Amc alumni bulletin winter 2015

Bulletin

of the Albany Medical College Alumni Association Inside

Outstanding Alumnus Gift Honors Dean’s Leadership Patients Serve as Mentors Alumnus Leading Global Organization Reunion 2015 in-Training goes to Italy

Volume 80 Number 1

Winter 2015

Please consider a bequest in suPPort of albany Medical college

“I planned ahead and provided a legacy to our Albany Medical College for years to come.

Please make a decision to join me with your own legacy.”

William M. Boehme, M.D., ’70 Kalispell, Montana

Dr. Boehme keeps his link to Albany Medical College alive by serving as a Dean’s Council member and Reunion Class Agent. Regular annual gifts combined with a bequest, charitable remainder trust and charitable gift annuity comprise Bill’s significant gift to help educate the next generation of talented physicians. Thank you!

Members of the ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE PILLARS SOCIETY have created lasting

legacies using their bequests, life income gifts and retirement plans. They provide inspiration to others to do the same.

Learn more, contact Laura O’Brien, Assistant Vice President, Gift Planning and Principal Gifts (518) 262-6835 | obrienL@mail.amc.edu | www.amc.edu/foundation/giftplanning

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS President Janet E. Gargiulo, M.D. ’79 President-elect Anthony C. Campagna, M.D. ’85 Immediate Past President Alan M. Sanders, M.D. ’88 Secretary Nancy C. Sapio, M.D. ’85

Bulletin

Winter 2015

of the Albany Medical College Alumni Association

Treasurer David M. Jones, M.D. ’97

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Historian Jeffrey D. Hubbard, M.D. ’68 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS Albert A. Apicelli, M.D. ’65 Mitchell H. Bamberger, M.D. ’82 Stephanie Bull, M.S., P.A. ’09 Christopher L. Campese, M.D. ’90 Jodi Della Rocca, C.R.N.A., M.S. ’02, Ph.D. Clifford A. Erickson, M.D. ’99 Robert J. Hedderman, M.D. ’82 Siobhan M. Kuhar, Ph.D, M.D. ’99 R. Peter Manes, M.D. ’04 Dennis P. McKenna, M.D. ’92 Kathryn T. O’Keeffe, M.D. ’78 Philip S.K. Paty, M.D. ’86 Donna M. Pietrocola, M.D. ’75 Mary E. Rappazzo, M.D. ’76 Kevin W. Roberts, M.D. ’77 Gary L. Sutter, M.D. ’76 Gurvinder S. Uppal, M.D. ’86 Peter Vincent, Ph.D. ’89 Charles L. Poskanzer, M.D. ’45, Emeritus Steven M. Frisch, M.D. ’79, Ex-Officio Vincent P. Verdile, M.D. ’84, Ex-Officio

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President’s Message

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Dean’s Message

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Two-Way Radio Continuing Education Program

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF Maura Mack Hisgen, Executive Director Christine Horigan, Associate Director Alison Lester, Program Manager Jessica Watson, Archivist Design: Panarama Design www.panaramadesign.com

Pillars Profile: Lynne and Mark Groban, M.D. ’67 Featured Alumnus: Gary L. Gottlieb, M.D. ’79 Reunion 2015 Weekend Highlights Reunion Giving Program Patients Serving as Mentors College News and Events in-Training Goes to Milan Upcoming Alumni Events Class Notes

AMCalumni@mail.amc.edu or (518) 262-5033

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PLEASE JOIN US FOR

REUNION 193919401941194219431944 194519461947194819491950 WEEKEND 195119521953195419551956 Friday, April 24– Sunday, April 26 195719581959196019611962 196319641965196619671968 196919701971197219731974 ’45, ’50, ’55, ’60, ’65, ’70, ’75, ’80, ’85, 197519761977197819791980 ’90, ’95, ’00, ’05, ’10 198119821983198419851986 the gold society 198719881989199019911992 199319941995199619971998 alumni.amc.edu 199920002001200220032004 200520062007200820092010

2 15 HONORING THE CLASSES OF:

and

*

*Celebrates all classes prior to 1965

AMCalumni@mail.amc.edu

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518.262.5033

President’s Message Dear Fellow Alumni,

As my term draws to an end, I have begun to reflect on the many wonderful experiences I have had as your president. It has been a privilege for me to have interacted with so many of you during Reunion Weekend and at our regional events throughout the country.

My work with the Alumni Association Board of Directors has been extremely gratifying, and I have also enjoyed my connections with our current students (whose energy and drive never cease to amaze me!) and prospective students as a member of the admissions committee.

The Alumni Association’s mission is to create a sense of community among our alumni by providing a forum to form new relationships and maintain a strong commitment to our alma mater. In celebration of the College’s 175th Anniversary, and as part of Lifeline: The Campaign for Albany Medical Center, I am proud to announce our support of an important restoration project to refurbish the College entrance doors (designed by renowned architect Philip Hooker), from the Lancaster School, the College’s original location in Albany.

Albany Medical College Reunion 2015, for graduating classes ending in “5” or “0,” will be held April 24 – April 26. We have an exciting weekend planned and look forward to welcoming you back to campus. Even if you are not celebrating a reunion, we invite you to join us for the festivities.

One of the highlights of the weekend is honoring the 2015 Alumni Association Award recipients who will be recognized at the Saturday luncheon. The nominations and awards committee did an outstanding job selecting this year’s impressive recipients:

Distinguished Alumnus Award Patrick G. O’Connor, M.D. ’82

Exemplary Alumnus Award William M. Boehme, M.D. ’70

Honorary Members of the Alumni Association Richard L. Uhl, M.D. and Ferdinand J. Venditti, M.D.

Humanitarian Alumna Award Isabella A. Danel, M.D. ’77 The Class of 1965 will also be recognized at the luncheon for their extraordinary engagement, commitment to the College and class record for the greatest number of award recipients.

REUNION

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HOTEL INFORMATION Hilton Garden Inn, Albany Medical Center 62 New Scotland Avenue Albany, New York 12208 518.396.3500 Group Name: AMC Reunion Weekend 2015 Group Code: AMC15 Room Rate: $119 (single or double) per night/per room (Special reunion rate) Parking included For more information, please visit: alumni.amc.edu/reunion

Enjoy reading the Winter 2015 Alumni Bulletin and submit your news for the Class Notes section for our next issue! Please send us your feedback on ways to keep us connected and continue our important mission.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2015!

Janet E. Gargiulo, M.D. ’79 Winter 2015

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PILLARS

societ y

PILLARS PROFILE

Mark Groban, M.D. ’67

Outstanding Alumnus Gift Honors Dean’s Leadership Lynne and Mark Groban, M.D. ’67, who, with $2.5 million in total giving, are in a special circle of the top donors to Albany Medical College. Dr. Groban developed an appreciation for philanthropy over time, going back to his youth spent attending private school.

“My parents never told me they couldn’t afford it, but looking back I knew that they couldn’t.

It turned out the school had arranged a partial scholarship for me through a donor.”

And there was the time he landed an interview in the admissions office at Albany Medical College, and a family friend helped him secure a round-trip airline ticket from Ohio and slipped him some money for lunch and a taxi.

The generosity of others shone upon him again at Albany Medical College when he was awarded an endowed scholarship.

“I didn’t know who the fellow was—but it took so much stress away. I vowed that I would someday do the same for the Medical College.”

So, after 17 years in private practice as a psychiatrist in Bethesda, Maryland, and several more leading a successful HMO, Dr. Groban and his wife Lynne created an endowed scholarship in honor of his parents. In 2014, they took one step further. By combining an outright gift with naming Albany Medical College as a beneficiary in their wills, the Grobans were able to give $2 million to endow the Lynne and Mark Groban, M.D. ’67 Distinguished Dean, which is now held

by Vincent P. Verdile, M.D. ’84.

“He brings so much to the table for the school,” said Dr. Groban, who hopes that other alumni will consider giving back, adding that by giving in this way, donors will see the tax benefits during their lifetime, while knowing that Albany Medical College will be part of their estate settlement in the future.

“Everybody has their own story. It’s a tremendous satisfaction to know that you can play a role in the success of such a tremendous institution. And, today, it is relatively easy to make a transformational gift with careful tax and estate planning.”

Lynne and Mark Groban, M.D. ’67.

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Dean’s Message It is a privilege for me to be entering my 15th year as Dean of our alma mater. During that time the practice of medicine, as well as medical education, has changed profoundly.

I am pleased we have not only kept pace, but in many cases helped lead the way. Our faculty has been responsive to the changing needs of students and patients, actively seeking ways to improve the curriculum, promote research advancement and implement technological innovation to ensure that our students are prepared as medical and research professionals.

We have been able to continue to advance the missions of Albany Medical College, and the broader Albany Medical Center, with the help of dedicated alumni. Our alumni population always has been generous, but its support has never been as great as during our Lifeline Campaign. The proceeds of the campaign will help me to continue to successfully lead our institution, and your continued involvement makes my role even more gratifying.

This Bulletin features an interesting piece highlighting curriculum advancement through Service Learning, led by Ingrid Allard, M.D., associate dean for Community Outreach and Medical Education. The program enables our medical students to participate in what is referred to as the patient navigator program allowing students direct access to patients early on as a way to help them build a solid foundation in patient care. I think you will also be pleased to read about Dr. Gary Gottlieb, Class of 1979, as he looks forward to his new position as CEO of Partners In Health (PIH) which he describes as “the opportunity of a lifetime.” The article by medical student Ajay Major, member of Class of 2016, about his participation in the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) conference in Milan, Italy this summer reminds us all how global medical education and experiences have become.

While “on the road” at our regional events in 2014, I enjoyed the opportunity to make connections with our alumni and am impressed with our graduates’ professional commitment and vitality. At the Hartford, Conn. and Providence, R.I. regional receptions, alumni representing classes spanning more than more than four decades were networking.

Participating in almost every event was our Alumni Association Board President, Dr. Janet Gargiulo, Class of 1979. She deserves our gratitude for her steadfast commitment and loyalty to the College demonstrated again and again during more than two years of service as President and while also serving on the admissions committee. It is only fitting that our colleagues on the Association’s nominations and awards committee have selected her to be the 2015 Meritorious Service Award recipient. During her board tenure, Janet participated in more than thirty Alumni Association events; her energy, engagement and optimism have been an inspiration to all of us and we are most grateful for her outreach and work on behalf of the College.

I wish you and your family a very happy, healthy 2015. I welcome the opportunity to see you at a regional gathering. Please know that I extend an open invitation for all alumni to return to campus to see, first-hand, our thriving institution.

Vincent P. Verdile, M.D. ’84 The Lynne and Mark Groban M.D. ’67 Distinguished Dean

Winter 2015

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FEATURED ALUMNUS

Gary L. Gottlieb, M.D. ’79,

Named CEO of Leading Global Health Care Organization Gary L. Gottlieb, M.D. ’79

“We are extraordinarily proud of Dr. Gottlieb, who has worked tirelessly throughout his career to bring health care to the most needy. In his new position with a remarkable organization, he continues that important work on a global stage. He stands as a role model for physicians everywhere— and especially here at Albany Medical College.”

—Vincent P. Verdile, M.D. ’84, The Lynne and Mark Groban, M.D. ’67 Distinguished Dean of Albany Medical College For Gary L. Gottlieb, M.D. ’79, his new position as CEO of Partners In Health (PIH) is, in his words, “the opportunity of a lifetime”—and one that is inextricably linked to his education at Albany Medical College.

His deep conviction that great health care is a matter of social justice spurred his passion for the position. As a member of the Board of Governors for nearly a decade, he became a witness to, and participant in, developing a long-term sustaining vision for PIH, to further strengthen the organization’s global health care mission.

This new role is closely connected to the values of his current post. As president and CEO of Partners HealthCare based in Boston, Dr. Gottlieb has been a champion for access to the best health care possible for all who are in need.

“Expanding and improving access to health care has been the most challenging and important work of my life,” Dr. Gottlieb said. “I’m eager to take on this inspiring role to tackle global health issues with Partners In Health. There is still much work to do to bring high-quality health care to poor and marginalized communities across the globe. I’m honored to join this top-notch team and humbled by the challenge.”

Over the past three decades, Partners In Health has grown from a rural clinic in Cange, Haiti, to a leading global health organization delivering high-quality health care on four continents.

“The mission of PIH—to link the delivery of health care for the poor to the tasks of training ‘local’ partners to do so and to generate new knowledge—comes from the model of academic medicine,” said Paul Farmer, M.D. “So those of us who founded PIH were hoping and praying for a leader from academic medicine, someone with a commitment

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to social justice and to improving the management of health systems, some of the most complex institutions in the world, even in settings of great privation.

“Gary is a dream come true,” Dr. Farmer continued. “He weds deep affection for PIH—through many trips to Haiti and Rwanda, but also as a board member and the former or current boss of scores of our volunteers from Harvard’s teaching hospitals—with the sort of management and clinical skills needed to bring PIH to the next level.”

Dr. Gottlieb credits Albany Medical College with igniting his passion for equity in health care and sustainable health care. “Medical students learn to heal and understand the greater good,” he observed. “Every student who passes through the College thinks ‘how do we do the best by our patients and those who need us the most?’ Students have a great privilege and an opportunity. I learned that at Albany Medical College.”

These beliefs prompted Dr. Gottlieb and his wife Derri Shtasel, M.D., in 2012 to help create a fund to benefit minority medical students at Albany Medical College.

In his new role, Dr. Gottlieb is looking forward to working more closely with a stellar team that includes co- founders Dr. Farmer, physician and anthropologist, Kolokotrones University Professor and chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and chief of the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston; Ophelia Dahl, PIH chairman, PIH CEO and chair of Dahl & Dahl LLP, which manages the literary estate of her late father, the writer Roald Dahl; World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, M.D., Ph.D.; and Todd McCormack, senior corporate vice president at IMG Media. The fifth co-founder is the late Tom White, president of J.F. White Contracting Co.

FACTS FROM THE PAST

WARCHIVES CORNERW

Two-Way Radio Continuing Education Program

Charles Eckert, M.D. and John Balint, M.D. during a two-way radio program.

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n 1955, Albany Medical College began a two-way radio continuing education program for physicians.

Initially an experiment, the program was designed by Frank M. Woolsey, Jr., M.D., associate dean and director of postgraduate medical education and became an immediate success. Prior to the start of this program, doctors spent time traveling to small hospitals throughout the state to educate other physicians on recent medical advances. The two-way radio program started with borrowed radio equipment by amateur radio operators and enabled the doctors to cut down on the travel and reach out to more hospitals. The first series of programs was initially

between Albany Medical College and six participating hospitals, but quickly grew to thirteen hospitals a month after the program’s inception. In 1958, Albany Medical College began its own radio station, WAMC-FM (currently WAMC Northeast Public Radio), with the transmitter on the top of Mt. Greylock in Adams, MA. In the beginning, the medical lectures were broadcast three days a week to five different hospitals due to technical restrictions, but eventually the program expanded to five days a week and more than seventy hospitals.

In addition to the medical programs, the station also transmitted educational/cultural programs for all listeners.

CHECK IT OUT! Henry Tulgan, M.D., FACP, clinical professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and former resident at Albany Medical Center has authored a paper in The Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions titled, “The Albany Two-Way Radio Conferences, 1955-1981: A retrospective look at a program providing interactive continuing medical education at a distance.” The paper discusses the Albany Two-Way Radio program and how it relates to other nationwide continuing medical education (CME) programs and advancing technologies used for CME. Dr. Tulgan’s paper can be found in The Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions or online at Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).

Jessica Watson, Archivist (518) 262-5810 watsonj1@mail.amc.edu

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REUNION

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Highlights/ Schedule Friday, April 24

Pillars Luncheon

Get Involved: Become a Class Agent or a Class Coordinator!

Please consider becoming a Class Agent to help encourage support from your fellow classmates or a Class Coordinator to organize your reunion festivities.

If you are interested in learning more about these programs, the contact information is below.

To learn more about becoming a Class Agent, contact Julie Ruttan in the Albany Medical Center Foundation at (518) 262-6806 or by email at Ruttanj@mail.amc.edu.

To learn more about becoming a Class Coordinator, contact Christine Horigan in the Alumni Association at (518) 262-5867 or horigac@mail.amc.edu.

Hilton Garden Inn, Albany Medical Center

Distinguished Alumnus Lecture Huyck Auditorium, Campus

Reception Immediately following the lecture, Campus

Individual Class Dinners At various Albany locations

Saturday, April 25

Alumni Breakfast/ State of the College Address Dean Vincent P. Verdile, M.D. ’84, Hilton Garden Inn, Albany Medical Center

Morning Campus Events:

Student-led College tours Patient Safety and Clinical Competency Center tour Academic Sessions Afternoon and Evening Events:

Annual Alumni Awards Luncheon* Normanside Country Club, Delmar, N.Y.

Reunion Gala* Wolferts Roost Country Club, Albany, N.Y.

Shuttle service available

*

Sunday, April 26

Military Alumni Breakfast (all alumni welcome) Campus, Alumni Lounge

Volunteer Recognition Volunteer Recognition Volunteer Recognition Volunteer Recognitio Class Agents Class of 1955 Joseph L. Belsky, M.D.* Class of 1960 Robert Kiesel, M.D. Richard P. Propp, M.D.* Merritt F. Spear, M.D.* Class of 1965 Albert A. Apicelli, M.D. * John Booss, M.D. 10 alumni.amc.edu

Edward Iannuccilli, M.D. David R. Nalin, M.D. Douglas W. Rainforth, M.D. George J. Roff, M.D. Class of 1970 William M. Boehme, M.D. Christine L. Burns, M.D. Paul D. Garson, M.D. Steven M. Litinsky, M.D.

Class of 1975 Edward J. Jacobs, M.D. Class of 1980 Ann M. Hughes Daniels, M.D. Jeffrey S. Daniels, M.D. Jeffrey A. Hirst, M.D. Michael J. Horgan, M.D.* Andrew J. Kurman, M.D. Sharon Shapiro, M.D.

Class of 1985 Anthony C. Campagna, M.D. Nancy C. Sapio, M.D. Class of 1990 Christopher L. Campese, M.D.* Christopher F. Gabriels, M.D.* Marina S. Kurian, M.D.* David I. Shapiro, M.D.* Steven B. Weinfeld, M.D.*

The Reunion Giving Program continues to inspire our alumni to support the College. The classes celebrating their reunions in 2015 (all with graduating years ending in “5” or “0”) are already working with great enthusiasm. Our reunion classes are making gifts to the top priorities of the College such as the Alumni Annual Fund and scholarships.

Class Reunion Milestones The Class of 1965 is celebrating their 50th class reunion.

Led by Class Agents Albert Apicelli, M.D., John Booss, M.D., Edward Iannuccilli, M.D., David Nalin, M.D., Douglas Rainforth, M.D., and George Roff, M.D. The Class of 1965 voted to support The Class of 1965 Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund to honor this milestone anniversary.

The Class of 1990 is celebrating their 25th reunion.

Led by Class Agents Christopher L. Campese, M.D., Christopher F. Gabriels, M.D., Marina S. Kurian, M.D., David I. Shapiro, M.D., Steven B. Weinfeld, M.D. The Class of 1990 is raising funds for a significant renovation of the back entrance to the Medical Education (ME) Building to create an inviting exterior and interior space for all to enjoy.

Class Reunion Gift Highlights There are many ways to give a gift to Albany Medical College. Highlighted below are examples of alumni gifts and the different ways to support your alma mater.

James W. Biondi, M.D. ’80 James Biondi, M.D. is celebrating his 35th reunion this spring. Dr. Biondi generously made his gift to the Dean’s Discretionary Fund. Dr. Biondi’s motivation for giving was to give thanks to the incredible medical education he received and to thank Dean Vincent P. Verdile, M.D. ’84 for his extraordinary contributions he has made to the College.

William M. Boehme, M.D. ’70 William Boehme, M.D. has generously made a bequest in honor of his 45th reunion to the Anthony J. Tartaglia, M.D. Endowed Scholarship Fund. Dr. Boehme fondly remembers Dr. Tartaglia during his time in medical school as an influential professor, not only on him, but to many of his classmates. Dr. Tartaglia’s guidance has made a lifetime impact.

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REUNION

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How to Make Your Reunion Gift To make a gift to your class project now, simply visit:

alumni.amc.edu/ reunion_giving and click on your class year.

If you prefer to make your gift by check, please make your check payable to Albany Medical College (memo: Reunion Class Gift) and mail to: Julie Ruttan Albany Medical Center Foundation 43 New Scotland Avenue MC119 Albany, NY 12208 We look forward to seeing you at Reunion on April 24-26, 2015. For further information on how to make a gift or becoming a class agent, contact Julie Ruttan, Associate Director of Annual Programs at (518) 262-6806 or email ruttanj@mail.amc.edu.

Volunteer Recognition Class Coordinators

Class of 2000 Rami K. Batniji, M.D. Harish Lavu, M.D. Class of 2010 Nicole R. Smizer, M.D.*

*indicates dual role as class coordinator and class agent

Class of 1955 Joseph L. Belsky, M.D.* Class of 1960 Richard P. Propp, M.D.* Merritt F. Spear, M.D.* Class of 1965 Albert A. Apicelli, M.D.* Class of 1970 Edward R. Alexson, M.D. William M. Vanneman, M.D.

Class of 1975 Donna M. Pietrocola, M.D. Steven Pinheiro, M.D. Class of 1980 Michael J. Horgan, M.D.* Class of 1985 Suzanne M. Murphy, M.D. Steven J. Seminer, M.D. Class of 1990 Christopher L. Campese, M.D.*

Christopher F. Gabriels, M.D.* Marina S. Kurian, M.D.* David I. Shapiro, M.D.* Steven B. Weinfeld, M.D.* Class of 1995 Carol L. Roeder, M.D. Class of 2010 Nicole R. Smizer, M.D.*

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Patients Serving as Mentors They may seem an unlikely pair— Pat McGrath, a 75-year-old patient of the Alzheimer’s Center at Albany Med, and Smita Ravichandran, a second-year medical student.

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ut from their first encounter, the bond was immediate. The two can talk for hours over coffee or tea, and poring through photo albums. Ravichandran helps McGrath understand her Indian culture, which she shares with McGrath’s “adopted granddaughter,” and McGrath plays the role of Ravichandran’s concerned parent— packing snacks for long road trips and reminding her to drive carefully.

“I was impressed from our first meeting,” says McGrath. “As young as she is, Smita provides a great comfort. No matter what I tell her, she is very supportive and she adds her own observations.

She’ll be a wonderful physician.”

The duo met through the college’s Generations Together program,

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which helps teach students how to work with patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Part of the required service learning program, Generations Together was developed by Ingrid M. Allard, M.D., associate dean for Community Outreach and Medical Education; Nancy Cummings, director of The Anne B. and Leon J. Goldberg Alzheimer’s Resource Center at Albany Med; and Rahul Raghu, M.D. Candidate, Class of 2016.

“As our population ages, Alzheimer’s and dementia have the potential to become epidemics,” Cummings says. “This program is a unique way to introduce students to what it’s like to care for someone with a cognitive issue. Since it is early in their diagnosis, it also offers the patients a chance to help others.”

Ravichandran says she could never have learned from textbooks what she has learned from the experience.

“I’ve learned that making a connection with a patient is the most important way to practice medicine,” she says. “This experience allowed me to see a disease from a support system’s perspective, and it allowed me to understand that, as a physician, we must be both the support system and the medical advisor, and to see the disease beyond just the science.”

COVER STORY

Service Learning Opportunities Remind Students Why They Chose Medicine

Patient Pat McGrath, left, and Smita Ravichandran, ’17.

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Patients Serving as Mentors continued

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ccording to Henry Pohl, M.D., vice dean for Academic Administration, that is precisely the goal of service learning.

“The service learning curriculum is designed to engage students in activities that help improve our community while educating them on the challenges facing underserved communities and teaching best practices for providing care in diverse settings,” Dr. Pohl says.

“Even more important,the program strengthens students’ compassion and their commitment to improving the health of their community throughout their medical careers.”

Activities that support the community include the “Strong Mom” program, which pairs first- and second-year students with pregnant teenagers attending health classes and doctors’ appointments, and “Cooks 4 a Cause”, which pairs medical students with children from the community to prepare healthy meals together and have a chance to speak and share ideas. Other activities, like Generations Together and the Tobacco Cessation Consult Service, whereby students perform consults for inpatients who request tobacco cessation intervention, involve more direct patient interaction.

Dr. Allard says there is no substitute for the learning that occurs through hands-on interaction with patients and other members of the community on complicated issues.

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“Our goal through our service learning programs is to provide personal experiences and reflection that will stay with students for the rest of their professional lives and positively impact how they care for patients in the future,” she says. “Additionally, we attempt to balance the service learning by relating the experience to objectives we want our students to meet as graduating physicians.”

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ne service learning program pairs medical students with breast and lung cancer patients receiving treatment at New York Oncology Hematology, where students serve as patient navigators to support them in navigating the complex medical system.

Second-year student Vaibhavi Umesh, who studied oncology from the biological perspective while working on her Master’s degree, and who has a number of friends who have been personally affected by breast cancer, felt it would be a good fit.

“Studying the scientific aspect of a disease is very different than working directly with patients and helping them deal with the many issues they’re facing, and I wanted to see how I would handle breast cancer from the emotional perspective,” she says.

To prepare for the role of patient navigator, students attend three resource sessions where they’re given access to information about resources to assist patients who are

“Our goal through our service learning programs is to provide personal experiences and reflection that will stay with students for the rest of their professional lives and positively impact how they care for patients in the future.”

— Ingrid M. Allard, M.D.

experiencing lack of financial resources, transportation or child care issues, or communication and language barriers—all things that are considered obstacles to the proper screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. One session also involves role playing, where students learn to deal with difficult situations and patients’ emotions.

“We’re taught to assess a patient’s mood, respond to hostility, fear or anxiety, and help mediate,” says Umesh.

“It helps us deal with difficult situations and not get flustered, and will be helpful in preparing us for our third year of medical school when we do have direct patient contact.”

Fellow second-year student Ruby Monichan was able to become “an extended family friend” to the patient she served, and her family.

Monichan attended her patient’s chemotherapy appointments and other check-ups, where sometimes she helped answer her questions about diet and nutrition, and other times they had general discussions of “life outside of cancer.”

“I was able to help my patient by providing a resource other than Google, and to provide a support role of someone other than close friends and family who sometimes have varying opinions on

what the patient should be doing,” says Monichan.

Monichan says she also found value in getting to know her patient’s family to better understand what they were dealing with too. In fact, she stayed with them in the surgical waiting area while her patient was in surgery and helped relay information from the operating room, where she was able to explain in layman’s terms what was taking place.

Whatever their role, all students who have experienced direct patient contact through service learning encounters agree that what they learn is invaluable and will change the way they practice medicine for many years to come.

“Sometimes it’s easy in your first two years of medical school, when you’re busy with textbooks, anatomy, studying and exams, to lose sight of why you wanted to become a physician in the first place,” says Monichan.

“Service learning helps keep you in check,” she says.

“My own experience taught me empathy. As a physician, you have to keep caring and maintain your humanistic approach. Your patient may not want to burden you with one more question, but if you spend just one more minute to answer them, it has a positive impact on that patient’s care.”

COLLEGE NEWS AND

EVENTS

Dennis W. Metzger, Ph.D. Honored as Fellow in Prestigious Association Dennis W. Metzger, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease at Albany Medical College and a prominent vaccine researcher, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

The AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society, and publisher of the journal, Science.

Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.

According to the organization, Dr. Metzger was named a fellow for his “distinguished contributions to the field of pulmonary immunity, particularly in explaining how secondary bacterial infections develop following influenza, and in developing new mucosal vaccination approaches.”

Dr. Metzger heads a biomedical research team that is focused on the mechanisms responsible for disease and developing means by which the body can ward off infection.

Part of that effort is to develop new and better vaccines targeted to mucosal surfaces (such as the nose and mouth rather than vaccines given as shots into the bloodstream).

Under his leadership over the past 15 years, the Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease has developed into an internationally recognized infectious disease research group that has received more than $25 million in National Institutes of Health funding.

Albany Medical College Professors Awarded Research Grants In July, Dorina Avram, Ph.D., professor at Albany Medical College, was awarded a $700,000 grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for her work on new treatments for multiple sclerosis, an immune system disease.

In September, Katherine MacNamara, Ph.D., assistant professor at Albany Medical College, has received a $1.5 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

The grant will advance her research into the role of stem cell function in the body’s defense against a variety of infectious diseases.

“Infectious disease is a national priority because it represents a major cause of death in the United States and around the world. We are always looking for new ways to treat the flu and strep infections while trying to stay on top of emerging pathogens like tick-borne diseases which are common in this area,” she said in a statement issued by the College.

Dr. MacNamara is studying the function of stem cells that reside in the bone marrow that maintain blood production, including cells of the immune system, throughout life. Her research team is examining ehrlichiosis, an emerging tick-borne illness that causes symptoms in mice and humans including anemia and low blood platelet count.

Dr. Darrell Kirch Lectures on Future of Academic Medical Centers

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of Albany Medical College, Darrell Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges presented a special lecture in August titled “Challenge or Opportunity: The Future of Academic Medical Centers,” at the College.

Rosalyn P. Scott, M.D., M.S.H.A. Delivers Keynote Address Dr. Scott, professor of surgery and chief of surgical services at Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, delivered a lecture in November at Albany Medical College as part of the National Library of Medicine’s exhibition Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons.

Ingrid Allard, M.D., associate dean for Community Outreach, and Rosalyn Scott, M.D., M.S.H.A.

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COLLEGE NEWS AND

EVENTS

Dr. Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora named Philly Dake Chair in Movement Disorders A $1 million gift from the Philly and Charlie Dake Foundation has created a new faculty position focused on movement disorders, like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, at Albany Medical College.

Dr. Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora, a neurologist, has been named the first Philly Dake Chair in Movement Disorders at Albany Medical College.

Philly Dake, a Saratoga Springs, N.Y. resident whose family founded Stewart’s Shops, was executive vice president of the local convenience-store chain until her death in 2012 at age 85. Plans for the new endowed faculty chair were initially made by Dake in 2009 to assist a friend who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Later, she was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease herself.

Dr. Ramirez-Zamora, assistant professor of neurology, specializes in the management of Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, tremors, gait and other movement disorders. He completed a fellowship in movement disorders at the University of California, San Francisco, a neurology residency at Loyola University of Chicago, and internships at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, and Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Philadelphia. He received his medical degree from Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Theobald Smith Lecture In September, Dennis W. Metzger, Ph.D., professor and director of The Center for Immunology & Microbial Disease (CIMD) at Albany Medical College welcomed Keith P. Klugman, M.D., Ph.D. to deliver the 2014 Theobald Smith Lecture, entitled, “Reducing Flu Mortality by Prevention of Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia.” Dr. Klugman is a leading expert on antibiotic resistance in pneumonia pathogens and has helped develop the pneumococcal vaccine currently part of the immunization regimen for children born in the United States and being adopted globally. He serves as the director of pneumonia at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and holds the William H. Foege Chair of Global Health in the Hubert Department of Global Health at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Metzger commented, “Dr. Klugman’s lecture was very closely tied to Theobald Smith’s accomplishments and to the CIMD’s research interests. It was a wonderful networking opportunity for our students and community. I believe Dr. Smith would have been pleased to hear how our understanding of infectious disease has advanced during the past 100 years.”

Note: The Theobald Smith Chair was established by the Alumni Association in support of an endowed professorship and chair in Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Metzger currently holds the position.

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11th Annual Medical Student Investigations Day Gretchen Gunn, ’17 and Joaquin Alvarado, ’17 presenting at Medical Student Investigation Day in 2014.

This past September more than 90 medical students presented the results from their “summers of research.”

Students from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute/Albany Medical College Physician Scientist program shared their research, students in the Union College/Albany Medical College Leadership in Medicine track presented their health care management experiences, and students in the Siena College/Albany Medical College Science, Humanities and Medicine program shared information about their service activities throughout the summer.

Several traditional medical students who participated in summer research fellowships were also featured.

In July, Nabeel Ali, ’17, was named a “rising entrepreneur in healthcare” by Columbia University’s CORE organiza-tion.

He was a panelist at the MedTech Boston Google Glass Challenge Winners Exhibition in April, and has developed two low-cost medical devices to improve wound care for patients in developing nations.

Devang Bhoiwala, ’16, has been awarded a $30,000 grant

by Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) to study retinal disease at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Ophthalmology and Scheie Eye Institute.

Vishnu Ravi, ’15, won three awards at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Innova-tion Hub Competition: the MIT Hacking Medicine Prize (Grand Prize), the Crowd Favorite, and the “Made Something Awesome” Award in July. He is the creator of two health care apps, a clinical data prioritization app and a voice-powered digital assistant for electronic health records.

Medical Students Hold Memorial Service In August, medical students and faculty from Albany Medical College gathered at Albany Rural Cemetery to pay tribute to 335 people who donated their bodies to the College’s Anatomical Gift Program for medical education.

Anatomical gift donors enable medical students to better understand the structure of the human body. The graveside ceremony also included many of the donors’ families.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Medical students volunteering at Carnival on the Hill.

Carnival on the Hill Albany Medical College students at the American Academy of Family Physicians National Conference in Kansas City.

Members of the Class of 2017 John Sakakura, Jennifer Hall, Samuel Kim, and Christina Wu receiving their Step 1 study guides, a gift from the Alumni Association.

A group of Albany Medical College faculty, staff and students organized the 13th Annual Carnival on Hill held on August 16 in the Arbor Hill neighborhood of Albany.

The College’s department of Family and Community Medicine and the local chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) provided health programs for children and adults. The community outreach exposes medical students to health challenges that residents of all ages face in underserved communities.

The KeyTones, Albany Medical College’s a capella group, performed at the Albany Medical Center Employee BBQ on Sept. 18.

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in-Training Goes to Milan!

By Ajay Major, ’16 Originally published in in-Training on Sept. 11, 2014

From shorts to shayla hijabs, from saris to suits, the gathering of minds at the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) conference in Milan, Italy last week was diverse not only in dress, but in pioneering approaches to the education of future physicians.

W

hen we started our long 22-hour journey from Upstate New York to sunny Milan, we wondered aloud what this conference would really be like.

With medical educators from all over the world gathering in one place for four days of non-stop programming, how could any meaningful collaboration really happen?

It seemed unfathomable that any common ground could be found with such a diversity of language, culture and curricula.

In our first session on Sunday, we sat in a preconference workshop discussing the best methods of giving feedback to physicians-in-training, a concern that seems to be ubiquitous in medical education worldwide.

As educator after educator introduced themselves, from Thailand to Sweden to Brazil to our own United States, it became clear why a conference like AMEE was founded: an unyielding and passionate dedication to the training of the next generation of the physician profession.

At one table, we engaged in a lively discussion about the role of patient-centered feedback in encouraging medical students to

18 alumni.amc.edu

Aleena Paul, ’16 and Ajay Major, ’16, co-founders and editors-in-chief of in-Training , presenting in Milan, Italy.

improve their skills. At another table, a particularly rowdy Aussie heatedly argued over the philosophical impossibility of a fair feedback process.

Initially, the discussions and perspectives seemed disparate, but by the end of the session, a consensus was made on key areas of focus to improve this small but integral part of a physician’s education.

As we migrated from talk to talk, the discourse revealed then when effort is made to collaborate, true strides can be made in the realm of medical

education. We saw that it was possible for educators to join forces to tackle a single, dire problem, like student burnout, and also to divide and conquer the unique problems that each country faced, including violence against physicians in China and GME funding in the U.S. AMEE 2014 was the true embodiment of collaboration, with educators and students from every nation and creed coming together and, backed by their years of experience, creating communal educational moments for the advancement

of physicians-in-training around the world.

This is why in-Training was at AMEE 2014, miles away from where it was founded just over two years ago in a tiny Atlanta restaurant. As an online community committed to selfreflection, communication and collaboration among medical students, it is vital to bring in-Training to the international stage so that all physicians-intraining have a home to voice their concerns and plans for the future of medicine.

In our conversations with students and educators throughout our three days in Milan, we gained a deeper appreciation for the work being done internationally to improve the physician profession, and we have returned with new ideas to better in-Training for the medical student community.

Our thanks to Albany Medical College and the Alumni Association for their support in making this journey possible. And, of course, to the phenomenal team of writers and editors worldwide for joining us in our mission to unite medical students worldwide, our sincerest gratitude.

Until next time: Ciao!

*

2015

Upcoming Alumni Events alumni.amc.edu/events Sunday, March 8

Friday, March 20

Delray Beach Regional Brunch

Match Day

Delray Beach, FL

Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, N.Y.

Thursday, April 16

Graduate Student Awards Day Friday, April 24 - Sunday, April 26

Campus

HONORING THE CLASSES OF:

’45, ’50, ’55, ’60, ’65, ’70, ’75, ’80, ’85, ’90,’95,’00,’05,’10 and The Gold Society* *Celebrates all classes prior to 1965

REUNION

2 15 WEEKEND

Wednesday, May 20

Thursday, May 21

Medical Student Awards Day/ Commencement Eve Reception

Commencement

New York State Museum, Albany, N.Y.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The Alumni Association hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

The Alumni Association hosts a variety of events throughout the year. These gatherings provide a wonderful opportunity for alumni, faculty, staff and students to make new connections, renew old friendships and be a part of the vibrant Albany Medical College community. In addition to Reunion Weekend, alumni receptions were held in Hartford, Conn., Providence, R.I., Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA. Our deepest appreciation and gratitude to alumni: Jeffrey A. Hirst, M.D. ’80, Matthew J. Murnane, M.D. ’92, and Katherine and George F. Lee, M.D. ’68 for graciously hosting regional events.

Stay tuned for more 2015 dates to be added.

Winter 2015

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Class NOTES

Share Your News! The Alumni Association is happy to pass along your news and messages to fellow classmates and community members. If you would like to share an announcement, news or update regarding your professional and/or personal life, please contact: AMCalumni@mail.amc.edu

Gary Sutter, MD ’76, David Falk, MD ’43, Harry Haroutunian, MD ’73 and Janet Gargiulo, MD ’79.

CLASS OF 1976

Donna A. Caniano, M.D. ’76 In October, Dr. Caniano received the 2014 Arnold M. Salzberg Mentorship Award by the Section on Surgery of the American Academy of Pediatrics at the annual meeting in San Diego, California. The award recognizes a pediatric surgeon who has excelled in mentorship.

CLASS OF 1943 David Falk, M.D. ’43

Dr. Falk had a 100th birthday celebration with fellow alumni in Palm Springs, CA in December.

Leonard Kirschner, M.D. ’61 at Fort Verde in Camp Verde, AZ.

CLASS OF 1961

Leonard J. Kirschner, M.D. ’61 During the summer, Dr. Kirschner visited Fort Verde in Camp Verde, AZ, considered one of the best preserved Indian Wars forts in the southwest. The fort was home to General Crook’s U.S. Army cavalry and scouts during the post-Civil War period.

Dr. Kirschner writes, “My wife and I found that the Doctor’s Quarters at the fort are still standing and a part of the State Park.

There is a plaque in the building listing all the Post Surgeons from 1865 to 1890. Dr. Warren E. Day, Albany Medical College, Class of 1863, held that position from April 1874 to February 1875. The staff shared an extensive file on Dr. Day during our visit. He served in the Civil War as a Union Surgeon and spent 50 years serving in a variety of government positions.”

20 alumni.amc.edu

CLASS OF 1972

Jeffrey Lozman, M.D. ’72 In July, Dr. Lozman, attending surgeon and professor of Surgery and Orthopaedics at Albany Medical Center, was elected president of the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (NYSSOS). He practices with Capital Region Orthopaedics Group and has been active in lobbying for patients’ rights in Albany and Washington, D.C. CLASS OF 1974

Geoffrey W. McCarthy, M.D. ’74

CLASS OF 1977

CLASS OF 1981

John A. Nolan, M.D. ’77

Albert Edge, Ph.D. ’81

In October, Dr. Nolan was inducted into Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP) Physicians’ Academy in recognition of his commitment to improving health care in the community. Dr. Nolan is a founding member of the Cardiology Associates of Schenectady and has served as the group’s president since its inception. He is chief of cardiology in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY.

Dr. Edge, director of the Tillotson Cell Biology Unit at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and associate professor of otology and laryngology at Harvard Medical School is conducting research toward replacing both hair cells and first order cochlear neurons of the inner ear lost to a variety of causes, including genetically determined degenerative disorders, noise trauma and ototoxicity.

CLASS OF 1980

James W. Biondi, Jr., M.D. ’80 Dr. Biondi and his son, Max, visited the College in July.

Sarah L. Elmendorf, M.D. ’81 In September, Dr. Elmendorf participated in a roundtable discussion at Albany Medical College with area experts on the Ebola outbreak. She provided an overview of Albany Medical Center’s preparedness for Ebola.

Dr. and Mrs. McCarthy attended the Aerospace Medicine Association Scientific meeting in May in San Diego, CA.

Juliet and Geoffrey W. McCarthy, M.D. ’74.

Dean Vincent P. Verdile, M.D. ’84, James Biondi, Jr., M.D. ’80 and Max Biondi

Class NOTES

Dr. Elmendorf is an infectious disease specialist in the Department of Epidemiology.

CLASS OF 1982

Evan Vosburgh, M.D. ’82 In April, Dr. Vosburgh visited Albany Medical College with members of the Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership (HLL) girls and boys teams from Frederick Douglass Academy in New York, NY. The students, invited by Dean Vincent P. Verdile, MD ’84, were given a tour of the Patient Safety and Clinical Competency Center (PSCCC) and participated in training similar to what medical students, residents, faculty and practicing physicians receive.

They were also given a tour of the campus by a second-year medical student and visited the hospital’s respiratory therapists. Dr. Vosburgh is a HLL board member.

Anthony L. Ritaccio, M.D. ’84 In July, Dr. Ritaccio was quoted in the New York Times article, entitled “Probing Brain’s Depth, Trying to Aid Memory, regarding the Department of Defense $40 million investment in what has become the fastestmoving branch of neuroscience: direct brain recording.

Ronald S. Zelnick, M.D. ’84 In August, Dr. Zelnick was named president of the Palm Beach County Medical Association in West Palm Beach, FL. The Palm Beach County Medical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards of the medical profession, advocating for the interests of physicians and their patients, and collaborating with others to improve community health. Dr. Zelnick practices General and Colorectal Surgery in Jupiter, FL. CLASS OF 1986

Classmates Lew Schon, M.D. ’84, left, and Steven Kronick, M.D. ’84 enjoyed seeing one another again (after many years) in September.

CLASS OF 1990

Clifford J. Belden, M.D. ’90 In December, Dr. Belden was named chief clinical officer and executive vice president, integrated delivery system, for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. He will be responsible for clinical operations throughout Dartmouth-Hitchcock including the academic medical center,

Stay connected ALUMNI NETCOMMUNITY Would you like an easy way to get back in touch with your classmates?

Check out our new online directory at

alumni.amc.edu/directory This resource enables you to connect with fellow alumni and update your current contact information.

Philip S.K. Paty, M.D. ’86

HONORARY ALUMNI

John Balint, M.D. Honorary ’83 Dr. John Balint, professor of medicine, and honorary member of the Alumni Association, retired after more than 51 years of service to Albany Medical College on Friday, Dec. 19.

CLASS OF 1984

Mark R. Milunski, M.D. ’84 In December, Dr. Milunski was named chief of Cardiology at the Orlando VA Medical Center in Orlando, FL.

Dr. Paty, professor of surgery at Albany Medical College and medical director of Karmody Vascular Laboratory, led a vascular roundtable event focusing on various aspects of vascular education, including case-based discussions with Manish Mehta, M.D., professor of surgery at Albany Medical College and president and CEO of the Center for Vascular Awareness. Jim Craig, the former goaltender for the U.S. hockey team during the 1980 Olympics, was the keynote speaker. Craig is a national spokesperson for the Ultimate SAAAVE campaign, a public awareness initiative that encourages those with risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) to receive screening.

Please note: You have the option to remove yourself from being listed in the online directory by visiting alumni.amc.edu/directory.

Winter 2015

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Class NOTES

five major clinic sites and more than 100 care locations across New Hampshire and Vermont.

Jorge A. Ortiz, M.D. ’90 In October, Dr. Ortiz was appointed director of surgical transplantation at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.

CLASS OF 1993

Scott H. Beegle, M.D. ’93 In September, Dr. Beegle, a pulmonologist at the Albany Medical Center Pulmonary and Critical Care Center, was a guest on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio program, “Medical Monday,” answering questions on topics including pulmonary embolisms, asthma, tuberculosis, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis.

CLASS OF 1995

Karen E. Beckman, M.D. ’95 Dr. Beckman received a 2014 Physician of the Year Award from Bankers Healthcare Group of Syracuse, New York. The award was presented to her on October 16 during a special event honoring individuals and organizations that provide quality healthcare in their communities

Jason Mouzakes, M.D. ’95 In October, Dr. Mouzakes was interviewed on the Albany, NY CBS affiliate about the possibility for lifelong hearing loss for children and teens who listen through headphones at a high volume for extended periods of time. During the segment, Dr. Mouzakes reported that he used to treat older patients, but in the last

Alumni, Keep up on research news from Albany Medical College by subscribing to the new quarterly Research e-newsletter.

To subscribe, contact Beth Engeler, Department of Policy, Planning & Communications, at engeleb@mail.amc.edu.

22 alumni.amc.edu

ten years that has changed.

“We used to know this as a disease of the aging. We’re now seeing 20 year olds and 30 year olds with the same equivalent damage, and the problem with this type of hearing loss is it’s permanent.”

CLASS OF 1998

Julie G. Pilitsis, M.D. ’98, Ph.D. In June, Dr. Pilitsis was quoted in a Chicago Times article about the fewer than 400 female neurosurgeons (out of more than 5,5000 practicing neurosurgeons) in the United States. Dr. Pilitsis, chairwomen of Women In Neurosurgery, a nonprofit organization that works to encourage and promote the success of women in neurosurgery, stated, “While the number of women is small,

ground has been gained. Over the 1960s and ’70s and ’80s, there were probably about four or five female neurosurgeons a decade. Now, we have about 20 percent of our resident classes made up of women, so we have made some progress.”

In October, Dr. Pilitsis was the first neurosurgeon in the nation to implant the latest device in spinal cord stimulator technology for pain relief.

The new technology allows surgeons to more accurately target pain relief through spinal cord stimulation and address chronic pain in backs and legs, among other areas. Dr. Pilitsis is associate professor of surgery in the department of Neurosurgery at Albany Medical Center.

Class NOTES

CLASS OF 2001

Spencer C. Greene, M.D. ’01 Dr. Greene is director of medical toxicology and an assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics in the section of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He is also the course director of the annual Houston Venom conference. He lives in Houston with his wife, Heather, and their two children.

CLASS OF 2003

Kimberly A. Kilby, M.D. ’03 Dr. Kilby recruited more than 50 volunteers, including nearly 30 Albany Medical Center attending physicians, resident physicians, physician assistants, medical and Physician Assistant students to serve as the medical staff for the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon and Half-Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 12. The event brought close to 2,500 runners to the Capital District.

In Memoriam We mourn the passing of the following classmates: Orel Friedman, M.D. ’39 Irving Van Woert, Jr., M.D. ’48 Albert F. Dingley, Jr., M.D. ’50 Peter P. Morgan, M.D. ’55 Frederick R. Brandlin, M.D. ’56 Gerardus S. Jameson, M.D. ’59 Patrick F. Hagihara, M.D. ’60 Peter M. Johngren, M.D. ’67 Edwin A. Spath, M.D. ’73 Michael Alexandrov, M.D. ’97

College and a fellowship in aesthetic and craniofacial surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. CLASS OF 2008

Patrick Hook, M.D. ’08 CLASS OF 2004

Archie Adams, M.D. ’04 In June, Dr. Adams was recognized by his peers as a “Top Doctor” in Seattle Magazine Top Doctors 2014.

More than 1,300 doctors from the Puget Sound region participated in creating the list of best physicians. Dr. Adams was the only physician selected in his specialty— Occupational Medicine.

In November, Dr. Hook joined the Reliant Medical Group’s Division of Rheumatology.

Reliant Medical Group is a multispecialty medical practice based in Worcester, MA.

CLASS OF 1967 Peter M. Johngren, M.D. ’67

2006 award-winning photograph, “In the Dawn’s Early Light,” taken by the recently departed Dr. Johngren.

CLASS OF 2009

Melissa Leber, M.D. ’09 Dr. Leber is assistant professor of Sports Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in the Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and director of Emergency Department Sports Medicine at Mount Sinai-St. Luke’s Hospital and Mount SinaiRoosevelt Hospital.

Amber N. Mitchell, M.D. ’09 In October, Dr. Mitchell joined Health Quest Medical Practice’s Division of Neurology at Kingston Neurological Associates in Kingston, New York. She completed a fellowship in clinical neurophysiology and epilepsy and a four-year residency in neurology at Albany Medical Center, where Dr. Mitchell served as chief resident of neurology in the 2012-13 academic year.

CLASS OF 2010

Kristin Skurdahl Gold, M.D. ’10 In July, Dr. Skurdahl Gold joined Albany Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a general obstetrician and gynecologist.

She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Albany Medical Center Hospital, where she was administrative chief resident and received the Excellence in Obstetrics Award.

CLASS OF 2007

David M. Tauber, M.D. ’07 In September, Dr. Tauber joined the DeLuca Plastic Surgery in Albany founded by William F. DeLuca, M.D. ’77. Dr. Tauber completed his plastic surgery residency at Albany Medical In August, Melissa Leber, M.D. ’09, U.S. Open physician, was a guest of Al Roker on the Weather Channel.

Winter 2015

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Alumni Office (MC-5) P4800 Albany Medical College 47 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208

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