Chironian Spring/Summer 2007

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Spring/Summer 2007 INSIDE

Meet the New President and CEO Army-Funded Researchers Make Unexpected Bedfellows Basic Sciences Alumna Is a Scientific Thrill-Seeker Chironian New York Medical College Editor Donna E. Moriarty, M.P.H. ’04 Writers Kimberly Gaudin de Gonzalez Barbara Burgower Hordern Dan Hurley Andrea Kott, M.P.H. Bill McDaniel L.A. McKeown Lori-Ann Perrault Marjorie Roberts Editorial Board Michael A. Antonelle, M.D. ’62 Doris J. Bucher, Ph.D. University News Briefs Catharine Crea Rhea L. Dornbush, Ph.D. M.P.H. Julie A. Kubaska, M.S. John A. McClung, M.D. ’75 Academic Convocation, held on October 6, Matthew A. Pravetz, O.F.M., Ph.D. ’88 Christopher F.X. Riegler, M.D. ’88 2006, ceremoniously launched the 2006- Paul Visintainer, Ph.D. 2007 academic year and celebrated 59 fac- Design HEH Associates ulty appointments and promotions, as well Principal Photography as administrative appointments and promo- William Taufic Photography tions of staff during the previous academic Administration year. The keynote address was given by Karl P. Adler, M.D. President and Chief Executive Officer Renee Garrick, Ralph O’Connell, M.D. M.D., vice dean for Provost and Dean, School of Medicine Francis L. Belloni, Ph.D. New York Medical Dean, Graduate School of College and chief Basic Medical Sciences On September 30, 2006, nearly 500 supporters medical officer at Robert W. Amler, M.D. of New York Medical College gathered at the Dean, School of Public Health Founder’s Dinner to honor three distinguished Westchester Office of Public Relations Medical Center. Donna E. Moriarty, M.P.H. ’04 individual for their support of the College’s Senior Communications Director mission and their contributions to health care, The day included campus tours for families Lori-Ann Perrault of medical students of the Class of 2010, a Public Information Editor medical education and the community at Kevin R. Cummings, M.P.S., M.P.H ‘00 large. Saverio S. Bentivegna, M.D. ’50, special mass, and the White Coat Director of Web Communications left, senior associate dean of the Fifth Ceremony, a yearly ritual that traditionally Please direct all inquiries to: Pathway Program and professor of surgery, marks the first time medical students New York Medical College/Chironian Valhalla, New York 10595 was honored with the Distinguished Service appear in their white coats, the garb of the www.nymc.edu/pubs/chironian.asp We welcome use of any material with attribution Award; the Jackson E. Spears Community medical profession. to New York Medical College. Service Award was presented to Michael C. Chironian is published semi-annually by Caldwell, M.D., M.P.H., center, commis- the Office of Public Relations. We welcome Two new members reader feedback. Contact us at (914) 594-4536 sioner of the Dutchess County Department of or at [email protected]. have joined the Health and immediate past president of the New York Medical College Affiliates Board of Trustees. National Association of County and City Health Academic Medical Centers The College Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers Officials (NACCHO); and Albert Willner, welcomed to its Westchester Medical Center M.D. ’43, member of the Board of Trustees, University Hospitals ranks James H. Danbury Hospital received the William Cullen Bryant Award. Metropolitan Hospital Center Heym, Ph.D., Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center vice president of Discovery in Groton, Major Affiliated Hospital Nader G. Abraham, Ph.D., professor Conn., for Pfizer Global Research & Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester Specialty Hospital of pharmacology, received the 2006 Development, and Joseph A. Califano, Jr., The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary Dean’s Research Award (formerly known chairman of the Affiliated Hospitals National Center on Benedictine Hospital as the Dean’s Calvary Hospital Distinguished Addiction and Caritas Health Care, Inc. Substance Abuse Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern Research Award) Greenwich Hospital for his significant at Columbia Kingston Hospital Mount Vernon Hospital contributions to University (CASA). Northern Westchester Hospital Center Pascack Valley Hospital the definition of Richmond University Medical Center the molecular Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, Yonkers St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport biology, biochemistry, physiology and St. Vincent’s Midtown Hospital pharmacology of heme oxygenase, as well as Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center VA Hudson Valley Health Care System his exceptional leadership of a College Affiliated Ambulatory Care Programs research program. Center for Comprehensive Health Practice Morrisania Diagnostic & Treatment Center Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic & Treatment Center 2 Spring/Summer 2007 Chironian New York Medical College Features You Can Go Home Again 4 Thomas Wolfe knew nothing of Karl P. Adler, M.D., when he penned his classic novel of America during a time of dramatic change — but it isn’t hard to see a few parallels. By Barbara Burgower Hordern ...... 4

College Scientists Take Advantage of Army Research Funding Congress has been appropriating money since 1992 for the Army to reward scientists studying designated conditions. New York Medical College has received more than $5 million in grants, and more is in the pipeline. By Marjorie Roberts ...... 8

When Something Bad Happens and It Wasn’t Your Fault— Who Ya Gonna Call? Gary M. Williams, M.D., professor of pathology, has earned an industry seal of 8 approval for putting his life’s work and integrity on the line. By Marjorie Roberts ...... 14

Alpha Omega Alpha Iota Chapter Celebrates 50 Years at the College These hyper-achieving men and women are anything but elite. They are as committed to their fellow students as they are to the welfare of their community. By Bill McDaniel...... 18

Alumni Beyond the Pale 14 Whether in Washington, D.C., or Bethel, Alaska, psychiatrist Michael Barnett, M.D. ‘99, helps patients overcome the most daunting challenges. By Andrea Kott, M.P.H...... 22

From Jersey Girl to Packers Fan Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D., M.S. ‘89, lives a life of faith and service through education. By L.A. McKeown ...... 24

Identity Detective Whether fingering criminals or proteins, Lorah Perlee, Ph.D., ‘94, thrives on the thrill of the pace. By Dan Hurley ...... 26 Alumni News By Andrea Kott, M.P.H., and Kimberly Gaudin de Gonzalez ...... 29 On the Cover:

Karl P.Adler, M.D., who was dean of the School of Medicine from 1981 to 1994, returned to New York Medical College in January as its new president and chief executive officer. Yet in some ways he never really left. He talks about his journey through the interrelated worlds of academic medicine and hospital administration.

Chironian New York Medical College 3 Thomas Wolfe knew nothing You CAN of Karl P. Adler, M.D., when he penned his classic Go Home novel of America during a time of dramatic change— Again but it isn’t hard to see a few parallels.

4 Spring/Summer 2007 By Barbara Burgower Hordern 1988 to discuss the nature and purpose miles from Manhattan. It was more a of Catholic colleges. By all accounts, village in those days than the bedroom here has been a renewed sense Karl Adler is uniquely qualified to lead community it is today, he says. “When I of excitement and energy this health sciences university in the was a kid the 7:29 train took about 90 Taround these parts since Catholic tradition. percent of the male population every January, when Karl P. Adler, M.D., the morning; the men who ran the stores in Back in 1981, when Dr. Peterson first once-dean (1981 to 1994) and now pres- town were the only ones left.” The town arrived at Metropolitan Hospital to ident and chief executive officer of New had just one grammar school, and the interview for an internship, Dr. Adler York Medical College, returned to high school was in a neighboring town. had been chief of medicine for just a few Valhalla. Dr. Adler’s reputation among months. “What a personality the guy After two years at the public high those who remember him from his had,” Dr. Peterson recalls. “He stood up school, Dr. Adler entered the seminary earlier years goes far beyond his skill and pointed out the window and talked in New York, where he studied for three as a physician or his prowess as an aca- about the changing nature of the hospital and a half years. Ultimately, he decided demic administrator. Straightforward because of the gentrification that was that medicine rather than the priest- and likable, known as much for his changing the neighborhood. His concern hood was his calling. “It was a tough integrity as for his megawatt smile, Karl was that we still had a responsibility to decision,”hesays.“Itwastherightdecision Adler is the kind of leader every organi- the poor, a responsibility he meant to to go into the seminary, and it was the zation hopes to find. “He walks in a uphold. And he made it sound so exciting.” right decision to leave.” room and it just lights up,” says his friend of more than 20 years, Stephen J. Medicine and the challenges of the pro- He entered Seton Hall University in Peterson, M.D., professor and executive fession are exciting to Dr. Adler. Over New Jersey, where he had to make up vice chairman of the Department of the years he has built a reputation for the science courses he had missed in Medicine. “He’s purely positive. I’ve forging alliances among folks with the seminary. His first summer, he took

He really loves New York Medical College and he wants what’s be‘‘st for it. Although he is facing some big challenges, he has a gift for getting people to work together and helping them reach a win-win solution for all. — MARTHA S. GRAYSON, M.D.’’ never heard him say anything negative widely divergent agendas by coming up a biology course, and there he met about anyone or anything. He’s just a with innovative solutions to complex Joan, who would later become his wife very upbeat guy, with a lot of charisma.” problems. “He is a tremendous opti- and the mother of his four sons. They mist, but he is a reality-based optimist,” dated throughout college and married That charisma first fell upon New York says Martha S. Grayson, M.D., senior three weeks before he entered medical Medical College in 1981, when Dr. Adler associate dean for undergraduate edu- school at Georgetown University accepted a professorship in the cation, who was hired by Dr. Adler in School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Department of Medicine and soon 1982. “If the glass is half full, that’s what It was 1962. became the department’s associate he sees. He really loves New York chairman. He taught at Metropolitan After med school he returned to New Medical College and he wants what’s Hospital Center in Manhattan, where he York to do a residency in internal medi- best for it. Although he is facing some was medical director and chief of the cine at Bellevue, New York Hospital/ big challenges, he has a gift for getting Department of Medicine. Over the next Memorial Hospital and North Shore people to work together and helping 13 years, he would hire and train several University Hospital, while serving on them reach a win-win solution for all.” of what are now the College’s most the faculty of Cornell. He and Joan popular professors, assume the office of Difficult decisions bought a house on Long Island after he dean, recognize and emphasize the took his first job as an attending at Karl Adler’s earliest aspirations were to growing importance of primary care and North Shore Manhasset, where he was the priesthood rather than medicine, become a valued leader of the medical appointed associate director and chief and choosing to leave the seminary was community. He was even among a of nephrology. Though he is boarded perhaps the toughest decision he ever handful of New Yorkers who met with only in internal medicine, he began a made. He was born in Paterson, N.J., Pope John Paul II and Vatican officials in successful kidney dialysis program at and grew up in a small town some 25

Chironian New York Medical College 5 In 1992 Dr. Adler asked Dr. Grayson to design a joint internal medicine/pediatrics program at Metropolitan and later at St. Vincent’s Hospital, one that would enable residents to pass their boards in both specialties in four years rather than six. This was part of his commitment to primary care medicine, which he recognized early on as the key to controlling escalating healthcare costs while better serving those with insufficient access to health care. Under his leadership, the hospital developed a career track in internal medicine that would allow students to graduate a year earlier by spending their last year of medical school as first- year residents in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s. It also forgave tuition for the final year of medical school for students who subsequently pursued Although he considered the priesthood and attended seminary for a few years during his careers as generalists. In 1995 his youth, Karl Adler ultimately decided on medicine. Seated in the front row, second from left, efforts paid off when the school was Dr. Adler posed with other attendings and residents in the Department of Medicine at North awarded a Robert Wood Johnson Shore University Hospital in 1970. Generalist Physician Initiative Implementation Grant, which helped North Shore before moving to Kings president for medical affairs in 1987. make the college a leader in primary County Hospital in Brooklyn. There he Like most deans, he had his detractors care education. directed the department of emergency as well as his admirers. As one adminis- medicine and helped develop the trator put it, “Any time a dean chooses Dr. Adler left the College in 1994 to county’s emergency response system. between two sides, one side generally become president and chief executive offi- thinks he is wrong and the other thinks cer at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Mountain refuge only a fool would have chosen other- Center of New York, one of the College’s Dr. Adler left the city in 1977 to become wise!” Nevertheless, Dr. Adler led some two academic medical center affiliates. “I chief of the Department of Medicine at initiatives that, along with his can-do was ready for a change,” he says. “At St. Ellis Hospital in Schenectady and asso- attitude, are remembered by those Vincent’s I had a chance to lead one of the ciate chairman of medicine at Albany who are genuinely pleased at his return biggest hospitals in this region. I loved Medical College. While there, he and and eager to hear what he plans to do being dean, but the average tenure for a his family fell in love with the nearby as president. dean at that time was two years. I was Adirondack Mountains, where they pur- there for eight, so I think I broke a record.” chased a lake cottage. This property, A terrific example While at St. Vincent’s, Dr. Adler helped just three hours from Manhattan, has Dr. Grayson recalls an example of Dr. develop an ambulatory cancer center provided a special refuge for them ever Adler’s bedside manner. Metropolitan’s program that operated seven days a since. They recently built a second Harlem clinic had curtains rather than week. “The whole concept was that the house to accommodate their sons and walls. At least once a week, Dr. Adler program was built around the patient grandsons (no female descendants yet). joined her in the clinic. On the other rather than the staff. It appealed to They also built a barn, half of which side of the curtain, she could hear him patients who didn’t want to go to a hos- serves as Joan’s art studio, while the talking with his patients in a caring and pital. We also tried to bring all the other half is dedicated to one of Dr. concerned manner and with utmost Catholic hospitals together into a Adler’s lifelong passions: miniature respect. She also recalls seeing him car- united system. We merged with four trains. They go there to sail and water rying bags of magazines and books from other hospitals in Brooklyn and ski in the summer and enjoy cross- home to donate to the hospital. “He set Queens, two on Staten Island, our psy- country skiing in the winter. a terrific example,” she says. “He is the chiatric hospital in Westchester, and kind of person who sees strengths in you The Adlers returned to New York City in four nursing homes to become Saint that, as a beginner, you don’t even see in 1981, when Dr. Adler joined the College Vincent Catholic Medical Centers.” yourself. You work very hard to achieve faculty at Metropolitan Hospital. In the goals he sets for you and to be the Because St. Vincent’s was merging with 1986, he was named acting dean of the kind of person he sees that you can be.” hospitals outside the Archdiocese, it left School of Medicine, then dean, and vice the Catholic Health Care System. At that 6 Spring/Summer 2007 point, Dr. Adler had merged himself well. When I left in ’94, research funding an environment for educating the physi- out of a job. That’s when newly was averaging more than $20 million a cians of tomorrow, no matter what their appointed Archbishop of New York, year; now it’s well over $40 million. I’d faith, where they can learn to be ethical, Edward Egan, asked him to head the like to see that continue. I’d also like to caring physicians with a deep concern Catholic Health Care System. He build more of a base on the clinical for the poor and underserved. That is became the Archbishop’s Delegate for research side. not only consistent with the Catholic Healthcare in 2001, a position he retains. philosophy, it is also consistent with “The biggest obstacle to that intended the best practical educational experi- Five years later, when word came that growth is that we are out of space. We ence you can provide.” Rev. Msgr. Harry C. Barrett, D.Min., have acquired a building that once M.P.H., who had served New York belonged to a private foundation Finding a university Medical College for 14 years as president located on campus. That could serve as and chief executive officer, had been new research space. But we don’t yet partner appointed pastor of Sacred Heart parish have the funds to bring it up to the level You might say Dr. Adler’s top priority is in Monroe, N.Y., it wasn’t long before it should be if it’s to serve our needs and finding a university partner, which he Karl Adler became the top contender for help us grow our research reputation. sees as instrumental to the College’s his replacement. Dr. Adler was thrilled to continued growth. “When I left, there “What has also changed in the time that be invited back to the College. “It was a were about 16 freestanding private I was gone is the development of the great opportunity. I jumped at the medical colleges in the country; now School of Public Health. It has blos- chance to come back and help guide the there are only two,” he says. “I believe somed. The school has a great new school for the future,” he says. medical schools need to associate with dean, [Robert W. Amler, M.D.,] and it law schools, business schools, schools of computer technology and sociol- ogy—in short, a full service university. There are many aspects to training people in the health sciences, and many benefits to a merger or another type of relationship, though I would insist that New York Medical College maintain its identity. We owe it to our alumni to preserve our longstanding identity and good reputation. After all, we will celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2010.” He also intends to enhance ties with the school’s alumni. He recently flew to Puerto Rico to join the annual Alumni Association meeting and discussed his plans with them. As former students, they are, after all, the school’s legacy. As Dr. Peterson explains, “Medicine is a great legacy, and it’s very important that you impart to those you train the same Even after he became dean in 1987, Dr. Adler continued to see patients, making him a rarity values as those you were given when among medical school deans who continue practicing medicine along with their academic you were trained. And when you have a responsibilities. In fact, he only stopped seeing patients in 2005. powerhouse like Dr. Adler, it behooves A different school has developed a thriving doctoral pro- all of us to pass on that legacy.” New York Medical College, says Dr. gram in physical therapy and a speech- If it all seems like a tall order, even for Adler, “is a different school than [the language pathology program that’s someone of Karl Adler’s stature to one] I left, and much better. The aca- filled to capacity. I see tremendous accomplish, he maintains a sanguine demic progress of our students has potential for growth in that school.” air about his new role. “I see some improved in every measurable way. The role of the university has changed a things I’d like to accomplish over a rela- They score well above the national bit, as well. “This is still a Catholic med- tively short period of time,” he says. “My mean among medical colleges on all ical school,” he stresses. “Today, our wife would like me to retire, but as long exams. There has been a continued role has less to do with overseeing the as I’m happy with what I’m doing and building of the bioresearch arm of the care in Catholic hospitals, as the num- I’m doing something worthwhile and school. This creates an environment ber of Catholic hospitals has declined. my health is good, I hope to do it for as that helps the educational process as Our primary responsibility is to create long as I’m needed.”

Chironian New York Medical College 7 COLLEGE SCIENTISTS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ARMY RESEARCH FUNDING

Congress has been appropriating money since 1992 for the Army to reward scientists studying designated conditions.

New York Medical College has received more than $5 million in grants, and more is in the pipeline.

8 Spring/Summer 2007 By Marjorie Roberts ified period. Two members of the “Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer College faculty are past recipients: by Phenethyl Isothiocyanate” – $557,633. his hasn’t been the best of years Marietta Y. Lee, Ph.D., and Joseph Wu, Anything an applicant ever needed to for the U.S. Army abroad and it Ph.D., professors of biochemistry and know about Army funding is available doesn’t look all that bright for molecular biology. Following are the fac- T for the asking on the CDMRP website at the near future. But at home the Army ulty scientists who are currently receiving http://cdmrp.army.mil. From the Army's has, among other jobs, the rewarding Army funds for use in their laboratories: standpoint, the exposure it provides, task of giving money away to deserving • Frances Hannan, Ph.D., assistant plus the availability of electronic filing, medical scientists. About the same professor of cell biology and have been a godsend, says Gail time American troops were fighting in anatomy, Neurofibromatosis Research Whitehead, public affairs coordinator of the first Gulf War, Congress initiated a Program, New Investigator Award to CDMRP. She is a civilian employed by medical research funding program in study signal transduction; “Functional one of the contracting agencies that specific diseases. Using skills developed Analysis of Human NF1 by Expression provide staff for the program in Fort in managing battlefield medical innova- in Drosophila melanogaster” – $681,435. Detrick, Md. tions, the Army began investing in col- Dr. Hannan also received a Concept laborations that would lead to advances Award, “A Transgenic Model for Learning Bye hard copy in medical research. Since its inception Defects: Role of NF1 in Drosophila “Before electronic filing, we would have in 1992, the Department of Defense Visuo-Spatial Learning” – $105,860. a line of UPS trucks waiting to deliver Congressionally Directed Medical truckloads of paper applications by the Research Programs (CDMRP) has • Koko Murakami, Ph.D., research assistant professor of cell biology and deadline. But after 9/11, we had to awarded New York Medical College 11 become a secure Army post,” she says, grants totaling more than $5 million. anatomy, Neurofibromatosis Research Program, named awardee for a putting into perspective what a little This year, named awardees will receive computer disk can do for filing an appli- more than $210,000 as the Army carries Concept Award for “Characterization of NF1 protein ubiquitination” – $105,860. cation. As for deciding on what gets out its mission “to find and fund the best research to eradicate diseases and support the warfighter for the benefit of As for deciding on what gets funded, the Army has the American public.” come up with a novel addition to the decision making The program originated from a special partnership among the public, Congress process. Besides the typical peer review by scientists and the Department of Defense, begin- who contribute their time by meeting as a group ning with a strong nudge from grass- roots advocacy. The first appropriation to score an application, people with the disease in was made for breast cancer research. In 2006 Congress appropriated $350 mil- question sit right at the table and score the lion for the United States Army Medical applications along with the scientists. Research and Materiel Command to pass along to the CDMRP. The research • Richard J. Zeman, Ph.D., associate funded, the Army has come up with a directorate is currently managing grants professor of cell biology and novel addition to the decision making for prostate and ovarian research in anatomy, Peer-Reviewed Medical process. Besides the typical peer review addition to breast cancer. It has also Research Program for “Control of assembled an unusual mix of ailments Spinal Cord Injury by Stereotactic by scientists who contribute their time on which to focus—neurofibromatosis, X-irradiation” – $1,573,916. by meeting as a group to score an appli- military health, tuberous sclerosis com- cation, people with the disease in ques- plex, chronic myelogenous leukemia • Raj K. Tiwari, Ph.D., associate profes- tion sit right at the table and score the and prion diseases, as well as other sor of microbiology and immunology, applications along with the scientists. specified areas. (Tuberous sclerosis Breast Cancer Research Program, “The consumer review presents the complex is similar to neurofibromato- Concept Award for “Estrogen layman’s perspective—what is good sis, but symptoms are concentrated in Mobilizes Circulating Bone Marrow or bad from a patient’s point of view,” the central nervous system. Prion dis- Progenitor Cells to Promote Tumor says Ms. Whitehead. Compassion is a eases include bovine spongiform Neovasculature: Lessons from potent element of the process when encephalopathy, or “mad-cow disease.”) Ischemic Model Provide a Novel survivors are consulted. As for the Breast Cancer Target” – $118,500. investigators, how fortunate they are to Fruit flies and marrow • Jen-Wei Chiao, Ph.D., professor of have their scientific interests coincide To the delight of research administra- medicine, of immunology and of urol- with those in Congress who hold the tors and applicants, the Army funds its ogy, Prostate Cancer Research purse strings and the Army managers grants up front, rather than over a spec- Program, Idea Development Award for who cut them loose.

Chironian New York Medical College 9 In the laboratory of Frances Hannan, Ph.D., assistant professor of cell biology and anatomy, you’ll find plenty of gags about flies, like the flyswatter in the shape of Australia, her native continent. But Dr. Hannan is seriously devoted to her fruit flies—transgenic drosophila—which she trains and tests in her efforts to unravel the mysteries of neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Frances Hannan, Ph.D., relies on ing—by exposing them to a certain study this because children with NF1 a very tiny model—the fruit fly—to odor that is associated with an electric have particular difficulty in judgment of study a not-so-rare, devastating dis- shock. Flies carrying mutations in the line orientation,” Dr. Hannan says. NF1 gene not only have difficulty learn- ease, neurofibromatosis Type I (NF1), Koko Murakami, Ph.D., also drawn ing, but also have a defective long term inflicting benign and malignant tumors to study NF1, collaborates with Dr. memory. Roughly 100 flies are used dur- on patients who suffer learning diffi- Hannan on the devastating and coming a learning test, but when an experi- culties and attention deficits as well. plex disorder that may be on the brink ment involves visual learning, it’s one She has been cultivating fruit flies, into of yielding to drug therapy. She pro- fly at a time. “We use a flight simulator, which human genes are inserted, for poses to examine how the function of the inside of a rotating drum, to teach a this purpose her entire career. the NF1 protein (neurofibromin) is con- fruit fly to fly toward a visual cue, and it “Transgenic Drosophila have only four trolled by the addition of ubiquitin is punished [with infrared heat] if it chromosomes, there are lots of muta- groups. Ubiquitins are small proteins heads in the wrong direction...The fly tions available and they have short life that tag larger proteins for degradation. uses a different part of the brain for spans. The fly genome was one of the Just where they attach, and how, is visual cues, and we can disrupt gene first to be sequenced,” Dr. Hannan the focus of this study of ubiquitin function in specific areas because we says. Inherited neurofibromatosis machinery. Blocking neurofibromin know what regions are involved…We affects 1 in 3,500 people in the U.S., ubiquitination would result in not all with obvious symptoms. elevated levels of the neuro- After other investigators showed that fibromin protein, and may lovastatin, a cholesterol lowering drug, improve tumor suppressor can rescue mutant mice with learning activity, cognitive function and deficits by working through the Ras sig- other symptoms caused by naling pathway, Dr. Hannan found that defects in signaling pathways her flies also use the Ras protein for that result from reduced levels long term memory, and further depend of neurofibromin. The long term on the cAMP pathway for short term goal is to find a drug that will memory. Just how you discover this in stop or accelerate the process. fruit flies, she reveals, is through train-

10 Spring/Summer 2007 The U.S. Army has been supporting the research of Richard J. Zeman, Ph.D., left, associate professor of cell biology and anatomy, as he searches for clues to alleviate the ordeal of spinal cord injury. The condition afflicts upwards of 12,000 new victims each year, a large proportion of them members of the armed forces. Dr. Zeman’s research associates, Nengtai Ouyang, Ph.D., center, and Xialing Wen, M.S., round out the investigative team.

Richard J. Zeman, Ph.D., wants to stops the inflammatory process that In conjunction with the Department of learn how to stop spinal cord injury, destroys tissue and goes on to promote Radiation Medicine, and based on pre- especially the contusion kind that locomotive recovery. But the drug has clinical successes, Dr. Zeman is investi- bruises the spine, common after auto side effects and may not readily pene- gating the role of glutathione as a neu- accidents, football mishaps roprotective agent. He and Chitti R. and war. Veterans represent a Moorthy, M.D, professor of clinical radi- large proportion of the 12,000 ation medicine and acting chairman of new cases each year, and a the Department of Radiology, are using prevalence of 240,000 chronic x-irradiation (which always penetrates) cases in the U.S. The cord delivered stereotactically to decrease responds to injury with “a pro- the paralysis that follows an injury. “We found loss of neural tissue and know that radiation activates glu- functional capacity,” leaving tathione, an antioxidant present in our young soldiers with irre- tissues, which is consumed after injury versible paralysis that can last and must be replenished. We can regain for decades. An important goal locomotive ability by blocking the of rehabilitation is to increase neuro- trate injured tissue. Only methylpred- oxidative stress that causes injury,” says muscular strength and function and nisolone, a steroid, has been shown to Dr. Zeman. “The bottom line is we want reduce healthcare dependence. work in humans, yet only modestly. to find the best antioxidant mechanism Treatment must begin right after injury of action." Dr. Zeman started by using clen- and suppressing the immune system buterol/albuterol to oppose muscle opens the door to infections later on. atrophy in injured rats. Clenbuterol

Chironian New York Medical College 11 Raj K. Tiwari, Ph.D., foreground, becomes animated whenever he talks about his studies of metastatic breast cancer. His equally ardent team members are, from left: graduate student Devyani Chaudhuri, research assistant professor Ashok Badithe, Ph.D., and post-doctoral fellow Robert Suriano, Ph.D.

specific antigens. This new cells to enter the bloodstream, initiat- award for breast cancer ing the process of metastasis. research singles out estrogen “First we have to identify which cells are as the gang leader of metas- leaving the bone marrow and entering tases—the mobilizer of circu- the tumor in our mouse model. We lating bone marrow-derived think it is cd31…Despite the fact that 60 endothelial progenitor cells percent of all breast cancers are estro- looking to get into the blood- gen dependent and most breast cancers stream and find a new place to start out as estrogen responsive, no set up shop. As in most solid mechanistic study has yet examined tumors, neo-vascularization or how estrogen mobilizes circulating blood vessel formation is bone marrow-derived endothelial pro- essential to the process. “But it Raj K. Tiwari, Ph.D., received his genitor cells, which home to implanted is a double-edged sword,” says Dr. first Army grant at the College for breast carcinoma and promote tumor Tiwari. “You need vessels to funnel nearly $500,000 for taking on the chal- growth and spread.” lenges of immunotherapy of prostate drugs to kill the tumors, but these cancer in the absence of defined tumor same vessels form an escape route for

12 Spring/Summer 2007 J.W. Chiao, Ph.D., foreground, professor of medicine, is finding ways to use the isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables as a way to restore certain damaged genes back to an inactive state. Fellow members of Dr. Chiao’s team are (from left): Ruth Gallagher, B.S., M.B.A., administrator; Nasir Ahmed, M.D., clinical research coordinator; Sean Lin, M.D., Ph.D., and Jean Feng, M.D., M.S., fellows; and Delong Liu, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine.

Jen-Wei Chiao, Ph.D., can really isothiocyanates from different species of restored the detoxifying function in the explain to former President George cruciferous vegetables induces growth cancer cells. “We have also used isothio- Bush why he should eat broccoli. It was arrest and cell death in human prostate cyanates to reactivate other silenced his laboratory that produced the origi- cancer cells in culture and in mouse can- genes in cancer cells, making them regain nal report that isothiocyanates, present cer models.” Repressing the androgen their normal functions. It is this self regu- naturally in cruciferous vegetables, may receptor—at the transcriptional level by lation that can overcome the cancer be one of the most responsible dietary inhibiting transcription factor factors for preventing prostate cancer. Sp1 and at the post translational Cruciferous is the classification for the level by accelerating protein cabbage and mustard family that also degradation,—are the impor- includes turnips, radish, cauliflower, tant mechanisms of action. watercress, Brussels sprouts and, of Dr. Chiao’s lab has demonstrated course, broccoli. that isothiocyanates can inhibit Prostate cancer is the most commonly the aberrant epigenetic effects diagnosed cancer among men in the U.S. (excess DNA methylation) in the Growth and maintenance of the prostate DNA and protein complex, is influenced by the hormone androgen, which regulate the way genes and any abnormality of the androgen make proteins. This is how a key changes. It is also the basis of prostate receptor is a decisive factor in the failure detoxifying protein, GSTP1, present in cancer prevention by the vegetables,” he of treatment in advanced cases. “If we normal prostate tissues but missing in says “… You know how broccoli smells can lower the supply of androgen we can more than 90 percent of prostate tumors, when it is cooking? That’s the isothio- inhibit the cancer,” Dr. Chiao says. “We is recovered. In Dr. Chiao’s experiments, cyanates you smell!” have demonstrated that a family of he reactivated the GSTP1 gene and

Chironian New York Medical College 13 N Something BAD Happens E And It Wasn’t Your Fault— H WHO YA GONNA CALL? ?W Gary M. Williams, M.D., professor of pathology, has earned an industry seal of approval for putting his life’s work and integrity on the line.

14 Spring/Summer 2007 By Marjorie Roberts

athology may never vie with internal medicine as a popular Presidency choice, but it sure is coming on strong in the image makeover department. The television drama “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” makes it clear that the proverbial nee- dle in a haystack is no match for the microscope, nor a speck of DNA too small to preclude the need for a confes- sion of guilt. But you don’t have to be a sensational pathologist to be cool these days. You could try emulating Gary M. Williams, M.D., who continues to set standards for his profession and then practice what he’s preached. Dr. Williams is a world class toxicology- buster for corporations needing to know if their products are safe—and if they’re not to figure out why—and then tell the Core associates in the Williams lab are Alan M. Jeffrey, Ph.D., left, and Michael J. Iatropoulos, world by publishing the results. At the M.D., Ph.D., both research professors of pathology. same time he has managed to create and oversee a graduate division of toxi- escalation study…We come into the groups. Dr. Traganos says, “Now they cology at New York Medical College, picture when there is a bad finding that will be able to actually view cells and and to enrich the educational compo- needs to be explained.” measure damaged DNA for chemicals nent of his work with innovative pro- they are testing. Gary’s results have Dr. Williams uses “we” to refer to his core grams. If his business card were big been consistently reproducible and associates, all of whom worked together enough, it would barely hold his cre- his clients have confidence in him. at the now defunct American Health dentials: Professor of Pathology, I’ve known him for many years and Foundation in Valhalla, N.Y. That mis- Department of Pathology; Director of his reputation is worldwide. The sion was cancer prevention and much of Environmental Pathology and hardest thing is to walk the fine line the work still is for Alan M. Jeffrey, Ph.D., Toxicology; Head, Program on of scientific neutrality while main- a biochemist, and Michael J. Iatropoulos, Medicine, Food and Chemical Safety; taining your independence.” M.D., Ph.D., a toxicologic pathologist, Professor of Clinical Public Health, both research professors of pathology. School of Public Health; 2005 Dean’s New territory Distinguished Research Award winner. There are also new neighbors whose Jerry Rice, Ph.D., an old friend and mere presence holds great promise. colleague, explains how adept It’s the dose... Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, M.D., Ph.D., Williams is at making it up as he goes “We are doing a study to determine professor of pathology, medicine, and along. The distinguished professor in whether the class of antibiotics, the flu- microbiology and immunology, and the department of oncology at the oroquinolones, can produce genetic Frank N. Traganos, Ph.D., professor of Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer damage in eukaryotic [human] cells,” medicine, moved their Brander Cancer Center, Georgetown University says Dr. Williams. “This is the crux of Research Institute a year ago from an Medical Center, in Washington, D.C., safety assessment, and that is 80 per- off-campus site to a laboratory suite declares, “His integrity is unmatched. cent of what we do. Every chemical across the hall from Williams in the Gary is an outstanding scientist and must be tested at doses that will give an Basic Sciences Building. Their ultra toxicologist who has a penetrating effect up to the maximally tolerated sophisticated equipment, such as a insight into what needs to be done to dose. When you are testing medications laser scanning cytometer, heralds a clarify complex scientific issues. Then for a therapeutic dose, you do a dose fruitful collaboration between the he designs and carries out studies to

Chironian New York Medical College 15 Gary M. Williams, M.D., left, sets great store by his collaborations with neighbors Zbigniew Darzynkiewicz, M.D., Ph.D., right, and Frank Traganos, Ph.D., co-directors of the Brander Cancer Research Institute. Housed there is the College’s sleek, sophisticated laser-scanning cytometer and its mind-boggling capabilities—which the two scientists are glad to share. fill these knowledge gaps—he’s done dose-effect relationships of carcino- for the treatment of breast cancer. “We it over and over again.” gens at low doses.” were first to discover the drug caused rat liver tumors because it was DNA An early example of this need-to-know The liver cells also came in handy for binding,” he continues. “We didn’t do resourcefulness was his invention of tamoxifen, a drug prescribed to women the human studies, but the first medium other investigators showed designed specifically to Using the Comet Assay to Detect DNA Damage it did not cause tumors in grow liver cells—a nutri- at the Single Cell Level human livers … This sur- ent source so widely veillance is the so-called used that it has come to parallelogram approach, a be known as Williams’ sequence of events start- Medium E. “We devel- ing with the rat, then rat oped the basic tech- cells, followed by human niques for culturing liver cells and then humans cells. They are our Figure A Figure B [clinical trials], the end- specialty,” Dr. Williams The comet assay is a sensitive technique used for analyzing and quantifying DNA point.” (Although there has asserts. “These cells are strand breaks in individual cells. Cells are embedded in agarose on a glass been no increase in liver valuable because the microscope slide and broken apart in a detergent-containing high salt buffer. The liberated DNA is then placed under alkaline conditions, which allows DNA unwinding cancer in women taking liver has all the enzymes and expression of DNA strand breaks. Then, the DNA is subjected to electrophoresis, where the negatively charged, broken DNA fragments migrate toward the positive tamoxifen, there was an that metabolize chemi- electrode; the greater the DNA damage, the greater the DNA migration. The DNA is increased incidence of cals entering the body, subsequently stained with a fluorescent dye and viewed using fluorescence microscopy. Figure A illustrates control cells with no DNA migration. Figure B uterine cancer. Women tak- sort of a standby chemi- illustrates cells exposed to diethylnitrosamine showing distinctive comet tails to the ing tamoxifen for a recom- cal factory to study right, which are indicative of extensive DNA damage. (COURTESY OF DANIEL SMART, PH.D.) mended five-year period

16 Spring/Summer 2007 are encouraged to have gynecology ogy pathology for professionals only; working at the American Health checkups twice a year.) one student per year is accommodated Foundation in a building just down the and there is a current post-doc from the road. (The College acquired the build- Bench born U.K. enrolled for next year. ing, now under development, when the Although he says he never intended company folded in 2004.) He was there This lifelong effort to prevent cancer by having a life of research, Dr. Williams when the so-called Tylenol murders inhibiting the effects of chemical car- did not look elsewhere from the time he took place in Chicago in 1982. Seven cinogens has identified Dr. Williams graduated from Washington and persons died from ingesting cyanide- with a pharmaceutical product, aceta- Jefferson College and the University laced capsules and no one ever was of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He minophen, and the longstanding client arrested for the crimes. Though hardly did a residency in pathology at that markets it—the McNeil Consumer at fault, McNeil Pharmaceuticals, mak- Massachusetts General Hospital and Products subsidiary of Johnson & ers of Tylenol, took full responsibility, Harvard University Medical School, and Johnson. “Acetaminophen has the and their immediate, no-excuses several post-docs including research on potential to prevent several types of response and swift corrective action chemical carcinogens at the National cancer, including the colon,” Dr. William became the industry standard for deal- Institutes of Health. “I started my liver says. “The mechanism is one of two ing with product crises. Within a year, work there,” he says. things or maybe both; it interferes with the public’s trust in Tylenol was the damage that chemicals make to the The time he spends at the College restored as a new tamper-resistant cell, and it reduces the cell proliferation is diverse. Annually, he and Dr. product in special-seal bottles came on induced by the carcinogen. We can get Iatropoulos organize a one-week pro- the market. Dr. Williams doesn’t like to the protective effects of acetaminophen gram on the safety of medicines in the talk about his consulting role in the at the therapeutic dose—4 grams a day graduate school pathology curriculum. event, preferring instead to discuss the (1 gram every 6 hours).” They will host this year’s event on integrity of the client, which remains October 15 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in When Dr. Williams received his first one of his 25 corporate sponsors. Now White Plains. They also put together a College appointment in 1975 as a integrity is something Dr. Williams customized master’s program in toxicol- research associate professor, he was knows all about.

HOW FOODS CAN CAUSE CANCER B B B* B B B B B B Many carcinogens react chemically with DNA to form ' HO HO HO HO 5 3 ' OH OH OH OH products called DNA adducts. Their level in cells is one Carcinogen-modified DNA base (B*) Deoxyribonucleosides Micrococcal nuclease, + indication of a cell’s risk of developing into a tumor. Nuclease P1 Spleen Phosphodiesterase II B* Adduct levels can be measured by a technique known as B B B* B B HO P 32P-postlabeling in which DNA is isolated from tissue HO HO HO HO HO P P P P P [γ-32P]-ATP, T4- samples or cells, digested, labeled with radioactive 32P Polynucleotide Deoxyribonucleoside 3'-monophosphates kinase B* (Figure 1), and then separated in three different directions

Quantitation of PEI-cellulose thin layer Deoxyribonucleoside 32P on a chromatography plate (Figure 2). The adducts are radioactive areas chromatography (or HPLC) 3',5'-diphosphates P detected on these plates based upon their associated

Figure 1 radioactivity. For example, cooking fish or meats at high temperatures, such as by grilling, generates a number of chemicals known as heterocyclic amines, which have been shown to cause cancer in animals. There is a high probability that these chemicals also lead to human cancers. The Williams team has studied one of these groups of amines, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline (IQ), and found that it reacts with DNA in rat liver. Using this nucleotide 32P-postlabeling technique, they discovered one major DNA adduct (see arrow, Figure 3) which is not found in control samples. Further investigation of factors that control these adduct levels are directed toward cancer prevention.

Figure 2 Figure 3 (GRAPHICS COURTESY OF ALAN M. JEFFREY, PH.D.)

Chironian New York Medical College 17 S TUDEN T S Alpha Omega Alpha Iota Chapter celebrates 50 YEARS AT THE COLLEGE These hyper-achieving men and women are anything but elite. They are as committed to their fellow students as they are to the welfare of their community.

By Bill McDaniel

owdy, boorish, illiterate and immoral.” These are Medical College Iota chapter was founded in 1957 when the “ hardly the words you would expect to hear used to College was still based in New York City. The first class had 5 R describe medical students. Yet, they are words, more students as members. The present Iota chapter has 48 mem- or less, used by William Webster Root in describing why he felt bers—36 graduating this year and 12 who will graduate in driven to establish Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the national 2008. Next year the number will be filled out by the top stu- medical honor society, as a bulwark against those who would dents in each of the two upper classes. demean his chosen life’s work. The year was 1902 and, to According to William H. Frishman, M.D., the William and refute the prevailing negative views of the medical profession Barbara Rosenthal Professor and Chairman of the Department and its students, Root and five other medical students at the of Medicine, and AOA councilor of Iota Chapter, “members are College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago founded AOA selected from among a medical school’s highest academic to “foster honesty and formulate higher ideals of scholastic performers, generally the top 15 percent or so, about evenly achievement.” divided between third-years and fourth-years. Of course, all At the time, conditions in the vast majority of medical schools members must also exhibit the qualities of good character, could best be described as dismal and the students hardly of leadership and professionalism. More important, students the highest academic achievements. Only 15 percent were col- chosen for AOA membership must be dedicated to serving not only their fellow students, but also their community.” lege graduates; the rest had high school diplomas or the equivalent. Boy, how things have changed. The current members of Iota Chapter certainly seem to fit the profile. Take fourth-year Ashlie Darr, Iota Chapter president, Present day medical students, representing the best of our who is pursuing a residency in otolaryngology. At a young age, youth, have already achieved significant academic success Ashlie learned to appreciate the power of education, and ever and are motivated by the highest ideals. Ask any student at since has been driven to share her love of learning with oth- New York Medical College why he or she is pursuing a career ers. She has taught science to disadvantaged first graders, in medicine and you’ll hear words like sacrifice, dedication, served as an interpreter at an Atlanta hospital while piling up giving back, search for knowledge, service and healing. an impressive record in college, volunteered with AmeriCorps AOA is the only national medical honor society in the world, at a multilingual family health center in Brooklyn, and tutored with more than 100 active chapters in the U.S. and Canada teenage immigrants in math and English. Clearly, her life and one at the American University in Beirut. The New York reflects her passion—and she is not alone.

18 Spring/Summer 2007 Given the massive workload medical students must endure, it • The AOA Class of 2007 is developing an elementary science is hard to comprehend how these highly accomplished indi- and health outreach initiative for use in primary schools in viduals find the time to do what they do. Here are some of the Yonkers, N.Y., focused on teaching young children the activities carried out this year by members of Iota Chapter: importance of healthy lifestyle choices. AOA national has awarded the Iota team a $1,500 grant to enable this project. • They offer a tutoring program for first- and second-years in the basic science courses, for which they won an AOA All of this comes on top of the normal academic load, which Medical Student Service Project Award last year. explains why AOA members aren’t rowdy and boorish. They don’t have time! • Their “4:1” program provides fourth-year mentors to first- year students, offering real-world, “been there, done that” Talking to several AOA members about their participation in advice and counsel, and the third-year residency outreach these programs and about the inclination for action and out- continues the AOA mentoring tradition. They also offer a reach that seems to be rife among Iota members produced “Post Match” residency fair after Match Day. some insight into their altruistic behavior. • The Iota chapter’s website, The Guide to Fourth Year Fourth-year Katherine Shister, who plans to go into obstetrics Electives, continuously updated with student feedback, is a and gynecology, was particularly interested in the 4:1 mentor- very popular guide to choosing hospitals for away rotations. ing program. “Through the 4:1, I was able to share my experi- They also publish a Guide to Clinical Years and Guide to ences and perspectives with younger students—to give them Residency Applications, two extremely helpful resources. some tips and things to think about,” she says. “I remember as

As the New York Medical College Iota Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the national medical honor society, celebrates 50 years on campus, members reflect on the group’s tradition of scholastic excellence and selfless service. Working with supportive faculty, the group continually strives to orchestrate projects that will improve the lives of fellow medical students and will also benefit the entire community. Recently, this year’s inductees swapped their white coats for dressy attire to attend the chapter’s annual induction ceremony and banquet.

Chironian New York Medical College 19 a freshman in high school and later at Vanderbilt being so Any conversation with an AOA member will usually surface apprehensive and looking for information to help me make the issues of commitment and responsibility, and so they did the right decisions. Mentoring wasn’t a big deal then. It really in talking with Ms. Darr, Iota president, and with alumnus and would have helped. And so I was happy to be able to provide AOA member C. Gene Cayten, M.D. ’67, M.P.H., professor of the younger students with the benefit of my experiences. surgery and of community and preventive medicine. Both brought up the honor that attends AOA membership and the “The current 4:1 is just one meeting in a large group, sort of a hard work and dedication that goes into achieving that high Q&A format,” she continues. “Though we do give the students honor. Then both articulated, in different words, that with the our contact information, I think it would be better if the recognition comes responsibility—to one’s community, to fel- process were a little more formalized, with several meetings low students and to the practice of medicine, the mandate to instead of just the one, and possibly even more of a one-on- to pass along one’s knowledge. one opportunity.” Just as AOA membership is not earned lightly, neither is the Ms. Shister is another example of the service ethic so responsibility it carries. Ms. Darr offers, “It feels good to be ingrained in AOA. In the summer of 2004, the Illinois native selected for this high honor. It is particularly meaningful to me traveled to South Africa to do volunteer medical work through because Iota Chapter is very active in community service. Giving a program called “Child and Family Health International.” She back to the school and the community is important to me, and spent one week in a major hospital, shadowing the doctors, my involvement with AOA is central to that experience.” helping out and learning all she could. Then she spent another week with an EMS team in Cape Town, South Africa, Ms. Kreidel agrees: “AOA membership is such a huge honor an experience she found “fascinating, exhilarating and shock- for all of us. But it is more than that, because it represents a ing all at the same time.” Living with a host family in Cape great opportunity to give back some of what we have

It feels good to be selected for this high honor. It is particularly m‘‘eaningful to me because Iota Chapter is very active in community service. Giving back to the school and the community is important to me, and my involvement with AOA is central to that experience. — ASHLIE DARR, IOTA PRESIDENT ’’ Town gave her a perspective on the reality of life in that coun- received and learned. An active chapter like Iota only try, but more important, she says, “It taught me the impor- enhances that opportunity.” tance of looking outward, beyond the borders of the U.S.” Still, AOA is not only about altruism. Membership does have In March, the group hosted its annual induction banquet its rewards, in the form of a positive impact on the future of and lecture. To present the annual AOA Visiting Professor those fortunate enough to qualify among its ranks. AOA Lecture they invited Edward D. Harris, Jr., M.D., the George members can expect doors to open a little more easily for DeForest Barnett Professor of Medicine at Stanford them, enabling them to snare plum residencies and enter University School of Medicine, AOA executive secretary and prestigious programs, for example. But even there, an ele- editor of the AOA journal The Pharos. Dr. Harris’ lecture sub- ment of service is at play. Ms. Shister’s take on this is perhaps ject was, fittingly, mentoring. typical: “It is gratifying to have all my hard work pay off in AOA membership and I’m sure it will pay off in my residency Marit Kreidel, chapter vice president and a fourth-year who match. But just as AOA membership may help in opening will specialize in dermatology, helped to organize the banquet. doors to the more high-powered programs out there, as my She, too, personifies the dedication and commitment to serv- fellow chapter members are accepted and excel, I think this ing people that seems to characterize NYMC students in gen- might actually give a leg up to all students at New York eral and AOA members in particular. A native of Orange Medical College in gaining access to those same programs.” County, California, Ms. Kreidel has wanted to be a physician “since I was eight… Ever since high school I have loved sci- Perhaps the best appraisal of AOA membership is defined ence,” she told Chironian. “But I think it is the people aspect of by the Iota Chapter advisor, Dr. Frishman. “You’ll find the medicine that really attracts me. As a student I waited tables AOA certificate right there next to the M.D. diploma on the for five years. To be good, in that job, you must learn very wall. Academic excellence and a dedication to service quickly to read people—to learn what they will respond to. define the best qualities we’d like to see in all our medical The same is true in medicine. With all the dramatic changes in professionals. Election to AOA is only the tip of the ice- medicine, the dynamics of personal interaction have berg in a school like New York Medical College, where you remained the constant, and for me, that was the key to the will find that all of our students are committed to being whole process.” the best they can be.”

20 Spring/Summer 2007 4 2 3 5 7 9 1 6 8 21 17 11 20 19 18 16 15 10 14 22 13 12 24 25 28 23 26 27 30 37 29 36 41 39 38 35 34 31 40 33 42 43 32

1. Nicole Papastathis 2. Steven Huffman 3. Justin Weir 4. Christopher Hunter 5. Kristin Santini 6. Erroll Ozdalga 7. Ryan Isom 8. Kevin Bauer 9. Jayson Neil 10. Joshua Hawkins 11. Will Sheldon 12. Guy Johnson 13. Jonathan Hall 14. Jervis Yau 15. Robin Quazi 16. Joshua Rubin 17. Jelena Tomasevic 18. Dmitri Igonkin 19. Jessica Safra 20. Katherine Shister 21. Michael Witkosky 22. Pai-Jong Tsai 23. Susan Kim 24. Amy Gin 25. Elaina Oteyza 26. Nancy Cooper 27. Joshua Mozes 28. Jason Loizides 29. Nirav Desai 30. Sharon Wright 31. Bonnie McGuire 32. Nicole C. Panarelli 33. Megan Veresh 34. Marit Kreidel 35. Michelle Jimerson 36. Lauren Ihde 37. Bonnie Dunne 38. Christina Earhart 39. Stephanie Marion 40. Christopher Tirce 41. Joshua Zeidner 42. Elizabeth Ashlie Darr 43. Stacey Gallacher

2007 Inductees not pictured: Jennifer Dore, Sherry Fishkin and Kathleen Rosen

Chironian New York Medical College 21 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNI Beyond the Pale

Whether in Washington, D.C., or Bethel, Alaska, psychiatrist Michael Barnett, M.D. ’99, helps patients overcome the most daunting challenges.

22 Spring/Summer 2007 By Andrea Kott, M.P.H.

f you had the chance to ronment, but according to Dr. practice medicine in a Barnett, it takes a toll on just I remote Alaskan village, a about everyone. First, there is frozen tundra where the winter the sense of isolation. There is a wind chill can drop as low as 40 single paved road, Chief Eddie degrees below zero and the Hoffman Highway, that goes winter days are barely distin- through town, but Bethel and guishable from night, would many of the surrounding vil- you go? lages are not accessible by car. People either fly there or take a “It is not unheard of for doctors boat on the river, unless it is to take a plane to Bethel frozen, when they can drive on [Alaska]... look around and take it. “Everything is iced over in the the first flight home,” Michael winter,” Dr. Barnett says. Barnett, M.D. ’99, says. “Bethel is not like the television show Second, there is the weather. “In “Northern Exposure.” It’s not winter it can be bitter cold and what you would call ‘scenic dark most of the day,” Dr. Alaska.’” But something about Barnett says. Spring brings Bethel attracted Dr. Barnett and more light and moderate tem- keeps bringing him back. peratures, along with melting ice and snow. “Everything Dr. Michael Barnett is a private seems to turn into mud around practice psychiatrist in April,” he says. Washington, D.C. He is on the clinical faculty of the psychiatry Third, there are extremes of department at the George darkness and light, Dr. Barnett Washington University Medical Michael Barnett, M.D. ’99, is a psychiatrist who works with a native says. During summer, for exam- Center, where he completed his population in Bethel, Alaska, a region challenged by geography, ple, the sun never fully sets and weather and cultural isolation. His dedication requires him to travel residency in 2003. He is also a can be shining as late as 2 a.m., 8,500 miles to spend one week out of four at remote clinics in the crusader for social justice and a Alaskan tundra. which makes treating bipolar believer in the strength of the disorder particularly challeng- human spirit, which is why traveling to ment, health promotion and disease ing. “People tend to get activated by the Bethel for one week every month to prevention programs, and environmen- sun, and it’s not unusual for them to work with the indigenous population is tal health services. become manic during the warmer neither a stretch nor a sacrifice. If any- months and depressed in the darker One Sunday each month Dr. Barnett thing, it’s a gift. months.” flies to Anchorage and from there Frequent flyer spends a week traveling to clinics, When he first arrived in Bethel, Dr. Barnett was surprised to find patients “To be allowed the privilege of working including the McCann Treatment Center on enormous amounts of medication, with the native population in such an for male youths who have severe emo- until he realized how difficult it can be intimate way has a great deal of mean- tional disturbances and use inhalants to sleep at night. “Midnight can look ing to me, which is why I’m willing to and other drugs. His “rounds” are situ- like three in the afternoon,” he says. “It’s travel 8,500 miles round trip once a ated in the Yukon-Kuskokwim delta not unusual to stay out during the week month,” Dr. Barnett says. region, where Dr. Barnett works with children, adolescents and adults. “The until 11 p.m. or midnight because you For the past two years, Dr. Barnett issues that I see are consistent with have so much energy.” has been a part-time psychiatrist for those in Washington, D.C.,” Dr. Barnett the Yukon-Kuskokwim Healthcare says. “The difference is a matter of Preserving a heritage Corporation, which manages a com- resources and an environment that cre- He found other concerns as well, prehensive healthcare system for 58 ates the challenges of the delta region.” including a sense of cultural isolation federally recognized tribes in 50 rural among the Yup’ik, the native population communities in southwest Alaska. The Dark noon, of Bethel. “Yup’ik culture is battling to system includes community health preserve itself amid the strong influ- clinics, a regional hospital, dental and midnight sun ence of White European culture that’s It is easy to presume that only non- optical services, mental health services, natives struggle with the Alaskan envi- (continued on page 28) substance abuse counseling and treat-

Chironian New York Medical College 23 SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH ALUMNI From Jersey Girl to Packers Fan Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D., M.S. ’89, lives a life of faith and service through education.

By L.A. McKeown

hen trustees at a small Orange, the Jersey girl decided to take a just so enamored—and the fact that it’s Midwestern liberal arts col- leap of faith—and it paid off. a women’s college was exciting to me.” lege were searching for a W “I really never have looked for a job, new president to safeguard the unique “Cutting edge” learning quite frankly. I was not looking for a job learning philosophy they had cultivated Dr. Meehan is far from alone in her when the search firm called me, but I for more than 30 years, they turned to a fondness for the school. In 2000, The had looked into [Alverno College] when woman as unique as the school itself. New York Times cited Alverno College in I was doing my doctorate. It has been Although Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D., M.S. Milwaukee as one of the “institutions known for more than 30 years for what is ’89, was comfortable in her position as that higher education experts expect to called an ability-based curriculum,” Dr. executive vice president for administra- be on the cutting edge” in years ahead. Meehan explains. “Once I got here I was tion at Seton Hall University in South

24 Spring/Summer 2007 The emphasis of the curriculum is basi- the traditional kind is that Alverno grad- obtained her second master’s degree in cally to redefine education in terms of uates see helping others as valuable health policy and management before abilities needed for effectiveness in the rather than costly, an advantage that heading back to St. Mary’s as executive worlds of work, family and civic com- predisposes them to be better team vice president and chief operating officer. munity. Essentially, the ability-based players in the corporate world. Her interest in higher education was approach stresses to students the piqued while serving on a university importance of being able to do some- Call to academia advisory board at Seton Hall. In 1996, thing with what they know. While most Dr. Meehan began her career not in edu- the university offered her the position of traditional colleges and universities use cation, but in health care. After graduat- vice president and assistant to the pres- a letter grade or pass/fail system, ing from Seton Hall with a B.A. in soci- ident. Five years later, after obtaining Alverno uses a variety of techniques, ology and then an M.A. in rehabilitation her doctorate from Seton Hall, she including narrative feedback, self evalu- counseling, she joined the staff of St. assumed the title of executive vice pres- ation and community assessment. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, N.J., as vice ident for administration. Dealing with president for mental health, leaving in In what the Times called a “breathtak- issues ranging from student affairs to ingly simple approach” to both a technology, finance and compli- basic college education and out- ance suited Dr. Meehan well. But comes assessment, Alverno when the opportunity to become requires students to learn eight the first lay president at Alverno specific sets of skills, which presented itself in 2004, Dr. include communication, prob- Meehan left the East Coast lem solving, social interaction behind and began a new chapter and effective citizenship, among in a life of service. others. Schlemiel, “These are not taught separate from the program, they are Schlemazel and embedded into it,” Dr. Meehan Cheeseheads explains. Amid a philosophy of She knew no one in Wisconsin striving for improvement, in and nothing of Milwaukee prior order to graduate, students must to accepting the job at Alverno. demonstrate what they have Like many of us, her only concept learned by showing mastery of of the city came from the old sit- those skills in a predefined way. com “Laverne and Shirley.” Another distinctive element is Nonetheless, she adapted well to the digitized portfolio for each her new environment. This student that allows them to see meant, among other things, all the work they are doing and adjusting to Midwesterners learn from their mistakes. Known predilection for early-morning for its elementary-education pro- meetings and “Packer Mania.” gram, Alverno is ranked among the top four colleges cited by the “I’m not a football fan but you U.S. Department of Education’s have to be into it a little bit if you new national awards program for live here,” Dr. Meehan chuckles. effective teacher preparation. “On Christmas Eve my church changed its Mass schedule Dr. Meehan’s unalloyed pride in When we last visited with Mary J. Meehan, Ph.D., M.S. ’89 (Images, Fall/Winter 1995), she was putting her master’s degree because they thought otherwise, her school and its students is in health management and policy to good use as an executive everyone would stay home to infectious. She relates the story at Seton Hall University. Twelve years later, things are still watch the Packers.” of a former high school valedic- looking up for the School of Public Health alumna. torian who asked how she would Dr. Meehan, who is single, says know if she was the best in her class if 1988 to become administrator and chief the hardest part of moving was leaving she wasn’t given a letter grade. “I said, executive officer at St. Vincent’s behind family and friends, some of ‘And what does that matter?’” says Dr. Westchester in Harrison, N.Y. While at whom go back as far as kindergarten. “A Meehan. “Doing your best work—that’s St. Vincent’s Dr. Meehan attended the college president’s job is 24/7. It’s very what matters.” Taking it a step further, New York Medical College School of Dr. Meehan says she believes one Public Health, then called the Graduate advantage of an Alverno education over School of Health Sciences. She (continued on page 28)

Chironian New York Medical College 25 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES ALUMNI

Identity DETECTIVE

Whether fingering criminals or proteins, Lorah Perlee, Ph.D. ’94, thrives on the thrill of the pace.

By Dan Hurley fter 20 years as an identity pristine, refrigerated bloodstains found printing, he invited her to come with detective, whether using DNA in laboratory samples. him. In her first job with the company, to finger criminals or a new Lifecodes Corp., she analyzed DNA A “I spent months at the New York City automated process to assess protein in evidentiary material from over Medical Examiner’s office, going expression, Lorah Perlee, Ph.D. ’94, has 350 cases, and testified as an expert through all kinds of blood-stained evi- finally fathomed her own identity. witness more than 50 times in 12 differ- dence to determine whether they were ent states. “I just tend to favor a fast-paced envi- amenable to DNA fingerprinting tech- ronment,” says Dr. Perlee, who gradu- nology,” she says. “I’d work with any- With the company located just a ated from New York Medical College in thing from a bloody shirt to a blood- stone’s throw from the campus of New 1994 with a degree in biochemistry and splattered baseball bat.” York Medical College, Dr. Perlee molecular biology. “I very much enjoy accepted the company’s offer to pay the pace of a small biotech start-up— Quality DNA her way through a Ph.D. degree. “At the enthusiasm, the ability to move And can anything scientifically useful Lifecodes, what I had been focused on quickly and advance something that has be found on a blood-splattered base- in identity testing was looking at dif- been roughed out in R&D, and push ball bat? “That was the scientific ques- ferences or similarities in the DNA it out into the commercial space. It’s tion we were asking,” she says. “Can you map,” she says. “The courses I took at exciting, it’s energizing, and it’s very swab the blood off the surface? Was the the Graduate School of Basic Medical satisfying.” DNA in the blood of sufficient quality Sciences expanded my thinking to, and quantity?” wow, this whole other area of human Dr. Perlee first acquired her taste for sci- variability: the regulation and expres- entific thrill-seeking while pursuing a She answered those questions so sion of those genes. That’s where, master’s in forensic science at John Jay well—usually in the affirmative—that scientifically, I shifted gears and College of Criminal Justice in the when the chief of the forensic biology became much more interested in the mid-1980s, when she chose for her laboratory at the Medical Examiner’s expression of proteins, versus the thesis topic the evaluation of DNA in office left to join a small company actual DNA map.” dried bloodstains. And not those nice, seeking to commercialize DNA finger-

26 Spring/Summer 2007 Advancing career a camera, a series of reagents and soft- chaos at home or at work, at the end of ware. Right now we’re working with a the day, everybody gets through it.” moves number of the top-ten pharmaceutical For all her love of excitement, Dr. Perlee Soon after graduating in 1994, she firms and academic thought leaders.” became the director of Lifecode’s HLA confesses that she and her husband, Laboratory, where she managed a staff Although the firm is new and has just 25 Bill (a golf course superintendent), had of 32 scientists performing high- employees, Dr. Perlee says that this is never taken a single vacation away from throughput molecular HLA typing of precisely the stage of a company’s life their children—until this past March. bone-marrow donor samples. Working cycle that she most enjoys. “That’s my Earlier in the year, while watching a under contract with the National sweet spot—taking something from a video of the British singer-songwriter Marrow Donor Program and the Naval concept to a reality, scaling it up and David Gray, she had commented, “I Medical Research Institute, her labora- expanding it into commercial viability,” would kill to see him in concert.” They she says. “It’s certainly not for the faint tory grew in five years from analyzing checked his co ncert schedule, but were of heart, but it’s very exciting. Once the about 200 samples a month to about disappointed to find that he was just company gets to a favorable position 25,000. finishing a two-year international tour, commercially, I tend to move on.” After Lifecodes was acquired by Orchid and that his only remaining dates were Diagnostics in 2001, Dr. Perlee joined Highly focused in Scotland. DiagXotics, a Connecticut firm develop- Her passion for dynamic environments A few days later, she arrived home from ing diagnostic assays for animal dis- is not limited to work. “It’s kind of the work to find two tickets for Gray’s final eases. In 18 months as vice president of way I live my life: work hard, play hard,” concert, in Glasgow, sitting on the operations, she designed 11 commercial diagnostic kits for detecting viral pathogens. In late 2002, she joined a New Haven firm, Molecular Staging Inc., where in two years—again as vice president of operations—she authored five patents involving the identification of disease biomarkers. At the same time she was managing 25 scientists involved in dis- covering such biomarkers and developing fast, efficient tests and commercial products based on them. Next came two years with another start-up, Protedyne Corporation, which special- izes in the development of robotic automation for medical laboratories. But with an 82-mile commute each way and no biological research to sink her teeth into, Dr. Perlee left at the end of 2006 to join the firm she’s with now, HistoRx of New Haven, as vice presi- You won’t find Lorah Perlee, Ph.D. ’94, letting any grass grow under her feet. Her track record dent of technical operations. with start-up pharmaceutical and leading edge R&D companies proves her affinity for the big “The conventional way to assess protein idea—and her knack for moving a concept to reality in short order. expression in human tissue is immuno- histochemical analysis, in which a she says. Married, with two children— kitchen counter. Bill had bought them pathologist visually evaluates a chro- Sarah, 11, and Bryan, nine—she throws as a spontaneous gift. magen stain and scores it,” Dr. Perlee herself into home activities with the “We went for a week—it was the first explains. “The limitation is that it’s same gusto she brings to her work. time in 11 years that we’d ever been incredibly subjective. Different patholo- “When I’m at work, I am really focused away from our kids,” she says. gists can give different results. We have on it. When I come home, I pretty much licensed a technology, developed at turn that off and get through the dinner, Sounds exciting, energizing, thrilling— Yale, that’s automated, continuous and the dishes, the bath, the homework, the rather like business as usual for Lorah quantitative. It combines a microscope, goodnights. Whether we’re living in Perlee.

Chironian New York Medical College 27 give you their shirt if that’s what you management paradigm of top-down need. That’s what attracts people to command control with bottom-up, Bethel. You don’t go there for the community-based disaster planning. Beyond the Pale aesthetics. You go there for the people.” “Medical training has shown me the myriad ways professionals often Dr. Barnett asserts that it’s their strong become obstacles to the manifestation (continued from page 23) social bonds that make the people of of resilience by telling individuals and Bethel so resilient, which is not the typ- communities, either implicitly or explic- ical view of traditional psychiatry. He been creeping into the area since the itly, that ‘Your lives are now better off explains: “Psychiatry still takes the atti- nineteenth century,” he says. “White because I’m here.’ The real tragedy tude that resilience needs to be built up European institutions are becoming occurs when communities agree with after a disaster. Yet social science litera- dominant in what was native Alaskan- that statement,” he says. dominated c ulture.” ture of the past 60 years suggests that resilience during and after a disaster is In his effort to help remove the obsta- And yet, the Yup’ik people have a the norm. It’s our nature as human cles that hinder personal and com- resiliency that Dr. Barnett attributes not beings to effectively cope with even the munity resilience, Dr. Barnett strives only to the constant environmental and worst of adversities.” to encourage people to garner their cultural challenges they face, but also natural inner strength in times of to the breadth and depth of their collec- Dr. Barnett, who is also a fellow in the stress and crisis, to find the power to tive character. “The environment creates office of Congressman Patrick Kennedy overcome social injustice. “For me to challenges that force people to work (D-RI), is trying to advance the notion be able to help right social wrongs, together more, and through that you that people are at their best in times of even at the expense of being isolated have meaningful social bonds in terms crisis. He has researched and drafted within the medical community at of quality—more than you would find in the Ready, Willing and Able Act (H.R. times, is worth it to me,” he says. “It Washington, D.C., or New York,” he 3565 of the 109th Congress), which keeps me going.” says. “Up in the delta region people will aims to replace the current emergency

From Jersey Girl to Packers Fan Another big plus for visiting East I’m meant to be, where I should be, Coasters: Milwaukee has virtually no rather than where I want to be. I don’t (continued from page 25) traffic compared to other big cities. “For recommend it for everyone, but that is a large city, the traffic here just isn’t a how I’ve lived my life. I‘ve never had a problem,” she says. “Even getting to the job I didn’t like and I don’t think many social and you are constantly out with airport is no big deal here, which is people can say that.” incredible to me, having lived so long in people, many of whom you like, but At Alverno, the president is “just Mary, New Jersey!” they’re not your friends,” she says. “I’d not Dr. Meehan,” she says with pride. say carving out time at least once a With her typical modesty, Dr. Meehan month to go away for the weekend is Following her faith adds that she feels privileged to serve in important and I try to do that. It doesn’t A spiritual person, Dr. Meehan says her her job and doesn’t feel it’s something always work as much as I’d like because faith has always led her where she she deserves. “I just think I’m fortunate things come up, but fortunately, I have a needed to go. “As a little girl I hated to be in this position at this point in lot of business trips [to the East Coast] school and cried every day, which is time,” she says. “I always say other so I try to catch up with family and pretty ironic considering I’m now a col- schools have smarter presidents or friends then.” She also considers herself lege president,” she says with a laugh. more talented presidents—but not one lucky because her friends enjoy visiting “But I’ve always felt that when some- of them has a happier president!” her in Milwaukee, finding the city thing is offered to me, as this job was, I vibrant and pretty. really need to consider if this is where

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Medi cal

Coll ege A29 LUMNI NEWS ALUMNI

Alumni Abigail Brenner, M.D. ’77: Association HEALING THE SPIRIT TO Board of Governors SOOTHE THE MIND

Officers By Andrea Kott, M.P.H. President Why do some people weather Christopher F.X. Riegler, M.D. ’88 major change better than others? President-Elect What makes some people Eileen (Lee) M. Dieck, M.D. ’86 resilient and others not? Why Vice President do some have the coping skills Mario F. Tagliagambe, Jr., M.D. ’84 that others lack? Treasurer Abigail Brenner, M.D. ’77, Stephen J. Nicholas, M.D. ’86 started asking these questions Secretary about 15 years ago when she John M. Cosgrove, M.D. ’83 faced a major life change: Archivist giving up her private, New George C. Shapiro, M.D. ’88 York City psychiatry practice Immediate Past President and moving with her husband Louis E. Fierro, M.D. ’60 to San Francisco. Although excited about the move, Dr. Elected Governors Brenner knew she was cutting John A. Addrizzo, M.D. ’64 herself off from the life she Michael J. Bronson, M.D. ’76 knew. “The phrase ‘rite of Thomas D. Cerabona, M.D. ’82 passage’ came into my life, Theodore Diktaban, M.D. ’76 probably because I was going Charles W. Episalla, M.D. ’88 through one myself,” she said. Caroline A. Fierro, M.D. ’95 Today, the phrase is in the title Robert J. Furey, M.D. ’62 of her recently-published Joseph L. Giamelli, M.D. ’02 book, Women's Rites of Regina M. Giuffrida, M.D. ’80 Passage: How to Embrace Abigail Brenner, M.D. ’77, was just getting started in the healing arts when Jane N. Haher, M.D. ’67 Change and Celebrate Life. she earned her medical degree. Since then she has extensively studied and practiced various forms of complementary and alternative medicine, is a Thomas R. Haher, M.D. ’75 Relocating to San Francisco Reiki Master and has become an ordained interfaith minister. Philip A. Marraccini, M.D. ’50 was a positive, albeit temporary that women made up rituals, Richard E. Memoli, M.D. ’69 change for Dr. Brenner (she working as an attending physi- finding creative ways to mark Henry I. Saphier, M.D. ’61 and her husband returned to cian at the Bellevue Hospital those passages.” New York in 1996). Still, it adult outpatient clinic and as Faculty Governor made her wonder about the Dr. Brenner used those stories a clinical assistant professor Leonard J. Newman, M.D. ’70 many changes—some positive, to write the book, which explores at New York University, Dr. some less so—that people, physical, psychological and Brenner has become increas- Past Presidents ingly involved in complemen- Dennis J. Allendorf, M.D. ’70 especially women, encounter emotional passages and goes in life. She focused on women tary and integrative medicine. Michael A. Antonelle, M.D. ’62 on to suggest various tools for because public rites of pas- She believes that patients Saverio S. Bentivegna, M.D. ’50 coping, such as accepting sage for women have histori- responsibility, taking action, benefit most from treatment Joseph F. Dursi, M.D. ’59 cally been more limited than trusting one’s instincts, culti- that taps into the mind, body Louis E. Fierro, M.D. ’60 men’s. “What is it about some vating independence and and spirit. She has studied Rita F. Girolamo, M.D. ’51 women that allows them to embracing change. It is an therapeutic touch and cranio- Cyrille H. Halkin, M.D.’45 find new ways of looking at approach that extends beyond sacral therapy, and she’s also Henry P. Leis, Jr., M.D. ’41 life and be optimistic, while the boundaries of traditional a Reiki Master. To add an extra David T. Mininberg, M.D. ’61 others are totally undone psychiatry. But as far as Dr. spiritual dimension to her work, E. Edward Napp, M.D. ’33 by what happens to them?” Brenner is concerned, “Just she became an ordained Seymour Schlussel, M.D. ’51 she wondered. talking about a problem or interfaith minister in 2000. Lawrence B. Slobody, M.D. ’36 issue often just scratches the Curiosity inspired her research, With people increasingly rely- Martin L. Stone, M.D. ’44 surface.” which she conducted by dis- ing on Prozac, Ambien and Paul Tartell, M.D. ’52 tributing a questionnaire about Since earning her medical other medications to handle Vice President of major life passages to more degree, completing her psy- life stress, Dr. Brenner sees Development and Alumni than 50 women. “Every body chiatry internship and resi- rites and rituals as tools that Relations had a story to tell,” Dr. Brenner dency at New York University/ can help women cope. “I’ve had more people sit on the Julie A. Kubaska, M.S. said. “What’s more, I found Bellevue Medical Center, and (continued on page 32) 30 Spring/Summer 2007 ALUMNI Jason Buchwald, M.D. ’97: ARRHYTHMIAS FOUNDER STILL BALANCES MEDICINE with ROCK ’N ROLL By Andrea Kott, M.P.H. to study and do medi- These days, despite the heavy cine all the time,” he administrative load of his pri- Pretend you don’t know that said. “I was miserable vate practice as an internist, Jason Buchwald, M.D. ’97, initially.” specializing in weight manage- is a physician when you visit ment, obesity, cholesterol dis- the website for Days Before In time he settled in, orders and insulin resistance, Tomor row, his five-man and in his second as well as general medicine, rock/pop band. One of the year discovered a he still writes music for the photos shows Dr. Buchwald like-minded group of band, practices keyboard and wearing jeans and a t-shirt fellow students who guitar and jams a couple of that says, “Trust me, I’m a loved to sing. The days a week at the band’s doctor.” What to think? Is the Arrhythmias were Wayne, N.J., studio, not far guy a doctor or a rock ’n roller? born, with Jason from his home in Hoboken. Buchwald as musical But if you’ve ever heard the Days Before Tomorrow has director. “During our New York Medical College a already produced its first CD first year [1994] we cappella group The Arrhyth mias, and is hoping to complete a made a CD and gave still going strong with an second one by summer. There the proceeds to the annually changing membership are talks with a Grammy- Pediatric AIDS more than a dozen years after, winning engineer and producer Founda tion,” he said. as a second-year medical stu- who likes their material, Dr. “The next CD’s pro- dent, Jason Buchwald founded Buch wald said, and “if the ceeds, one year later, it, you’ll understand how the band were offered a tour by went to the American two talents can co-exist. Jason Buchwald, M.D.’97 a major record label for six Cancer Society.” months, that’s a once-in-a- “I always thought I’d do both,” Dr. Buchwald kept music in Most medical students would lifetime opportunity.” Dr. Buchwald said of music his life during his days at be hard pressed to find time and medicine. “My father is a Union College in Schenectady, Not that he plans to leave med- to practice and play with a physician and I remember, as where he double majored in icine. If anything, Dr. Buchwald band, and most residents a little kid sitting on his lap, biology and music. Besides envisions maintaining the music- would find it downright impos- looking at pink and purple directing The Dutch Pipers, medicine balance that has sible. But music is too essen- blobs under the microscope.” the men’s a cappella group marked most of his life. “I don’t tial a nutrient for Dr. Buchwald At the same time, he said, there, he started another band, see it as giving anything up,” to eliminate from his diet for “I was always picked for leads the Groovy Buddhas, which he said. “I may need to change long. He managed to play in in school plays to sing and played reggae, ska and funk focus to take advantage of two cover bands during his eventually to play the piano.” music at gigs in Schenectady circumstances in front of me. residency at Tufts University- and in and around Albany. But But I’ve earned my M.D., and Long before his love of science New England Medical Center fate, and education, kept step- that’s never going away.” ࡗ began calling to him, music in Boston. ping in: “The day CBGB [in played a predominant role in New York City] asked us to play, the life of this Cleveland our bass player had to take native. In the summer of 1985, his GMATS,” he said ruefully. at age 15 and “with the onset of puberty and teenage The bass player wasn’t the angst,” he started his first only one being pulled in band, a Top 40 group called another direction. There was a TDM, named from some of the time when Dr. Buchwald members’ initials. He was living thought about enrolling in in Buffalo, where the family music school full time, but his moved when he was 11. The ambition of becoming a pro- band was good enough to fessional musician bumped open for singer Helen Reddy up against his dream of being at the 1988 Fourth of July a doctor. And so his challenge Friendship Festi val in a park would be to balance the two on the Canadian border of aspirations, no easy task Buffalo. “We were almost once medical school began. signed to a record deal,” he “Clearly, in medical school you “Paging Dr. Buchwald to the stage…” Jason Buchwald, M.D. ’97, second said. But college called instead. have but one focus and that is from right, and his band Days Before Tomorrow already have cut one CD and are planning another.

Chironian New York Medical College 31 ALUMNI

Abigail Brenner, M.D. ’77 (continued from page 30)

MILESTONES couch and say, ‘Take this anxi- ety away,’ as if that were the problem rather than the symp- tom,” she said. She knows Two Thousand Six Rodney S. Gonzalez, M.D. ’98, is on Renee Kohanski, M.D. ’90, a drugs can help some people the teaching staff at the Martin Army psychiatrist and married to in times of crisis but prefers to Julius N. Ade, M.D., M.P.H. ’06, is Community Hospital-Family Medicine Phillip Kohanski, M.D. ’87, teach them how to make their working at Stony Brook University. Residency Program in Fort Benning, reports that she is now a “pod- Ga., where he is director of sports jockey” whose podcasting files way through difficult times. “I Two Thousand Five medicine. can be downloaded at pod- think it’s important that people jockey.com. learn to sit with themselves,” Thomas C. Hawes, M.D. ’05, is Nicole R. Jensen, M.P.H. ’98, is she said. “You have to learn in the Class of 2008 of Harvard a physical therapist at Stanford Stephen D. Ryan, M.D. ’90, how to tolerate discomfort and Business School’s MBA program. Hospital in San Jose, Calif. She is recently took a position as how to develop coping skills also mother to one toddler, Isabella, regional medical director for to get through things in life.” Sonia Figueroa Rosario, M.D. ’05, and expecting twins in early summer. Evercare in upstate New York, to is a pediatric resident at St. Luke’s help improve care for frail seniors Through her research Dr. Memorial Hospital in Ponce, Puerto Rona Fromowitz Heublum, M.D. ’97, in nursing homes across the Brenner found that using rituals Rico. having divorced from David, is still state. He works with a team of to observe major milestones nurse practitioners to help them living and working in Orange County, distinguished resilient from identify acute illness early on in Two Thousand Three N.Y. “Ariella, 6, and JP, 2, are won- non-resilient women. “We need derful and my med-ped practice at order to avoid frequent transfers Asaf Savir, M.D. ’03, finished his Crystal Run Healthcare is as busy to the hospital. Dr. Ryan contin- something to help us translate residency in internal medicine in as ever!” ues to practice in long-term care things that happen to us,” she June 2006 at Massachusetts General and sees patients for consulta- said. While most cultures have Hospital and is an instructor of med- tions. rituals for helping people mark icine at Harvard Medical School/ Julie Lynn Kolakowski, M.D. ’97, Massachusetts General Hospital. married William Sweeney on May 6, birth, coming of age, marriage 2006. Dr. Kolakowski is a pediatric Gabrielle Shapiro, M.D. ’90, is and death, it is men who have resident at Maria Fareri Children’s associate professor in psychiatry dictated many of the tradi- Two Thousand Two Hospital in Valhalla, N.Y. at the University of California, San Diego but planning to relo- tional rituals that regulate the David E. White, M.S. ’02, is doing cate to New York City soon. lives of women, Dr. Brenner an internship for commercial train- James L. Januzzi, Jr., M.D. ’94, is said. “Ethnographic studies associate professor of medicine at ing and development at Genentech, have shown that there appears Inc., in South San Francisco. Massachusetts General Hospital in The Eighties Boston. Dr. Januzzi recently was to be a universal structuring David A. Neumeyer, M.D. ’89, named director of one coronary care mechanism built into the has been appointed to dean of The Nineties unit. He also has an active clinical human psyche that seems to admissions at Tufts University and research career and recently Andrew A. Makrides, M.D. ’99, School of Medicine. He is also an want to tell us where we’ve became the team cardiologist to the completed his medical internship at assistant clinical professor of been and where we’re going,” Boston Red Sox. Winthrop University Hospital in medicine at Tufts and a clinical she explained. “The loss of a Mineola, N.Y., and is now a partner instructor in medicine at Harvard vibrant culture of rites of pas- with Suffolk Anesthesiology David Millward, M.D., M.P.H. ’93, Medical School. He serves as Associates. He also serves as secre- has received a master’s degree in sage for all of us may explain vice president of the Massa - why people today so often tary and treasurer of the Suffolk economics from the University of chusetts Thoracic Society. County Society of Anesthesiologists. Buffalo. Dr. Millward is retired from feel adrift, really disconnected He is married to Lisa D. Makrides, the full time practice of psychiatry from themselves.” Yet, she Sandra Squires-Stoll, M.D. ’88, M.D., and they have four children, and is living in Williamsville, N.Y., is medical director for the center believes that marking signifi- Andrew, 7, Alexander, 4, Austin, and Vero Beach, Fla. cant milestones and transi- almost 2, and Athena, 1. for mental health at Newton Memorial Hospital and the proud tions may not require formal Tamara J. Hoover, M.D. ’90, stepped mother of 6-year-old Hayley rituals and ceremony, but may Fareed Ramzi Asfour, M.D. ’98, down three years ago from the hectic, Aislinn Rose Stoll. completed a fellowship in infectious round-the-clock ER for health rea- be as subtle as an “aha diseases at UC San Diego, then went sons and to raise her son Chris, who moment,” an awareness that James E. Cremins, M.D. ’87, to work in South Africa for Columbia recently started kindergarten. Dr. something significant has hopes to hear from other mem- University and in Geneva for the Hoover is now practicing urgent care occurred. bers from the Class of 1987, per- World Health Organization. Dr. part time. She is also a nine-year haps for a get together around Asfour has joined a private practice stage 3A breast cancer survivor With her book published, Dr. graduation. in San Francisco and is doing some “who has the time and energy to Brenner plans to do more writ- consulting work for WHO. “I would enjoy gorgeous San Diego! Come ing and maintain her part-time Peter Bentivegna, M.D. ’85, love to hear from any of my class- visit!” practice. She also has been mates or other alums in the San “This year’s Cape Cod reunion… Francisco area.” best ever! See you next year.” turning her attention to hands- Yolandra Johnson, M.D. ’90, and on and other modalities of husband Kenneth welcomed their healing, largely because for first child, Kenneth Johnson III, on November 19, 2005. her, the clinical and the spiritual are one in the same. “I’ve (continued on page 33) always been interested in the whole person,” she said. ࡗ

32 Spring/Summer 2007 ALUMNI

MILES TONES

Hollis G. Potter, M.D. ’85, has been Stephen C. Dapson, Ph.D., M.S. ’83, The Seventies Catherine Dunn, M.D. ’75, has fin- nominated for membership in the is a senior pharmacologist in the ished 19 years at a local community Jack DiPalma, M.D. ’78, completed Hip Society. Dr. Potter, chief of the health effects division of the U.S. mental health center to do locum his tenure as president of The Amer - division of Magnetic Resonance Environmental Protection Agency’s tenens work in psychiatry, primarily ican College of Gastroenterology, rep- Imaging in the department of radiol- Office of Pesticide Programs. Dr. in Alaska and Washington. resenting more than 9,500 gastroen- ogy and imaging at Hospital for Dapson is a team leader for the toxi- terologists. Dr. DiPalma is professor of Special Surgery, is the first radiolo- cology team, and also for the devel- medicine and director of the division Jeffrey P. Nadler, M.D. ’75, is assis- gist to be named to the organization opmental and reproductive toxicity of gastroenterology at the University tant director of the therapeutics and is also its first female member. standard evaluation procedure team. of South Alabama College of Medicine research program in the division of in Mobile. AIDS at the National Institutes of Adria Burrows, M.D. ’84, practices Andrew J. Faber, M.D. ’83, serves as Health in Bethesda, Md. ophthalmology and has two offices site director for EmCare Hospitalist Douglas A. Byrnes, M.D. ’77, is in Manhattan and two in Brooklyn. Services at Faxton St. Luke’s secretary/treasurer of the Huntington Alan Sacerdote, M.D. ’74, celebrates Dr. Burrows is married and the Healthcare in Utica, N.Y. Hospital medical staff, clinical assis- the second edition of his book, Hope mother of two boys, ages 10 and 13. tant professor of medicine at the & Destiny: the Patient’s and Parent’s E. William McGrath Jr., M.D. ’83, SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, Guide to Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Mark J. Cerbone, M.D. ’84, finished and wife Ann are raising four children, and director of “Introduction to Cell Trait. Dr. Sacerdote reports that a leave of absence in January 2007, ages 13, 16, 18 and 22, in Fernandina Clinical Medicine” for medical stu- son, Derek, is in his ninth year of during which he worked in Iraq Beach, Fla. Ann is a certified midwife dents at Huntington Hospital. teaching high school earth science assisting in the psychiatric manage- and Dr. McGrath is chief of ob/gyn at and environmental science, while ment of post traumatic stress disor- Baptist Medical Center, Nassau. daughter, Allison, has completed her Scott Cutler, M.D. ’77, announces ders and brief reactive psychoses Ph.D. candidate exam in restoration that daughter Beth, Class of 2006, is occurring in battle. He has now ecology. Brian K. Solow, M.D. ’82, is practic- a first-year surgical resident at St. resumed his position as director of ing family medicine in Irvine, Calif. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital in New emergency psychiatry at Saint and teaching medical students. Dr. York City. Steven Weinstock, M.D. ’74, is Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, Solow’s daughter attends UCLA and proud to announce his completion N.Y. In June 2006, Dr. Cerbone cele- his son is in high school. last August of the two-mile Hermosa- Alan Kalischer, M.D. ’77, has a pri- brated a reunion with classmates to-Manhattan Beach, pier-to-pier Mario F. Tagliagambe, M.D. ’84, vate cardiology practice with offices Kenneth Kushner, M.D. ’81, writes, rough water swim in one hour, and Kevin C. Delahanty, M.D. ’84, in Westfield and Fanwood, N.J. “The 25-year reunion at the Waldorf 10 minutes. by watching every episode of “The last May was great!” Mary Tyler Moore Show” in order, William McGann, M.D. ’77, is direc- Lennart C. Belok, M.D. ’73, practices without interruption, stopping only tor of the San Francisco Orthopaedic neurology in New York City and lives for bathroom breaks, “which have Jill S. Hirsch, M.D. ’80, writes Residency Training Program at St. in Ridgefield, Conn., with wife Ellen become ever more frequent at our that daughters, Allison and Jessica, Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in San and sons Bryan, Todd and Gavin. advancing age.” The trio vowed to graduated from Columbia in May Francisco. celebrate their next reunion by and are now pursuing doctorates in organic chemistry at the University of Steward Krug, M.D. ’72, is associate watching every episode of “The Bob Jon Owen Marks, M.D. ’76, is CEO California, Berkeley. Youngest daugh- professor of ophthalmology at the Newhart Show” in reverse order. of Allied Urological Services, LLD, a ter, Larissa, is a sophomore at Drew University of Cincinnati College of 300-member single specialty consor- University in New Jersey. Medicine and practicing retinal sur- Joseph S. Cervia, M.D. ’84, contin- tium, which operates ambulatory surgery in Cincinnati. ues to care for patients with HIV and gery centers and provides mobile other infectious diseases in the Lidia Pousada, M.D. ’80, was the lithotripsy and prostate treatment North Shore/LIJ Health System on keynote speaker at an awards cere- equipment to hospitals throughout the Barry Reisberg, M.D. ’72, designed Long Island. Dr. Cervia also main- mony at the Sophie Davis School of New York tri-state area. Dr. Marks and directed a clinical trial that tains an active role in teaching and Biomedical Education at City College continues a part-time urologic practice resulted in the approval of the first research as clinical professor of of New York. Her speech gave a his- in his Greenwich Village office. medication for advanced dementia. In medicine and pediatrics at Albert torical retrospective of the school’s 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug growth since its inception in 1973 Administration approved the second Einstein College of Medicine. Mary Alice O’Dowd, M.D. ’76, was and honored the 2006 Pope Scholars. medication for advanced Alzheimer’s honored by the Society for Liaison disease, based on worldwide trials John Cosgrove, M.D. ’83, and Psychiatry for outstanding contribu- employing Dr. Reisberg’s staging pro- Patricia Barry, M.D. ’83, practice Raffaela Russo, M.D. ’80, reports tions to the field. Dr. O’Dowd has one cedure. surgery and radiology, respectively, that son, Christopher Skeehan, is in grandson, 3-year-old Ace Jackson in Manhasset, N.Y. Son, John Jr., is his first year at New York Medical Fernandez. a senior at Harvard University. College. Daughter Susan is a junior pre-med Graham Whitfield, M.D. ’76, is in at New York University. And son, Sarina D. Stefano, M.D. ’80, has full-time clinical practice in West Patrick, is a sophomore at Chamiade been practicing ob/gyn in Tarrytown, Palm Beach, Fla., and was recently High School. N.Y. for 21 years and is the mother re-appointed as a clinical assistant of four. professor of surgery (orthopaedics) (continued on next page) at Nova-Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Chironian New York Medical College 33 ALUMNI

MILESTO NES

(continued from page 33) psychosomatic pathology at the New Edwin S. Stempler, M.D. ’61, is looking forward to the reunion in ’08.” York Psychoanalytic Institute. One of practicing part time, focusing on Son, William II, was elected David A. Lazovitz, M.D., '71, writes her sons is a forensic psychiatrist, the office orthopaedics and osteoporosis circuit court judge in Annapolis, Md; that he was diagnosed with multiple other a dentist and she has four in his office in the Palm Springs, son, Thomas, is practicing anesthesi- myeloma in December 2005, grandchildren. Calif. area, where he also lives. ology in Asheville, N.C.; son, David, is responded to medication and was in a surgical rep in Annapolis; and remission by February. He had a stem Alan J. Ostrowe, M.D. ’66, currently Carl M. Marchetti, M.D. ’60, has daughter, Mary, is an AHA executive cell transplant in September 2006 and is serving his third term as ex officio stepped down after 26 years as sen- in Chicago. Dr. Mulford reports that is doing well. Dr. Lazovitz returned to member of the Louisiana State Board ior vice president of medical affairs at he has seven grandchildren and is work in Nov. 2006 to the Pediatric of Nursing. Jersey Shore University Medical “working on eight.” Association of Atlantic County. "I am Center but is continuing as president enjoying my patients again in the Lawrence S. Schechter, M.D. ’66, is of the Meridian Practice Institute in Mark F. Anapoell, M.D. ’57, is still private pediatric practice." an attending radiologist and director Neptune, N.J. practicing surgery in San Dimas, Calif. of nuclear medicine at the New York Dr. Anapoell has 11 grandchildren Charles L. Barrett, M.D. ’70, is com- Hospital in Queens. Dr. Schechter lives Gregory C. Moore, M.D. ’60, and his and is looking forward to the 2007 pleting his 32nd year in private prac- in Manhattan with wife Doris and has wife Sunok Hong, M.D., are both reunion. tice and “the end is in sight.” He is two sons: Todd is 26 and works in tel- retired. establishing a laborist program at a evision production in New York, and Joan Gay Easton, M.D. ’57, is hospital and will administer and work Scott, 20 is a sophomore at Boston Rafael E. Perez, M.D. ’60, would looking forward to the reunion for the some limited shifts. Dr. Barrett University majoring in economics. love to hear from his classmates and Class of 1957. attended the birth of his fifth grand- hopes to get in touch with John child on the day after Christmas, and Howard D. Cantwell, M.D. ’65, is in Charles Duffy, M.D. ’60. Albert L. Huber, M.D. ’57, is his youngest child will finish college his sixth year of teaching practicing three days a week in this spring. “Introduction to Clinical Medicine” to Ira L. Raff, M.D. ’60, has been on Charlottesville, Va., where he has second-year medical students at the staff at Danbury Hospital for 36 years been an allergist for more than 35 Joseph S. Vetrano, M.D. ’70, is still Keck School of Medicine at the and is planning to move to Florida, years. “A huge vegetable garden active in the practice of psychiatry in University of Southern California, with where he is looking to continue prac- and 50 acres keep us busy the other New Jersey. He is the chairman of a heavy emphasis on orthopaedics ticing urology. four days.” psychiatry at Riverview Medical (“get ‘em while they’re young!”). Center and medical director at Booker Thomas P. Mathews, M.D. ’57, an Behavioral Health Center, part of Ronald B. Rudlin, M.D. ’64, writes The Fifties anesthesiologist, teaches part time at Meridian Behavioral Health Services. from Palm Desert, Calif., “Cherish yes- Andrew J. Dadagian, M.D. ’59, is the Mt. Zion UCSF Comprehensive He is also the proud grandfather of terday, dream tomorrow, but live for semi-retired from the practice of oto- Cancer Center at the University of Nicholas Joseph Wolf, who was born today.” laryngology, is married and has 10 California, San Francisco. on December 22, 2005. grandchildren. Robert A. Bennett, M.D. ’62, is retired The Forties The Sixties from the practice of gastroenterology Richard B. Knapp, M.D. ’59, was Felix Wimpfheimer, M.D. ’45, is Richard Hirsh, M.D. ’69, recently and recently moved from San Diego to professor and chairman of the practicing medicine and endocrinol- returned from Beijing, China, where, a condominium in Coronado (across department of anesthesiology at West ogy in the Riverdale section of the in cooperation with Peking University San Diego Bay). Dr. Bennett has three Virginia University School of Bronx and is an associate professor and his nonprofit organization, grown children and five grandchildren. Medicine from 1974 to 1984. From at the College of Physicians and Radiology Mammography He travels, enjoys theater and has 1978 to 1992, Dr. Knapp was founder Surgeons of Columbia University and International, organized a conference taken up drawing and painting. and director of the Barbuda Volunteer at the Albert Einstein College of on breast cancer. When not traveling, Medical Program in Barbuda, West Medicine of Yeshiva University. Dr. Dr. Hirsh practices and he lives in Robert D. Hirsch, M.D. ’61, is plan- Indies. Wimpfheimer is also an attending Akron, Ohio. ning to retire from gynecologic prac- physician at Montefiore Medical tice in July and “seek life after medi- Lewis A. Dalburg, Jr., M.D. ’58, is Center and New York-Presbyterian cine.” Most immediately, Dr. Hirsch living in Orleans, Mass., and looking Patrick M.J. Hutton, M.D., ’69, was Hospital. In 2003 he received the plans to divide his time between Fort forward to the 2008 reunion. installed as president of the Florida Ralph O. Claypoole, Sr. Memorial Lee, N.J. and Sarasota, Fla. and travel Medical Association, representing Award for Devotion of a Career in with wife Delsa. more than 16,000 physician mem- John Lynch, M.D. ’58, is semi-retired Internal Medicine to the Care of bers, in September 2006. “but working harder.” On March 4, Patients by the American College of Frederick Humeston, M.D. ’61, is still 2006, Dr. Lynch married Ellen Physicians. Dr. Wimpfheimer is Michael Brody, M.D. ’66, reports that in private solo pediatric practice in the Loughran, Ph.D., professor of French married, the father of two and his younger son, Jonathan, is chief of San Francisco Bay area. He works and Latin at Gallaudet University. He grandfather of three. (Ed. Note: the pancreatic cancer research center four days a week and enjoys travel, has five married children and 13 We incorrectly reported news about at Jefferson Medical College in theater, gardening and his seven grandchildren. Dr. Wimpfheimer in the last issue of Philadelphia. grandchildren. Chironian. Our apologies for the William C. Mulford, M.D. ’58, confusion.) Muriel Gold Morris, M.D. ’66, is Harvey A. Reback, M.D. ’61, is still in although retired, is “still upright and practicing psychiatry and teaches active practice in a four-man internal medicine group in Fall River, Mass.

34 Spring/Summer 2007 ALUMNI

Fadel S. Alyaqoub, Ph.D., M.S., ‘00 (continued from page 29) In Memoriam

their wedding, which he notes his postdoctorate fellowship David J. Levin, M.D. ’26, died 5/16/2006 Harold A. Engelke, M.D. ’59, died in Pompano Beach, Fla. He was 101. took place during the 1998 in the biochemistry and 1/4/2007 in Mystic, Conn. He was 72. Roland D. Roecker, M.D. ’36, died Phillip P. McGovern, M.D.’59, died World Cup soccer tournament cancer biology departments 4/11/2006 in Toms River, N.J. He was 94. 10/20/2006 in Winchester, Mass. in France. They had their first at the Medical University. Felix A. Pappalardi, M.D. ’37, died He was 72. son, Mohammed, in Valhalla At the same time, his family 6/14/2006 in Palm Coast, Fla. He was 95. Peter Haritatos, M.D. ’61, died during a big snow storm that was growing; Ali, now 5, and Joseph P. Catania, M.D. ’39, died 4/24/2006 in Rome, N.Y. He was 71. hit the northeast in January Fatimah, 4, were both born 5/7/2006 in Stroudsberg, Pa. He was 92. Joseph A. Kennedy, M.D. ’61, died 9/30/2006 in West Islip, N.Y. He was 80. of 2000. in Ohio. Edwin J. Quinn, M.D. ’42, died 1/30/2007 in North Bend, Ore. He was 92. Michael J. O'Connell, M.D. ’61, died After graduating from the Before he moved back to Joseph M. Bove, M.D. ’43, died 12/27/2006. He was 71. Graduate School of Basic Saudi Arabia in 2005, Dr. 11/17/2006 in West Palm Beach, Fla. He Theodore S. Mathews, Sr., M.D. ’65, was 89. died 6/28/2006 in Williamsburg, Va. Medical Sciences in 2000, he Alyaqoub took his children to Harold M. Gordon, M.D. ’43, died He was 76. went to the Medical University visit the campus in Valhalla 2/14/2007. He was 89. Daniel L. Schweitzer, M.D. ’66, died of Ohio to continue his during the Thanksgiving Joseph A. Manganaro, M.D. ’43, died 3/14/2007 in Scarsdale, N.Y. research in tumor immunology. holiday. Just as Tarout Island 3/29/2006 in Atlantic Beach, N.Y. He was 88. Edward I. Feil, M.D. ’67, died “Unfortunately, the guy who has always been significant Charles F. Naegele, M.D. ’45, died 4/16/2006 in Santa Fe, N. Mex. He was 64. interviewed me moved to the to him, Valhalla and the 3/4/2007 in San Jose, Calif. He was 86. Nicholas J. Daniello, M.D., ’74, died 12/12/2006. He was 58. University of Michigan as United States will forever be George E. Paley, M.D. ’45, died 1/27/2007 in Briarcliff Manor, N,Y. Simon J. Pinhas, M.D. ’76, died soon as I arrived, so I had to meaningful to his children. He was 85. 4/6/2006. He was 56. change my research focus,” “The United States is their Thomas F. Schimpf, M.D. ’45, died Frederick T. Zugibe, M.D. ’78, died he says. He was quickly birth place. It means a lot to 3/2/2006 in Phoenix, Ariz. He was 84. 11/20/2006 in Newark, N.J. He was 54. accepted into the research them,” he says. William B. Deyo, M.D. ’46, died Douglas J. Love, M.D. ’80, died group of Michael Pereira, 9/4/2006 in Ridgewood, N.J. He was 83. 4/30/2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. As for Dr. Alyaqoub, he is He was 50. Ph.D., who was studying Carver V. Livingston, M.D. ’47, died looking forward to the day the 10/12/2006 in Cave Creek, Ariz. He was 83. Charles Liebson, M.D. ’87, died cancer chemoprevention. Dr. new oncology center opens Raymond O. Swann, M.D. ’47, died 6/8/2006. He was 52. Pereira moved to Ohio State at Saad Specialist Hospital’s 5/3/2006. University in 2003, but main- campus and he can apply Martin E. Silverstein, M.D. ’48, died tained two labs at the Medical 2/10/2006 in Tucson, Ariz. He was 83. Faculty his education and training in University of Ohio, allowing William F. Bauer, Jr., M.D. ’50, died Richard E. Brotman, Ph.D., clinical molecular oncology. And Dr. Alyaqoub to continue the 10/11/2006 in Haddam, Conn. He was 86. professor of psychiatry and behavioral maybe by then, there will be sciences and director of the Center for research, communicating via Fred E. Eggers, M.D. ’51, died an easier way to reach Tarout 6/9/2006 in Brick, N.J. He was 81. Comprehensive Health Practice in e-mail and telephone. Manhattan, died in October, 2006. Island—by bridge or ferry— Seymour Schlussel, M.D. ’51, died 2/18/2007. He was 78. Robert F. Gomprecht, M.D., clinical Eventually, funding the that will allow him to live there, professor of medicine, died December 17, George D. Vlahides, M.D. ’51, died 2006. He was 82. He served as director of research became difficult where his roots are, instead of 9/19/2006 in Schenectady, N.Y. He was 81. while Dr. Alyaqoub was doing only visiting on weekends. ࡗ medicine and chief of cardiology at Robert P. Bowen, M.D. ’52, died Misericordia (Our Lady of Mercy) Medical 5/31/2006. He was 86. Center from 1961 to 1981. Stanley Butler, M.D. ’52, died Richard D. Levere, M.D., former pro- 3/9/2006 in Lakewood, Calif. He was 79. fessor and chairman of the Department of Daniel W. Doctor, M.D. ’52, died Medicine (1977-1993), died April 23, 1/10/2007 in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 79. 2007. He was 75. Francis P. Montalbano, M.D. ’53, died James A. Levy, M.D., a cardiologist 7/30/2006 in Coronado, Calif. He was 78. and member of the New York Medical College faculty for more than 30 years, John J. Geary, M.D. ’54, died died October 16, 2006 at the age of 73. Calendar of Events 10/8/2006 in Hyattsville, Md. He was 80. Dr. Levy was chief of cardiology at United John M. Davis, M.D. ’55, died Hospital in Port Chester for more than 1/28/2006 in Newark, N.Y. He was 77. 10 years and director of non-invasive Ernest G. Elliott, M.D. ’55, died cardiology at Westchester Medical Center, Founder’s Dinner 8/26/2006 in Rome, N.Y. He was 77. where he had worked since 1957. Saturday, October 13, 2007 Frederick Wuest, M.D. ’56, died James R. Jones, M.D., professor 8/16/2006. He was 76. emeritus and former chairman of the Glen Island Harbour Club Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Thomas J. Ryan, M.D. ’56, died from 1987 to 2000, died in February 2007. New Rochelle, N.Y. 6/14/2006 in Jefferson City, Mo. He was 75. Seymour Schlussel, M.D., professor Richard L. Brent, M.D. ’57, died emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics 7/5/2006 in Niantic, Conn. He was 74. and Gynecology, died February 17, 2007. For additional information, Fred D. Hagerty, M.D. ’58, died He was a member of the faculty since 1956. please call (914) 594-4593. 1/26/2007 in York, Pa. He was 79. Oleh S. Sochan, M.D., Ph.D., clinical Jared Kniffen, M.D. ’58, died professor of pathology from 1978 to 6/25/2006 in Gainesville, Fla. He was 73. 1990, died October 17, 2006. He was 84. Charles H. Bechert, II, M.D. ’59, died Francis P. Tally, clinical professor of 7/15/2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. medicine from 1989 to 1996, died He was 74. October 1, 2006, in Boston. He was 66.

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