WellSpan York Hospital’s education program has flourished over the past 50 years
WellSpan York Hospital’s residency program has been producing talented new physicians for more than half a century. Many have remained in York, making it their home and serving the community.
For the program’s inaugural class, it also fostered a lifetime of close friendships. In the summer of 1961, a dozen young medical school graduates from across the state traveled to York. The hospital had recently beefed up its teaching commitment, hiring Robert Evans, M.D., as its first director of medical education.
Before long, hospital staff became accustomed to Evans striding down the hallways with his interns — dubbed the Twelve Apostles—trailing close behind.
Johnstown native James Smolko, M.D., was one of those eager young doctors. Others included Drs. David Litrenta, Phillip Langford, Charles Moreels, Charles Hartman, William Shue, Joseph Cirotti, Calvin Colarusso, Samuel Chayatte, John Robinson, Thaddeus Lekawa and Paul Mahan.
Today, Smolko looks back on those days as the happiest time of his life. “We really came together as a group,” said Smolko, now 77.
“Everyone at the hospital was just so welcoming. They put us all in the same apartment complex, so we worked together and our families socialized together.”
York came to feel like home, and after their training six of the 12 decided to stay—including Smolko, who went to work in a family practice. Those who moved away kept in touch and returned often for reunions.
By 1967 the country was at war, and three from the group found themselves in Vietnam. Smolko commanded a medical company with the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta. He had opposed the war from the very beginning, but set aside those feelings when drafted.
The war strained him both personally and professionally, but it also left him with a new found passion for anesthesiology. He returned home and obtained additional training, then joined Anesthesia Associates of York, where he remained until retiring in 2000.
WellSpan York Hospital’s education program has flourished since the days of the Twelve Apostles. Today, there are 129 house staff members.
Last year, more than 400 medical students rotated through the hospital, and more than 1,000 medical school seniors applied for its 46 residency positions.
“So many of us who have trained here end up staying here and practicing here,” Smolko said. “That’s a tremendous value to the community.”
Today, the Twelve Apostles number only seven. But they stay close and keep alive the tradition of reunions. Over the years, they have joined together for 16 funfilled trips. At their most recent meeting in August, they nominated Smolko to contact WellSpan and share their story.
“Everyone had a successful, fulfilling career,” he reported, “and we still feel strong ties to each other and to York Hospital.”