Newark; Site Selection Committee; recruitment of faculty; reasons for Dr. Cadmus coming to NJCMD; planning of the school on the initial 46 acres; future building on remaining land; money for salaries; relocation and construction schedule; move to facilities fall 1968; dental facilities in Jersey City; and permanent facilities construction.

Series G: Photographs, ca. 1968-1970

The series is composed of photographs, mainly of Dr. Cadmus taken at several functions at NJCMD. The photographs are placed in 5 sub-series according to their function or topic. Wherever possible the principle individuals in the photographs have been identified.

Quantity: 39 folders

Sub-series FC/5-G-1 Retirement Party for Dr. Cadmus

Container List

For reference service and information contact:

Robert Vietrogoski
Special Collections
vietrora@umdnj.edu
(973) 972-7830
FAX (973) 972-7474

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