April 2021 | Issue No. 48 | Special Reunion Edition |
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To Our 2021 Reunion Alumni:
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This special edition of the Medical Alumni Association Newsletter is for YOU!
This month, we celebrate our beloved 2021 reunion classes: 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016.
Once again, we’ve combed the archives and put together a jam-packed issue full of memories, photos, virtual tours, special messages, digital on-demand content, and more to celebrate your milestone reunions.
| • | Join us as we take a walk down memory lane to celebrate your days spent on campus. | | • | Learn more about the next generation of students following in your footsteps. | | • | Explore the incredible city that surrounds your alma mater. | | • | Participate in online CME courses, virtual tours, and an interactive message board for our graduating M4s. |
Save the date and plan to join us in Chicago on April 29–30, 2022 for the postponed, in-person celebration.
Here’s to a lifetime full of memories, enduring friendships, and extraordinary personal and professional accomplishments. Together, we celebrate everything that you've achieved since you donned your regalia and turned your tassel.
Here’s to you.
Congratulations on your reunions!
Your Alumni Relations Team,
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Dear Alumni, We hope that you enjoy our special reunion edition of the alumni newsletter. As you all know, Alumni Weekend 2021 was postponed. In light of this postponement, we have put together an exclusive edition of the alumni newsletter, focusing on our reunion classes for this year. We hope that you enjoy this special issue. We look forward to welcoming back all alumni for Alumni Weekend 2022, scheduled for April 29–30 next year. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments.
Thank you,
Babette
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The Memories That Made Us |
Take a walk down memory lane as we remember when... View photos of our reunion class composites, Alumni Weekend 2016, your most recent class dinners, and peruse the archives to relive some exciting med school memories! |
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Celebrating Our Alumni Volunteers |
Medical Alumni Association Board, April 2019 |
In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 18–24), we would like to thank all of our alumni volunteers! Reunion would not be possible without our incredible class representatives and reunion volunteers. Beginning as early as the prior summer, these individuals generously donate their time to the planning, execution, and coordination of outreach efforts. They assist and advise the alumni relations staff, working to engage their fellow classmates and create a memorable experience for all alumni. Similarly, our Medical Alumni Association Board and committee members, Half-Century Club members, Women in Medicine panelists, event volunteers and presenters, Alumni Physicians of Feinberg speakers, Dinner with a Doc hosts, Virtual Heart-to-Heart, HOST, Northwestern Network Mentoring, NEXT, and Mentor Circle Program participants, and all of our other phenomenal alumni volunteers, make everything that we do possible. Your service and commitment have enabled us to build a strong, connected, and engaged alumni community.
Your dedication to the medical school and our students is evident each and every day. Thank you for generously volunteering your time and support. We are so grateful for all that you do! |
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A Message From Your Classmates |
Students Hard at Work in Turnbull Auditorium, 1960s |
Several of your reunion class reps and volunteers graciously shared special notes to you, their classmates, in honor of your reunion: |
“Dear Classmates of NUMS 1956, It's a pleasure to contact all of you survivors of the banner class of 1956. We survived Dr. Arey's first exam, Loyal Davis, internship, residency, etc., the 60s, and now COVID. Congratulations to all still standing. Our delayed 65th Anniversary celebration will be held in Chicago, April 29–30, 2022. I look forward to seeing you there. Keep in touch and be well. Best wishes and once again congratulations.”
Jim Webster
-Class of 1956 |
“Recently I accompanied a family member on healthcare visits with two different Northwestern physicians. I cannot tell you how impressed I was with the quality of care we received. I feel fortunate to have relationships with such a quality school and healthcare system.”
Fred Dean
-Class of 1966 |
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“OK, ’76ers, COVID will keep us apart for this year, but plan on rocking it out here in Chicago last weekend of April next year. Look for the note about this year's virtual reunion on the evening of May 8, a week away. Everyone do your best to stay safe and be well. If we can't do anything but reminisce and hope for the best, let’s get that karma built but good. Here's hoping! Zam”
Thaddeus Zamirowski -Class of 1976 |
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“Let me take this opportunity to say hello to all my former classmates—some of whom I have remained in contact with and others who I should have remained in contact with. Even now, 40 years later (as hard as that is to imagine), despite the studying, the exams, and the challenges, my years at Northwestern University Medical School (NUMS)—long before it became Feinberg—remain among my most memorable and enjoyable. I do reflect sadly upon the memories that today’s students will never experience—Abbott Hall, Lakeshore Hall, the 7th floor anatomy labs in Searle, the Ward 12th floor foosball table, the bus to Children’s Memorial, and the hospitals that no longer exist. The above having been said, I was pleasantly surprised a few years back that not all is lost. When I attended my first meeting as a member of the Alumni Board, the entertainment that evening was ‘In-Vivo.’ As you may recall, ours was one of the first classes to engage in that annual tradition—I still remember the words of the songs—‘I am the very model of a modern housestaff general—I’ve got information trivial, forgettable, and horrible—I am the very model of a modern housestaff general!!’ Finally, I want to pay respect to some of our classmates who are no longer with us—some of them were dear friends—they shall always be remembered. I look forward to seeing all of you at the official in-person reunion in 2022. Until then, stay safe.” Mark Jay Zucker -Class of 1981 |
“After being retired for almost two years, they pulled me back in. Some pro clinic work. God I hope I remember how to be a doctor! Lately, I’ve been mostly a patient (nothing serious). Should make me a better practitioner.”
Ernie Nitka
-Class of 1981 |
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“30-year update:
Things change. After 20 years fixing crazy hand injuries at a Level 1 trauma center, I moved at 61 to a part-time research position. I went back to school to get a Masters in Applied Bioengineering, and I’m working with colleagues to launch a medical device startup. We’re in clinical trials with a negative pressure wound therapy glove for hand injuries. Nancy and I have a wonderful, wild, and energetic sixteen-year-old daughter, Emily, and a dog and two cats (one of which you are welcome to take off our hands), and the mayhem is never boring. Life under COVID has strangely been a reminder of the value of community, and I’m grateful to be part of this one all these years from its beginnings. I wish for all good things for all of you.”
Chris Allan
-Class of 1991 |
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“I was thrilled to learn that our 30th Medical School Reunion was not canceled due to COVID but merely postponed until April 2022. What a challenging year this has been for our all of us—friends, family, loved ones—but especially for us in the medical field. I look forward to seeing many of you at our 31st reunion to catch up on all that has happened, and share stories and remembrances from medical school and beyond. I hope you all are safe, well, and able to attend our reunion next year.” John Butter
-Class of 1991 |
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Want to reply back or share an update yourself? We created a personalized reunion Kudoboard for your class earlier this year in order to help you and your classmates connect and get excited for next year's in-person event. See what your friends have posted. We invite you to post your own update, photo, and/or video message and let your fellow alumni know what you’ve been up to. You can even react to and comment on each other’s posts. If you have any photos from your time in medical school or memories to share, please post those too—your classmates would love to see them and reminisce with you! Can't find the link? No problem! Drop us a line using the links below, and we'll send it to you. |
A Special Salute to Our 50-Year Class |
Welcome to the Half Century Club!
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To the MD Class of 1971: Welcome to the Half Century Club!
We salute you. As you mark 50 years since graduation, we celebrate your journey from students to esteemed alumni. Your lives, careers, and contributions to the field continue to inspire your fellow alumni and future generations of physicians. We honor your sacrifices, dedication, and incredible accomplishments and are proud to call you our alumni. Thank you for your commitment to the betterment of human health. Congratulations on your 50th reunion! |
MD Class of 1971 Alumni at their 45th Reunion in 2016 |
MAA Digital Series:
Hosted by Joseph Gugenheim, ’72 MD |
“McKinlock Campus and Gates”
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We’re thrilled to share with you the newest installment of the MAA digital series from our favorite historian, alum Joseph Gugenheim, ’72 MD!
As you take your walk down memory lane, you’ll definitely want to stop and check out this month’s episode, as Dr. Gugenheim reveals a little-known fact about our medical campus history—it was once known as the McKinlock Campus! You’ll recognize the gates which still stand today, though now at the corner of Lake Shore Drive and Huron Street. Dr. Gugenheim presents “McKinlock Campus and Gates.”
Thank you, Dr. Gugenheim! |
Reflections From Our Half Century Club Members
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In this “Pearls of Wisdom” section of the newsletter, we will share reflections, words of advice, and tales of the storied careers of our Half Century Club alumni members. In this inaugural feature, we’re pleased to share advice to medical students from Marlene Goodfriend, ’69 MD (pictured above): “As a physician, we focus on the patient’s symptoms in order to make a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment. Patients are more than their diseases. Yes, our patients need and appreciate good medical treatment. They also need and appreciate being regarded as the person they are beyond their disease. Take a few minutes, for example, three minutes, and ask your patient: How are you coping with your illness? What are you enjoying these days? What do you look forward to? You will hear about their survival skills, which might include taking a walk, talking with a family member, reading a book, watching a movie, and so on. These discussions validate a patient’s abilities to manage an illness, and not only strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, but give you as the doctor the pleasure of knowing another.
Example: I recently attended a clinic devoted to the care of people with AIDS. In asking a middle-aged woman how she was managing taking several medications a day which she would need to do the rest of her life, she answered that she enjoys cooking good meals for herself and remembering pleasurable times with her family. A man attending the same clinic enjoyed exercise. Cooking, reflecting on pleasurable memories, and exercise are all positive coping skills. These patients had found ways to survive a severe chronic illness. When this was reflected to these patients, they departed the exam room with a thank-you and smile on their faces.” Thank you, Dr. Goodfriend! |
Are you a member of our Half Century Club, our esteemed alumni who graduated 50+ years ago? Then we want to hear from you! Send us your "Pearls of Wisdom" for inclusion in an upcoming newsletter.
Email Jillian Kurtz Brubaker at jillian.brubaker@northwestern.edu. |
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Seeking Your Advice for a Graduating M4
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Once again this year, the medical school Honors Day and Commencement Ceremony will be held virtually. To help foster a sense of unity among our alumni family, we traditionally spend these last few weeks of the school year collecting advice from you to share with our graduating medical students. This year, it’s more important than ever to show how connected we are and to welcome our newest medical alumni community members. If you have time, we would love to share your words of encouragement and wisdom with the newest generation of physicians.
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The online message board will be shared with our graduating students in May. Please post your message and include your name, specialty, and graduation year. Only 2–3 lines are needed. If you have a picture to share, please include that in your post as well. We also will share the message board for our entire medical school community to see!
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Feinberg Admissions Webinar |
Thank you to the over 260 people who registered for our Admissions webinar on Thursday, April 15!
This presentation is frequently offered during Alumni Weekend and is one of our most popular forums. It was a great opportunity to connect virtually and learn more about the admissions process at Feinberg from Roopal V. Kundu ’97, ’01 MD, ’02 GMER, associate dean for Admissions, Jacob R. Suker, MD, Professor of Medical Education, and professor of Dermatology (Medical Dermatology) and Medical Education.
If this conversation was of great interest to you, please feel free to connect with us at medalum@northwestern.edu with additional questions. |
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Complete CME Credits at Home
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Missing the opportunity to claim CME credits during Alumni Weekend? Did you know that you can obtain CME credits at home? Listen to the “people behind the science” with Feinberg’s Breakthroughs Podcast. Northwestern faculty and scientists share information on a host of topics and areas of medicine. Visit the Breakthroughs Podcast website for their complete podcast archives, as well as more information on CME credit and eligibility. |
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Take a Northwestern Direction From Home
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Even though we can't gather together in person, you can still explore your alma mater's campus at home. Go inside our world-class laboratories and classrooms, explore our state-of-the-art biomedical research facility, take virtual campus and hospital tours, experience the Evanston campus, and take advantage of digital, on-demand content offered by the Block Museum. |
Did you know that you can explore our magnificent city without ever leaving your home? Experience our extraordinary museums and attractions, take a virtual tour, or peruse an art gallery.
Many of these venues offer free digital content:
For more information and digital experiences, visit choosechicago.com.
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Alumni Census: We Want to Hear From You |
Earlier this month, the Northwestern Alumni Association announced the Alumni Community Census, a new initiative to help Northwestern obtain a more complete picture of our alumni. We’re seeking a better understanding of how our alumni identify. Northwestern doesn’t have demographic data for many of our alumni—particularly in areas like race, ethnicity, preferred language, and gender identity. The Alumni Community Census is an effort to change this, so that we can deepen our understanding of Northwestern graduates and enhance our ability to serve all alumni. Please take five minutes to complete 10 questions. For more information on this census, read a recent message to the Feinberg alumni community from Babette Henderson, senior director of Alumni Engagement. Thank you for helping us build a welcoming community for ALL! |
Furry Friends of Feinberg |
In honor of National Pet Day (April 11), we celebrate the Furry Friends of Feinberg!
Furry Friends of Feinberg is a segment in the weekly wellness newsletter that goes out to the medical students at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. We invite alumni, faculty, staff, and students to share photos of their own Furry Friends of Feinberg on our Kudoboard.
The benefits of owning a pet go beyond having a furry friend to snuggle up with. Pets are excellent mood boosters. They reduce everyday stress and can help you keep a positive outlook. The companionship that a pet brings can improve emotional health. They provide unwavering loyalty and great company. This is just one of many ways that we are addressing student wellness at Feinberg. If you are interested in learning more, please email us at medalum@northwestern.edu.
Please visit our Kudoboard to post a picture of your favorite furry friend and include their name and any other fun facts that you want to share! |
Shubha Ahya, MD, ’05 MS, recently received the Medical Advisory Board Distinguished Service Award from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) during the virtual NKF Spring Clinical Meetings this month. Dr. Ahya is on faculty at Feinberg and has worked with the NKF of Illinois for over 15 years to improve the health and well-being of people at risk from or affected by kidney disease in Illinois. Congratulations, Dr. Ahya! |
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Diane Bronstein Wayne ’88, ’91 MD, the Dr. John Sherman Appleman Professor of Medical Education and professor of Medicine in the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics at Feinberg, has been selected to receive the 2021 Society of General Internal Medicine Career Achievements in Medical Education Award in recognition of her lifetime contributions to medical education. Dr. Wayne served as vice dean of Education at Feinberg from 2014 to 2020. In 2017, she was named vice president of Human Resources at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare and currently serves in that role. Congratulations, Dr. Wayne!
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Jennifer I. Lim ’84, ’86 MD, ’87 GMER, was a recipient of the 2020 Women in Ophthalmology Scientific Contribution Award, which recognizes a physician or non-physician scientist who has made a significant scientific contribution in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Lim also was named the recipient of the 2021 Macula Society Paul Henkind Memorial Award and gave the Henkind Lecture virtually on February 6. She is the Marion H. Schenk Esq. Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology, director of Retina Service, and vice chair for Diversity and Inclusion at University of Illinois at Chicago. Congratulations, Dr. Lim!
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Mary McDermott, MD, ’92 GMER, the Jeremiah Stamler Professor and professor of Medicine in the Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics and of Preventive Medicine in the Division of Epidemiology at Feinberg, has been selected to receive the 2021 Society of General Internal Medicine John M. Eisenberg National Award for Career Achievement in Research in recognition of her lifetime contributions to scientific research. Congratulations, Dr. McDermott!
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Shamila G. Rawal ’98, ’02 MD, recently joined Haute Beauty Network as a hair restoration expert. Dr. Rawal’s practice, The Rawal Institute for Hair Restoration and Aesthetic Medicine, is located in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Rawal is an otolaryngologist/head and neck surgeon, specializing in the management of hair loss and rejuvenation of the face and neck. Visit her website for more information. Congratulations, Dr. Rawal! |
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Lee F. Rogers, ’59 MD, author of Imaging Skeletal Trauma, has now, for the first time in his career, had his book published in Chinese (pictured below). Currently in its fourth edition, Dr. Roger’s first edition of the book was originally published in 1982. Congratulations, Dr. Rogers!
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Mark Schiffer ’75, ’77 MD, was recently appointed executive director of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, NY. Most recently, Dr. Schiffer served as senior vice president and regional physician executive for the Western Region of Northwell Health and also served as head of their strategic alliances function. Dr. Schiffer previously held a number of leadership roles at Lenox Hill, including vice chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, vice president for Physician Relations, and president of their medical board. Congratulations, Dr. Schiffer!
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Linda Suleiman, MD, ’17 GMER, assistant dean of Medical Education, director of Diversity and Inclusion at McGaw Medical Center, and assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Feinberg, has been named in the National Minority Quality Forum’s 2021 “40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health” list. The list honors clinicians, patient advocates, investigators, and policy makers whose efforts are committed to improving patient outcomes and building sustainable healthy communities. Congratulations, Dr. Suleiman! |
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Quentin Youmans, ’15 MD, ’18 GMER, chief fellow in cardiology at Northwestern, has been named in the National Minority Quality Forum’s 2021 “40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health” list. The list honors clinicians, patient advocates, investigators, and policy makers whose efforts are committed to improving patient outcomes and building sustainable healthy communities. Congratulations, Dr. Youmans!
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Do you have news to share with us or know of an alumnus/a we should recognize in the newsletter? Post it on our Facebook page or email us at medalum@northwestern.edu. |
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Did you know that MAA has its very own Plan It Purple calendar? With the Plan It Purple calendar, you'll never miss a Medical Alumni Association event! You can register for events, download a save-the-date reminder to your calendar, and learn more about all the other University-wide events and offerings. Bookmark the MAA calendar or visit the MAA home page to keep tabs on all of our upcoming events. |
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Friday, April 30, 2021 | 7:00 p.m. CST
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The Northwestern Medical Orchestra (NMO) is pleased to invite you to its 2021 Virtual Spring Concert for an evening of livestreamed chamber music performances, including pieces by Piazzolla, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and much more! NMO musicians include alumni, physicians, medical students, staff, and other members of the Northwestern community.
Advance registration required. |
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 | 4:00—5:00 p.m. CST
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Please join us for a virtual event hosted by Dr. Evangelos Kiskinis, who pioneered the first personalized stem cell models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using reprogramming approaches. His laboratory seeks to harness the power of pluripotent stem cells to understand how neuronal function is impaired in ALS patients and pediatric forms of epilepsy. His goal is to develop effective and targeted therapeutics for these diseases. This event is being held in recognition of ALS Awareness Month. Advance registration required. |
Virtual Event | NUMS 1976 MD Class Zoom Get-Together
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Saturday, May 8, 2021 | 7:00 p.m. CST
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Calling all 1976 alums: Join your fellow classmates for a virtual get-together on Zoom in celebration of your 45th reunion! By invitation. No advance registration required. If you are a member of the NUMS Class of 1976 and would like the invitation and event password to be resent to you, please contact Jillian Kurtz Brubaker at jillian.brubaker@northwestern.edu. |
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | 4:00—5:00 p.m. CST
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The Women in Medicine subcommittee of your MAA Board and the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Alumni Association invite you to join us for a virtual workshop examining the art of negotiation, focusing on how women and men behave and ultimately perform at the negotiation table, whether in person or virtually. We will explore behavioral differences in initiating negotiations, making opening offers, and settling upon terms. Featuring Leigh Thompson, J. Jay Gerber Distinguished Professor of Dispute Resolution and Organizations at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
Advance registration required. |
Monthly; Dates Below | 5:00 p.m. CST
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Women physicians face unique challenges and obstacles throughout their professional careers. These challenges may affect leadership development and opportunities for women in medicine, resulting in a gender gap in the governance of academic medical centers. The third annual Northwestern Women in Medicine Conference will help to identify the obstacles that contribute to gender inequity and start the discourse to bridging it by hosting a virtual lecture series monthly.
Thursday, May 20, 2021 | “Pathways to Leadership in Academic Medicine”
Thursday, June 17, 2021 | “Leveraging Social Media for Education and Professional Development”
Thursday, July 22, 2021 | “Building a Pipeline of Women Leaders Through Promoting Gender Equity”
Advance registration required. CME credit available. |
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Stay in tune with Feinberg faculty through candid interviews in the Breakthroughs podcast archives. Listen to their insights, explore recent episodes, claim continuing medical education credit, and subscribe to the show so that you can stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries. Recent episodes feature alumni Priya Uday Kumthekar, MD, ’08 GMER, ’11 GMER, ’12 GMEF, and Robert F. Kushner, MD, ’82 GMER. Claim CME Credit—At the bottom of every podcast story page, you’ll find the eligible credit amount and a “claim your credit” button, which will take you to Feinberg’s CME website. Just sign in and fill out the form. Feinberg School of Medicine podcasts are available on: iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Stitcher. |
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine | Medical Alumni Association
420 East Superior Street, Rubloff Building, 9th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60611
medalum@northwestern.edu
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