John J. Sheinin*

Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, John J. Sheinin fled to the United States. He faced hardship and danger throughout the journey and was nearly shot by a firing squad. He arrived in New York penniless and unable to speak English.

Sheinin labored in a factory and later moved to Alabama. With only $4 to his name, he managed to enter Alabama State University and secured work with a local sign painter. In spite of considerable language difficulties, Sheinin was an outstanding student. He was admitted to medical school and later recommended to a teaching research fellowship at Northwestern University.

While completing work for his medical and doctorate degrees, Sheinin painted signs, worked at night in a hospital, studied, and taught. In 1935, Sheinin became dean of the unaccredited and financially struggling Chicago Medical School. He made such outstanding improvements to the school that under his direction, it received full accreditation from both the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges, an achievement unique in U.S. medical history.