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2011 Alumni of the Year - Dr. Thomas Allingham '74

Photo: Dr. Thomas Allingham, '74

Presentation at 2011 Commencement:

The person we honor today is an inspiration for those who know him and has shown by example that a community college degree provides a solid foundation for an outstanding career.

Dr. Thomas Allingham is a 1974 graduate of Cape Cod Community College. He continued his undergraduate education at Fitchburg State College, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1977. In 1984, Tom graduated from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. His professional training continued with an internship at Clarion Osteopathic Hospital and a residency in anesthesiology at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Tom has served 21 years of active duty service as a Naval Officer in United States Naval Medical Corp, retiring in 2006 as a Captain. His duties included service in both Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. His last assignment on active duty was as Commanding Officer of the Medical Treatment Facility of the United States Naval Ship COMFORT. In 2005, he had the privilege of taking the ship to the Gulf Coast in support of relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

After retirement, Tom worked in private practice in rural Tennessee for 18 months before discovering that he missed the academic aspects of medicine. In 2008, Tom joined the faculty of the University of Mississippi Medical Center as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and is currently the Interim Chair of the Anesthesiology Department.

On his years at Cape Cod Community College, Tom writes, "When I graduated from high school I was lost...torn between joining the military and pursuing my education. I decided to try 4 C’s. During the two wonderful years there, I discovered what I really wanted to do with my life. Much of that had to do with the courses and the professors. It is because of this that I have so enjoyed teaching I have done and the young lives I have touched."

With such enthusiasm for the teaching and learning, and such excellence in leadership and acheivement, we are proud to honor tonight our Alumnus of the Year 2011, Dr. Thomas Allingham.