The Chapman Society is a Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. It is sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, a public foundation dedicated to fostering humanism in medicine. Student members selected by committee and faculty members selected by the Dean in 2002-2003 became the founding members of the Society. The Society had its first formal meeting at a reception held on April 2, 2003, at which time the founding members were inducted into the Society.
Our chapter is named after Jules B. Chapman, M.D.
Dr. Chapman was born and raised in Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida, where he participated as a member of the UF Marching Band. Upon graduation in 1932, Dr. Chapman initially pursued graduate training at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He then matriculated at the University of Tennessee School of Medicine and received his M.D. degree in 1939.
Dr. Chapman completed his internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. During that year, he married Annie Lou Boozer. After his internship, Dr. Chapman served five years as a regimental surgeon in the European theatre. After World War II, Dr. Chapman continued residency training at the Episcopal Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in Washington, D.C. He subsequently returned to Florida and began private practice in Ophthalmology in West Palm Beach.
Dr. Chapman was recalled to active duty at the onset of the Korean War in 1950 and became a flight surgeon. He held many key leadership positions in the military, including a three-year tour of duty in French Morocco as a hospital commander. Dr. Chapman retired from active duty in 1965 with the rank of Colonel.
After his retirement from military service, Dr. and Mrs. Chapman moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, where he became an active participant in community affairs. He was a prominent member of the Royal Palm Yacht Club and the Ft. Myers Power Squadron, and taught advanced piloting for many years. He was also a loyal and devout member of the Unitarian Universalist Church.
In his personal and professional life, Dr. Chapman demonstrated remarkable compassion and humanism. Throughout his life he remained a most humble and caring person. In recognition of his exemplary professional service, the University of Florida College of Medicine Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society is named in his honor.