The real-time strategy game, World of Warcraft III (not to be confused with the MMORPG WoW) – same company, different game, introduced the world to the concept of the Hero Unit. Essentially these where characters in the game that you controlled like regular units, but would have special powers and typically be more effective on the battlefield. We are of the opinion that there are similar Heroes walking amongst us in the world of medicine. We’re compiling a list of both modern day and heroes of yesteyear that we would like to use as the basis of a special line of cards called the Champions of Soma. Physicians, nurses, scientists, biologists, whose contributions to medicine have created a lasting legacy of change and progress. Innovation is key here – and keep in mind that we’re not limiting accomplishments to just this century. We sincerely feel that we are standing on the shoulders of giants, and that the irrefutable accomplishments of our forbears needs celebrating. That said, the expansion pack will consist of twenty cards – 10 Champions of Yesteyear, and 10 Champions of The Now. The cards will be playable in The Healing Blade game, which each Champion having been imparted a special power relating to their real-world accomplishments. Feel free to make suggestions in the comments section.
Here are a few suggestions for individuals that we included in our current list:
a)Yesteyear: Hippocrates, Galen, Al-Kindi, Rogerius Salernitanus, Andreas Vesalius, Louis Pasteur, Ignaz Semmelwies, Joseph Lister, Robert Koch, Charles Darwin, Florence Nightingale, William Osler, Henry Dakin, Ernst Roentgeon
b) The Now: Watson/Crick, Craig Venter, Peter Pronovost, Atul Gawande, Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, Mansfield/Laterbur, Albert Schweitzer, Paul Farmer, Francis Collins, etc.
10 Comments (including trackbacks)
Avicenna would be awesome
I gotta put in a vote for Francis Collins for two reasons 1) identifying genes for several diseases and heading the Human Genome Project, 2) and more importantly, his commencement song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqx06RC-5Ng&feature=related (he gave this at my graduation from Georgetown and brought down the house).
Haha – awesome, we’ll def look into Avicenna as a possible Yesteyear Hero, and Collins was an easy add too!
Alexander Fleming of course!
Guys, I would vote for Sushrutha, an ancient Indian physician/surgeon for past heroes. Please google him to learn more about him. Thanks
Jonas Salk?
YES YES!! We love the work of Salk and Sabin! Nice one, Dr. Geek!
Andrew Taylor Still??….
The father of Osteopathic Medicine! Of course! Some of the smartest docs I’ve trained with happen to be DO’s. Still’s somewhat controversial views on germ theory might put him at odds with the core ethos of our game – thoughts?
… Hmmm….. I know, it’s a challenge to throw him into the mix, but I do feel it’s almost necessary– regardless of whether one agrees with osteopathic principles or not, we certainly agree on the fact that he was an important figure in the field of medicine. In keeping with a core osteopathic principle: the body’s remarkable ability to heal itself (when provided a strong foundation of overall health/wellness)…. Maybe drawing his card would give a small, temporary boost in immunity or treatment strength? …. I dunno, but I really hope you can cram him in there somehow.
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