The Percy A. Wadman Memorial Lectureship

The Percy A. Wadman Memorial Lectureship is given in memory of a gifted clinician and teacher. Dr. Wadman did his undergraduate training at Harvard University and then went on to graduate from medical school at Boston University. He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Boston, but then practiced for many years in Greenfield, Massachusetts. While in Greenfield, he gained the highest respect from his colleagues and was loved by his patients. Dr. Wadman was also greatly interested in teaching medical students and residents. He went on to be the 101st president of the Massachusetts Medical Society; a professional society that dates back to 1782.

In the latter part of his career, Dr. Wadman joined the faculty in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baystate Medical Center, where then-Chair, Dr. Larry Lundy, sent him to visit several well-known laparoscopic surgeons to learn how laparoscopy could be expanded within the department. Based on his increased understanding of the full utility of this technique, he suggested that it even be used to for hysterectomies. His advice lead to one of the first laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomies done in this country.