Dr. Dolan

The above testament from Dr. Dolan's colleagues captures the essence of a physician whose impact extended far beyond individual patient care. The Dolan Lecture Committee was established by dedicated donors and medical professionals to preserve his extraordinary legacy through a distinguished lecture series that continues to deliver world-class medical education to students and clinicians alike.

A Foundation Forged in Service

Dr. Dolan's remarkable career began on the battlefields of World War II, where he served as a physician in France. His contributions extended far beyond patient care—he played a crucial role in establishing the first field hospitals on Omaha Beach and later assisted in collecting vital pathological evidence for the historic Nuremberg war trials.

Pioneering Medical Education

Returning to Arlington after the war, Dr. Dolan recognized a critical gap in medical training: students were spending too much time in classrooms and not enough time with real patients. His solution was revolutionary. He forged an innovative partnership between Georgetown University School of Medicine, his alma mater, and Arlington Hospital—creating hands-on clinical rotations that immersed students in authentic patient care experiences.

This groundbreaking collaboration flourished under Dr. Dolan's leadership, expanding over four decades to serve medical students, residents, and community physicians with unparalleled educational opportunities.

A Visionary Who Made Things Happen

Dr. Dolan possessed a rare combination of vision and determination. When he identified a need in medical practice or education, he didn't just advocate—he acted. His transformative initiatives include:

• Emergency Medical Innovation: Developing one of the nation's first emergency medical departments dedicated to training EMTs, positioning Arlington as a pioneer in emergency care

• Cancer Detection Leadership: Spearheading the county's comprehensive cancer detection program

• National Blood Safety: Launching the American Blood Commission to establish a nationwide system ensuring adequate and safe blood supplies for medical use, later serving as the Commission's President in the early 1980s

Dr. Dolan's enduring impact on medical education and practice continues to inspire new generations of healthcare professionals through the lecture series established in his honor.