BostonUniversity Medicine Boston University School of Medicine SPRING/SUMMER 2016 • bumc.bu.edu
California’s Kaiser Permanente Cross Country beckons with rotations that include keeping close ties Clerkships with BUSM. Message From The Dean
Boston University Medicine by Melody McCloud (CAS’77, MED’81). A true trailblazer, Dr. Crumpler serves as SPRING/SUMMER 2016 an inspiration to all of us. Special thanks to Boston University Medicine is published by the Boston University Medical Campus Communications Office Cheryl Scott (MED’82) for her generous on behalf of Boston University School of Medicine. support of the Crumpler exhibit. Alumni celebrating five-year reunions Maria Ober Contents gather each spring on the Medical Campus. Director of Communications I very much enjoy meeting so many who are part of the School’s diverse legacy and learning from them about the rich history we design & production share. We celebrate the accomplishments of Boston University Creative Services Drs. David Penson and Jeffrey Liebmann, this year’s co-recipients of the Distinguished contributing writers DEAR ALUMNI, FRIENDS, Alumnus Award. Lisa Brown, Kate DeForest, Gina DiGravio, AND COLLEAGUES, Dr. Penson, professor of urologic Amy Gorel, Kristen Perfetuo surgery, medicine and health policy, chairs After a relatively mild Boston winter, Match the Department of Urologic Surgery at photography Boston University Photography, Day is the first academic sign of spring. Vanderbilt University and holds the Hamilton Frank Curran, Leah Fasten, Amy Gorel, Jake Hopkins, Match Day 2016 began with faculty and Howd Chair in Urologic Oncology. He is David Keough, Kristen Perfetuo announcing prizes and honors earned by the founding director of the Center for our senior class members, whom we then Surgical Quality and Outcomes Research. further distracted by taking their class pic- Dr. Liebmann is the Shirlee and Bernard ture to speed up the countdown to noon, Brown Professor and vice chair of the when they received their match envelopes Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia and were effectively launched into the University Medical Center, where he also next phase of their professional education. serves as director of the Glaucoma Service. Our students fared exceptionally well, The Dean’s Advisory Board (DAB) meets matching in competitive residencies from twice a year to discuss the School’s needs Maine to Hawaii and Ontario, Canada, to and priorities. Most recently, we discussed Texas. These graduates are the future of the Campaign for BU’s increased goal from health care delivery and health systems $1 billion to $1.5 billion, and BUSM’s leadership. increased goal from $200 million to $240 Commencement celebrated our million, of which 77 percent has already been MD and PhD graduates who already committed. I especially want to thank BU have enriched biomedical discoveries Trustee and new DAB member Dick Shipley that may yield more effective treatments. (Questrom’68,’72) for his most generous gift Our master’s degree graduates leave us of $10.5 million to create a prostate cancer with a firm base of scientific knowledge research center. The DAB, a group of highly and commitment to the various medical accomplished professionals, provides wise professions they have chosen. counsel and vision. I am deeply grateful to In this issue, we highlight the year-old Sherry Leventhal, who has served as DAB Kaiser clerkship program for our third-year chair since 2011 and as a member since From left, Sara Hassani, students. Offered at two Kaiser Permanente 2006. Dr. Lee Silver (CAS’82, MED’82) William Hickman, Sara Medical Centers in San Jose and Santa will become DAB chair in September. Holmstrom, and Britney Clara, California, the curriculum pairs I hope you enjoy this issue of BU Lambert relax before MD/PhD medical students with attending physicians Medicine. Have a pleasant summer. Commencement exercises begin at Agganis Arena. in the medical specialties for four- to eight-week rotations. The program gives Best regards, our students the opportunity to learn in a Please direct any questions or comments to: FEATURE DEPARTMENTS health care setting that has long been Maria Ober respected for innovation. Communications Office 2 | Campus News 26 | Giving to BUSM Boston University Medical Campus We also pay tribute to BUSM legend Karen Antman, MD Cross-Country Clerkships | | 85 East Newton Street, M427 22 Research 30 Alumni News Rebecca Lee Crumpler (MED1864) in a Provost, Medical Campus 14 Boston, MA 02118 Kaiser Permanente Partnership teaches model medical care. feature written especially for BU Medicine Dean, School of Medicine P 617-638-8496 | F 617-638-8044 | E [email protected]
0616 GROSS RANDY BY PHOTO FRANK CURRAN BY PHOTO
Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 1 Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps BUSM ON THE facebook.com/ twitter.com/ CAMPUS News WEB BUMedicine BUMedicine
Match Day: Matched Specialties
Anesthesiology 4 Child Neurology 1 Dermatology 5 Emergency Medicine 18 Family Medicine 11 General Surgery 10 Internal Medicine 39 Assistant and associate deans await the noon hour, Internal Medicine/ when students will retrieve their Match envelopes. Preliminary 1 Med/Peds 1 Neurology 12 Neurosurgery 1 Obstetrics/Gynecology 9 Ophthalmology 4 Orthopaedic Surgery 5 Otolaryngology 6 Pathology 2 Pediatrics 25 Peds/Anesthesia 1 Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 3 Plastic Surgery 1 Psychiatry 3 Jaurel Harley and Jason Scherer dance with joy after According to Associate Dean for learning their Match results. Jaurel will head to the Student Affairs Angela Jackson, “Match Radiation Oncology 2 University of South Florida in Tampa while Jason will Match Day March stay local at Boston Medical Center. Day is the culmination of a lot of work, a Radiology/Diagnostic 6 lot of hours, and a lot of anxiety. It’s pretty Surgery/Preliminary 5 Madness much all of medical school rolled into one Transitional Program 1 moment when you find out where you’re Urology 5 going to go for the next part of your Vascular Surgery 1 career. “These are students who come here n Friday, March 18, BUSM fourth-year green and nervous, and four years later medical students joined their peers leave as competent physicians,” she added. As faculty and students gathered in While BUSM students matched in resi- the Hiebert Lounge to celebrate, students across the country in an annual rite dencies across the country, more than half pinned their new locations on a map and O are going to three states: Massachusetts of passage for graduating medical students, shared their matches as part of a photo (48), California (33), and New York (28). booth kiosk. Visit us online for more Match Day. Counting down the clock until The Class of 2016 matched in a range images from the exciting day! n of programs. Forty-one percent chose pri- noon, students then opened their envelopes to mary care specialties, followed by pediat- rics (25 percent), emergency medicine discover which US residency programs will For more photos, visit BUSM on Facebook (Left to right) Dimitri Belkin, Michelle Zhang, and (9.5 percent), neurology (6 percent), and at Facebook.com/BUMedicine. Matthew Petersile celebrate. train them for the next three to seven years. OB/GYN and surgery (5 percent each). FRANK CURRAN BY PHOTOS
2 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 3 CAMPUS NEWS
Hsun-Ming “Simon” Lu, foreground, and graduates Nadia Liyange-Don, Charles Macklin, Nick Lowe, and Jill Lunderstrom pose with Associate Dean for Alumni Affairs Jean Ramsey (MED’90, MPH’08), Top left: After the ceremony, graduates celebrate with family and friends second from left, after receiving their diplomas. on the T. Top right: John Otis, PhD, receives BUSM’s highest teaching honor, the Stanley L. Robbins Award for Excellence in Teaching, from Dean Karen Antman, MD. Middle row right: Crystal James, Rachel Morgan, and Alexis Gadson are all smiles before Commencement begins. Commencement 2016: “Break Stereotypes Bottom right: A family hooder proudly holding his graduate’s diploma. and Do Good in This World” Middle left: An elated Matthew Smith. now that you are capable of more than you think. Daniel McGrail, BUSM MD candidate, shared nine lessons Mary Travis Bassett, MD, MPH, commissioner of the New York City You can break stereotypes across gender, race, and he learned from his parents and colleagues. “Listen, smile often, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene since January 2014, was “ age, and do good in this world. Take advice and criti- work out, dress professionally, go to karaoke, be humble, work hard, the invited speaker. With more than 30 years of experience in public K cisms positively and constructively, and follow your be nice, and if you are ever nervous, just start by taking two long, health, Bassett has dedicated her career to advancing health equity. heart and your passion. What might feel like a small step is just deep breaths.” “Your training won’t prepare you for all that you will face one of many propelling us in the right direction,” PhD candidate BUSM Dean Karen Antman, MD, said, “We gather today to publicly with an MD after your name. But like the physicians that have Joon Ying Boon told the crowd assembled at Agganis Arena on recognize and celebrate the credentials that you have earned and come before you—including me—I know that your generation of Thursday, May 12, for Boston University School of Medicine’s the major life transition that this day holds for each of you. doctors will meet that challenge,” she said. “You’re no longer a 169th Commencement exercises. “You are becoming scientists and physicians at a time of great student doctor, but if you do it right, you will always be a student BUSM conferred 166 medical degrees, 11 MD/PhDs, six MD/ change and uncertainty. But the faculty have great confidence in of medicine. As doctors, we’re witness to the hardest, most vul- MPHs, four MD/MBAs, and 54 PhDs. Twenty-seven candidates your creativity and innovation. You will figure it out. Congratulations nerable moments in people’s lives. Many decades later, I can still earned Latin honors: 19 cum laude, six magna cum laude, and two— on reaching this major milestone in your professional life, the end of say that’s a true honor. Let us always strive to match their cour-
Shashank Dwivedi and Andrew Simon—achieved summa cum laude. the beginning.” FRANK CURRAN BY PHOTOS age with our commitment.” n
4 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 5 CAMPUS NEWS Trustee Gives $10 Million to Redirect Fight against Prostate Cancer SHIPLEY FOUNDATION GIFT WILL FUND RESEARCH IN PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
on the Medical Campus and a website with harmless form of the cancer from a form that information about treatment options. may become aggressive and needs immedi- “There are options, good options, that men ate attention. don’t hear about,” says Shipley, “and I want to Such uncertainty leads to overtreatment get that message out.” and damage to quality of life. Although statis- The Shipley Prostate Cancer Research Cen- tics vary widely, and outcomes depend on the ter will focus on personalized medicine, find- surgeon and on surgical technique, anywhere ing genomic approaches to better determine from 30 percent to 70 percent of men will which cancers are aggressive and need to be have erectile problems in the long term after removed or radiated and which can be dealt a prostatectomy. Urinary incontinence affects with less aggressively, eliminating unneces- a smaller but still significant number of men. sary treatment with devastating side effects. Shipley hopes that the Shipley Center “Research can provide a paradigm shift in website, offering accurate, impartial informa- how we diagnose and treat prostate cancer,” tion about alternatives in plain English, will says Avrum Spira, director of the BU/Bos- become a resource for patients and a hub for ton Medical Center Cancer Center. “There scientific exchange on the disease. is a new, broader vision for what we can “We are all very excited about this gift, Clockwise from top left: Happily hooded on accomplish in prostate and other cancers in which will catalyze research around deter- the stairs in Metcalf Hall!; Dr. Linda Hyman For BU Trustee Richard Shipley (Questrom’68,’72), addresses the Graduate Medical Sciences the fight against prostate cancer is personal. terms of precision genomic medicine.” Spira mining the optimal treatment for a specific Class of 2016 master’s degree programs, (ENG’02), the Alexander Graham Bell Pro- patient,” says Karen Antman, BUSM dean faculty, and friends and family; candidates fessor in Health Care Entrepreneurship and and provost of the Medical Campus. listening intently; leaving Metcalf Hall, mis- sion complete: diploma in hand! a BUSM professor of medicine, pathology, She says that $1.5 million of the gift, plus Bottom left: Faculty, family, friends, and fellow ach year, more than and laboratory medicine and of bioinformat- a $500,000 contribution from BU, will go graduates applaud the GMS Class of 2016. 100,000 men diagnosed ics, is a lung cancer specialist. He created a toward building the Shipley Center labs on successful genomic test for early diagnosis the Medical Campus. The gift, which comes E with prostate cancer of lung cancer, and believes prostate cancer through the Shipley Foundation, allots in the United States undergo a could yield a similar outcome. $400,000 a year for 15 years to fund When Shipley learned that he had high research projects, such as developing genetic prostatectomy, a surgical proce- PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels, which tests to determine the threat posed by GMS Graduates: “Make a Difference dure that leaves most of them can indicate cancer, he chose to have a closer lesions or blood or urine tests to screen high- examination by a powerful 3T magnetic scan- risk individuals. unable to function sexually and ner, a procedure that is less invasive than Shipley’s gift will also create an endowed in People’s Lives” the common course of blind biopsies. Such professorship designated as “at any rank”—full, many of them incontinent. The etcalf Hall in BU’s George Sherman Union was a sea of counseling, researching, or education. After today we will continue to biopsies take many cores of the prostate associate, or assistant professor—to allow BU red robes on Friday, May 13, as Associate Provost for challenge ourselves to be better people,” said Peitao Zhu, a Master of majority would live just as long without knowing if there are any lesions. And to choose the candidate most at the forefront Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) Linda Hyman, PhD, Arts in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine candidate. with no treatment at all. when lesions were found in Shipley’s case, he of the research. Antman says that researcher M presided over Commencement exercises, during which Master’s in Genetic Counseling degree recipient Lauren M. Hogan chose to have them treated with laser abla- could start as early as January 2017. 199 master’s degree candidates received their diplomas. “Graduates, spoke of her appreciation for both classmates and faculty. “Thank tion, which is far less damaging than a pros- Shipley, of Sanibel, Florida, is the founder you have the knowledge and skills to tackle challenges. Remember that you for keeping me smiling through the most challenging times in tatectomy. Shipley, who compares his chosen of Shiprock Capital, a private equity firm you cannot do this alone; you have your friends, family, teachers, men- graduate school and always offering your support and enthusiasm. I It’s “Dark Ages” medicine, says Richard C. treatment to lumpectomy versus radical investing in early- and expansion-state tors, and community to help you and be there for you.” am thrilled to call you my colleagues. A heartfelt thank-you to our BU Shipley (Questrom’68,’72), who was diag- mastectomy for women with breast cancer, technology companies. In what has become a tradition, Hyman shared some Latin with the Genetic Counseling faculty members; you have been inspiring exam- nosed with prostate cancer and eventually learned of these new treatments not from the Prior gifts from Shipley to BU are $2.5 graduating class. “Here’s a little Latin phrase, admittedly influenced ples of what it means to be thoughtful medical providers, supportive sought out a new, less invasive treatment, usual medical sources, he says, but by using million in 2008 to endow the Richard C. by my year in Washington: ‘E pluribus unum’—out of many, one. supervisors, and brilliant educators.” called focal laser ablation. The successful “Dr. Google.” Shipley Professorship in Management at When you surround yourself with a powerful team, great things hap- Sung Jun Soo, who earned a master’s in Medical Sciences, added, technology investor and former CEO wants In most cases, says Spira, “we biopsy a the Questrom School of Business and $4 pen! Congratulations and good luck to the Class of 2016!” “Let us not consider this an end, but a beginning to what life has for to see such humane, high-tech treatment prostate, look under the microscope, and, million in 2013 to endow the Beverly A. Three student speakers offered perspective on their GMS experi- us. I am beyond proud and blessed to call you my colleagues. I am become the norm for all men with prostate unfortunately, we often don’t know what Brown Professorship for the Improvement ence and hopes for the future. excited to see how each and every one of you will start transforming cancer. To help that happen, the BU trustee to do next because it’s often a low-grade of Urban Health. He is chairman and a “Everyone who’s sitting here has a shared journey. We also share the world.” is giving the School of Medicine $10.5 million lesion.” He says it’s almost always impossible founding fellow of the University’s William PHOTOS BY KRISTEN PERFETUO KRISTEN BY PHOTOS the desire to make a difference in people’s lives, whether it’s through See the photo album on Facebook, Facebook.com/BUMedicine. n RICCIARDI JACKIE BY PHOTO to create a prostate cancer research center to distinguish an “indolent” and essentially Fairfield Warren Society. By Joel Brown
6 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 7 CAMPUS NEWS
dardized patients (actors playing patients) BUSM Expands Curriculum in Addiction modeling various substance use disorders Prevention, Screening, and Treatment in to diagnose and develop treatment plans. Students are trained to use evidence-based Effort to Combat Opioid Addiction Crisis counseling approaches for both patients who are hospitalized and for those seen at n response to Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s call to doctors’ offices. All BUSM fourth-year medical students combat opioid addiction, BUSM has expanded content cov- also are completing the BU-developed ering opioid dependence and overdose as well as training in SCOPE of Pain program, a nationally rec- ognized Continuing Medical Education prevention, screening, and multidisciplinary treatment of sub- course for US physicians and nurses on I treating chronic pain and safe prescribing. stance addiction in each year’s curriculum. “Our faculty are national leaders in addiction medicine,” said BUSM Dean The commonwealth’s four medical schools treatment and prevention—to enhance Karen Antman, MD. “We previously pro- came together in fall 2015 and created 10 its opioid curriculum based on these core vided a curriculum that emphasized pre- core competencies for the assessment and competencies. venting and treating addiction, and now prevention of prescription misuse for all The four-year integrated curriculum have integrated the 10 competencies over Massachusetts medical students. BUSM includes the biology of addiction, lectures the four years of our curriculum. Opioid immediately convened a group of faculty and workshops on screening patient sub- addiction and overdose is a public health members spanning the four-year medi- stance use and misuse, treatment strate- crisis. We are responding to provide a cal curriculum led by Daniel Alford, MD, gies for substance misuse, and simulations stronger foundation for tomorrow’s physi- MPH—a national leader in substance abuse where medical students work with stan- cians and scientists.” n
Atul Gawande discusses the importance of end-of-life conversations with students, faculty, and staff at the January Department of Medicine Grand Rounds. The four- time New York Times best-selling author’s latest book is titled Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Boston University to Offer Joint Dental Surgical Residency and Medical Degree Program
neurologist Elizabeth Dooling, MD (MED’65), and given to all first- Beginning in the summer of 2017, Boston OMFS training either as a stand-alone lum. The third year will be a blend of fourth- Renowned Surgeon Offers year students. University will offer a new six-year program program or in parallel with the minimum year required medical school courses plus the Insight on Addressing Dr. Gawande recounted personal stories of patients facing end of that combines the Oral & Maxillofacial Sur- four-year residency track. Adding the MD beginning of the OMFS residency, and candi- life, and how doctors—uncomfortable discussing patient anxieties gery (OMFS) residency with the medical component to a traditional OMFS program dates will then complete the remaining three Patient Mortality about death—fall back on false hopes and treatments that shorten degree program. provides select residents with the additional years of the OMFS residency. lives instead of improving them. The Henry M. Goldman School of Dental education, training, and credentials com- “Working with our colleagues at the “Ask your patients, what are you fighting for? Are you fighting for Medicine (GSDM) and the Boston University mensurate with the expanding range and dental school, we have designed a state-of- ddressing a room filled with enthu- more time?” he said. “Or are you fighting for the best possible day School of Medicine (BUSM) have teamed complexity of their surgical offerings. the-art OMFS/MD program that will pro- today? Then, we can help give them direction. For a patient, it’s not up in an effort to prepare one to two trainees “The proposed new program will benefit vide our graduates with a stronger medical siastic listeners, renowned surgeon, about giving up. It’s about what they want to fight for.” per year to work in the often-interdisciplin- the BU community, the University, both background and greater career opportuni- writer, and public health researcher Atul A practicing surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Gawa- ary field of head and neck surgery. Schools, the trainees, and ultimately, our ties,” said Dean Karen Antman, MD. A nde is no stranger to the struggles of his profession. His book examines Practitioners in otolaryngology, plastic patients,” said GSDM Associate Dean for “The combined OMFS and MD program Gawande, MD, MPH, announced a disclaimer. medicine’s limitations and failures and examines both his own practices surgery, and OMFS all do procedures that Academic Affairs Cataldo Leone, DMD. will truly bring prestige to GSDM’s OMFS and those of others as life draws to a close. involve areas of the head and neck. Combin- He notes that adopting the program was residency program and strengthen the “There’s a great fear that having these end-of-life conversations ing the programs will allow OMFS graduates one of the recommendations made by the position of GSDM as a leader in dental with a patient would take away hope and increase anxiety. I don’t to perform more varied and complex surger- Academic Program Review of GSDM in education,” said Jeffrey W. Hutter, DMD, “I do not come to you as an expert in palliative care,” he said. “Rather, I think that is the case at all,” he said. “I never expected that I would ies, while augmenting inter-professional 2014, and was viewed as an opportunity dean of GSDM. “This new program could come to you as someone who went on a path trying to figure out what it have some of the most important and gratifying experiences of my education between medical and dental to enhance the School’s standing among not have happened without the strong means to be a good doctor to people who are facing the end of life.” career in helping people I did not know how to cure.” students and residents. The cross-training its peers. collaboration and support of the School In January the four-time New York Times best-selling author The crowd appreciated Dr. Gawande’s presentation. “I really also will expand career opportunities to The GSDM OMFS residency and BUSM of Medicine.” was the featured speaker for the Department of Medicine’s Grand agree with his outlook on end-of-life care,” said first-year medical include OMFS or fellowships requiring an MD are four-year programs; the six-year After successfully completing the program, Rounds. Many of the faculty, staff, and students in attendance held student Maria Eberle. “It’s so important for medical students and MD degree. combined program includes admission with graduates will have an MD degree, eligibility copies of Dr. Gawande’s latest book, Being Mortal: Medicine and current doctors to hear his perspective and to learn how to have Many of the premier programs in the advanced standing to the second and third for licensure as a physician, and will be quali- What Matters in the End, which were graciously donated by pediatric those hard conversations with those facing their mortality.” n country offer the concurrent six-year MD/ year of the standard medical school curricu- fied in oral and maxillofacial surgery. n
8 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 9 CAMPUS NEWS Appointments and Honors
tute of Technology and volunteering at hospi- APPOINTMENTS and trained as chief resident and research and the Alexander tals transporting urine samples from the fellow at the Freedom Trail Clinic at the Erich Graham Bell Professor emergency room to the lab, which she found David C. Hender- Lindemann Mental Health Center in Boston. in Health Care Entre- unfulfilling. She started thinking about what son, MD, has been He is a member of the National Medical preneurship at BU, is she could do—and what she could offer—at appointed chief of Association; New England Medical Society; founding chief of the that point in her life. psychiatry at Bos- Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society of Division of Compu- She’d been reading about how young ton Medical Center Harvard-Radcliffe; and the Black Psychiatrists tational Biomedicine people were losing interest in STEM fields. (BMC) and chair of of America Executive Committee, and has in the Department of As a lifelong self-dubbed “science nerd,” she the Department of served as a distinguished fellow in the Ameri- Medicine and Func- couldn’t understand why this was happen- Psychiatry at Boston University School of can Psychiatric Association since 2006. The tion Leader for the Bioinformatics and Com- ing: “Science is so cool and there’s no reason Medicine (BUSM). US editor of the International Journal of Culture putational Biology Program at BU’s Clinical that someone should say it’s boring and lame. Henderson comes to BMC/BUSM from and Mental Health, his research interests and Translational Science Institute. He is also That’s when the idea came to me—wouldn’t it Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), include treatment-resistant schizophrenia an attending physician in the Medical Inten- be nice to inspire kids in science and math?” where he served as director of The Chester and the use of psychopharmacological and sive Care Unit at Boston Medical Center. She started Science From Scientists on her M. Pierce, MD, Division of Global Psychiatry; antipsychotic agents in the treatment of Since his 2003 appointment to BU’s fac- own, helping bring science fairs to schools in director of the MGH Schizophrenia Clinical schizophrenia. ulty, Spira has built a translational research greater Boston. The nonprofit has now grown and Research Program; and as a staff psychi- program that focuses on genomic altera- from a budget of $129 to $1.1 million, and atrist. He also served as associate professor Katherine Gergen tions associated with smoking-related lung broadened its focus to include strengthening of psychiatry and epidemiology at Harvard Barnett, MD, has disease, leading to a molecular test for the Erika Ebbel Angle (MED‘12) addresses a group of Graduate Medical Sciences students: “Push your boundaries. Find great mentors. Learn the skills required for the job you choose to do. You can do it!” science programs during school hours in addi- Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan been named the early detection of lung cancer that may tion to after-school programs. School of Public Health. Department of Family transform the clinical care of high-risk “I was never trained in how to run a busi- “Dr. Henderson brings a strong track Medicine’s vice chair smokers. ness; how to start one; how to be a manager record of teaching, training, and mentorship for Primary Care Inno- BUSM Alum, Entrepreneur Erika Ebbel Angle and do financials,” Angle said. “But I learned.” that will be of great value to our students. vation and Transfor- Ann McKee, MD, At MIT, another challenge soon presented Many of his research mentees have gone on mation, in which role has received the Carves Out Her Own Path itself when a group of friends signed her up to win independent investigative awards and she will oversee family 2016 Jack Spivack for the Miss Massachusetts competition, in author first publications,” said BUSM Dean medicine practice transformation initiatives. Excellence in Neu- rika Ebbel Angle, PhD, about setting and achieving goals in a talk which she eventually agreed to participate. Karen Antman, MD. “He also is an excellent Gergen Barnett will lead the department’s qual- rosciences Award, sponsored by BU’s Broadening Experiences The pageant required her to learn a lot of investigator who is internationally known for ity improvement efforts, bring vigor and inno- established by is good at a lot of things. in Scientific Training (BEST) program, which things that she’d never had to before, includ- his work in schizophrenia as well as global vation to the Patient-Centered Medical Home Spivack in 2013 to But if there’s one talent strives to enhance the biomedical career ing public speaking skills and how to walk, mental health. We welcome him as he begins movement, spearhead patient experience recognize and sup- E development curriculum for PhD and talk, and dress. his new role at BUSM.” initiatives, and provide support and guidance to port an outstanding that has come in most handy in postdoctoral trainees in a way that explores “It was an eye-opening experience,” she Henderson is a leading expert in the the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) practice. BUSM faculty member conducting either her nontraditional career path, careers both in and outside of traditional aca- said. “I was clearly not prepared, but it really impact of antipsychotic agents on weight, An assistant professor in the Department clinical or basic research in Parkinson’s, demic fields. showed me the certain areas where I excelled cardiovascular disease, and lipid and glucose of Family Medicine, Gergen Barnett provides Alzheimer’s, Chronic Traumatic Encepha- it’s her ability to learn on the fly. BEST prepares postdocs and graduate and the areas where I needed work.” metabolism, and the development of inter- family medicine primary care services in our lopathy (CTE), and other neurological dis- students for science careers in the new real- Her experience as Miss Massachusetts ventions and prevention strategies. He also ACC practice. Originally from Washington, orders. McKee’s research has significantly The former Miss Massachusetts, who ity of the biomedical workforce, where there led her to BU to study for her doctorate works with governments and organizations to DC, she attended Yale University School increased our understanding of sports- and received her doctorate in biochemistry from are fewer positions in academic research when, during an appearance at a local VA provide technical assistance on mental health of Medicine and completed the BU Family military-related concussions and traumatic Boston University School of Medicine in than there are trainees. The program intro- hospital, she ran into researcher Wayne Mat- policy and planning, has conducted numerous Medicine Residency Program, during which brain injury. 2012, is also the founder of the nonprofit Sci- duces a number of career options that PhD son, “the coolest guy you’ll ever meet.” Even- studies of trauma in areas of mass violence, she successfully implemented Centering Preg- McKee, who joined the BUSM faculty ence From Scientists and a start-up called students and postdoctoral trainees could tually, she got her doctorate in biochemistry and develops programs to assist with vulner- nancy, served as chief resident, received the in 1994, is a professor of neurology and Ixcela Inc. During each step of her education, pursue and that are required for a robust and launched a biotech start-up with him. able populations. Henderson has worked in AAFP Award for Excellence in Graduate Medi- pathology and the director of the Neuro- 35-year-old Angle says she really had no biomedical field. After Angle finished her PhD identifying international and conflict-affected areas for cal Education, and was awarded the Family pathology Core and the CTE Program for idea what it was she was going to do next, so Angle emphasized that she has had to novel biomarkers in Huntington’s disease more than 20 years, including New York City Medicine Resident Award for Scholarship. BU’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center. She is she followed her interests and tried to learn focus on mastering new skills on her own as using mass spectrometry, she ventured out following the September 11 attacks and New chief of Neuropathology for the Veterans everything she could. well as with a team. of her comfort zone again and started Ixcela, Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. He also Avrum Spira, MD, MSc (ENG’02), has Affairs (VA) Boston Healthcare System According to Angle, a doctoral student “Learn the different skills that are required Inc. with Matson. has served during and following disasters or been named director of the Cancer Center, and directs the brain banks for the Boston should “keep an open mind. You think there to do the job that you choose to do,” she said. “After six years of being a PhD, I never conflicts in resource-limited areas. replacing Douglas Faller, MD, PhD, who University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, are only a certain number of choices. There “A lot of times, those are skills that are not thought of starting a business,” she said. Henderson received his bachelor’s degree stepped down last November to focus on CTE Program, Framingham Heart Study, really aren’t; no one teaches you about your necessarily natural to you.” “There’s no course on that. If there’s something from Tufts University and is a graduate of oncology drug development. and the VA Traumatic Brain Injury Chronic full range of choices.” She had an early learning experience while that interests you, you have to be brave. Go out the University of Massachusetts Medical Spira, a professor of medicine, pathology, Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium, all In April, Angle spoke to BUSM students an undergraduate at the Massachusetts Insti- and find mentors and a high-quality team.” n School. He completed his residency at MGH and laboratory medicine and of bioinformatics based at the Boston VA.
10 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 11 CAMPUS NEWS
Hohler received her BA and MD from The National Advisory Committee Vegas, Ramsey was Anna DePold Hohler, service members, including post-traumatic related disorders. She also is actively involved BU’s Seven-Year Accelerated Medical Pro- advises the Census Bureau on a wide range recognized with the MD, FAAN (CAS’98, stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, the in research on quality improvement, neurol- gram on an ROTC scholarship, then entered of variables that affect the cost, accuracy, Outstanding Advo- MED’98), associ- center will build on the work of the Joining ogy education, and abuse and violence and the United States Army and completed a and implementation of the bureau’s programs cate Award, which ate professor of Forces conference held annually at BUSM, their impact on neurology patients. neurology internship and residency at Madi- and surveys, including the decennial census. acknowledges oph- neurology, has been including the development of an interdisci- Hohler, assistant dean of clinical and gan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash- thalmologists who appointed director of plinary research center. strategic affiliations in Academic Affairs and ington. There, she subsequently served as The American Academy of Opthalmology take part in govern- the Center for Military Hohler’s research interests include symp- director of the BUSM Kaiser Branch Campus, chief of the Neurology Clinic and neurology honored Dr. Jean Ramsey (MED‘90, MPH ment advocacy- & Post-Deployment tomatic predictors of Parkinson’s disease, also identifies, establishes, and maintains residency program director, eventually achiev- ’08), BUSM associate dean for alumni affairs, related efforts. Health at BUSM. novel medication and surgical therapies for clinical education opportunities for third-year ing the rank of major. among other outstanding eye physicians and Ramsey played a key role in championing a Created to coordinate programming on patients with Parkinson’s disease, and auto- medical students and supports other educa- Hohler has received numerous awards, surgeons who have made significant achieve- Massachusetts vision screening bill that made military medical issues affecting veterans and nomic research in Parkinson’s disease and tional, clinical, and research collaborations. including the Army Achievement and Com- ments in various areas of the profession. it possible for all children in Massachusetts to mendation Medals and two Meritorious At the academy’s annual meeting in Las obtain universal screening and eye care. n Service Medals for excellence in clinical and teaching skills while serving on active duty. Salant Named First Levinsky Professor in Nephrology She also received BUSM’s prestigious Stanley L. Robbins Award for Excellence in Teaching Publications and several neurology teaching awards, includ- ing two from the American Academy of Neu- rology (AAN). She co-chairs the AAN Patient Poetry in Medicine Beauty and Body Fit Kids Revolution Safety Subcommittee and is past president of By Michael Salcman, MD Dysmorphic Disorder: By Jon Gabriel & Patricia the Massachusetts Neurological Association. A Clinician’s Guide A. Ronald Riba, MD Edited by Neelam Vashi, HONORS MD Pediatrician Patricia Ronald Riba (GMS’94, MED’98) recently pub- Daniel P. Alford, lished Fit Kids Revolution, MD, MPH, assistant a guidebook for con- dean of Continuing cerned parents who want Medical Education to help their child over- come childhood weight at BUSM and direc- gain and obesity in a fun, tor of the Clinical safe, and sustainable Addiction Research Michael Salcman, MD way. Taking a mind-body and Education Unit (CAS’69, MED’69), neu- holistic approach, parents at Boston Medical rosurgeon, poet, and art Neelam A. Vashi, MD, learn to work with their assistant professor of child and their child’s Center, is the first recipient of the American critic, recently published Poetry in Medicine, an dermatology, director changing body without Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) anthology of classic and of research in cosmetic utilizing restrictive meal From left, Dean Karen Antman, Dr. J. David Salant, Elena Levinsky, Mrs. Anne Salant, Dr. Talya Salant, and Dr. David Coleman at the installation ceremony. Educator of the Year Award. contemporary poems from and laser medicine and plans, extreme exercise Alford, an associate professor of medicine Ovid to the present about founder and director of routines, or guilt. and director of the BUSM Safe & Compe- doctors, patients, illness, the Boston University Dr. Riba founded Center for Ethnic Skin, and was medical direc- tent Opioid Prescribing Education (SCOPE and healing. J. David Salant, MD, has been installed as the first incumbent of Society of Nephrology, the John P. Peters Award from the Within a few weeks recently published Beauty tor of the former Dr. of Pain) program, is being recognized for and Body Dysmorphic Riba Health Club and the Norman G. Levinsky, MD, Professor in Nephrology. American Society of Nephrology, and the Donald W. Seldin of publication, it was his outstanding contributions to addiction Disorder: A Clinician’s Guide. now directs Serving Kids In January, friends and family gathered together to celebrate Award from the National Kidney Foundation. He has served Amazon’s number-one medicine education. new poetry anthology The book aims to Hope, a California com- Levinsky and Salant. Dean Karen Antman, MD, BMC President on several NIH advisory panels and the editorial boards of and new book on doctor- help dermatologists, munity organization she Kate Walsh, Dr. David Coleman, Dr. David Battinelli, Dr. Edward major journals, and also played a prominent national role as plastic surgeons, and designed to prevent and The Census Bureau patient relations. Alexander, Dr. Jack Murphy, and Dr. William Couser spoke at member and chair of the American Board of Internal Medi- other aesthetic providers treat nutrition-based has named Thomas recognize key character- health problems in chil- the event. cine in Nephrology. He was recently elected as a Fellow of Perls, MD, BUSM istics of those with body dren up to age 18 and Salant joined the BUSM faculty in 1979 and has served as the the American Association for the Advancement of Science. professor of medi- dysmorphic disorder their families. chief of Nephrology and director of the Nephrology Training Funded by a generous gift from the Evans Medical Foun- cine (geriatrics), to (BDD), a self-perception Program since 1987; his extensive research focuses on immune dation, this professorship honors Levinsky’s commitment that involves impairing the Census Bureau’s disorders of the kidneys. He has authored over 150 scientific to teaching young clinicians, his outstanding contributions preoccupation with a National Advisory nonexistent or minimal publications, reviews, and book chapters and has received the to the field of renal medicine, and his leadership as chair of Committee on Racial, appearance flaw, and offer Established Investigator Award from the American Heart Medicine at BUSM and chief of Medicine at Boston City Ethnic, and Other treatment strategies to Association, the Jean Hamburger Award from the International Hospital, University Hospital, and Boston Medical Center. Populations. Perls also directs the New Eng- help care for them. land Centenarian Study.
12 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 13 COVER STORY | KAISER PERMANENTE
Cross Country Olufisayo Ifeoluwa Omotunde (MED’17) consults with Maureen Tedesco, site director for surgery in the Kaiser Permanente Medical Clerk ships Center in Santa Clara. Kaiser Permanente Partnership Teaches Model Medical Care
BY ART JAHNKE PHOTOS BY LEAH FASTEN
lufisayo Ifeoluwa Omotunde learned an important Ohealth care lesson in a hospital hallway when the wife of an elderly patient pulled the third-year School of Medicine student aside.
“Why don’t you talk to my husband anymore?” the woman asked. “He says he misses the conversations.” Omotunde (MED’17), a participant in a new BUSM clerkship program at Kai- ser Permanente Medical Center in Santa Clara, California, had stopped checking in with the patient when he no longer needed the care of the attending physician she’d been paired with. Omotunde decided to resume her afternoon visits, and when she came into his room later that day, the patient was visibly cheered. “It was so reassuring to me to see that what I was doing was contributing to the patient’s health,” says Omotunde. “That really matters to me, and it really matters to everyone out here. That’s one of the great things about this clerkship. You can see it.” Omotunde was one of 11 BUSM students who participated in the inaugural year of the program, offered at two Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers in Cali- fornia, San Jose and Santa Clara. Started in May 2015, the curriculum pairs medi- cal students with attending physicians in several specialties for four- to eight-week
14 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 15 COVER STORY | KAISER PERMANENTE
Danny Sam, director of medical education at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, explains kidney function to Rachel Shelley-Abrahamson (MED’17) (left), and Vivian Wang (MED’17).
rotations. At the hospital in Santa Clara, students do rotations in The program is a draw for BUSM students for another reason: pediatrics, surgery, radiology, and psychiatry. In San Jose, they More of them come from California than from any state other than follow doctors in family medicine, OB/GYN, internal medicine, Massachusetts, Hohler points out, and many of those students hope psychiatry, and neu- to practice in their home state. rology. And although The program’s benefits are hardly one-sided. While some The new Kaiser affiliation the students are 3,000 Kaiser hospitals offer clerkships for medical students from Stan- also expands the geography miles from their home ford, UC San Francisco, UC Davis, and Drexel, the BU connection on the BU Medical offers the health care giant a chance to spot and later recruit tal- of opportunity and the Campus, they attend ented young doctors from a large East Coast university. professional connections lectures and take part that often shape a young in academic discus- sions online. doctor’s career. BU is the only GOING WEST medical school in Vivian Wang (MED’17) did her Massachusetts with such a program, but that’s just one of many Hohler says the partnership with Kaiser Permanente was things that sets the new clerkships apart, says Anna Hohler first envisioned three years ago by Karen Antman, MD, BUSM third-year clerkship at the Kaiser (CAS’98, MED’98), BUSM assistant dean of clinical and strategic dean and provost of the Medical Campus, who “wanted to give Permanente Medical Center in affiliations and an associate professor of neurology. With almost our students an opportunity to participate in an innovative, Santa Clara, California. 10 million members and more than 17,000 doctors, Kaiser Per- computer-based health care system with an emphasis on pre- manente is the largest managed health care system in the coun- ventive care.” try. The Kaiser clerkships give students a chance to learn from Antman traveled to California, where she and Bruce Blumberg, a not-for-profit venture that has long been regarded as a health Kaiser’s director of medical education for northern California, talked Brian Koottappillil (CAS’17, care trailblazer, recognized for its use of technology, its reliance about each party’s expectations, which Kaiser hospitals would be the MED’17) and Wenqi Feng on evidence-based medicine, and an agility that enables it to best fit for a branch campus, and how faculty appointments might (MED’17) at the Kaiser Medical swiftly embrace change. be configured. Antman came away from the meeting persuaded that The new Kaiser affiliation also expands the geography of oppor- Kaiser and BU were committed to similar goals: “Serving the under- Center in San Jose, California. tunity and the professional connections that often shape a young served and pursuing visionary strategies for the future of health doctor’s career. While most medical schools offer clerkships at care,” Hohler says. several hospitals, they are by and large regional affiliations. BUSM’s As is common practice, all attending physicians in the program list of clinical sites, for example, includes Boston Medical Center, now have positions on the BUSM faculty, coordinated by Monica the VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston Children’s Hospital, St. Parker-James, manager of clinical and strategic affiliations in the Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Mount Auburn Hospital, and more Academic Affairs office. The West Coast sites are overseen by two than 40 private and group practices and community health centers acting deans in residence, Harley Goldberg, director of graduate
across New England. medical education at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San
16 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 17 COVER STORY | KAISER PERMANENTE
Jose, and Danny Sam, director of medical education at Kaiser with the person they are asking. If that person says, ‘I haven’t really Santa Clara medical center. “It’s always about the best care that the Permanente Medical Center in Santa Clara. seen enough of you to write a thorough recommendation,’ then doctor deems necessary.” Hohler says the clerkships, now beginning their second year, you don’t want that letter.” Curran travels to San Jose and Santa Tedesco says the BU students at Kaiser get to experience a have surpassed all expectations. “The students are seeing variety, Clara quarterly to meet with the students individually and provides health care system that treats well a very large and diverse popula- they are seeing volume, and they are getting personalized teaching,” frequent advising and support through telephone and online com- tion. “We have a policy that if a patient is on campus, they have she says. “They are getting a vast amount of knowledge in a very munication to ensure students remain connected. to have access to all the specialists they need to see while they’re short period of time.” here, so they don’t have to keep coming back,” she says. “There They also are participating in quality improvement projects. are no boundaries to excellent patient care. I have all my patients’ In neurology clerkships, for example, they are educating patients numbers on my phone. We really do value the patient experience.” before they are discharged, in an effort to lower readmission rates. WEATHER: ANOTHER Lynne Bettinger (MED’17) went to high school in Albuquerque, In OB/GYN, students are trying to reduce blood clots in patients’ New Mexico, and says she sees a greater emphasis on technology legs, a risk among women who are pregnant or have given birth, COMPELLING ATTRACTION at Kaiser than she has seen at East Coast medical centers. “We are with medication and education strategies, and they are working on The Skype discussion concludes at noon, and the students move getting a very good sense of holistic care,” says Bettinger. “And the education programs for smoking cessation. outside for a short break before lunch, where they are reminded efficiency out here is a very cool thing.” Students spend their clinical days in inpatient and outpatient of another compelling attraction of West Coast clerkships: the Bettinger thinks it’s useful for all medical professionals to settings and participate in weekly virtual teaching sessions at BUSM. weather. This is Silicon Valley, where the skies are habitually blue, experience different models of care. “It’s always good to know what “We spent countless hours coordinating the technology for a long- temperatures range from the 40s to the low 80s, and soft breezes models are out there,” she says. “If you see one with advantages, distance learning program,” says Parker-James. “We have made a roll past glass-walled technology giants and over dry, grass-cov- you can try to great deal of material available for online lectures, and we’ve modi- ered hills. Before she came east to attend undergraduate school change things.” fied the times of didactic learning to suit the schedules of people on at Brown, this was the world of Rachel Shelley-Abrahamson Kaiser doctors are salaried, Rohith Mohan, the West Coast.” (MED’17), who was happy to be back and very pleased with her not paid per service, and tend who is enrolled in Students spend their clinical days in inpatient One of those online products was put to work on a Friday morn- clerkship at Kaiser Permanente. BU’s Seven-Year and outpatient settings and participate in weekly ing last October by administrators in Boston using Skype to deliver “Kaiser is a great place to learn the fundamentals of medi- to emphasize preventive care. Liberal Arts/ virtual teaching sessions at BUSM. a Careers in Medicine (CiM) Fair to a fourth-floor conference room cine,” she says. “Everything Kaiser does is evidence-based. We Medical Education in Kaiser’s Medical Office Building in San Jose. While medical are learning best practices for the most commonly seen diseases Program, agrees. “Kaiser has a lot of systems in place to moni- students sit at tables arranged in the shape of a U, Angela Jackson, and disorders.” tor performance and to change things accordingly,” says Mohan BUSM associate dean for student affairs and an associate professor Shelley-Abrahamson says Kaiser Permanente’s business (CAS’17, MED’17). “Everything is based on quality measures.” of medicine, appears onscreen, answers questions, and dispenses structure, as both insurer and provider of health care, eliminates Mohan says the Kaiser experience gives him reason to believe advice about such critical processes as how to decide on a medical the need for complicating consultations with third-party insurers. that he may be able to change other systems of health care. “It is specialty and how to ask for a letter of recommendation for a hospi- “Here,” she says, “there are fewer hoops to jump through” as physi- going to be difficult,” he says. “But I think with the mind-set we tal residency. cians try to give patients the best care. have, we will try to change the way health care is delivered. At least “Be realistic,” Jackson advises. “Be realistic about what you’re She thinks highly of Kaiser’s practice of continuous monitoring we have some ideas that we can start working on.” good at, what you like, what brings you intellectual and personal of patient feedback and adjusting its practices in timely response. San Jose’s Goldberg says that mind-set may be the most impor- satisfaction. And if you need help figuring any of this out, come talk “What Kaiser does and doesn’t offer is constantly evolving,” she tant thing that students in the clerkship program come away with. with us in the Student Affairs office—we can help.” says. “They are very fast on their feet, and that makes BU students He says experts from other health care companies and from other She tells the students to remember the people they worked well feel at home, because one thing about BU is that it is very respon- countries, like the National Health Service in England, have been with, and who saw them in action. “Those are the people you want sive to students’ input.” studying Kaiser for decades, hoping to emulate its efficiencies. to ask for a letter. A letter from a faculty member who has seen you Kaiser doctors are salaried, not paid per service, and tend to “We train our students in evidence-based medicine, and we in the heat of battle is very valuable.” emphasize preventive care, Shelley-Abrahamson says, and the know where the evidence stops,” says Goldberg. “They get to see Paige Curran, assistant dean for student affairs and director of company tries hard to minimize patient time in hospitals, while the whole system and the culture that goes with it. They also see the academic enhancement office, has a more specific suggestion. encouraging medical staff to connect with patients. things that that culture engenders. “The correct verbiage is: ‘Can you write me a strong letter of recom- “Nobody ever says you can’t do that because insurance won’t “We tell them, ‘We are training you to be leaders, so when you mendation?’” says Curran. “We urge all students to sit face-to-face cover it,” says Maureen Tedesco, site director for surgery in the go back as young staff members you can help change things.’” n
18 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 19 FEATURE | REBECCA LEE CRUMPLER, MD
Alumni Share Experiences: BUSM Exhibit Black History at BUSM Recognizes First US Black Female Physician
The Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler exhibit was unveiled on February 19.
By Melody T. McCloud, MD W. Sullivan, MD (MED’58, Hon.’90), former secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services—as awareness of these trends is the basis for crafting sustainable solutions to reverse them. I early conceived a liking for, and sought Recent visits to the BUSM campus evoked both precious memo- ries and the realization that these are modern times, as computers From left, moderator Thea James and panelists June Jackson “ Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD (MED1864), was Christmas, Louis W. Sullivan, Jamel Yolanda Patterson, and and USB ports abound in the medical library. Though modernized, every opportunity to be in, a position to the first Black female to graduate from medical Frederick G. Powell. school in the United States. This photograph has the anatomy laboratory still retains the familiar smell of formalde- relieve the suffering of others. been attributed to both Rebecca Lee Crumpler hyde mitigated by fond memories of beloved Dr. William McNary. and Mary Eliza Mahoney. The first floor of BUSM has several historical exhibits lining the —Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD (1831–1895) ” n honor of Black History Month, the BUSM Alumni Associa- walls, but an exhibit honoring Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler and tion sponsored “An Interactive Discussion: Black History at BUSM’s historical distinction was conspicuously absent. IBUSM“ in February. With supportive administrators and faculty, in 2015 a historical The inaugural event drew a crowd of almost 100 alumni, students, exhibit was developed to honor Dr. Crumpler’s pioneering accom- faculty, and staff from the Medical Campus and Boston Medical ebecca Davis Lee recently freed slaves who were routinely denied medical care by plishments. Dr. Douglas Hughes, associate dean of academic affairs Center (BMC), where four alumni shared a broad spectrum of ideas was raised in Pennsylvania and memories related to attending the School of Medicine. Through White physicians. who assisted with research for the exhibit, says, “Dr. Crumpler broke their candid recollections—some going as far back as the 1940s—the Rby a kind aunt who acted as a caregiver to the During her early years as a physician, Dr. Crumpler endured so many barriers that it is impossible to list them all. Dr. Crumpler’s audience learned about their experiences at BUSM and as physicians very harsh conditions, disparaging comments, and intense discrim- story needs to be remembered by all our alumni and by all physi- of color in general. community’s sick, ailing, and afflicted. This left ination by her male counterparts who would not grant her hospital cians. She needs to be honored as the American original she was.” Conceived by Dr. Kate Phaneuf (MED’88) as an opportunity privileges and by pharmacists who would not fill her prescriptions. The Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler exhibit was unveiled on to increase recruitment of underrepresented students and fac- ulty, the 90-minute panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Thea an impression on her niece, and at age 21 Rebecca Some people even cruelly wisecracked that the MD behind her February 19. n James, BUSM associate professor of emergency medicine and assis- moved to Massachusetts, where she worked as a name stood for nothing more than “Mule Driver.” tant dean of diversity and multicultural affairs and vice president of Dr. Crumpler and her husband returned to Boston and she Melody T. McCloud, MD (CAS’77, MED‘81), mission and associate chief medical officer at BMC, where she has nurse for eight years. opened her practice at 67 Joy Street on Beacon Hill, which still author and OB-GYN, is the founder and medical been a physician since 1995. bears a historical plaque in her honor. director of Atlanta Women’s Health Care. Dr. In her introduction, James explained that BUSM is ranked among McCloud is affiliated with Emory University the top 10 medical schools in the country for interviewing underrep- In 1883 Dr. Crumpler blazed another trail: She became the first Hospital Midtown. resented minority applicants and that “approximately 15 percent of Physicians with whom she worked noted her skills, dedication, and Black physician to write a medical textbook, and the only female the BUSM student body is made up of underrepresented minorities, Editor’s Note: We would like to thank Cheryl intellect. Replete with their letters of recommendation, in 1860 physician-author of the 19th century. Titled A Book of Medical Dis- which is strong compared to medical schools nationally.” Scott, MD, MPH (MED’82), CAPT, ret., USPHS, Rebecca Lee applied and was admitted to the New England Female courses in Two Parts, the two-volume work is a reference on wom- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention James raised important questions about whether BUSM’s high Medical College, becoming the first Black female medical student. en’s and children’s health based upon journal notes she maintained (CDC), for her generous support of the Crum- diversity ranking had a positive or negative impact on the student pler exhibit. experience. “Where are we now and how have the past 62 years In 1864, the New England Female Medical College further throughout her career. shaped the student experience at BUSM?” marked its place in history as Rebecca Lee became the first Black While Blacks comprise 13 percent of the US population, the female to graduate from medical school in the United States and Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports that of Event speakers included: receive an MD degree. Following the Great Boston Fire of 1872, the more than 834,000 physicians in this country, only four percent • June Jackson Christmas, MD (MED’49), Psychiatry, BUSM “Living New England Female Medical College merged with the Boston are Black. The reasons for this trend are complex and multifaceted, Legend,” former New York City Commissioner of Mental Health University School of Medicine. but Dr. Crumpler’s courage and legacy continue to inspire: Black For more on Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, see: and Mental Retardation Service After medical school, Dr. Lee married Arthur Crumpler, women far outnumber their male counterparts in applications to • Jamel Yolanda Patterson, MD (MED’88), Emergency Medicine, moved to Richmond, Virginia, and worked for the Freedmen’s medical school (two-thirds to one-third, respectively). In 2012, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler Biography. Changing the Face Ageno Foundation International Board of Directors of Medicine. National Library of Medicine. Bureau, established by Congress in 1865 to help repair Civil War– 880 Black women graduated from medical school, compared to • Frederick G. Powell, MD, PhD (MED’11), Anesthesiology, BMC • Louis W. Sullivan, MD (MED’58, Hon.’90), Internal Medicine/ torn communities. Among other services, the bureau distributed only 517 Black males, who also lag behind Hispanic male physi- http://1.usa.gov/1QryS4z http://bit.ly/1QrWzxh http://bit.ly/21HxoKN http://bit.ly/1Y1FaNl Hematology, President Emeritus Morehouse Medical College, Dis- food, built hospitals, and staffed medical aid clinics. Dr. Crumpler cians (766 graduates in 2012). The AAMC is currently having broad tinguished Alumnus Award recipient, BUSM “Living Legend,” former and other Black physicians provided medical care to thousands of discussions with students and physician leaders—including Louis Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services KEOUGH DAVID BY PHOTO
20 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 21 BUSM Research
■ Physical Activity and Aerobic Exercise ■ Researchers Identify Gene Possibly Linked ■ Gene May Predict Severity of Post- may be possible to use a genetic blood test to iden- Important for Healthy Brain Function with Methamphetamine Addiction Traumatic Stress Disorder tify military personnel at risk for developing PTSD in Regardless of gender, young adults who have greater BUSM researchers have for the first time identified a gene A gene linked in previous research appears to predict response to war zone stressors,” Sadeh concluded. aerobic fitness also have a greater volume of their that is casually associated with the behavioral stimu- more severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) entorhinal cortex, an area of the brain responsible lant response to the drug methamphetamine. The gene, symptoms as well as a thinner cortex in regions ■ Study Reveals Incidence of Dementia for memory. However, better aerobic fitness does not known as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 of the brain critical for regulating strong emotions May Be Declining appear to impact hippocampal volume—another area (Hnrnph1), has never been previously implicated in the and coping with stressful experiences. This study is Despite the concern of an expected explosion of Aerobic exer- in the brain responsible for memory—as it does in behavioral effects of psychostimulants such as amphet- believed to be the first to show that the spindle and dementia cases in an aging population over the next few cise may have older adults. amines or cocaine. kinetochore-associated complex subunit 2 (SKA2) decades, a study, based on data from the Framingham a positive The BUSM study, published in the journal NeuroImage, gene may play a role in the development of PTSD. Heart Study (FHS), suggests that the rate of new cases effect on the found that while aerobic fitness is not directly associated of dementia actually may be decreasing. These findings, brain in healthy with performance on a recognition memory task, partici- published in the New England Journal of Medicine, offer young adults. This discovery may have pants with a larger entorhinal cortex also performed bet- hope that some cases of dementia might be prevent- ter on the recognition memory task. implications for neurode- able or delayed and encourage funding agencies and the The entorhinal cortex is a brain area known to show generative disorders that The decline scientific community to further explore demographic, early pathology in Alzheimer’s disease, which is charac- affect dopamine circuits. in dementia lifestyle, and environmental factors underlying this posi- terized by profound memory impairment. Because of the incidence was tive trend. strong association between hippocampal cell growth and observed in Worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) exercise in models, previous work on exercise and the persons with estimates that 47.5 million people have dementia. The brain has not focused on the entorhinal cortex, despite its a high school total number of people with dementia is projected to critical role in learning and memory, until now. education and reach 75.6 million in 2030 and almost triple by 2050 to beyond. 135.5 million. Researchers looked at the rate of dementia at any given age and attempted to explain the reason for the BUSM decreasing risk of dementia over a period of almost 40 researchers Led by BUSM researchers, the National Center years by considering risk factors such as education, have for the for PTSD, and the Translational Research Center for smoking, blood pressure, and medical conditions includ- first time iden- Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders at VA ing diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, tified a gene Boston Healthcare System, the study was published among many others. that is casu- in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Looking at four distinct periods in the late 1970s, late ally associated These findings, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, PTSD is prevalent among veterans. Eleven to 20 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, they found there was a pro- with the behav- could have implications for understanding the genetic percent of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi ioral stimulant basis of methamphetamine addiction in humans and the Freedom and Enduring Freedom have experienced response to the development of novel therapeutics for prevention and PTSD in a given year. Studies suggest that war zone drug metham- treatment of substance abuse and possibly other psychi- trauma, PTSD symptoms, and other post-deployment phetamine. atric disorders. mental health problems put veterans at heightened “A better understanding of the brain region and cell risk for suicide relative to the general population. type-specific binding targets of Hnrnph1 will tell us more “Our findings showed that an increase in methyla- “Our results suggest that aerobic exercise may have about the function of this gene and possibly identify new tion of the SKA2 gene is associated with decreased a positive effect on the brain in healthy young adults,” therapeutic strategies for minimizing risk and treating cortical thickness in the prefrontal cortex, which explained corresponding author and principal investigator psychostimulant addiction, a disorder for which there is may play a role in the development of PTSD and Karin Schon, PhD, BUSM assistant professor of anatomy currently no FDA-approved drug,” explained correspond- may explain why this gene predicts risk for mental and neurobiology. ing author Camron Bryant, PhD, BUSM assistant profes- health problems, like PTSD and suicide,” explained Researchers said this work could support previous sor of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics & lead and corresponding author Naomi Samimi Sadeh, studies that suggest aerobic exercise may forestall cogni- psychiatry. PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at BUSM and gressive decline in incidence of dementia at a given age, tive decline in older individuals at risk of dementia, and The researchers believe this discovery may be poten- a psychologist in the National Center for PTSD at with an average reduction of 20 percent per decade since extends the idea that exercise may be beneficial for brain tially relevant to other neuropsychiatric disorders involv- VA Boston. the 1970s, when data was first collected. Interestingly, the health to younger adults. “This is critical given that obe- ing dopaminergic dysfunction (ADHD, schizophrenia, and According to the researchers, the implications decline in dementia incidence was observed in persons sity, which has recently been linked with cognitive deficits bipolar disorder) and have implications for neurodegen- of this study are significant since it is difficult to with a high school education and beyond. in young and middle-aged adults, and physical inactivity erative disorders that affect dopamine circuits, including predict who will develop PTSD following traumatic “Currently, there are no effective treatments to prevent are on the rise in young adults,” Schon said. Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease. events. “These findings suggest that in the future it or cure dementia; however, our study offers hope that
22 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 23 BUSM Research
RESEARCH AWARDS A degenerative brain disease characterized by changes in behav- some of the dementia cases might be preventable—or at problems should be integral to the clinical management ■ Flynn Receives Award for Targeting Chemo-Resistant Tumors ior, mood, and cognition, including the development of dementia, CTE least delayed—through primary (keep the disease pro- of PTSD and TBI. Rachel Flynn, PhD, BUSM assistant professor of pharmacology currently can only be diagnosed postmortem through the examination cess from starting) or secondary (keep it from progress- “Future research efforts,” Bogdanova proposes, “should and medicine, received an Elsa U. Pardee award of approximately of an abnormal form of tau protein. CTE has been found most often in ing to clinically obvious dementia) prevention,” explained target the development of sleep-focused interventions.” $148,000 for her research on targeting the Alternative Lengthening professional contact sport athletes (e.g., boxers and football players) corresponding author Sudha Seshadri, MD, professor of of Telomeres (ALT) pathway in cancer, which is frequently reacti- who have been subjected to repeated blows to the head resulting in neurology at BUSM and FHS senior investigator. “Effective ■ Couch Potatoes May Have Smaller Brains vated in aggressive cancers like osteosarcoma and glioblastoma that symptomatic concussive and asymptomatic subconcussive trauma. prevention could diminish in some measure the projected Later in Life are often resistant to standard chemotherapy. Neuropathologically confirmed CTE has been reported in individuals TBI patients explosion in the number of persons affected with the dis- According to a study published in the journal Neurol- The Elsa U. Pardee Foundation supports cancer research programs as young as 17 and in athletes who only played sports through high can suffer from ease in the next few decades.” ogy, poor physical fitness in middle age may be linked to working to discover new approaches for cancer treatments and cures. school or college, and has also been found in non-athletes who experi- permanent smaller brain size 20 years later. “We found a correla- Flynn’s lab uses a combination of biochemical and cell biological enced repeated head impact, including military service members. sleep problems ■ The Importance of Treating Sleep tion in our study between poor fitness and brain volume approaches to study mechanisms of telomere maintenance. The telo- “There are so many critical unanswered questions about CTE. We regardless of Disturbance in Veterans with PTSD and TBI decades later, which indicates accelerated brain aging,” mere is a repetitive DNA sequence that caps the ends of each human are optimistic that this project will lead to many of these answers by the severity According to a review led by researchers at BUSM and explained corresponding author BUSM postdoctoral fel- chromosome and acts as a barrier, protecting the genome. Each time developing accurate methods of detecting and diagnosing CTE dur- of their initial VA Boston Healthcare System, sleep-focused interven- low Nicole Spartano, PhD. a cell divides, a portion of this barrier is lost and, over time, genetic ing life, and by examining genetic and other risk factors for this dis- injury. tions could help improve treatment outcomes in veterans For the study, 1,583 people enrolled in the information becomes susceptible to degradation. ease,” said lead principal investigator Robert Stern, PhD, professor suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Framingham Heart Study, with an average age of 40 To avoid this type of damage, critically short telomeres send a sig- of neurology, neurosurgery, and anatomy & neurobiology at BUSM, traumatic brain injury (TBI). and without dementia or heart disease, took a treadmill nal to the cell to induce either growth arrest or cell death. Cancer cells, where he is also clinical core director of the BU Alzheimer’s Disease Published in Clinical Psychology Review, the examination test. They took another one two decades later, along however, have evolved mechanisms and CTE Center. of extensive research on sleep in PTSD and TBI patients with MRI brain scans. The researchers also analyzed the to overcome progressive telomere Through this grant, NINDS is funding a longitudinal study of former results when they excluded participants who developed shortening and bypass this growth Flynn’s lab uses NFL players, former college football players, and a control group of heart disease or started taking beta blockers to control arrest. One mechanism promot- individuals without any history of contact sports or brain injury at four blood pressure or heart problems; this group included ing telomere elongation is the ALT a combination different centers across the country. The project involves a group of 1,094 people. pathway. of biochemical approximately 50 investigators representing 17 research institutions. Participants had an average estimated exercise Flynn has recently identified a and cell biologi- Participants in the study will undergo extensive clinical examina- capacity of 39 mL/kg/min, which is also known as peak small molecule that selectively kills cal approaches tions as well as state-of-the-art PET scans, advanced MRI scans, VO2, or the maximum amount of oxygen the body is ALT-positive cancer cells. “This experimental blood tests, and other potential methods of detecting capable of using in one minute. Exercise capacity was grant will further validate the use of to study mecha- changes in the brain associated with CTE. Researchers also will refine estimated using the length of time participants were this small molecule and, if success- nisms of telomere and validate specific criteria for clinical diagnosis of the disease and able to exercise on the treadmill before their heart rate ful, has the potential to redefine will investigate genetic and head impact exposure risk factors for CTE reached a certain level. For every eight units of lower the therapeutic approach to some maintenance. in order to begin to determine why some people are more prone to it exercise capacity on the treadmill test, their brain vol- of the most deadly forms of human than others. Project data will be shared with researchers across the ume two decades later was smaller, equivalent to two cancer. We are grateful to the Elsa U. Pardee Foundation for their country and abroad to facilitate a more complete understanding of years of accelerated brain aging. When those with heart generosity,” she said. this disease, with the aim of ultimately developing successful methods For every eight The foundation was established in 1944 under the terms of the will for preventing and treating CTE. units of lower of Mrs. Elsa U. Pardee, who died of cancer on October 2, 1944. Mrs. exercise capac- Pardee provided a $1 million trust fund “for the promotion of the con- ■ Wolozin Receives Alzheimer’s Disease Drug Discovery Award highlights the importance of treating poor sleep because ity on the tread- According to a study trol and cure of cancer” and directed that this bequest be used to BUSM Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology Benjamin Wolozin, it may impact treatment and recovery. mill test, their published in the journal support cancer research that could give others the advantages of new MD, PhD, aims to develop improved therapies for Alzheimer’s dis- TBI patients can suffer from permanent sleep prob- brain volume knowledge and techniques for the treatment of this related group of ease (AD) patients. As one of six researchers given a two-year, lems regardless of the severity of their initial injury. two decades Neurology, poor physical disabling and frequently lethal diseases. $500,000 award in AD Drug Discovery Research by the Edward N. Approximately 40 to 65 percent of individuals have later was fitness in middle age may Since 1944, this family-run foundation has proudly granted over & Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, he can do research toward insomnia after mild TBI, while patients with sleep dif- smaller, equiva- be linked to smaller brain $125 million to support two key areas, including research programs that goal. ficulties are at a higher risk of developing PTSD. Despite lent to two years aimed at discovering new approaches for cancer treatment and Wolozin has been studying the pathophysiology of AD, amyo- recent attention, sleep has been understudied in the vet- of accelerated size 20 years later. cures and financial support for cancer treatment. trophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) for nearly eran population. brain aging. 20 years and has made numerous contributions to the current state The review found that poor sleep often persists in vet- ■ Stern et al Receive NINDS Award to Develop Methods for of understanding neurodegenerative diseases. He has also published erans after resolution of their PTSD and mild TBI symp- disease or those taking beta blockers were excluded, Diagnosing CTE During Life more than 150 papers and book chapters on the topic in journals toms, but few treatments and rehabilitation protocols every eight units of lower exercise capacity was associ- Researchers from Boston University, the Cleveland Clinic, Banner including Science, Nature, and PNAS, holds four patents in the AD target sleep specifically. “In these veterans, sleep distur- ated with reductions of brain volume equal to one year Alzheimer’s Institute, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and PD fields, and is the co-founder of the biotechnology company bances continue to adversely impact daily functioning and of accelerated brain aging. have been awarded a nearly $16 million grant from the National Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals, Inc. quality of life,” explains lead author Yelena Bogdanova, “While not yet studied on a large scale, these results Institutes of Health/National Institute of Neurological Disorders Since 2002, the Edward N. & Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation PhD, BUSM assistant professor of psychiatry and a princi- suggest that fitness in middle age may be particularly and Stroke (NIH/NINDS). This seven-year, multi-center grant will has supported faculty members at nonprofit academic, medical, non- pal investigator at the VA. important for the many millions of people around the be used to create methods for detecting and diagnosing chronic governmental, and research institutions in the United States who are Researchers found that sleep is critical for restor- world who already have evidence of heart disease,” traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) during life as well as examining risk working toward advancing the health of older adults by targeting dis- ative processes and, therefore, the evaluation of sleep Spartano said. n factors for CTE. eases and disorders that affect them. n
24 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 25 BUSM Giving bu.edu/supportingbusm Campaign Impact: The Campaign for BU and the Impact by the Numbers School of Medicine An update on the progress of the nine-year, $240 million campaign for BUSM: With your help, the next generation of clini- cians, medical leaders, and researchers can join us in turning possibility into reality. There are so many ways to have an impact. You can help Dean Karen Antman presents an honorary white students receive a cutting-edge education that coat for outgoing DAB Chair Sherry Leventhal to her daughters, Emily Shanahan, MD (MED’09), will prepare them for rewarding careers and $200.9M $165.5M $35.4M 2,216 and Sarah Catlin, MD (CAS’02, MED’07). give them the tools and resources they need to RAISED PERMANENTLY CURRENT ALUMNI become trailblazers in their chosen fields. Or, RESTRICTED USE PARTICIPATING you can help us support our dedicated faculty, IN CAMPAIGN Keefer Society Class of 2016: Back Row (L to R): Sumner Stone, MD (MED’58), Margaret Seldin, David who conduct groundbreaking research while Caron, Ira Seldin, Thomas Dowling, MD (MED’81), Dean Karen Antman, MD, Rosemary Dowling, bringing excitement to the classroom. No mat- MORE THAN and Shahram Gholami, MD (MED’96); Front Row (L to R): Martha Skinner, MD, Florence Seldin, Leslie Serchuck, MD (MED’90), Susan Caron, and Suzanne Cutler, PhD. ter your contribution, you can have a hand in advancing medical education and research. Generous support from alumni, parents, Keefer Society and friends will have an enduring and signifi- $19.3M $3.7M 41 $154M cant impact on the experience of students, RAISED FOR IN SCHOOL MONTHS RAISED FROM Dinner faculty, and researchers at the School of STUDENT OF MEDICINE REMAINING CORPORATIONS Medicine. Learn more about making your SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUAL FUND IN THE AND embers of Boston University own impact at bu.edu/supportingbusm, or SUPPORT CAMPAIGN FOUNDATIONS School of Medicine Dean’s contact the BUSM Development Office at M Advisory Board and the 617-638-4570 or [email protected]. Chester S. Keefer, MD Society—which Here’s the impact your fellow donors recognizes donors who have supported Figures are as of May 9, 2016. Campaign concludes September 30, 2019. Carol Bagan, Merwyn Bagan, MD (MED’62, SPH’95), Sarkis Kechejian, MD (MED’63), with President have made. n the School of Medicine with lifetime and Dean Karen Antman. Robert Brown. gifts totaling $50,000 or more—gath- ered on May 5 at the Four Seasons w Hotel for the Society’s 23rd annual din- ner. Prior to Dean Antman inducting 13 new members into the Keefer Society, Stethoscopes for BU President Robert A. Brown wel- comed Merwyn Bagan, MD (MED’62, Students SPH’95), his wife, Carol Bagan, and hilanthropic support offers stu- Sarkis Kechejian, MD (MED’63), into dents and faculty opportunities to the William Fairfield Warren Society, Pbe extraordinary. In an annual rite of which recognizes University donors passage, last November 183 first-year MD with lifetime giving totaling $1 million or students received their medical equipment, more. The evening’s highlights included including their stethoscopes, all bestowed by a special tribute to outgoing Dean’s alumni. As an added bonus, Elizabeth Dooling, Advisory Board Chair Sherry Leventhal MD (MED’65), a pediatric neurologist at and entertainment by BUSM’s own a Members of the Doctors’ Notes, Brandon Hayse (MED’19), Lauren Palitz (GMS’16), Rachita Gupta Massachusetts General Hospital, donated Elizabeth Dooling, MD (MED‘65), and Mary Louise Fowler (MED’18) distribute copies cappella group, the Doctors’ Notes. n (MED’19), Meghan Leary (MED’19), and Shen Ning (MED’19) with Dean Karen Antman, MD. and personally distributed copies of Dr. Atul of Dr. Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal to the Class of 2019 as part of Dr. Dooling’s gener- ous donation to the School.
Gawande’s latest book, Being Mortal. n KEOUGH DAVID BY PHOTO FRANK CURRAN BY PHOTOS
26 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 27 Giving BUSM
clinical rotations, Dr. McNary arranged for him to meet with all the department and BUSM Graduates section chairs and chiefs so they could Dean’s Advisory work together to ensure Wu could fully Create Fund for participate in his rotations. Board Welcomes Students with To this day, Wu is extremely apprecia- New Chair, tive of the care and compassion he was Disabilities shown at the School of Medicine, and is Members committed to paying it forward to future From left to right: Samantha Wu, Patricia Tsang Sam Wu (MED’92) wasn’t your typi- generations of students who are also man- (MED’92), and Sam Wu (MED’92) with Dean cal medical student, having contracted aging a disability while pursuing a medi- Antman on a recent visit to the School of Medicine. he Dean’s Advisory polio at a young age and left confined to a cal degree. Wu and his wife, Patricia Tsang Board (DAB) leader- wheelchair. When he considered enrolling (MED’92), have endowed the Sam Wu, MD Karen Antman said, “We have had a num- at the School of Medicine, he met with Dr. and Patricia Tsang, MD Medical Students ber of students with disabilities who have ship will change in Maurice R. Ferré, MD (CGS’81, MED’92, SPH’92) Cheryl Scott, MD (MED’82) William McNary, who encouraged him to with Disabilities Equality Fund, which will become exceptional physicians, including September as Sherry not let his disability stand in the way of his provide support for equipment, services, Dr. Wu. A fund for students with disabilities T goal of becoming a doctor. In the follow- and scholarships to students enrolled in the facilitates accommodations to meet a stu- Leventhal turns over the chair to ing years, Dr. McNary mentored Wu and MD degree program who have documented dent’s needs and prevent any unnecessary Lee Silver (CAS’82, MED’82). helped make sure that his disability did not physical, mental, or learning disabilities. interruptions in his or her medical education. impede his ability to fully experience med- Pleased with the new fund and the posi- Our students and faculty are very grateful for “Sherry’s care and concern for the ical school. In advance of Wu’s third-year tive impact it will have on the School, Dean this gift from Drs. Wu and Tsang.” n School, combined with her leadership skills, made her an invaluable member of our Dean’s Advisory Board for the past 10 years while also serving as chair for the last five,” Curriculum Development in Action of setting he preferred to work in and the said Suzanne Maselli, BUSM assistant dean impact that decision would have on his life- of development. “We are very grateful for wish I had a lecture like this they focused on style, including time for family, volunteer her guidance, as well as for the generous when I was a medical stu- what medical work, and other interests. He advised stu- support provided by the Sherry and Alan “ students need dents to consider these issues essential to Leventhal Foundation for the School Lee Silver, MD (CAS’82, MED’82) Richard Shipley (Questrom’68,’72) I dent—that’s why I’m speak- to be equipped career counseling. of Medicine.” ing to you today,” Jordan Scott, for a career in “When you learn about the health care “The Dean’s Advisory Board is a MD (MED’00), told a class of the twenty- system, you have control over the system,” wonderful opportunity for alumni, leaders in medicine, business, technology, technology for noninvasive treatment. first century he said. “That means you have the power to parents, and friends to be in touch with and many other sectors of society, and Ferré helped MAKO Surgical Corporation first-year BUSM medical stu- American health change it and make it better.” the School of Medicine and stay up to share a passion for basic science, clinical become a world leader in robotic ortho- dents taking the Essentials of care system. “It was really interesting to hear what an date with the School’s latest develop- research, and supporting BUSM. They paedic surgery as the former president, Public Health course in February. Jordan Scott, MD (MED‘00) Implemented alumnus was doing and the influence his ments and research,” said Silver, who has are all uniquely positioned to help advance CEO, and chairman. He also serves on this year, the time at BUSM had on him,” said Jonathan been a DAB member since 2009. “The the School and its students, scientists, Boston University’s Board of Trustees. Scott visited his alma mater revised curriculum integrates a more inter- Duskin (MED’19). “I learned from him that DAB is a collegial philanthropic group and clinicians. Scott (MED’82) has spent her career to deliver a presentation on disciplinary approach to teaching and regardless of what field we decide to pursue, with a wonderful tradition of providing addressing public health crises in “Navigating the Business of learning to accommodate the ongoing explo- we will have the ability to positively affect scholarships to students and support- America and abroad with the US Public sion of medical knowledge and technical the health care field.” ing the School and Dean Antman.” Health Service Commissioned Corps Health Care.” advances. Established through a gift from Frederick Silver, an orthopaedic surgeon from and the Centers for Disease Control and Scott, president of Northeast Allergy, A. Godley III, MD (MED’83), and his wife, Claremont, California, and his wife, Board members are leaders Prevention (CDC). During her time as “The health care environment is so Asthma, and Immunology, clinical advisor Dr. Kathleen Carney, the annual Business of Rachelle, a DAB member since 2012, the CDC director for the United Republic rapidly changing, and with what we are to two medical device start-up companies, Healthcare lectures offer students an aware- have two sons, Brent (MED’17) and in medicine, business, of Tanzania, she worked to initiate the learning about evolving areas such as and an instructor at Boston Children’s and ness of the challenges of the profession and Drew (MED’19). technology, and many other country’s first antiretroviral therapy the social determinants of health and UMass Memorial hospitals, has seen many motivate them to influence its future. Third “As a BUSM graduate, parent, and program. She now lives in Oakland, the importance of providing students sides of the medical business. in the series, the 2016 lecture was recorded donor, Lee is well placed to chair the sectors of society. California, specializing in preventive with skills in teamwork, our curricu- “In the end, the patient-doctor relationship to allow those who did not attend to access advisory board,” said Maselli. “He has a and internal medicine. lum must constantly evolve,” said John is the most important, but there’s all this stuff the content through digital media. deep understanding of not only how the Shipley (Questrom’68,’72) serves on Wiecha, MD, MPH, BUSM assistant dean in the middle—the health care system—that Previous lectures featured “The Impact School functions, but also its needs. He’s the Boston University Board of Trustees for Academic Affairs. “The support and you need to navigate,” he told students. of the Affordable Care Act” by Stuart H. experiencing firsthand how his sons are Ferré (CGS’81, MED’92, SPH’92) is a and is founder and senior managing direc- engagement of alums in this process Scott recalled that when he was in medi- Altman, PhD, and “Health Reform: What benefiting from the advances at BUSM.” serial entrepreneur focusing on exponen- tor of Shiprock Capital LLC. Among his is essential.” cal school it was considered selfish to think Happened, What Happens Next, and What The DAB also welcomed new members tial changes in the medical technology generous gifts to the University is a $10.5 As BUSM leaders reevaluated the medical about money. He also reflected that he Does It Mean for New Physicians?” by Dr. Maurice R. Ferré, MD; Cheryl Scott, MD; sector. He is currently the executive chair- million commitment to establish a pros-
school curriculum over the past few years, should have known more about what type Michael Sparer. n RICCIARDI JACKIE FRANK CURRAN; AND SHIPLEY BY BY GARB; SILVER DAVID OF FERRÉ BY PHOTO and Richard Shipley. Board members are man of Insightec, a company developing tate cancer research center at BUSM. n
28 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 29 Alumni NEWS [email protected]
and physicians of color. BUSM Alumni Executive Committee Member Kate Phaneuf (MED’88) was Recent Grads and inspired to petition for and develop this alumni- Dean’s Club Dinner sponsored event; she recruited a distinguished Future Leaders group of alums who delighted the audience of Last fall during the annual apprecia- students, faculty, and staff with a timely and tion dinner that recognizes and thanks thought-provoking panel discussion. leadership donors to the School, we Thanks to the generosity of Elizabeth Dooling, featured a musical vignette preview- MD (MED’65), all 183 first-year MD students ing BUMC’s newly launched Arts Lab. received a copy of Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal; Following up on the successful collab- Dooling donated the books and personally distrib- oration between the College of Fine uted them during “Stethoscopes for Students” Arts and the Medical Campus, this day. Her gift opened the door for us to invite Dr. new stage offers a permanent space Gawande to campus to lecture the class and sign to support and nurture artistic cre- books. His visit also encouraged further discus- ativity for future generations of health sion around end-of-life care. care professionals. We are thrilled that many of you accepted our DEAR ALUMNI AND invitation to share your Match Day experience Medical students Henny Hong, FRIENDS, with the Class of 2016. We posted your words Loretta Jackson-Williams (MED’94), Assistant Jane Lock, Kate Weber, and Olindi Part of the mission of the Dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs of encouragement and support throughout the Samantha Kaplan, Frederick G. Powell (MED’11), Wijesekera (all MED’18) accompa- BUSM Alumni Association is School—including on the flat-screen monitors nied world-renowned pianist Moisès and John P. Dutto (MED’97). Stephen Tringale (MED’90), Associate Dean for Alumni Affairs Jean Ramsey (MED’90, to honor alumni colleagues and in the hallways and along the walls in Hiebert Fernández Via (CFA’11) to celebrate MPH’08), Manuel Suarez-Barcelo (MED’90), and Timothy Kelliher (MED’90) enjoy a develop opportunities for them Lounge—where students gathered to count down the collaboration. n mini-reunion at the Dean’s Club Dinner. to engage with the School. We the minutes and seconds to noon on Match Day. n September the BUSM Alumni also seek to foster and facilitate As always, it was an exciting milestone event. Association hosted a reception at the Taj alumni/student connections. All alumni involved in these activities have Boston, overlooking the Boston skyline and With the help of two wonder- made a difference in the lives of our students. As picturesque Public Garden. The event is a ful, giving alumnae, we recently associate dean for Alumni Affairs, I value all of I wonderful opportunity for BUSM alumni, faculty, held several remarkable events our alumni. Through your engagement and finan- and students to mingle and for recent graduates at the School that accomplished cial support you are showing your commitment to chat with current students about postgradu- both of these goals. During Black to BUSM’s mission of education, research, and ate career paths. n History Month, we brought patient care. together alumni who graduated I invite you to stay in touch with us. If you are Marcelle Willock, MD (Questrom’89), and as far back as the 1940s to share in the area, please stop in and say hello. Deborah Vaughan, PhD (CAS’72), recon- their ideas and personal experi- nect at the Dean’s Club Dinner. ences related to being students
CONTACT US
If you have news, announcements, or creative works you’d like to share Jean E. Ramsey, MED’90, MPH’08 with your fellow alumni, please Associate Dean for Alumni Affairs write to the BUSM Alumni Asso- Associate Professor, ciation at 72 E. Concord Street, Ophthalmology L120, Boston, MA 02118 or email and Pediatrics [email protected]. Vice Chair of Education and Program Director, BUSM and BMC Susan Bradford and Carol Pohl (both MED’67) traveled from North Carolina Moisès Fernández Via (CFA’11) performs with BUSM medical students Henny BUSM Alumni Department of Ophthalmology Alumni Board Member Daniel J. Oates (MED’00) and Wisconsin, respectively. Hong, Jane Lock, Kate Weber, and Olindi Wijesekera (all ’18). Facebook “f” Logo AssociationCMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo onCMYK / .eps Facebook and Simon Lu (MED’16).
facebook.com/alumBUSM FRANK CURRAN BY PHOTOS
30 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 31 BUSM Alumni CLASS NOTES
Alumni Weekend 2016 SATURDAY lumni from across the country gathered for a week- tours of the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center and the Medical 1. Members of the Class of 1966 create ice cream end of special events including the 25th reunion for Student Residence. sundaes while enjoying a A the Class of ’91, the 50th for the Class of ’66, and the Attendees also enjoyed viewing the History Wall featuring performance by the BUSM 141st Annual Meeting and Banquet. Among the many highlights, noteworthy individuals who have contributed to the School’s rich medical student a cappella Robert Jackler (MED’79) presented a Grand Rounds lecture on and diverse heritage, including the new Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler group the Doctors’ Notes. “E-Cigarettes: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and students led exhibit that opened in February. n 2. The Doctors’ Notes 3. Members of the Class of 3. 1991 observe firsthand how the School has changed since they were students. FRIDAY 4. Members of the Class of Members of the Class of 1991 pose with Bones, the 1. 1966 catch up with each unofficial mascot of the other before the Grand Medical Student Residence. Rounds lecture, “E-Ciga- 5. Alumni and guests rettes: the Good, the Bad “examine” a patient while and the Ugly,” presented touring the Clinical Skills and by Robert Jackler 4. Simulation Center. (MED’79).
2. 5.
FRIDAY NIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT 1. Members of the Class 1. Associate Dean for Alumni of 1991 celebrate their Affairs Jean Ramsey (MED’90, 25th reunion (L to R, Jane MPH’08), Alumni President Cohen, Ira Skolnik, David Hellen Kim (MED’91), and Cohen, and Abhay Sanan). award recipients Jeffrey Lieb- mann (CAS‘83, MED’83) and 2. Members of the Class David Penson (MED’91) with of 1966 traveled near and Dean Karen Antman, MD. far for their 50th reunion at the Taj Boston. 2. Herbert Rothman (MED’66) and Jane Cohen (MED’91) 3. Members of the Class 1. 3. celebrate milestone reunions, 1. of 1991 celebrate their their 50th and 25th respec- 25th reunion. tively, during the Alumni 4. The Classes of 1981 Banquet reception. and 1986 gather for their 3. The Class of 2016 hams it reunions. up in the photo booth during the Alumni Banquet at the Taj Boston.
2. 4. 2. 3. PHOTOS BY FRANK CURRAN BY PHOTOS
32 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 33 BUSM Alumni CLASS NOTES
Distinguished Alumnus Awards 2016 CLASS NOTES Outcomes Measurement advanced pros- of the Department of Ophthalmology 1951 1956 tate cancer panel that developed the at Columbia University Medical Center, Burton I. Korelitz of New York, New York, Artemis Simopoulos Pinkerson of Washington, standard set of patient-reported outcome where he also serves as director of writes, “I remain in the practice of Gastroen- DC, writes, “I continue to publish in the area of measures for use in advanced disease. He Glaucoma Service. He is a fellow of the terology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids, particularly the currently chairs the National Institutes of American Academy of Ophthalmology, continue to receive a grant in support of my importance of a balanced omega-6/omega-3 Health’s (NIH) Health Services Outcomes Association for Research in Vision and research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. In ratio. I participate in two societies: the Interna- and Delivery (HSOD) study section, which Ophthalmology, and the American April, I will present my study on “Obesity, Bar- tional Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and iatric Surgery and the Onset of Crohn’s Disease” Lipids and the International Society of Nutri- reviews almost all health services research College of Surgeons. to my International Research Organization, genetics/Nutrigenomics, the latter of which I grants submitted to the NIH. The American Dr. Liebmann is past president of the which this year meets in Israel. helped found. This year I was appointed to chair Urological Association recognized his World Glaucoma Association and the I am very fortunate to be well and produc- of the selection committee for the More Love research and clinical efforts in 2006, American Glaucoma Society, secretary tive at my age and I look forward to seeing my Foundation for the Global Award on Omega-3 when he received the prestigious Gold treasurer of the New York Glaucoma classmates at our 65th reunion in May.” Research. I have been giving presentations over Cystoscope award, given annually to the Society, co-editor of the Journal of the last two years at the Karolinska Institute, at urologist who has contributed the most Glaucoma, and a member of the board 1952 International Conferences in Hong Kong, Shang- hai, Greece, and in the US (San Diego, New to the specialty in the first 10 years after of governors of the World Glaucoma Alvin N. Eden of Forest Hills, New York, writes, York, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina). My most completing his/her residency. “Moving beyond the octogenarian decade, recent paper on ‘An Increase in the Omega-6/ I continue to practice pediatrics and teach Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio Increases the Risk for medical students. My seventh child care book Obesity’ was just published online in the journal dealing with the prevention of early childhood Nutrients.” obesity is scheduled for publication in the fall. Dr. Penson’s research focuses Dr. Liebmann has lectured Looking forward to our 65th reunion in 2017.” on health services and clinical widely in the United States 1962 1952 Generoso G. Gascon of North Falmouth, Mas- epidemiology as applied to and abroad on glaucoma Frank L. Pettinga of Holland, Michigan, writes, sachusetts, writes, “Cape Cod Magazine and “I practiced family medicine for 19 years in Michi- South Shore Living named me as a ‘Top Doc’ in urologic disease. diagnosis and management. Child Neurology in the November 2015 issue David F. Penson, MD, MPH (MED‘91) Jeffrey M. Liebmann, MD (CAS‘83, MED‘83) gan, then became an embassy physician for 13 years—including Afghanistan for three—and a featuring the ‘Top Docs 2015’ working on hospital medical director in Muskegon, Michigan, Cape Cod and the South Shore. After I ‘retired’ until retirement. My wife and I have been married from Brown University in 2002 as a Professor and Health Policy and founding direc- Dr. Penson maintains a keen interest in Association and board of directors of for 67 years. Emeritus, Clinical Neuroscience and Pediatrics, I Two BUSM Alumni tor of the Center for Surgical Quality and health policy and improving the quality of The Glaucoma Foundation. Dr. Liebmann For many years, I belonged to a writing returned to Saudi Arabia for five years, this time Outcomes Research. He was named chair health care in the US. In addition to serv- has served as president of the New York group producing essays and memoirs. Two years in Jeddah, chairing the Pediatrics Department Receive Distinguished and the Research Centre at King Faisal Special- of the Department of Urologic Surgery at ing as chairman of the American Urological Society for Clinical Ophthalmology and ago my daughter said, ‘You have been writing ist Hospital & Research Centre. I then settled Vanderbilt in 2015 and currently maintains Association’s Public Policy Council, Dr. is co-founder of the New York Glaucoma for a long time and we never get a chance to Alumnus Awards at down on Cape Cod, where I’ve been working for a clinical practice in urologic oncology at Penson has served on various committees in Research Institute, the American read your stuff.’ So, I collected writings from my Massachusetts General Hospital’s Neurology 141st Alumni Banquet Vanderbilt University Medical Center. the National Quality Forum, the Ambulatory Glaucoma Society Foundation, and computer and office files and put them Department in part-time practice in Sandwich, Dr. Penson’s research focuses on Quality Alliance, the AMA Physician the American Society of Cataract and together into a booklet. Massachusetts.” Refractive Surgery Glaucoma Day. health services and clinical epidemiol- Consortium for Quality Improvement, the Copies were given to my four children ogy as applied to urologic disease. His American College of Surgeons Commission In addition to maintaining a busy and 10 grandchildren; they were delighted to 1964 David F. Penson (MED’91) earned his primary concentration is on prostate can- on Cancer, and the Agency for Healthcare tertiary care referral practice in New receive books containing 78 of my epistles. I John P. Cocchiarella of Holliston, Massachu- medical degree from Boston University. cer, where he has published extensively Research and Quality’s National Advisory York City, Dr. Liebmann is principal recommend that my classmates do the same.” setts, writes, “After being a practicing pediatri- He completed his urology residency at both on localized and advanced disease. Council. He has testified before Congress investigator for the African Descent cian for 47 years (including two years in the US UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles in He has obtained numerous grants from and has been quoted in the New York Times, and Glaucoma Evaluation Study and 1955 Navy), I finally retired in July 2015. I miss the 1997 and the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical the National Cancer Institute, the Agency the Wall Street Journal, and other high-profile Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study Donald M. Perlman of Swampscott, Massachu- people with whom I worked, and many of the lovely families who honored me by choosing Scholars fellowship at Yale University in for Healthcare Research and Quality, and media outlets on various health policy issues. at Columbia University, and is the setts, writes, “I am retired after 54 years of gen- me to provide care for their children, the most 1999. In 2000, he also obtained a Master’s the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research author/co-author of more than 1,000 eral surgical practice on the North Shore, most precious things in their lives. But the time had of Public Health from Yale. Institute to study the comparative effec- Jeffrey M. Liebmann (CAS’83, MED’83) medical and scientific papers, book recently affiliated with Partners. Most satisfying aspects of practice, being a general surgeon in come for me to move on. I succumbed to the Following appointments at the tiveness of treatments for localized pros- graduated from Boston University School of chapters, and abstracts. an era when general surgery was truly general, pressures of the job and to my aging body. I am University of Washington and the tate cancer. Medicine in 1983, completed his ophthalmol- He has lectured widely in the United and teaching this for 25 years to Mass General enjoying relaxing with my family, especially my States and abroad on glaucoma diagno- University of Southern California, he Dr. Penson’s work has been pub- ogy residency at the State University of New residents. So far family is in good health.” wonderful wife and grandchildren. Practicing joined the faculty at Vanderbilt University lished in a variety of journals, includ- York/Downstate Medical Center in 1987, and sis and management. Currently, his main pediatrics was a great ‘job’ and I am grateful to Medical Center in 2009, where he ing the New England Journal of Medicine, his glaucoma fellowship at the New York Eye areas of research interest include the have had it. I hope I helped those for whom I holds the Hamilton and Howd Chair in JAMA, Health Affairs, and the Journal of and Ear Infirmary. causes of glaucoma, glaucoma progres- provided care.” Urologic Oncology in addition to being the National Cancer Institute. He chaired Dr. Liebmann is currently the Shirlee and sion, glaucoma surgery, ocular imaging, Professor of Urologic Surgery, Medicine the International Consortium for Health Bernard Brown Professor and vice chair and neuroprotection. n
34 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 35 BUSM Alumni CLASS NOTES
1964 tion, then wrote a work of detective fiction with 1974 and innovative medicine. I am so proud to have am loving the learning and the community, and of the International Network on Brief Interven- George I. Litman of Akron, Ohio, writes, “Since a female protagonist set in the Bronx of my Harold Reitman of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, worked with him, cannot believe how much I am excited to implement new strategies to tion for Alcohol and other drugs (INEBRIA).” 2008 I have served as chair of the Department youth in the 1950s (The Case by Marc Hirsch, writes, “A circuitous journey from boxing time has transpired since graduation, and miss enhance the health and promote the healing of of Internal Medicine at the Northeast Ohio Amazon paperback and Kindle). A publisher and orthopaedic surgery to neurodiversity. In my years at BUSM. It was quite an emotional my patients and their families.” 1988 Medical University and will retire in June 2016. I read it and—although it was somewhat sopho- 2015, my book Aspertools: The Practical Guide journey a few years ago when I completed the Scott D. Berns of Foxboro, Massachusetts, will receive an honorary doctorate from this uni- moric—saw my potential, signed me, and for Understanding and Embracing Asperger’s, Boston Marathon, running past my apartment at 1985 reports that in October 2015 he was appointed versity at the May graduation ceremony. Addi- published it. We have just published a sequel Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Neurodiversity, Park Drive and Beacon Street.” Scott Greenbaum of New York, New York, president and CEO of the National Institute for tionally, this past year four of my colleagues called Hard Case. The former got an average was published by HCI Books, which publishes writes, “A story on Monovision Cataract Sur- Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ), a Boston- and I completed the book, Masterful Medicine: rating of 3 stars; the latter has been getting the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. The book 1976 gery with full distance and near correction— based nonprofit organization dedicated to Wisdom They Don’t Teach in Medical School, 5-star reviews. At 250 pages, it’s short—so was the culmination of years of research fol- Mark S. Goulston of Santa Monica, Califor- a technique I described and presented as a improving children’s health by enhancing the available on Amazon.” check it out.” lowing my own daughter being diagnosed with nia, reports that he published his seventh book paper at the American Academy of Ophthal- systems that provide care for children. He is also Asperger’s, as well as the production of my first entitled Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the mology 2000 Annual Meeting and published the recipient of the White House Fellows Foun- 1965 1971 feature film, The Square Root of 2. The movie Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Sur- dation and Association’s 2015 IMPACT Award, (Amazon Books), which became an Oprah gery in 2002—finally made it to the NY Daily given annually to a former White House Fellow Bennett S. Gurian of Brookline, Massachu- Paul B. Cohen of Boulder, Colorado, writes, “I was inspired by my daughter’s experiences at featured book of the week and a finalist in the News online. I received an invitation to speak who becomes an agent of change in his industry, setts, writes, “I’m semi-retired, published my retired from medicine two years ago, after 38 college and stars Darby Stanchfield of the ABC 2016 Audie Awards. He also co-hosted It’s Your on same at the UK Cataract Innovation 2016 demonstrates a commitment to public service, third book, resigned from singing first tenor years of pediatrics. I loved working in clinical show Scandal. Health with Lisa Davis, which was carried on Meeting in Manchester, England.” and works to strengthen the fellows program. with the Metropolitan Chorale after 12 years, as well as academic medicine, but enough is I have since founded the neurodiversity NPR and commercial radio stations. do life-drawing at the Brookline Art Center enough. I now work as a volunteer naturalist for community website www.differentbrains. every Friday, am blessed with our 10th grand- Boulder County and take courses at CU. Come com, which features blogs, videos, podcasts, 1986 1988 child, practice Tai Chi with my wife at the visit if you happen to travel through Colorado.” documentaries, and other resources aimed at 1979 Linda I. Bland of Boynton Beach, Florida, Carl E. Rosen of Anchorage, Alaska, writes, Brookline Adult Education Center, continue as offering our visitors stories and ideas that are Charles M. Blitzer of Durham, New Hamp- writes, “I am retired from a neurosurgery prac- “Twenty-two years as an oculoplastic surgeon in the adult psychiatrist at the Bowdoin Street 1972 enlightening, inspirational, or both, while mak- shire, writes, “Sandy and I continue to enjoy tice. Now, I am studying and practicing medita- Anchorage. Seven kids; one at Mount Holyoke, Health Center in Dorchester, manage two Jeanne M. Garvin of Lincoln, Nebraska, writes, ing them feel like they aren’t the ’lone ranger.‘ seacoast New Hampshire. I remain busy in my tion via Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. one in finance, and the jury is out on the others. homes (Brookline and East Falmouth), and in “I am now fully retired! I split my time between We are also in the embryonic stages of creating orthopaedic practice, which focuses on frac- Wishing all BU alumni health, peace, joy, Started a medical software company five years addition to maintaining meaningful activities, I Lincoln, Nebraska, and Cape Cod. One son is the not-for-profit Neurodiversity Institute. After tures and arthroscopy. I have also been active long life, and all things wonderful.” ago doing EMTALA call scheduling and secure give and receive the love and support of family a gastroenterologist practicing in Asheville, speaking around the country spreading word of with my interest in international medicine; we messaging that’s slowly growing. Can’t com- and friends. Shalom.” North Carolina; another is a hydrogeologist liv- the importance of recognizing the differences are hosting the chairman of Orthopaedics in 1987 plain, things are going pretty well. Shout-out to ing in Portland, Oregon. Travel occupies a good in our brains, I’ve come to learn that society Kampala, Uganda, at our house as I write this. Charles M. Geller of Wynnewood, Pennsylva- my classmates.” 1966 deal of my time now. Looking forward to seeing needs to mainstream neurodiversity for the I spent three weeks in Nepal last spring doing nia, writes, “Following my 15 years of practice as earthquake relief immediately following the 7.8 Michael P. Tragakis of Marousi, Greece, writes, everyone at the 45th reunion.” good of ALL of us. a cardiac surgeon and director of the CSICU at 1989 magnitude earthquake—I was there for the 7.3 “I am still practicing ophthalmology in Athens, Funny how things come full circle after 26 Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York, my wife Kim Robert E. Eden of Barrington, Rhode Island, aftershock, a new experience for a New Eng- Greece. I plan to attend the 50th reunion in May.” 1972 pro-heavyweight fights.” and I moved to suburban Philadelphia in August writes, “Still practicing pediatrics in Providence lander used to a stable environment.” and teaching at Brown Medical School. Driving Stephen J. Joyce of Phoenix, Arizona, writes, 2014 after I was appointed Chief of Cardiotho- at the racetrack when I’m able and flying less 1969 “Enjoying my 34th year in solo private practice 1975 racic Surgery for the Crozer-Keystone Health Sys- of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 1982 tem. My daughter Marisa will begin kindergarten than I would like. My wife is a psychiatric social Ronald A. Grant of Southbury, Connecticut, as a CV surgeon in sunny Phoenix, Arizona.” Arnold M. Baskies Scott M. Ross of Rogers, Minnesota, writes, this fall at Friends’ Central School and my daugh- worker. Four children all doing very well. Still writes, “I am just finishing a two-year term writes, “I have accepted the position of Vice “Sold my dermatology private practice and ter Payton has remained in Manhattan to finish keep in touch with classmates Rob Krasny and as president of the C.G. Jung Institute of New Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 1974 American Cancer Society, based in Atlanta, opened an integrative medical clinic called high school at The Spence School.” Jeff Heier.” York, a psychoanalytic training program. Private Robert H. Gilman of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Georgia, for 2016. I will serve as chairman of Clinic Femina, LLC.” practice keeps me busy with offices in Green- writes, “After 31 years of private practice in the board in 2017.” 1987 1989 wich, Westport, and Southbury, Connecticut. I Wellesley, Massachusetts, two and a half 1984 Pierre E. Provost V of Vancouver, Washington, Mubin I. Syed of Springfield, Ohio, writes, “I am working a lot with the families of Newtown years ago I accepted an offer to join the full- 1975 Seth D. Blank of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, writes, writes, “I’m still doing anesthesia and physician wrote a book, Radiology of Non-Spinal Pain & Sandy Hook who continue to suffer from time plastic surgery faculty at the University David W. Feld of Jupiter, Florida, writes, “Since “Was named Maine’s ‘Top Doc’ for thoracic leadership as medical staff president in Vancou- Procedures: A Guide for the Interventionalist, the shootings of 12-14-12; this work combines of Michigan. Over the last 15 years, I had 1978, I have enjoyed the practice of OB/GYN surgery in 2014 and 2015 in a survey of Maine ver, but finding life/work balance. My wife and published in 2011. In 2012 I was featured on the my training in psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and increased my teaching responsibilities in here in Palm Beach County, but have been dis- physicians conducted by Down East magazine.” I hiked the Appalachian Trail last June through PBS documentary Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: pastoral counseling with the Emotional Free- the Harvard Plastic Surgery Program and mayed by the increasing incidence of breast November and I’m getting my first gig as a yoga Healing Vertebral Compression Fracture, and dom Technique (EFT or Tapping). Children can discovered that teaching residents was what cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and abnormal 1984 instructor teaching detoxing teenaged boys in a recently performed the first bariatric emboliza- be cleared of the horror in two sessions of EFT I most enjoyed. I had also hosted both Harvard pap smears due to the HPV virus. I’m happy to Lisa J. Sirota-Weiner of Coral Springs, Florida, local facility. Life is fun and interesting.” tion for morbid obesity as part of the GET LEAN but are re-traumatized if their parents don’t do and University of Michigan residents on a report that, after eight years of implementing an writes, “Hello classmates and colleagues! I study.” similar work. Spirituality and the meaning and medical mission to Colombia for many years. I Epigenetic Nutritional Preventive Program in my completed my residency at Boston Children’s purpose of life are showing up more and more was fortunate to have been considered for the 1987 practice and in medical schools, hospitals, and Hospital in 1987 and have been working as a Richard Saitz of Auburndale, Massachusetts, in my practice.” open faculty appointment and elected to take 1992 other physician offices, we are indeed making a primary care pediatrician since that time. My writes, “Became chairman of the Department Joseph N. Sidari of Sudbury, Massachusetts, the position when it was offered. Chris and I difference. We have been taught a disease-man- husband Douglas (MED‘84) and I have been of Community Health Sciences at BU School of writes, “I practice at Saint Vincent Hospital in 1969 relocated to Ann Arbor in the fall of 2013 and agement health care system, and we need to enjoying our lives, our three daughters, and our Public Health, and last year senior editor at the Worcester, Massachusetts. I am chief of the Marc F. Hirsch of Bowling Green, Kentucky, are enjoying our new home. I love full-time put more care and health back into the system. careers in Florida for the last 25 years. I have Journal of Addiction Medicine. Traveling a lot and Division of Otolaryngology and Allergy, and writes, “I retired in 2011 after 42 years of fam- teaching and am actually busier than ever. So My colleague and Dean of Texas Tech Medical been interested in learning new tools, and I am giving talks, most recently in Denmark, Oxford, was elected to the board of trustees for Reliant ily practice. Near the end I tried writing my much for retirement!” School Dr. Steven Berk (MED’75) has been at currently enrolled in The Fellowship in Integra- memoirs, but learned I was a terrible writer. So London, Budapest, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Medical Group, a 350-physician, multi-spe- the forefront with this program of integrative tive Medicine developed by Dr. Andrew Weil at I found a screenwriter to teach me to write fic- the Nick Heather Lecture at the annual meeting cialty group practice.” The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. I
36 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 37 BUSM Alumni CLASS NOTES IN Memoriam He is survived by his former wife of 29 years, beloved children, Andrew, Peter, Christopher, and Faith Shottenfeld Zavon; children Peter, Dan Camille. He was the devoted son of Thelma Loven 1992 physician-owned primary care medical group where I worked as an OB/GYN serving active (Shau), Julie (Gerard Cornuejols), and Barbara Moeckel and Wilson Hunt Moeckel and the loving 1949 • Mitchell Ralph Zavon, of Cincinnati, (Mark Ward); and grandchildren Jennifer, brother of Stephanie Moeckel-Cole and the late Jeffrey D. Wayne of Wilmette, Illinois, writes, in the United States with over 300 providers duty service members and their families. I Ohio, on March 15, 2016. Following basic train- Rebecca, and Bob. Brian Martin Moeckel of Deerfield, Massachusetts. “After a residency in general surgery at the across 55 practice locations. I love the fact that served as the chief of obstetrics and finished ing, he was sent to Harvard University Medical Bruce graduated magna cum laude and as salu- University of Chicago and a fellowship at the I am able to practice how I want but yet have my military service with the rank of major. I School from 1943 to 1944 and completed his tatorian from Boston University School of Medicine MD Anderson Cancer Center, I decided to strength in numbers to meet all of the demands am now a veteran and have rejoined the civil- postwar medical education at Boston Univer- 1968 • Paul A. Levine, of Valencia, Califor- in 1987; during commencement ceremonies, he was settle in Chicago. I am currently the Chief of we have above and beyond patient care. On a ian world. I relocated down south to Georgia sity Medical School, receiving his MD in 1949. nia, on December 27, 2015. After serving in the awarded the Boston University School of Medicine Melanoma and Soft Tissue Surgical Oncol- personal note, Jonathan and I will be married (change of weather from the Alaskan cold) He then interned at Wilson Memorial Hospital United States Navy as a general medical officer Chair for Outstanding Student. He completed a ogy at the Northwestern University Feinberg 23 years this June. Heather is 16 and Nathan 12. and currently work with a private practice in Johnson City, New York, and did postgradu- in the Republic of Viet Nam and at the National general surgery internship at Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine. I also serve as Associate I was able to do my first medical mission trip to group doing what I love as an obstetrician ate work at Duke University and at the University Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, in New York City in 1988. And went on to complete Director for Clinical Affairs of the Robert H. Ibarra, Ecuador, this past summer and besides and gynecologist!” of Cincinnati in the biological effects of radia- Dr. Levine completed his medical residency and orthopaedic residency training in 1992 at the Hospi- Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and as being busy with family we are involved with our tion. At Cincinnati, he intentionally stopped one first year of cardiology fellowship at Georgetown tal for Special Surgery in New York City. Certified by an Associate Program Director of our General local church. Thankful for God in my life.” 2008 course short of the requirement for a degree in University and his cardiology training at his alma the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Bruce Surgery Residency. In 2015, I was promoted Lukasz Macyszyn of Los Angeles, California, industrial hygiene because he did not believe it mater, Boston University, where he was invited authored numerous publications in orthopaedic to Professor of Surgery and Dermatology, and 1999 reports that he completed residency training in appropriate to receive a degree from an institu- to stay on as a faculty member. journals and books. While at the Hospital for Special elected to AOA. In September, I will begin a Saurabh M. Agarwal of Hi Ho Kus, New Jersey, neurological surgery at the University of Penn- tion where he was a member of the faculty. Dr. Levine was predeceased by his wife Dr. Surgery, his involvement in the care of the New York two-year term as Chief of Staff of Northwest- writes, “I live in northern New Jersey with my sylvania and sought additional training in scolio- From 1950 to 1956, he was a surgeon in the Lucille Pohley Levine, and is survived by his wife Giants professional football team sparked his inter- ern Memorial Hospital. wife Linda and three children, Sohan, 11, Neela, sis and spine deformity surgery at the Shriner’s Commissioned Corp of the US Public Health Susan Strassner, stepchildren Paul, Michael, and est in sports medicine, which—coupled with his love My wife Diane (MD, Northwestern, 8, and Kiran, 5. The years since BUSM sure have Hospital for Children. He is now an assistant Service, where he participated in the multi-year Julie Strassner, grandchildren Brooke, Ethan, and of general orthopaedic medicine—led him to Mid- 1991) and I are the proud parents of Elizabeth flown by. Hope everyone is well.” professor of neurosurgery and orthopaedics at study of the health of uranium miners in western Mason Strassner, and sister Ellen Levine. dletown, Connecticut, where he enjoyed his com- (Northwestern, class of 2018) and Andrew the University of California in Los Angeles. Dr. Colorado and eastern Utah, spending three sum- munity orthopaedic practice as well as 23 years at (Northwestern, class of 2020), as well as 2000 Macyszyn runs a busy clinical practice and is mers in that area with his family and ending as Wesleyan University as team orthopaedic surgeon. Buddy our Goldendoodle, who will be two Akash D. Agarwal of Troy, Michigan, writes, co-director of the Machine Learning Laboratory, field director of the project. He was founder, presi- 1987 • Bruce Hunt Moeckel, 56, of Cromwell, Con- Bruce could often be seen on the sidelines with his in May.” “Hope everyone is well. Since completing my seeking new and better ways to diagnose and dent, and medical director of Agatha Corporation, necticut, on October 1, 2015, surrounded by his lov- children, enthusiastically cheering for the Wesleyan residency in neurosurgery with a fellowship treat patients with spinal disorders. an occupational health consulting firm formed in ing family. Bruce and his wife Carol Sabik Moeckel Cardinals. Bruce received the Cardinal Award in in endovascular neurosurgery, I have been on 1993 1968, where he consulted until 2006. made their home in Cromwell with their four 2015 for his support of the Wesleyan community. n Jeffrey R. Johnson of Buffalo, New York, faculty at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey 2010 writes, “Currently Division Director of Mater- Medical Center as an assistant professor of Gretchen D. and Jonathon M. Struemph of Las nal-Fetal Medicine at SUNY Buffalo and neurosurgery. My wife Tanya and I want to Cruces, New Mexico, write, “We moved to Las Director of the Fetal Care Center at Women & share the birth of our daughter, Namrita, who Cruces, New Mexico, after Jon completed his Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. I have accepted was born in January 2015. This is our first residency in July 2015. We are both working the position of Chairman of OB/GYN at Went- child and she is keeping us busy! I am grate- for Mountain View Regional Medical Center, worth Douglass Hospital in Dover, New Hamp- ful for the education and training I received at Gretchen as a pediatrician and Jon as an ortho- shire, beginning in June of 2016. My family BUSM. I hope that my fellow classmates are paedic surgeon. We love the southwestern and I are very excited to be moving back to also well.” climate, beautiful scenery, and delicious New New England.” Mexican food! We have two children, Dillon, 2003 four, and Rachel, two—and Baby Struemph 1995 Jessica Amorosino of Newburyport, Massa- No. 3 is due in early May! We are back in Boston Swati Namburi of Dallas, Texas, writes, “After chusetts, writes, “Mark and I want to announce frequently (at Children’s Hospital for Dillon to leaving residency in Chicago, my husband and the arrival of our third and fourth babies in the receive treatments for a venous malformation), I have been raising our girls in Dallas for the past past few years—Josephine Lee Amorosino, and love running into our old classmates there.” 18 years. Our oldest daughter Serena is return- born October 11, 2013, and Christopher Lee ing to our northern roots, and will be a freshman Amorosino, born December 25, 2015. They 2013 at the undergraduate business program at Bos- joined proud brother and sister, Steven, eight, Theodora T. Murray of Brookline, Massachu- ton University. We are all so excited for her to and Madelyn, six. In addition, we would like to setts, writes, “An exciting year for us, as I am join the BU community!” engage the support of the alumni community nearly done with pediatrics residency and our in our physician entrepreneurial endeavors as family welcomed our second child, a girl named 1996 we open the doors to our new private practice Aspen, in February. Big sister Sierra, 2, mom, Craig I. Title of New York, New York, writes, in Beverly, Massachusetts, MetTrimMD Bev- and dad are all thrilled. Hope this finds every- “All is well in New York. My wife, Rachel erly. We are enjoying this new and innovative one well!” Schindelheim Title (MED‘02), and I have three opportunity owned and operated by a BUSM boys, Corey, 12, and twins Jordan and alumni husband-and-wife team. Looking for- 2013 Benjamin, 7.” ward to connecting and staying in touch in the Shamini R. Mylvaganam and William J. Ham- years to come. Cheers!” mond of New York, New York, write, “We want 1997 to announce the birth of our daughter, Kiera Kimberly A. Stock of Westerville, Ohio, 2007 Ann Hammond.” n writes, “I am going into my 16th year in pri- Chinenye J. Adimora of Warner Robins, Geor- vate practice Internal Medicine with Central gia, writes, “I’ve recently completed my mili- Ohio Primary Care Physicians, the largest tary service (eight years, US Army) in Alaska,
38 Boston University School of Medicine Spring/Summer 2016 | www.bumc.bu.edu 39 Nonprofit US Postage 72 East Concord Street PAID Boston MA Boston, Massachusetts 02118 Permit No. 1839
Calendar2016 BUSM Northern California Event JULY 16 San Jose
BUSM Southern California Event JULY 17 Los Angeles
White Coat Ceremony and Parents Reception AUGUST 1 BUSM Talbot Green
Annual Scholarship Dinner with Dean’s Advisory Board Hotel Commonwealth, Boston SEPTEMBER 30
AAMC Annual Meeting/BUSM Dean’s Reception NOVEMBER 12 Seattle