Drs. Kellermann & Wenzel
Friday June 12 at 7:00 PM
Image (above): Engraving depicts a developing smallpox pustule (figures 1 - 7), and the tools used for inoculation (figures 8 - 9)."[Smallpox: Instruments for inoculation and developing pustule]," National Library of Medicine. Smallpox, Inoculation, and the Revolutionary War, National Park Service.
The Walter W. Craigie Speaker Series
PRESENTS
An Evening with Dr. Art Kellermann and Dr. Richard “Dick” Wenzel.
SPEAKING ON
How George Washington Defeated Smallpox And Won America’s Independence
$25
Includes a pre-talk reception with a chance to meet the speaker.
Reception begins at 5:30 PM. Beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres.
Doors open at 6:45 PM for seating | Talk starts promptly at 7:00 PM
In 1776, as George Washington was leading the Continental Army through some of the earliest battles of the American Revolution, disease posed a greater threat to his forces than British troops. To win American independence, he not only had to defeat the British army; he had to defeat smallpox.
General Washington, who had survived smallpox as a young man, was aware of this history and his forces’ vulnerability to the disease. He also knew that the British had used smallpox as a biological weapon against native tribes during the French and Indian War. After taking these factors into consideration, he made a fateful decision. In 1776, as his Army entered winter quarters, he ordered the mass inoculation of his troops. It was the first time in history that an army was immunized by command order.
How General Washington Defeated Smallpox and Won Americas Independence, Dr. Art Kellerman, Forbes Magazine Article
ABOUT THE PANELISTS
Dr. Art Kellermann
Dr. Art Kellermann is an academic physician with expertise in emergency care, public health, and health policy. He currently advises the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority, the American Red Cross, and writes commentaries on healthcare innovation for Forbes.com. From 2020 to 2022, he oversaw the health sciences schools at Virginia Commonwealth University and was CEO of VCU Health. Prior to that, he was dean of the U.S. military’s medical school at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, MD. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and served a term on its governing council.
Dr. Richard P. Wenzel
Dr. Richard P. Wenzel is an internationally recognized specialist in Infectious Diseases, Emeritus Chair and Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University, and currently Editor-at-Large for The New England Journal of Medicine. He has published over 550 manuscripts, edited six textbooks on Infection Control or Quality Health Care. Scholar GPS screens 30 million scholars worldwide and ranks him 9th in the world in the field of infection. Dr. Wenzel is also a novelist. His 4th book , a mystery set in Italy, is titled “The Writer in Tuscany.” It was released in February 2025.
House Rules for Historic St. John’s Church
We encourage masks but they are no longer required.
Seating is first come, first served. Tickets are required.
There is no food, drink, gum, candy, strollers, backpacks or firearms permitted inside the church.
Bags larger than 16 x 16 x 8 are prohibited inside the church. Any and all bags are subject to inspection. Please leave backpacks and bags inside your vehicle as we have no place to store them.