The medical school's renaming has been a long process, with the idea first considered under the administration of former College President James Wright, according to Director of Media Relations Justin Anderson. The change will honor the Geisel family's continuing financial support of the College, according to a College press release.
"The Geisels are long-time Dartmouth supporters, and at this point they are the most generous philanthropists to Dartmouth in the history of the College," Anderson said.
Anderson said the medical school faculty was "elated," describing how Geisel School Dean Wiley Souba was "inundated" with positive feedback from faculty and community members.
Psychiatry professor Alexander de Nesnera said he approved of the school's decision to honor the people who have helped educate medical students through their philanthropy. Others, such as professor of medicine and hematologist and oncologist Thomas Davis, were more ambivalent about the news.
"It seems that naming of institutions, sports stadiums, parks, et cetera, for major donors is becoming the standard," Davis said. "I don't really like that because in a way, it's another piece of evidence that large amounts of capital are in control."
Other community members questioned the decision to rename the medical school after a prominent literary figure.
"The new name seems to detract from the esteem of the medical school," Harry Gates '14 said. "I read in the email that it was because of a generous donation, but I think the Geisel name would be better suited for a library or the English department."
Some students were surprised and by the name change and said they were originally skeptical of the campus-wide email sent by Steve Mandel, the chair of the Board of Trustees, at approximately 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
"I was really impressed with the elaborate prank, with the blitz from Steve Mandel and everything, until I realized it was serious," Samantha Merwin '13 said.
Anderson defended the name change by explaining that the "marriage" between the Geisels and the medical school was "perfect."
"Theodor Geisel spent his life devoted to improving the welfare of others, and Audrey Geisel was a trained nurse and a health care official," Anderson said. "I think that this is a wonderful match."
The timing of the name change is not related to the recent positive media the medical school has received so far this year, including a 29-place jump in the U.S. News and World Report primary care rankings, according to Anderson. Rather, Anderson said he believes the change is an extension of the excitement and forward momentum Souba has brought to the school.
The rise in the medical school's rankings marks a step toward the goals of the 20x20 strategic plan, designed to place the medical school among the nation's top 20 medical schools by 2020. Using the plan's recommendations, which were instituted in June, faculty and administrators hope to improve the school's research program, curriculum and relationship with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
The press release stated that the renaming of DMS will "amplify support for medical students as they progress on the path to becoming physicians and scientists and accelerate the research aspirations of faculty."
Davis admitted that despite his skepticism, he has always admired the humanistic and positive morals in the stories of Dr. Seuss.
"In honor of Dr. Seuss, I think all physicians and medical policymakers should read Yertle the Turtle,'" Davis said. "We have a lot to learn from Yertle the Turtle' when the medical profession is besieged by interests that do not align with the traditions of medicine."
