Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection - Vol. XXVIX No. 1

Volume XXVIX No. 1 | 2008Cleveland Clinic Alumni Newsletter

Minority Scholarship Celebrates Diversity As 23-year-old Donelle Cummings stood before KeyCorp and Cleveland Clinic executives in a crisp white coat, a single student’s story of aspiration and opportunity epitomized the group’s collective hope for enhanced diversity.

Scholarship Supports Dream

On Jan. 15, Mr. Cummings detailed his early passion for science and his inner struggle as to whether he should pursue his dream of going to medical school because of financial constraints.

“There are plenty of people like me out there – minorities who seek the best this country has to offer – a good educa-tion, a rewarding career, and the simple pursuit of hap-piness,” the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine student said. “What sets me apart however, has been the generosity of academic institutions such as my under-graduate alma mater, non-profit organizations like Cleve-land Clinic and private enterprises such as KeyCorp.”

Mr. Cummings is the first recipient of the Key Founda-tion Minority Scholarship. KeyCorp and Key Foundation leaders presented the final installment of a $1 million endowed scholarship gift to Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine as part of the celebration.

CEOs Discuss Diversity

At the event, Henry L. Meyer III, Chairman and CEO, KeyCorp, and Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Delos M. Cosgrove, MD, en-gaged in a conversation about how diversity has enhanced their educa-tional and professional pursuits.

“With the right work force that’s inclusive and diverse, we can pro-vide better solutions and answers for our clients,” says Mr. Meyer. He recounted how the range of creative solutions to a business case from his Harvard Business School peers opened his eyes to the value of different life experiences and perspectives and inspired him to make diversity a priority at Key.

ALUMNIConnection

continued on page 11

Retired Alumna Maintains Cleveland Clinic TiesAt 82 years of age, Grace Hofsteter, MD (IM’53, SFCARD’54), has more energy than people half her age. The Canton resident troops up (and down) the 104 steps at President McKinley’s burial site almost every day, often followed by a few laps around Westfield Belden Village Mall. She travels often and enjoys going out to eat with friends.

Her retirement, which began in 1997, is well-deserved after nearly 50 years of practice as a cardiologist and internal medicine specialist. Everywhere she goes in Canton today, people stop her to tell her how much her work meant to them or to family members whose lives she touched – and often saved − through her pioneering work.

Dr. Hofsteter entered the medical field at a time when it was almost completely populated with men – her class at the University of Maryland School of Medicine had only four other women. Although she had to work too many


Grace Hofsteter, MD

Donelle Cummings, first recipient of the Key Foundation Minority Scholarship, shares his personal story and gratitude.

2 | Alumni Connection

works to provide the latest in cardiac care to individuals who, due to limited means and inadequate insurance, would otherwise be unable to receive treatment.

• Russell E. Raymond, DO (IM’84, CARD’87), Cardiovas-cular Medicine, led a team of 34 people, including 10 physicians, back to Honduras for their 10th annual mis-sion trip in February. The group provided medical care to about 3,000 patients in six days.

• In2007, Julie Niezgoda, MD, went on her third mis-sion trip with her daughter Sara, a fourth-year medical

student. They traveled to Guatemala, where they provided free medical ser-vices to adults and children. Because medical care is not readily available to most Guatemalans, problems that should have been treated during in-fancy require multiple, more complex procedures. As a result, alumus/staff, Jonathan H. Ross, MD (U’91) who performs these procedures, as well as other team members, develop ongo-ing relationships with some of their patients in Guatemala.

Cleveland Clinic Supports Humanitarian Efforts OverseasJust a few months ago, the outlook for newborn Yeison Ponce was grave. The Honduran child suffered from a life-threatening congenital heart defect and, without intervention, was not expected to live much longer.

Yet, thanks to cardiac surgery performed by Cleveland Clinic’s Muhammad Mumtaz, MD, Pediatric and Congeni-tal Heart Surgery, Ponce and his family celebrated his first birthdayonDec.2,2007.“BabyYeisonisreallythriving,”says Ron Roll, Chairman and CEO of Helping Hands for Honduras, the organization that requested and arranged for Yeison to receive surgery in Cleveland.

Cleveland Clinic continues to reach out to Honduras and many other countries. Here are a few examples of our recent efforts:

• ClevelandClinicemployeesBrianSmith,ConstructionManagement, and William Fike, MD, Willoughby Hills FHC, recently traveled to Honduras on a medical mis-sion trip arranged by MedWish International.

• TwinbrothersJoséAlfredoandJoséLuisDuarte-Fu-entes, Honduran teenagers who were burned on their heads, faces, chests and arms as babies, will soon un-dergo reconstructive plastic surgery at Cleveland Clinic.

• OurpartnershipwithTheLarryKingCardiacFounda-tionwasrenewedinOctober2007.Thispartnership

Dr. Niezgoda (center) travels to Guatemala as part of a group that includes Cleveland Clinic staff and employees, such as Pediatric Urologist Jonathan H. Ross, MD, (U91) (not pictured) and Surgical Technician Henry Kraft (right), as well as Dr. Niezgoda’s daughter, Sara (left).

Yeison Ponce, at nearly two months (left) and just prior to his first birthday.

Alumni Connection | 3

Institute Chairs NamedMichael S. Benninger, MD (OTO’88), has been appointed Chairman of the Head and Neck Institute. Dr. Benninger comes from Detroit, MI, where he has been chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital since1992.HealsoheldtheCummings-Brush Chair in Surgi-cal Education. Dr. Benninger is a professor of Otolaryngology at Case Western Reserve University,

where he received his medical degree in 1983. He is past vice president and a member of the Executive and Finance Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and past chair of the Board of Gov-ernors. He also has served on the Medical Advisory Board of WebMD. Dr. Benninger has served as the editor-in-chief of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, has edited four books and has authored multiple book chapters and peer-reviewed articles related to sinus and voice disorders and care, as well as on healthcare delivery, quality and efficien-cy. He has lectured extensively throughout the world on sinus and voice health.

Gregory P. Borkowski, MD, FACR (GL-1’72,IM’74,DR’79),hasbeenappointed Chairman of the Ra-diology Institute. Dr. Borkowski joined Cleveland Clinic in 1979 after completing his internship and residency training in internal medicine and diagnostic radiolo-gy. He received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and served in the U.S. Air Force for two years. Dr. Borkowski has held several

leadership positions in radiology, including Vice Chairman of the Radiology Division since 1984 and Chairman of Di-agnostic Radiology since 1985. He also served as Chairman ofRegionalRadiologyfrom1997-2001andiscurrentlyonthe active staff at nearly all of our regional hospitals, as well as Ashtabula County Medical Center. Dr. Borkowski is a frequent contributor to radiology literature and has served as an editor of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Tommaso Falcone, MD, has been appointed Chairman of the OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute. Dr. Falcone has been a member of Cleveland Clinic’s professional staff since 1995 and currently serves as Chairman of the Depart-

ment of Obstetrics and Gynecol-ogy, Vice Chair of the Office of Professional Staff Affairs, interim Chief of Surgery, Professor of sur-gery in Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and a staff gynecologist. Dr. Falcone, named a “Top Doc” by Cleveland Magazine and one of America’s top doctors by Castle Connolly, specializes in advanced laparo-

scopic surgery, including robotic surgery for infertility, en-dometriosis, fibroid removal and hysterectomy. Dr. Falcone has published more than 400 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters. He has been editor or co-editor of five books, including a patient education book called Overcom-ing Infertility.

Victor W. Fazio, MD (S’73, CRS’74), has been appointed Chairman of the Digestive Dis-ease Institute, which is ranked No.2inthenationaccordingtoU.S.News & World Report. Dr. Fazio received his medical degree from the University of Sydney-Faculty of Medicine in Sydney, Australia. He joined Cleveland Clinic in 1974 after completing internship and residency training in surgery

and colorectal surgery. In this new role, Dr. Fazio plans to continue developing clinical expertise and research related to intestinal disorders and promoting innovative therapies. Named one of the nation’s best doctors by American Health magazine, Dr. Fazio specializes in reoperative salvage surgery of the colon and rectum. His clinical interests include improving procedures that have failed, especially those related to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and ostomy-avoidance surgery.

Frank Papay, MD (OTO’89, PL/RS’91), has been appointed Chair-man of the Dermatology and Plas-tic Surgery Institute. Dr. Papay has been a member of Cleveland Clinic’s professional staff since 1992andcurrentlyservesasViceChairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Section Head of Craniofacial/Pediatric Plastic

Michael S. Benninger, MD

Tommaso Falcone, MD

Frank Papay, MD

Gregory P. Borkowski, MD, FACR

Victor W. Fazio, MD



Why leaders are taking weekly walks

When the chairman of the Children’s Hospital asked what we could do to improve safety, rounding was a natural answer. However, leaders must see the value of walking around, talking to front-line staff and asking questions to get employees to talk about what went wrong and what we can do better.

Last fall, senior leadership decided to begin rounding throughout the hospital. We now have 10 executives who have adopted 10 units. We will do more in the future.

Working to create a latex-safe environment

All patients, employees and visitors should be able to come into our facilities without exposure to latex, especially because each exposure increases one’s risk for becoming allergic to it. To avoid contributing to a latex allergy, we are working on main campus and throughout the hospital sys-tem to switch to latex-safe products. Surgical gloves were the first big piece, and they are about 50 percent converted at this time.

The importance of culture

We all have to help create a culture in which employees can bring up issues when they need to. People know that if they tell me about a problem, I will pay attention and work with them to make the system safer. The first year I served as Children’s Hospital’s Patient Safety Officer, 43 percent more patient safety events were reported. This does not mean that we had more of these issues, but rather that our culture had changed.

Value of teamwork revealed in Safety Culture Survey

ThesurveyconductedinMarch2007wasveryeye-opening.Wehadabout2,000employeestakeit,butweneedmoreparticipation in the future. What we found out is that employees feel that there is great teamwork in the depart-ments or units where they work. However, between units, we need to find ways to act more like a team as we hand off patients.

Patient involvement is our responsibility

We strongly encourage patients to be involved in their care. One of the most important things is that patients know what medications they are taking and, even better, carry a list with them at all times. If we are practicing medicine on a patient rather than with a patient, we’re not leveraging all of the relevant opportunities. We must engage the patient in the care process every day. It’s about leading by example.

First Patient Safety Officer Works to Enhance Systems, Culture at Cleveland ClinicShannon Phillips, MD, MPH, knew that common medical issues, such as hospital-acquired infections and medication errors, could be avoided by implementing better universal medical practices and decided to learn how to make this happen.

After graduating with a Master’s of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University, she came to Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Hospital, where she had performed a safety analysis as part of her thesis. Soon, she was named Children’s Hospital’s first Patient Safety Officer and, about a year later, became Cleveland Clinic’s first Patient Safety Officer.

Dr. Phillips explains how she’s been working to help Cleveland Clinic employees and staff realize that just about everything they do affects patient safety.

Patient Safety: Dr. Phillips’ Top 10:1. Lead by example.

2. Report all mistakes.

3. Communicate critical patient information consistently.

4. Limit the use of verbal orders – read them back and get them signed with a date and time.

5. Reconcile medications and allergies.

6. Sign and record the date and time on orders.

7. Write out the weight-based dosing when ordering medications for children.

8. Take a time-out before performing a procedure.

9. Identify your patients and their specimens.

10. Clean your hands.


Racing Hearts Spur Search for Better Monitoring TechnologyIf patients complain about the inconveniences of ambulatory heart monitoring (sticky electrodes, bulky devices, etc.), imagine how race car drivers feel. Driving 200 mph is not exactly conducive to impediments. But because their hearts are pounding from the exertion, monitoring can be quite useful to their medical care.

Cleveland Clinic Electrophysi-ologist Jennifer Cummings, MD (CARD/E’05), learned a few things about heart-pounding tasks when she worked on a LifeFlight helicopter during a cardiology fellowship at Metro-Health Hospital in Cleveland. Working at a Champ Car race one day, she learned about the problems some drivers experience, such as dizziness.

“The cars have lots of monitors to show how they are work-ing – the oil, the gas, the tires – but we knew nothing about how these drivers’ hearts were functioning,” she explains.

She began a partnership with a company named Signal-ife and Christopher Pinderski, MD, a friend and medical director of Champ Car, that led to the development of a monitoring device for Champ Car drivers that, potentially, could improve monitoring for all patients. The device is similar to a zip-up vest or sports-bra and has monitoring leads sewn directly into it. The non-contact electrodes transmit heart and respiration data directly into a nearby computer without distracting the wearer.

This work has led to Dr. Cummings being a regular at Champ Car races across the country. The first year she was involved, she and her colleagues only recorded data from drivers who volunteered to participate. In her second year, she used the gathered information to help drivers modify their training regimen in accordance with their cardiovas-cular needs.

“We predict that having this information will help the re-sponse team if there is an accident. They can know what the driver needs before they even get there,” Dr. Cummings says.

Now in her third year with Champ Car, she frequently trav-els on her own time to be on site for races and read EKGs. She has compiled a database of collected data to find ways to help drivers train better.

“Driving really is hard work,” she says. “They are driving morethan200mphwithoutpowersteering.Knowinghowtheir heart is reacting is very useful for their training.”

The half-dozen drivers who have agreed to participate in her monitoring efforts include such high-profile Champ Car names as Nelson Philippe, Katherine Legge and Simon Pagenaud. Her work has been featured on the Today Show and in many other media outlets worldwide. However, the longtime sports enthusiast really hopes that the effects of her work eventually will lead to FDA approval of this moni-toring vest for use in all patients.

“Improving ambulatory monitoring is so important be-cause we all know patients never have abnormal rhythms when they are at the doctor’s office. By being able to use a device like this vest, patients can put a shirt over it and for-get it is there while the results could be wirelessly transmit-ted to us,” Dr. Cummings says.

“If Champ Car drivers can tolerate them with the high G forces they undergo, most patients can’t put too much more stress on them,” she says with a laugh.

Electrophysiologist Jennifer Cummings, MD, attends car races to learn about racing hearts.


Alumni Create Online Physician ResourceWiki is a Hawaiian word for “fast”, and cardiologist Ken Civello, MD (CARD’05, CARD/E’07), is all about fast. When he wants information, he wants it pronto. And a year ago, he decided to do something about it.

Along with cardiology colleagues Brian Jef-ferson, MD (CARD’05, CARDIN’07), Shane Bailey, MD (CARD’05, CARD/E’07), and Michael McWilliams, MD (CARD’05, CARD/E’07), Dr. Civello established AskDr.Wiki.com, a non-profit, grassroots, physician-run, physician-maintained online community to publish review articles, clinical notes and medical images.

Modeled after the popular online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, the four doctors thought it would be a great way to share information with each other. Doctors have been consulting each other for years. Dr. Civello thinks those consults don’t always have to be face to face.

When the idea came to him, Dr. Civello says it was truly like a light bulb appeared above his head. “In medicine we are constantly looking to share information across long distances,” he says. “I couldn’t believe no one ever thought of this before.”

Dr. Civello says he had no idea others would embrace the idea so quickly. “I knew it was a good idea,” says Dr. Civello, “but I sure can’t say I thought it would have the legs that it has.”

Once the doctors realized its potential, they had to decide if their wiki would stick strictly to cardiology or expand to in-clude other fields. “We figured that as long as we had doc-tors in other specialties willing to review all the articles, we should definitely expand,” he says. The site now addresses 20specialties.

Whenthesitebegan,therewereabout25visitorseachday.Now an average day brings close to 500 visitors—a total of 82,000inthelastyear.Dr.Civelloreceivesaweeklyreporttelling him who is searching and why. “Mostly it’s doctors and medical students, residents and interns brushing up on a topic,” he says.

Early on, there was some doubt about the ability of a site like this to provide accurate information. The four doctors responded promptly to constructive criticism.

In order to safeguard the site, Dr. Civello now has estab-lished a detailed editorial policy, a review process, verifica-tion of the credentials of contributors and lists the names

of all online editors on the site. Each specialty has an editor assigned to police the data, and all content is constantly under review.

Dr. Civello loves to log on to see who is visiting the site. Over half of the visitors are from outside the United States. “You really see the impact that the ability to provide free medical information has on other communities,” he says. “A lot of places in the world don’t have the kind of access we have to information. Now, if you have a laptop and a cable, you can get the medical information you need.”

The four cardiologists now are located in different states. Dr. Civello is in Louisiana, Dr. Jefferson is in Tennessee, Dr. McWilliams is in Delaware and Dr. Bailey continues at Cleveland Clinic. AskDr.Wiki.com keeps them in close contact.

For now, they continue to run the site. But eventually, Dr. Civello says they would like to hook up with an institution that would embrace and help direct the site.

Dr. Civello figures he’s been staring at computer screens for about three decades. At 35, he says he doesn’t remem-ber when there were no computers. “From the time I was in kindergarten, I had access to a computer,” he says. “It was very new at that point. As the current generation comes of age, they will really demand to have quick, accurate access to all types of information.”

Dr. Civello considers this type of information crucial to the medical field. “We spend an enormous amount of money and time publishing medical textbooks, and by the time they are actually available, much of the information is old,” he says. “A lot of medical information changes way more quickly than that. The goal is to get to the point where information is updated on a daily basis.

“What Wikipedia has done for the encyclopedia is what I would hope to do for medical textbooks.”

Ken Civello, MD Brian Jefferson, MD Michael McWilliams, MD


When Mitchell J. Silver, DO (IM’93, CARD’96, CARDIN’97, I/CVM’98), was attending medical school at Ohio University, he saw first-hand the devastating effects of poverty on residents of the nearby Appalachian region.

“That area has very high rates of cardiac and vascular dis-

ease,” he explains. “The incidence of diabetes is two or three times higher than anywhere else in the United States.”

He also saw that many of these residents were unable or unwilling to travel from Southern Ohio to major metropolitan areas such as Cleveland or Columbus for care, and there was little specialty cardiology, vascular or diabetic care available closer to home.

So, Dr. Silver, who completed a residency in internal medicine at Cleveland Clinic in 1993 and fellowships in cardiology (1993-1996) and vascular medicine (1996-1998), as well as a two-year stint as chief fellow in interventional cardiology (1996-1998), decided to take action.

He led a coalition of the OU College of Medicine and O’Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens as well as his private practice group, MidOhio Cardiology and Vascular Consultants in Columbus, to establish the Cornwell Center for Cardiovascular and Diabetes Care. Named for a longtime Athens family who donated

about$2million,thecenterprovidescardiac,vascularand diabetic care under one roof in Athens.

Additional services include cardiac rehabilitation, exercise and nutritional assistance to help patients lower their weight and control their diabetes, and a cardiac catheterization lab. Vascular catheterizations and vascular interventions such as stenting also are available.

Social services are an important component of the center, actively working with patients to help get their care and prescriptions covered by government or other programs. Reduced fees are offered when necessary.

“This facility is accessible as a referral center for patients from Appalachian areas,” Dr. Silver says. “No one else offers this level of care for miles. We have done a large amount of marketing to areas along the Ohio River to make sure the residents know we are here and want to help them.”

Dr. Silver makes the 90-minute drive from Columbus to work at the center four or five times month, and on the days he is not there, another member of his prac-tice is. “We would like to recruit a cardiologist to live in Athens full time, but until we do, we are committed to providing care on site daily,” he explains.

He believes that his many years at Cleveland Clinic helped prepare him to meet the public health chal-lenges posed by the Appalachian region. “My training helps me practice at a high level for all my patients and perform investigational procedures when needed, as well as conduct important research to help improve future care,” he says.

Alumnus Provides Urgently Needed Care to Appalachian Region of Ohio

Mitchell Silver, DO


Institutes Announce New Department Chairs John Fung, MD, PhD, has been appointed Chair of the Diges-tive Disease Institute’s newly created Department of Hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) and Transplant Surgery. Under Dr. Fung’s leadership, the department will focus on the surgical management and transplantation of organs derived from structures located in the foregut and midgut, such as the liver, pancreas and small bowel. Dr. Fung, who joined Cleve-landClinicin2004,willcontinuetoserveasChairmanofGeneral Surgery and Director of the Transplant Center. The author of hundreds of articles and recipient of numer-ous awards for his leadership and humanitarianism, Dr. Fung is known nationally and internationally for his work and is currently conducting multiple research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Inderbir Gill, MD, MCh (RES’90, U/RT 91), has been ap-pointed Chair of the Department of Urology within Cleve-land Clinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute. Dr. Gill, a professor of surgery, has been a member of Cleveland Clinic’s professional staff since 1997. Previously, he served as Vice Chairman of the Glickman Urological Institute. Dr. Gill’s surgical skill and innovation have earned national and international recognition, and he is seen as a leader in mini-mally invasive urological oncologic surgery. Dr. Gill recently was awarded the St. Paul’s Medal by the British Association of Urological Surgeons, the highest honor bestowed by that association. Dr. Gill is widely published and has been an invitedvisitingprofessoratmorethan280institutionsandsocieties worldwide. He has served as organizing president of the highly successful World Congress of Endourology held at ClevelandClinicinAugust2006.

J. Stephen Jones, MD, has been appointed Chair of the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute’s Department of RegionalUrology.HejoinedClevelandClinicin2000andpreviously served as Vice Chairman of the Glickman Urologi-cal Institute. He holds a faculty appointment as Associate Professor of Surgery within the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Col-lege of Medicine. His clinical and research interests are in the areas of oncology and male sterilization, and he practices at both main campus and the Beachwood Family Health Cen-ter. He is on the editorial boards of Urology and the British Journal of Urology, has edited two urological textbooks and has authored numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Kerry Levin, MD, has been appointed Chair of the Neuro-logical Institute’s Department of Neurology. Dr. Levin, a nationally recognized expert in neuromuscular diseases and a committed and respected advocate of education, joined Cleveland Clinic in 1984. Most recently, he served as interim

Edward D. Sivak, MD (GL-1’71, IM’75, PYLM/D’76), of Syracuse, NY, has been chosen to receive the 2008 Outstanding Clinician of the Year Award by the New York State Thoracic Society.

The award is given to a state-wide elected candidate in recognition of a significant devotion toward improving patient care, as well as valuable contributions to the State Thoracic Society. Dr. Sivak is part of the national pool in consideration for the same award given by the American Thoracic Society.

Sanjay Chawla, MD, President of the NYSTS chapter says, “The comments by his patients stand out as a testament to his dedication. Letters from former patients include com-ments such as, ‘Dr. Sivak is exceptional…I can’t imagine being treated with more concern and respect.’ Another letter states, ‘I do not know of any other doctor who would encourage a patient to call when they were not on duty…It is this type of kindness that sets Dr. Sivak so far above any other doctor I have ever encountered.’”

As a member of the NYSTS Executive Committee, Sivak has organized and moderated the Fellows Forum at the Annual Assembly, an exercise specifically generated towards Fel-lows in training in pulmonary medicine to study current and past patient cases that are difficult to diagnose. His dedication to patient care continues in his off time as he works to form a program that will allow underserved pa-tients to have more direct access to subspecialty care.

Dr. Sivak completed his internship at Cleveland Clinic and went on to serve for two years as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corp in Vietnam, where he received the Bronze Star for service. He completed a fellowship in Pulmonary medicine at the University of Oklahoma before returning to Cleveland Clinic as a Staff Physician. He served as Director of the Medical ICU and the head of Pulmonary Research. He earned the Teacher of the Year award in the Division of Medicine in 1981.

Dr. Sivak currently serves as the Chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care and Chief of the Medical ICU at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.

Dr. Sivak Named NY’s Outstanding Clinician of the Year

Edward D. Sivak, MD


Chair of Neurology; before that, he served as Vice-Chair. He is a 1977 graduate of Johns Hopkins Univer-sity School of Medicine, and completed his neurology residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals and a fellowship in electromyography at the Mayo Clinic.

M. Deborah (Deb) Lonzer, MD (PD’93), has been ap-pointed Chair of the Department of Regional Pediatrics at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. Dr. Lonzer spe-cializes in general pediatric care, minor trauma such as lacerations and fractures, and asthma care at Cleveland Clinic Willoughby Hills Family Health Center. She has a special interest in educating kids and their families and recently developed a program on potty training. (A pre-view for parents can be found at www.gobeyondlearning.com.) Dr. Lonzer earned her medical degree at Penn State – Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She completed both an internship and residency at Cleveland Clinic.

Michael O’Connor, DO, MPH (CTA’89, CT’96), has been appointed Chair of the Anesthesiology Institute’s Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, which provides peri-operative services for cardiac and thoracic surgery patients. Dr. O’Connor joined Cleveland Clinic’s staffin1992,andinadditiontohisspecialtyincardio-thoracic anesthesiology, he has a special interest in critical care medicine and resident education. He earned his medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteo-pathic Medicine Downers and completed a fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.

Gary W. Procop, MD, has been appointed Chair of the Pathology and Lab Medicine Institute’s Department of Clinical Pathology. Dr. Procop joined the Cleveland Clin-ic staff in 1998 and served as Section Head of Microbiol-ogy before serving as Director of Clinical Microbiology at the University of Miami. He is an accomplished and nationally known physician in his field with a dynamic vision for the Department of Clinical Pathology on main campus, as well as its role in the integration of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine throughout the Health System.

Ganes C. Sen, PhD, has been appointed Chair of the Lerner Research Institute’s Department of Molecular Genetics, which comprises a number of nationally recognized experts representing a broad spectrum of disciplines. Dr. Sen is an internationally renowned scientist in the fields of innate immune response to virus infection and tissue-specific functions of angiotensin-converting enzymes. Currently, he is a Vice-Chair of the Lerner Research Institute.


John Fung, MD, PhD

J. Stephen Jones, MD

M. Deborah (Deb) Lonzer, MD

Gary W. Procop, MD

Inderbir Gill, MD, MCh

Kerry Levin, MD

Michael O’Connor, DO, MPH

Ganes C. Sen, PhD


Dr. Eckhert Celebrates Women’s History in MedicineWhen N. Lynn Eckhert, MD (GL-1’71), took her son on a college tour at Hobart and William Smith College in upstate New York, their instructions were to meet the guide near the Elizabeth Blackwell Room in the chapel.

It struck a chord. “My ears perked up,” says Dr. Eckhert. “I knew about her, but I didn’t know she had gone to col-lege there.”

Elizabeth Blackwell was America’s first female doctor and the first woman ever to have her name placed on the British Medical Register.

Dr. Eckhert, a pediatrician, became intrigued by Dr. Blackwell’s story. And she was inspired by her own journey through the medical field. “I also was always the only one so I guess there is a little bit of the pioneer spirit there,” she says.

After tireless research, Dr. Eckhert wrote the 50-minute play, A Lady Alone: A Play about Elizabeth Blackwell, mod-eled after William Luce’s Tony award-winning play, The Belle of Amherst, about the life of Emily Dickinson. Dr. Eck-hert’s play has been performed at several universities and also at High Tea for the Women in Medicine group of the Association of American Medical Colleges at their annual meetingin2007.

Dr. Eckhert admired the tough path blazed by Dr. Blackwell who once described her life as a college student this way:

“I had not the slightest idea of the commotion created by my appearance as a medical student in the little town…ladies stopped to stare at me, as at a curious animal…the theory was fully established either that I was a bad woman, whose designs would gradually become evident, or that, being insane, an outbreak of in-sanity would soon be apparent.”

Graduating first in her class, Dr. Blackwell eventually won the respect of students, faculty and townspeople.

Dr. Eckhert blazed a pioneering path of her own. In 1982,shebecamethefirstwomanchairmanofadepart-ment at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She earned a Masters of Nursing degree from New York Medical College before graduating from the State Univer-sity of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. She also earned Masters and Doctorate of Public Health degrees from Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.

After serving on the faculty of the University of Massachu-setts Medical School for more than two decades, she cur-rently is Director for Academic Programs for Harvard Medi-cal International and travels extensively to help develop faculty and medical schools across the globe.

Soon after her son’s college tour, Dr. Eckhert began her homework on Blackwell at the Library of Congress. She asked that copies of relevant microfilm be sent to her local library near Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum that re-creates rural New England life in the early 1800’s. She began to pore over the documents.

When she took breaks from her research, she’d walk around the village where actors dressed in period costume wandered the grounds chatting with tourists about life in the 1800s. “It was amazing to do my research there because I could see what life really must have been like for her,” says Dr. Eckhert.

N. Lynn Eckhert, MD

Dr. Eckhert’s play was performed by Linda Kelley.


Dr. Eckhert obtained access to many of Dr. Blackwell’s papers through the Boston Antheneum, the Wellesley College Library and the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe. “I had, in my hands, letters she had received or written,” says Dr. Eckhert. “I just got fascinated by this process. Most of my male colleagues did not know who she was, and I thought they should.”

Dr.Eckhert decided to write a play about Blackwell’s life, but she wasn’t quite sure how. “I’d not even been in a play since sixth grade,” she says. “In high school, I did zip, zero with theater.”

She joined a weekly writing group in which fellow students offered sugges-tions for improving her work.

Dr. Eckhert credits a four-day playwrit-ing course at Sarah Lawrence College with helping her put the final touches on her script. In fact, she already is busy working on another play about the key men and women involved in the discovery and legalization of the birth control pill.

Dr. Eckhert also credits the course with helping her learn something else very important to the medical field. “When you have to write dialogue, you pay more attention to what is being said to you, which is something you really need to do with your patients,” she says.

Dr. Cosgrove acknowledged a national struggle attracting minority students to medical school, that has led to a disproportionate repre- sentation in healthcare practice.

“Diversity is increasingly important, and this scholarship represents an opportunity to attract students,” he said.

As an endowment, Key’s support will provide full, 5-year scholarships to minority students in perpetuity.

Andrew Fishleder, MD, Chairman, Education Institute, also discussed the future impact of scholarship support for today’s promising minority medical students.

“Such support helps make sure we foster diverse perspectives, supports the need for future role models and enhances minority access to care and research,” he said.

Lerner College Scholarship (continued)

Key Foundation and Cleveland Clinic Celebrate Diversity

Henry Meyer, Chairman and CEO, KeyCorp, Margot Copeland, Executive Vice Presiedent, Director, Corporate Diversity and Philanthropy, KeyCorp, Donelle Cummings, first recipient of the Key Foundation MinorityScholarship, and Delos M. Cosgrove, MD, Cleveland Clinic CEO and President.

Andrew Fishleder, MD (GL-1’79, LMED’82), Chairman of the Education Institute and Executive Dean of the Lerner College of Medicine, describes the research emphasis of the 5-year Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine program.

Margot Copeland, Executive Vice President, Director, Corporate Diversity and Philanthropy, KeyCorp, and Chair, Key Foundation, welcomes guests.


While Conrad C. Simpfendorfer, MD’s (CARD’78), sons chose different paths in medicine, none could resist the chance to spend part of their training under the watchful eye of dad.

And who could blame them. Since completing his train-ing, Dr. Conrad C. Simpfendorfer has gone on to a full and distinguished career as an interventional cardiologist and teacher in Cleveland Clinic’s Heart and Vascular Institute. He has shared his expertise with countless fellows, earning the Distinguished Teacher Award from the Cleveland Clinic Department of Cardiovascular Medicine; and the SOLACI Award from the Latin American Society of Interventional Cardiology for his continued support of the educational activities of the society.

Oldest son Conrad H. Simpfendorfer, MD (S’04, FIM’05, S/HEP’06), says that family and familiarity played into his decision to train at Cleveland Clinic. “Cleveland is my hometown, and since my father always worked at the Clinic, I had many opportunities to walk the halls while I was growing up.”

But more importantly, he knew his training would be top notch. “The clinic has an international reputation and a very competitive surgical program,” he says. “In my opinion, the Cleveland Clinic’s fundamental strength in training and in practice is its staff and employees. I am privileged to have trained and worked with so many out-standing physicians and surgeons.”

He said the best thing about being in Cleveland was the chance to join his parents for frequent dinners and spend-ing weekends together. He is quick to credit his mother for the role she has played in his life.

“Suffice it to say that although she is married to a doctor, and all her sons are doctors, and all her daughter-in-laws are doctors, my mother takes care of all of us. We would not be who we are without her,” he says.

As for spending time with his father and brothers at work, Conrad H. wouldn’t trade the experience. “All of us in the same institution for a brief period, sometimes joined by our wives as well, was a unique opportunity,” he says. “We all appreciated that our father instilled in us a strong love and devotion for family, while still balancing a commit-ment to our patients.”

My Three SonsThe Drs. Simpfendorfer Share Cleveland Clinic Connection

Claus Simpfendorfer, MD

Middle son Christian M. Simpfendorfer, MD (CARD’05, CARDIN’07), had more opportunities to see his father’s values played out on the job.

“I initially was a little anxious about working with my father and his colleagues, but it was easier to adjust than I expect-ed,” he says. “I think that he and I worked very well together.

“As for the Clinic itself, the size of the Cardiology Depart-ment and fellowship is a tremendous advantage for fel-lows. It allows for a huge number of learning opportunities from some of the best physicians in the world. And it didn’t hurt that the GI fellowship in which my wife trained was also excellent. You can only fully appreciate the resources available to you after you leave.”

Christian says that he only saw his brother Conrad oc-casionally in the hospital, and brother Claus “was (and remains) hidden away in the basement and was rarely spot-ted by the rest of us at work,” but he thoroughly enjoyed leisure time with the family.

“Simpfendorfers aren’t sentimental until they start getting old, but I think we all realize that the last few years were a special, and once in a lifetime opportunity to work with and around each other,” he says. “I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. The only downside was the huge number of incorrect pages we all would receive. I’m sure it drove the operators crazy having four C. Simpfendorfers in the directory!”

As the youngest son to come to Cleveland Clinic, Claus S. Simpfendorfer, MD (DR’07), says he did have some reservations.

From left, Claus, Conrad, Conrad Sr., and Christian Simpfendorfer in dad’s Cleveland Clinic office.


Alumni Wedding Merges Medicine and SurgeryAdrienne Boissy, MD (N’06, N/I’07), and Peter Rasmussen, MD (NS/CB’00), crossed paths many times in the halls of Cleveland Clinic, but it wasn’t until years after they first met that the now-newlyweds fell in love. It began with writing letters – both on paper and in emails – for several months before they even had their first date.

“He is a beautiful writer. Those letters opened up a dialogue, and we got to know each other so well,” Dr. Boissy says.

By the time they finally got around to that fateful first date, “It was all over for me,” she recalls with a laugh.

Dr. Rasmussen, a Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon, and Dr. Boissy, Mellen Center neurologist, were married two yearslater,onSept.8,2007.Theirwed-ding, which was jokingly referred to by colleagues as the “marriage of neurol-ogy and neurosurgery,” was officiated by Neurological Institute Chairman Michael Modic, MD (GL-1’76, DR’78, NR’79). Dr. Modic, a longtime friend of Dr. Rasmussen’s, became ordained to perform weddings in Ohio just for the occasion.

“He was very funny and creative,” Dr. Boissy recalls. “He put a lot of work into making it special for us, and it was fantastic. We kept it a secret until the time of the wedding. Many people in the audience obviously worked at the Clinic, and when he stood up to perform the ceremony, they were quite surprised!”

Dr.Boissydancedballetforabout20years, including college, so when they were planning the wedding, they incor-porated some special dance elements.

“Through medical school and resi-dency, it was difficult for me to commit

to weekly classes, but I missed indulging the more artistic part of my personality. For his birth-day one year, I got Peter a few ballroom lessons with (local teacher) Dick Blake, and we got hooked. He choreo-graphed a dance for our wedding for us, and despite my heavy train, which kept slugging Peter in the shins, a slippery floor and substantial nerves, we made it through – smiling,” she explains.

Mr.Blake also gave the entire bridal party a dance lesson the night before the wedding. “We wanted to really honor all of the people who have sup-ported us both for so long and wanted them to have a good time too. So often at big events like this, the guests hardly even see the bride and groom,” she says. “So we set up this hour-long dance lesson in which everyone had to swap dance partners a lot. It really helped everyone loosen up and get to know each other better. It was a real highlight of the weekend.”

Working in overlapping fields has not been an issue for the two of them. “Anyone who knows Peter knows that he can be a bit of a firecracker some-times, but we never really had work-related skirmishes. I have tremendous respect for his intellect and his dedica-tion to excellence and compassionate patient care,” she says.

Drs. Rasmussen and Boissy perform their wedding dance.

“I wanted to be recognized for my own achievements and had con-cerns that people would think I had only gotten where I was based upon my family’s reputation,” he says. “But ultimately, I chose to join the Cleve-land Clinic for my Radiology residency and stayed on for my Musculoskeletal Radiology Fellowship because I be-lieved this is where I would receive the best training.

“In radiology, the most important things for a good experience are volume and pathology. As a large tertiary hospital, Cleveland Clinic has given me the opportunity to see everything one could hope to see in radiology,” he says.

The added bonus of spending time with family doesn’t escape Claus.

“My brothers and I had all left Cleve-land for college and medical school, and it was nice to have everybody back home for so many years,” he says. Since returning to Cleveland, all three boys have gotten married, and Conrad C. and his wife are now proud grandparents of 4 grandsons, all under age 4.

Conrad C. and his wife, Susan Fox, DO(IM’01,VM’02)nowliveinFlor-ida. Conrad has joined the staff at Cleveland Clinic Florida, and Dr. Fox practices at the Vein and Vascular Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Cardiovascular Consultants of South Florida.

Christian and his wife Karin Cesaria, MD (GE’06, GEHP’07) have recently established careers in Colorado.

Claus and his wife Maja Babic, MD, remain in Cleveland, where she is completing a fellowship in Infectious Disease at University Hospitals.



Research Roundup

“Discovering Research”For all their simplicity, yeast cells are similar to human cells in many ways. It’s this similarity that might hold a key to understanding how a human cell knows when to stop dividing or to die.

Human cells package their DNA into linear structures called chromosomes. At the ends of chromosomes are telomeres, made of specific repeated DNA sequences com-posed of a special enzyme called telomerase.

Most cells in the human body do not make telomerase, and every time a cell divides during growth it loses some of these specific telomere sequences. When too many telom-ere sequences are lost, normal cells stop dividing or die. The proteins that signal cells to stop dividing are called DNA damage checkpoint proteins.

Dr. Runge looked at yeast cells that had lost telomerase and how a specific checkpoint protein recognizes short telomeres. He found that a protein called Tel1p, the yeast equivalent of the well-known human checkpoint protein ATM [ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase], first recog-nizes and binds to short telomeres.

If cells have telomerase, Tel1p/ATM binding to telomeres causes them to be lengthened. If cells do not have telom-erase, Tel1p/ATM causes the cells to stop growing for a short time. The main difference between yeast and human cells is that yeast will try to resume growth even if its telom-eres are too short, whereas human cells normally do not.

“Given the striking evolutionary conservation of Tel1p and ATM, it is likely that a similar mechanism operates in human cells to limit the growth and regulate the telom-ere length of rapidly dividing cells,” Dr. Runge said. “The lifespan of rapidly dividing human cells impacts on how our bodies degrade as we age, including reduced immune function and the ability to recover from wounds or inflam-mation.”

Dr. Runge’s team included Ronald E. Hector, PhD (RES/MB’05, RES/MG’06), Rebecca L. Shtofman, B.S., Alo Ray, PhD (RES/MB’99), Bo-Ruei Chen, M.S., Thihan Nyun, B.S., all of Molecular Genetics, and Kathleen Berkner, PhD, Mo-lecular Cardiology. The research appeared in Molecular Cell (www.molecule.org/,Vol27,851-858,7September2007).The research was supported by funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Institute on Aging.

Research Roundup

to come from Keith

Kurt Runge, PhD, Molecular Genetics, uses yeast as a model to understand human cell behavior. He has found a protein in yeast that is similar to one in human cells that plays a key role in regulating cell division.


hours to forge much of a friendship with those other wom-en, she does not recall any resistance to their presence or any lack of respect. “Of course, I don’t know what was said behind my back,” she says with a smile.

After graduating from medical school in 1950, she had a rotating internship at Mercy Hospital in Canton for a year, then trained for two years in Cleveland Clinic’s Depart-ment of Medicine. During that time, she rotated through many departments, including cardiac catheterization and cardiovascular disease. Cleveland Clinic records from the time show that she received excellent reviews, and there are frequent mentions about how much patients liked her.

She gives much of the credit for her success to the excellent mentors she had along the way, particularly the pioneer of cardiac catheterization, Mason Sones, MD, with whom she did a subsequent Cleveland Clinic heart fellowship.

Her medical career included many firsts. She was the first to establish a cardiac catheterization lab in a community hospital (Canton’s Mercy Medical Center), the first physi-cian in Stark County to implant a temporary pacemaker and the first to use a direct current counter-shock on a person’s heart to change its sinus rhythm.

She sought extra courses and training whenever possible, always seeking to expand her skills and knowledge. “There is no end to how much you can learn,” she says.

Heradviceforreaching82ingoodhealth?“Neverstopbe-ing active!” She also is diligent about taking vitamins and eating well, particularly avoiding transfat. She has high praise for Cleveland Clinic’s current wellness initiatives.

Dr. Hofsteter received a Lifetime Achievement Award from theStarkCountyMedicalSocietyin2006.Thesocietyhailed her for her tireless commitment to medicine that was matched only by her commitment to her patients. “Her spirit, grace and dedication clearly motivated all those who worked for and with her,” it proclaimed.

She is still widely known around Cleveland Clinic as a be-loved alumnus and for the many patients she referred here over the years. Additionally she has been a loyal supporter of initiatives at her alma mater.

“If I had it to do over again, I think I would,” she says with a smile.

Grace Hofsteter (continued)Institute Chairs Named (continued)

Alumni Wedding (continued)

and Reconstructive Surgery, and Chairman of the Operat-ing Room Allocation and Scheduling Committee. He is an associate professor of surgery in Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Papay has been recognized as a “Top Doc” by Cleveland Magazine and Castle Connolly. He has served as President of the Ohio Valley Society of Plastic Surgeons, elected Chair of American Society of Plastic Surgery’s Ethics Committee, executive committee member of the Plastic Surgery Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northern Ohio. Dr. Papay cur-rently is completing his executive doctor of management degree at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University.

Herbert P. Wiedemann, MD, has been appointed Chairman of the Respiratory Institute. Dr. Wiede-mann joined Cleveland Clinic in 1984 and was appointed Chair-man of the Department of Pulmo-nary, Allergy & Critical Care Medi-cine in 1991. He graduated from Yale College, received his medical degree from Cornell University, and completed residency training at the University of Washington in Seattle. Dr. Wiedemann also com-

pleted a three-year pulmonary fellowship at Yale University. He has contributed extensively to the pulmonary literature and serves on many scientific advisory boards and national organizations. Dr. Wiedemann’s chief academic interest is acute lung injury, and he has received continuous funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute since 1994 for research on clinical management of this condi-tion. Dr. Wiedemann served on Cleveland Clinic’s Board of Governorsfrom2002-06.

“Coordinating our schedules remains challenging, but the best part is just being together outside of work and laugh-ing, mostly with each other, although occasionally at each other! We also still write letters to each other on holidays and other occasions. It is a very passionate way to stay in touch,” she adds.

Dr. Boissy, who has an interest in bioethics in neurology, will be finishing a master’s degree in bioethics this year through Case Western Reserve University. She currently is considering her next move; a position at the Neurological Institute is one possibility.

Herbert P. Wiedemann, MD


Elaine E. Wyllie, MD (N’84, NPHY’85), Director, Center for Pediatric Neurology and her husband, Robert Wyllie, MD, Physician-in-Chief of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital and Chairman, Pediatrics Institute (Right), were among several Cleveland Clinic alumni/staff who attended and preformed at a special fundraising event, “Dancing With the Stars…of David!” sponsored by the Cleveland Jewish News at Eton Square on Oct. 17, 2007. The event was hosted by award-winning celebrity ballroom dance instructor and choreographer Dick Blake, who also taught four group lessons and gave a personal performance with one of his top students. In addition to the Drs. Wyllie, who performed a tango, other staff/alumni students of Mr.

Blake’s included: M. Deborah Lonzer, MD (PD’93), Chair of Regional Pediatrics and Medical Director of Nurse-On-Call, and her dance partner, Keith Eggeman, who did the polka; Peter A. Rasmussen, MD (NS/CB’00), Director of Cerebrovascular Center, and wife Adrienne R. Boissy, MD (N’06, N/I’07), Neurology, Mellen Center, who danced the foxtrot; and Rebecca M. Kuenzler, MD (N’04, NEMG’05), associate staff in the Neuromuscular Center, and her husband, Glenn, who performed a swing number and a tango. The event was attended by more than 200 people. “We were thrilled to perform for such a warm and gracious audience,” said Dr. Elaine Wyllie. “It was an honor to be a part of the program.”

David M. Einstein, MD (GL-1’79, DR’82), center, who served as Radiology Residency Program Director from 1993 to 2007, was honored for 14 years of dedicated leadership at the Alumni Reception held during the annual meeting of the RSNA. Gregory P. Borkowski, MD (GL-1’72, IM’74, DR’79), left, has been named Chairman of the Imaging Institute, and Michael T. Modic, MD (GL-1’76, DR’78, NR’79), right, past Radiology

Division chairman, now serves as the Chairman of the Neurological Institute. Other staff congratulated during the event included Tan-Lucien Mohammed, MD, the new Radiology Residency Program Director, and Carolyn W. VanDyke, MD (DR’80), Assistant Radiology Residency Program Director. Pauline Kwok, MD (TRS’95, DR’00, ABI’01), Radiology Alumni Specialty Director on the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association Board of Directors, organized the event held at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel Nov. 25, 2007.


Fiscal Fitness

A Family of Philanthropic Strategies Informed philanthropists are beginning to explore the full gift spectrum when contemplating their charitable objectives.

A single gift type may meet both the philanthropic and financial needs of an individual or family. However, as donors become more educated about the various gift vehicles, and as philanthropic values are passed to the next generation, they may find that not just one but several options can be combined to maximize their overall family philanthropic objectives.

“We are being challenged to devise creative gift planning strategies that include multiple generations in order to make philanthropy a family mission. Financial planners and advisors work with our gift planning team to develop comprehensive estate plans that are building the founda-tion for tomorrow’s healthcare,” says Nelson J. Wittenmyer Jr., Esq., Vice Chairman, Institutional Relations and Devel-opment, Cleveland Clinic.

A comprehensive gift plan will secure a family’s financial outlook as well as support the current and future progress of a favorite charity. The choice of gift options available to meet this objective may be broken down into three distinct categories – current, deferred and testamentary - each hav-ing its own benefits and tax advantages.

Current gifts include outright gifts of assets, such as cash or stock, and multi-year pledges. Current gifts provide sup-port to the charity immediately and afford a tax deduction to the donor for the full value of the asset in the year the gift is made. Any asset can be used for a current gift, but a capital asset such as appreciated stock always is a good choice because of a second advantage – avoiding capital gains tax.

Deferred or life- income gifts include gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts. These gifts offer a reduced current charitable deduction as well as guaranteed income for life. An often-forgotten benefit of a life income gift is the opportunity to provide income to a family member by naming that person as the income beneficiary. The ulti-mate use of the gift by the charity is deferred until termina-tion of the annuity or trust.

Testamentary commitments fulfill the desire of philan-thropists who would like to make a significant charitable gift without giving up control of assets during their life-time. These commitments allow a donor to notify a charity of a future gift without altering the individual’s present financial situation. Gifts through bequests, life insurance and retirement plans are just a few of the choices that let a charity look ahead to the future, while leaving the donor’s financial options open. Additionally, testamentary gifts remove the asset from the donor’s estate, reducing estate taxes for the heirs.

By taking advantage of the full range of charitable options in the gift spectrum, philanthropists may support their favorite charity now and ensure its support for the future. Personal and family benefits include current charitable deductions, income for life, avoidance of estate tax, and the ability to preserve assets to make the future, including retirement, financially comfortable. Skillful overall gift planning becomes a family philanthropic commitment.

If you would like to make a gift, call 216.444.1245 and ask to speak with a member of our gift planning team. To learn more, visit clevelandclinic.org/giving.



The Department of Bioethics Celebrates 25 Years of ServiceOn Feb. 25, the Department of Bioethics celebrated its 25th anniversary at a reception for more than 75 guests at the Foundation House.

The department was founded in 1983 by the late George Kanoti, MD, the first chairman of the department, and for-mer director of professional staff affairs, Shattuck Hartwell Jr., MD, who in that year published an innovative and vi-sionary essay citing the need for ethicists in healthcare. An eight-member ethics committee was established soon after the founding of the department.

Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Bioethics is commit-ted to quality patient care that includes a concern for the ethical aspects of medicine. The department continues to

provide world-class care today under the leadership of De-partment Chairman Eric Kodish, MD, who spoke about the future of the department at the anniversary reception.

“In the coming decades, it is my hope that the Department of Bioethics will help healthcare professionals, patients and their families work through the formidable challenges that are certain to arise,” he said. “We will help to make the world a better place by helping people to ask the right questions, keeping in mind that ethics is about actions and not just words.”

To learn more about the Department of Bioethics, visit ClevelandClinic.org/bioethics.

Cleveland Clinic has announced three newly created Vice Chairman of Professional Staff Affairs positions, which will enhance clinical operations, support business decisions and increase efficiencies across the system.

The creation of these positions supports the move toward an institutes model of care. The physicians in these roles will work under the Chief of Staff and work closely with institute chairmen to focus on business strategy, enhance operations and improve overall processes.

The following physicians have been appointed as the new vice chairs:

Brian Bolwell, MD, is a clinical hematologist-oncologist and Chairman of the Department of Hematologic On-cology and Blood Disorders. In addition, he has been a longstanding member of the Board of Governors. For more than 10 years, Dr. Bolwell has been chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Hematopietic Stem Cell Transplant Consortium.

Tommaso Falcone, MD, is a reproductive endocrinologist and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gyne-cology. He also served as interim Chairman of the Division

of Surgery. Dr. Falcone authored a consumer guide to Over-coming Infertility. He was also awarded Teacher of the Year in Obstetrics and Gynecology by Cleveland Clinic residents and fellows. He currently is the President of the Society for Reproductive Surgeons.

Marc Harrison, MD, a pediatric intensivist in critical care medicine and Director of Medical Operations, has contributed significantly to the redesigned patient trans-port program. Dr. Harrison has a particular interest in applying business principles to facilitate clinical outcomes and hospital operations. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Society of Criti-cal Care Medicine.

In addition, colorectal surgeon Steven Wexner, MD, has been appointed Cleveland Clinic Florida’s first Chief Aca-demic Officer. Dr. Wexner began his career at Cleveland Clinic Florida in 1988 and has served as Chairman of the Department of Colorectal Surgery since 1993 and Chief of Staff since 1997. In this new role, Dr. Wexner will oversee all institutional research and educational activities, which include graduate medical education, allied health and professional staff academic affairs.

New Positions Created in Cleveland and Florida


Campus ClipsToby Cosgrove, MD, CEO and President, will be the first Cleveland Clinic CEO to hold the Rich Family Chief Execu-tive Chair, the first endowment of its kind in Cleveland Clinic history. The chair, made possible by a $5 million gift from Cleveland Clinic trustee Robert E. Rich, Jr., and his family, will provide Cleveland Clinic’s active CEO with flex-ible resources to address the institution’s highest priori-ties. Mr. Rich is chairman of Rich Products Corp., head-quartered in Buffalo, N.Y., and chairs Today’s Innovations, Tomorrow’s Healthcare: Campaign for Cleveland Clinic. With this gift, Rich challenges his fellow Cleveland Clinic trusteestoraiseatotalof$20millioninpooledendow-ment funds to support the CEO’s top initiatives.

A $1.5 million gift from The Mikati Foundation in Leba-non will establish the first international chaired position at Cleveland Clinic. The Mikati Endowed Chair in Liver Disease and Liver Transplantation will be held by Nizar Zein, MD, who is chief of Hepatology and Medical Director of Liver Transplantation.

“We plan to use the annual funding for this chair to sup-port research activities, including those that will help identify factors leading to progressive liver disease and enhance the development of new, non-invasive tests to diagnose liver diseases and liver cancer,” Dr. Zein said. The Mikati Foundation is based in Beirut and supports health care research.

The Cleveland Clinic has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct pre-clinical studies on two compounds developed by Cleveland Bio-Labs Inc., a Cleveland Clinic spin-off. The compounds could be used to prevent wounds caused by tourniquets and other methods of stopping blood flow on the battle-field. Cleveland BioLabs, which moved from Cleveland to Buffalo, N.Y., last year, is developing the two compounds, ProtectanCBLB502andProtectanCBLB612,asantidotesfor damage to cells caused by radiation.

Pre-clinical trials have shown Protectan compounds to improve the survival rate of monkeys exposed to radiation. The compounds work by delaying apoptosis, a mechanism that causes a cell to kill itself.

Paul DiCorleto, PhD, chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute and a member of the Cleveland BioLabs board, said there are “many possibilities” when it comes to potential uses for the compounds. They already have been shown to increase the production of bone mar-row in mice. Bone marrow loss is one of the side effects faced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Cleveland Clinic has announced plans to build a full-service family health and surgery center in Twinsburg, OH. The facilitywillincludea24-houremergencydepartmentwitha helipad and opportunity for future expansion. Ground is expected to be broken for the $71.5 million Cleveland Clinic Twinsburg Family Health and Surgery Center in spring2008,andthefour-story,168,500square-footfacilityisprojectedtoopeninlate2009.Centerstaffwillprovideprimary care and specialty services, as well as full radiology and testing capabilities. The center will bring 300 jobs to Twinsburg and generate more than $600,000 annually in local payroll taxes and $1.3 million in state payroll taxes.

“We are very excited to expand the Cleveland Clinic ser-vices we currently provide in Twinsburg into a full-service facility,” says Cynthia L. Deyling, MD (IM’87), Chairman, Regional Operations. This project, she adds, is an example of our commitment to provide convenient medical care and our resolve to work closely with local physicians to meet a need in Northern Summit County.

The FHC also will involve a planned collaboration with community physicians in proceeding with several innova-tive ideas, such as creating an Emergency Department referral program for non-assigned patients, providing sur-gery time in the new surgery center and offering inpatient hospital opportunities for community physicians.

Cleveland Clinic and the Charleston Area Medical Cen-ter, based in Charleston, W. Va., recently celebrated the 20-year anniversary of a joint renal transplant and urology program. It is the only one of its kind in West Virginia – and the completion of 800 kidney transplants. The pro-gram, established in 1987, was the first outreach initiative undertaken by Cleveland Clinic outside the state of Ohio. It is staffed by two full-time Cleveland Clinic alumni and transplant urologists – Bashir R. Sankari, MD (U/RT’90), and Lawrence (Larry) R. Wyner, MD (U/RT’91) – who live and work in Charleston. In addition to kidney transplants, these urologists also provide subspecialty urological care for countless additional area patients.

“This program represents a model collaborative effort be-tween two established institutions in two different states, and the most important beneficiaries have been the many patients whose medical care has been enhanced through this collaboration,” says Andrew C. Novick, MD (U’77), Chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute.


The Cleveland Clinic has announced an affiliation agree-ment with the McLeod Heart and Vascular Institute in Florence, SC. Cleveland Clinic’s heart surgery program will collaborate with McLeod in clinical and research areas. McLeod is described as a regional leader in cardiac care. “McLeod and Cleveland Clinic working together will accel-erate advancements in cardiac care for all of our patients,” says Dr. Bruce W. Lytle, chairman of the Clinic’s Heart and Vascular Institute.

Cleveland Clinic and Akron General Health System agreed to form a clinical affiliation on Dec. 3, 2007, following due diligence discussions throughout the summer. This affiliation will provide opportunities for Akron General and Cleveland Clinic to work together in areas that may include an expansion of clinical services at Akron Gen-eral, collaboration on research, assistance with physician recruitment and improving educational opportunities for medical staff at Akron General. Cleveland Clinic looks for-ward to strengthening its relationship with Akron General Health System and assisting in further enhancing AGHS’s commitment to providing the highest level of medical innovation, technology and patient care service to Akron and surrounding communities. Currently, Akron General and Cleveland Clinic are working together in an innovative program that brings Cleveland Clinic specialists in cardiac rhythm disorders to Akron General to treat patients at its Heart & Vascular Center. This new agreement provides the potential to replicate this model in other clinical areas at Akron General.

Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center staff began offering small bowel and multivisceral transplants in January 2008. Cristiano Quintini, MD, (S/MOAT’07) a transplant surgeon with experience in liver and intestinal transplants, will spearhead the integration of surgical options to manage intestinal failure. He will be supported by John Fung, MD, PhD, Bijan Eghtesad, MD, and Charles Miller, MD, all of whom gained intestinal transplantation experience with established programs before joining Cleveland Clinic. “A small bowel transplant offers patients who are dependent on intravenous home parenteral nutrition an opportunity to eat normally, often within weeks of surgery,” Dr. Quin-tini explains. Cleveland Clinic will be the only transplant center in Ohio and among a dozen in the nation to offer an adult and pediatric small bowel transplant program.

Cleveland Clinic performed Ohio’s first “beating heart” transplant on Nov. 29, 2007, using a machine to keep a donor heart warm and flush with oxygenated blood. The device, called Organ Care System, extends the viability of donated hearts. It enables longer transports and could help more patients waiting for a heart.

The system is being tested at five U.S. hospitals, including the Clinic. The device pumps blood and keeps the heart warm and nourished, potentially reducing the risk of dam-age from cold and lack of oxygen.

About2,700peopleareonthehearttransplantwaitinglist,according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.

Campus Clips (continued)

F. Merlin Bumpus Junior Investigator Awards

Winnerswereannouncedatthe27thAnnualClevelandClinicResearchDayonOct.16,2007.ResearchDayhighlights the essential role played by laboratory-based and clinical research in Cleveland Clinic’s mission to provide exceptional patient care.

BASIC

Partho Sarothi Ray, PhD, Cell Biology (1st place, $500)

Anushree Bhatnagar, PhD, Molecular Cardiology, (2ndplace,$250)

Horn-Ren Yang, MD, Immunology (finalist, $100)

Sanghamitra Bhattacharya, PhD, Molecular Cardiology (finalist, $100)

Yi Fan, MD, Cell Biology (finalist, $100)

CLINICAL

Anne S. Kanderian, MD (IM’04, CARD’07), Cardiovascular Imaging (1st Place; $500)

Krupa B. Doshi, MD, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism(Co-runner-up,$250)

Dharam J. Kumbhani, MD, Cardiovascular Medicine (Co-runner-up,$250)

Mircea Lucian Pavkov, MD, Vascular Surgery (finalist, $100)

Deborah H. Kwon, MD, Cardiovascular Imaging (finalist, $100)

Sreekumar Subramanian, MD, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (finalist, $100)

The awards, named after F. Merlin Bumpus, PhD, Chair of the Division of Research (now Lerner Research Institute) from 1966-85, highlight research excellence by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.


Pastoral Care Week 2007, Nov. 12-17, commemorated the 20th anniversary of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), a training program for chaplains at Cleveland Clinic. To cele-brate Pastoral Care Week, the Department of Pastoral Care presented “Losing Your Religion…Finding Your Faith” on Nov. 15th. The Grand Rounds were presented by Rev. Amy Greene, Assistant Director of the Department of Pastoral Care. During the week, chaplains also offered blessings of the hands on inpatient units, music was provided in the lobby, and chaplains were available in the International Caféduringlunchtime.TheCPEprogramisoneof300training programs nationally and is accredited by the Department of Education. Cleveland Clinic provides an excellent training ground for ministers of all faiths who are learning to care across religious lines for hospital patients. SincetheCPEprogrambegan20yearsago,morethan545students have been trained. “With Cleveland Clinic’s em-phasis on the care of the total person, we are committed and honored to help bring the spiritual component to the healing of our patients,” says Rev. Dennis Kenny, Direc-tor of the Department of Pastoral Care. Cleveland Clinic chaplainsofallfaithsareoncall24hoursaday,sevendaysa week, to provide spiritual care for patients, families and employees.

Ernest Borden, MD, Director, Center for Hematology Oncology Molecular Therapeutics, recently received the Richard V. Smalley Award and honor of keynote address for notable contributions to the development of biologi-cal therapies from the International Society of Biological Therapy of Cancer.

Jeffrey Cohen, MD, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, recently was inducted into the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Volunteer Hall of Fame for Health Professionals. Dr. Cohen was selected for his outstanding volunteer support of the National MS Soci-ety and for making a difference in the community.

Garland (Gary) Y. DeNelsky, PhD, retired head of the Sec-tion of Psychology at the Cleveland Clinic and founder of itsSmokingCessationProgram,recentlyreceivedthe2007Life Achievement Award from the Cleveland Psychologi-cal Association. He chaired the Cuyahoga County Tobacco ControlCoalitioninthedriveforOhio’s2006smoke-freeindoorairlaw.Althoughheretiredin2001,hehasre-turned to the Clinic as a consultant and science adviser to its smoking-cessation center.

John Fung, MD, PhD, Director, Transplantation Center, has been selected by the American Society of Transplant SurgeonsVanguardCommitteeasarecipientofthe2008Francis Moore Excellence in Mentorship in the Field of Transplantation Award.

John Sweetenham, MD, Taussig Cancer Institute, has been named Vice Chair of the newly created Center for Clinical Research in the Lerner Research Institute. He has taken on this responsibility in addition to his role of director of research for the Taussig Cancer Institute. A physicians’ board with representatives from Cleveland Clinic’s insti-tutes and major clinical areas will be formed to help steer the direction of clinical research initiatives.

When Chicago native Ronald M. Bukowski, MD (IM’69, IM’73, H/O’75), first arrived at Cleveland Clinic – fresh out of medical school at Northwestern University – the campus housed just two buildings and a few hundred physicians, and Cleveland Clinic’s reputation in the medical field was only beginning to bloom.

It has been 41 years since Dr. Bukows-ki first entered medicine, blending his passions for science and people, and now he’s closing a chapter of his life driven by successes in the fight

against kidney cancer and moving on to the next: retirement.

“The idea isn’t to step off the edge of a cliff,” he says. He will continue to partner with colleagues through-out the country and sit on the FDA Advisory Committee, and he’ll also serve as a consultant to Taussig Cancer Institute.

“My wife says I’m going to be busier in retirement than when I was working,” he laughs. But he leaves with no re-grets. By finding medical treatments for cancer that are more effective and less stressful for patients, he’s ac-

complished what he set out to do: help make Cleveland Clinic a world-class organiza-tion.

“Medicine is a chal-lenge; it’s intriguing – and that’s what really attracts one to this field,” he reflects. “And you can’t forget that the patient is the most important thing.”

Noted Kidney Cancer Specialist Retires

Ronald M. Bukowski, MD


For information on these events as well as an online CME, medical publications and how to register for free e-mail updates, please visit: www.clevelandclinicmeded.com

NOTE: All courses are at the spectacular state-of-the-art InterContinental Hotel & Bank of America Conference Center on the Cleveland Clinic campus in Cleveland, OH, unless otherwise noted.

Contact InformationCleveland, OH 216.297.7330 | 800.238.6750216.297.7345 (fax)www.clevelandclinicmeded.com Weston, FL 954.659.5490 • 866.293.7866 954.659.5491 (fax)www.clevelandclinicflorida.org

Alumni are entitled to a substantial discount on CME sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education, Cleveland, OH, and by Continuing Medical Education of Cleveland Clinic Florida.

Center for Continuing Education www.clevelandclinicmeded.com

The Cleveland Clinic Center for Con-tinuing Education is responsible for one of the largest and most diverse CME programs anywhere in the US, awarding more than 109,000 live and online CME certificates in 2006. Stay informed of all the available live and online CME opportunities by signing up to our monthly news-flash: www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/SignMeUp

April 20082 Prostate Cancer Update

Greenbriar Party & Conference Centre Wooster, OH

5 7th Annual Cleveland Clinic Otolaryngology Symposium Sponsored by Physicians Regional Medical Center (formerly Cleveland Clinic Florida, Naples) Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, Naples, FL Contact: Physicians Regional Medical Center, Dept. of CME 6101 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples, FL 34119 239.348.4366; toll-free 1.877.675.7223, ext. 4366 Fax: 239.348.4287, E-mail: [email protected] www.medical-surgical.org/cme

11 4th Annual Contemporary Issues in Pituitary Disease: Case-based Management Update

12 Comprehensive Anesthesiology Review

14-15 50 Years of Excellence: Enterostomal Therapy/Wound, Ostomy Continence Nursing at Cleveland Clinic

18 Esophageal Summit

17-20 The Study of Black Academic Surgeons: Eighteenth Annual Symposium

May7 11th Annual Moll Pavilion

Cancer Symposium LaCentre Conference & Banquet Facility Westlake, OH

9 Ethical Challenges in Surgical Innovation

10 Cartilage Innovation Summit 2008

15 Lead Extraction 2008: Critical Review and Implementation of HRS Guidelines Satellite Symposium to Heart Rhythm Society San Francisco Marriott San Francisco, CA

15-17 Advances in Gynecologic Surgery: Surgical Innovations and State-of-the-Art Perioperative Care

18 A Hands on Approach to Diagnostic Pathology

29-30 Advanced Management Issues in HIV Medicine

30 Update in Headache Management

31 Posterior Segment Complications of Anterior Segment Surgery

June5 Heart-Brain Summit

6 20th Annual Intensive Review of Internal Medicine

7 Innovations in Refractive Surgery

12-13 Annual Research, Residents & Alumni Meeting Cole Eye Institute

July10 Dr. Lawrence “Chris” Crain

(IM’97, H/N’99) Memorial Lecture Kenneth A. Jamerson, MD Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan “Contemporary Insight into Excessive Cardiovascular Risk in African Americans” Cleveland Clinic Bunts Auditorium, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

16-22 Cleveland Spine Review – Hands-On Course

August15 Objective Correlates of CRPS:

Utility for Diagnostic Criteria Hilton Cardiff Cardiff, Wales, UK

21 Ninth Annual Intensive Review of Cardiology

29 Pediatric Board Review

September4 Colorectal Cancer Summit

5-6 12th Annual Meeting of Collaborative Group of Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer

12 Obesity Summit

12 44th Annual Gastroenterology Update

27 Fibroid Summit 2008

October16-18 21st Century Treatment of

Heart Failure: Synchronizing Surgical & Medical Therapies for Better Outcomes

November19 Survey of Current Issues in

Surgical Anesthesia Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort Daytona Beach, FL

2009Early June, 2009 Watch for future announcements Alumni Reunion and CME, Cleveland, OH Commemorate the graduation of the inaugural five-year Class of 2009 from the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Alumni Library

Welcome the 83’rd annual class of graduating interns, residents, fellows and post-docs into our worldwide


network of Cleveland Clinic trained physicians and scientists, now numbering over 400 graduates per year with a total of over 10,000 Clinic-trained physicians and scientists in every U.S. state and territory and 70 foreign countries.

Tour the new state-of-the art Miller Pavilion, home of the Heart and Vascular Institute and the Glickman Tower, which houses the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute.

Alumni Receptions, “Mini Reunions” and other Alumni Events: The Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association and various department chairmen are pleased to be sponsoring alumni gatherings at the following major national medical meetings and other venues. All local alumni, as well as those attending the meetings, are cordially invited to these Alumni Events with their spouse/companion. Watch your mail for more information, check the Alumni home page at www.clevelandclinic.org/education/alumni or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 216.444.2487, toll-free, 800.444.3664, fax, 216.445.2730, or via e-mail: [email protected]

ALUMNI EVENTS

April10 Alumni and Friends Reception

Dr. and Mrs. Lee M. Adler, DO (GL-1’73, IM’75), Hosts Orlando, FL

16 American Academy of Neurology 6-7:30 pm Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Missouri Room Chicago, IL

28 American Association of Neurological Surgeons 6:30-8 pm Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Chicago, IL

29 Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology 7:30-9:30 pm Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six Fort Lauderdale, FL

May4 American Psychiatric

Association 7 pm Dinner The Bombay Club Washington, D.C.

15 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 7-8:30 pm Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort Orlando, FL

16 American College of Physicians 6-8 pm American Society of Internal Medicine Renaissance Washington, D.C., Room 16 Washington, D.C.

19 American Thoracic Society Dinner Toronto, ON, Canada

18 Digestive Disease Week 6-8 pm San Diego, CA

17-22 American Urological Association Orlando, FL

30- American Society of Clinical6/3 Oncologists

Chicago, IL

June5-8 Society for Vascular Surgery

San Diego, CA

7-11 American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons Boston, MA

17 Annual Recognition Reception & Awards Presentation Post-Graduate Class of 2008 Signature of Solon

August24 15th Annual “Welcome to

Cleveland” GOODTIME Cruise Cleveland, OH

Ethical Challenges in Surgical Innovation May 8-9

This spring, Cleveland Clinic will host “Ethical Challenges in Surgical Innovation” – a two-day seminar that highlights key issues in this area of healthcare. Targeted toward surgeons, nurses, bioethicists, physicians and students, the seminar will address topics such as:

• Surgical Innovation and Ethical Dilemmas

• Transplant Innovation and Ethical Challenges — What Have We Learned?

• Inside the OR — Balancing the Risks and Benefits of New Surgical Procedures

• Outside the OR — Economic, Regulatory and Legal Challenges

• New Surgical Devices and Ethical Challenges

Seminar speakers and moderators include recognized leaders in surgery, academic medicine, research, industry, government and bioethics. Cleveland Clinic’s C. Allen Bashour, MD (TS’95, CV/S’96), and Eric Kodish, MD, will serve as the course directors.

To register for the conference, which will take place May 8-9 at the InterContinental Hotel and Bank of America Conference Center, visit www.ccfcme.org/SurgeryEthics08 or call 216.932.3448.

4th International Cardiology Forum April 9, 2008 / Mexico City, Mexico

In partnership with Cleveland Clinic, LiveMed is hosting the fourth annual International Cardiology Forum on April 9, 2008 in Mexico City. Regarded as one of the most important international cardiology conferences in the Americas, the conference will focus on diagnostic and treatment advances in the field of cardiology.

Videoconferences, speakers and live clinical case studies will be presented to the 1,200 cardiologists and internists in attendance. In addition, this year the conference will be video transmitted live to physicians in several South American countries.

Cleveland Clinic speakers will include keynote speaker Roy Greenberg, MD; Leslie Cho, MD (CARD’00, CARDIN’02), Gary Francis, MD, Brian Griffin, MD, and Richard Krasuski, MD. In addition, Samir Kapadia, MD (CARD’98, CARDIN’00), will present a live case transmission from the Cardiac Cath Lab at Cleveland Clinic to those in attendance in Mexico.

For further information and to register, please visit: www.livemed.org

America Conference Center, visit www.ccfcme.org/SurgeryEthics08 or call 216.932.3448.


Marcello M. Mellino, MD (CARD’80), Geza Z. Gaal, MD (CARDCL’74), and Rafiq A. Hussain, MD (H/N’70, IM’71). The physicians received their awards at a formal ceremony Dec. 12, 2007. Other system hospitals will institute the Pillars of Medicine awards this year.

Philip A. Vlastaris, MD (IM’58, CD’60, RES’60, PV’64), see Joseph F. Lydon Sr., MD, above.

| 70s |

Muzaffar Ahmad, MD (PULM/D’73), see Joseph F. Lydon Sr., MD, 60s above.

C. Julio Aponte, MD (RH’75), see Joseph F. Lydon Sr., MD, 60s above.

Anthony J. Furlan, MD (GL-1’74, N’77, EE-GMG’78), joined University Hospitals Case Medical Center to head the Department of Neurology. He joined the Cleveland Clinic staff after completing training and most recently served as associate director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Cerebrovascular Center and the Bakken Heart Brain Institute, and as director of the Primary Stroke Center. Dr. Furlan, who has published more than 150 research pa-pers, is also on the editorial board for the medical journal Stroke and has chaired the Task Force on Hospital Care of Acute Stroke of the National Insti-tutes of Health. A well-known champion for rapid treatment response to stroke, he is researching the use of a protein found in bat saliva to increase the timeframe available to treat acute stroke.

Geza Z. Gaal, MD (CARDCL’74), see Joseph F. Lydon Sr., MD, 60s above.

Rafiq A. Hussain, MD (H/N’70, IM’71), see Joseph F. Lydon Sr., MD, 60s above.

Charles Marks, MD, PhD (TS’71), of Sarasota, FL, wrote “Threads of Destiny: A Surgeon’s Odys-sey,” published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC, in which he describes

the developments in cardiovascular

and transplantation surgery within the parameters of his own surgical career. Dr. Marks reviews his migration from Ukraine and Lithuania to Cape Town, South Africa, where he completed his medi-cal studies.

| 60s |

Joseph F. Lydon Sr., MD (S’51, S’55, VS’64) and Philip A. Vlastaris, MD (IM’58, CD’60, RES’60, PV’64), were two of seven honorees of the fourth annual “Pillars of Medicine” in 2007. These prestigious awards honor retired physicians who have exhibited a lifetime of exemplary commitment to medicine, Cleveland Clinic’s western region hospitals and the communities they serve. The name of the award signifies that these physicians “are the pillars upon which we lifted ourselves to new levels of service at Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran hospitals,” said Fred DeGrandis, Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Clinic Health System (CCHS). Dr. Lydon, of Rocky River, OH, served as the director of Education at Fairview Hospital and the head of the Surgery Department at Lakewood Hospital for five years, as well as on Lakewood Hospital’s medical education committee. Dr. Lydon has two daughters and five sons, includ-ing physician Joseph F. Lydon Jr., MD.

Dr. Vlastaris, of Fairview Park, OH, served as a cardiologist at Fairview Hospital. He served as vice chairman of the Department of Medicine for 10 years. He was on the teaching staff at Fairview and Case Western Reserve University and served on many committees, including CME, Medicine Perfor-mance and Quality Committees. Alumnus C. Julio Aponte, MD (RH’75) pointed out that Dr. Vlastaris was his “teacher and colleague” at Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals and was instrumental in getting some the residents to pursue additional post-graduate medical education at Cleveland Clinic, including Muzaffar Ahmad, MD (PULM/D’73),

ContactsMany years of unique surgical training and practice take him on a prolonged journey that encompasses challenges and opportunities in Southern Africa, England, the United States and Israel. Written from an insider’s vantage point, Threads of Destiny provides a thoughtful account of medical education and describes interesting clinical challenges that ring with verisimilitude and drama. Throughout his sojourn Dr. Marks is fortified by the love and support of a happy home life provided by his wife, Joyce, as they raise their four sons and observe the growth and development of their American-born grandchildren. The book is avail-able at national book retailers or directly from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore or 888.361.9473.

Guy M. Sava, MD (S’74, NS’79), of Cincinnati, OH, and his wife, Rose, happily announced the mar-riage of their son, Trevor Marc Sava, J.D., to Me-linda Z. Rixey, MD, June 12, 2007 on St. George’s Island, GA. Honeymoon plans include the Greek Islands in May, 2008. Dr. Rixey is completing her Diagnostic Radiology residency at the Cleveland Clinic and Trevor is an attorney with Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLC in Cleveland. Trevor and Melinda met while attending Auburn University in Alabama, graduating in 2001. The couple resides in Shaker Heights, OH.

Bride and Groom, Melinda Rixey and Trevor Sava, are flanked by the Sava Family; parents Guy and Rose Sava, sister, Cory and husband, Randy with their children Brycen, and Prestyn, ages 2 and 4, and brother Shaun. Guy and Shaun served as Trevor’s groomsmen.

| 80s |

Margaret J. Gorensek, MD, FACP, FAAP (IM/PD’85, ID’87), has announced the opening of her new office for adult and pediatric infectious

Charles Marks, MD, PhD

Left to right, Philip Vlastaris, MD, Walter Lewin, son of Walter Lewin, MD, Mary Eitzen posthumously for Oliver Eitzen, MD, William Fayen, MD, David Schultz, MD, Joseph Lydon, MD and, seated, Bernard Ceraldi, MD.


Raymond R. Rackley, MD (U’95), See Jihad H. Kaouk, MD, 00s, below

Feza H. Remzi, MD (S’96, CRS’97), and Daniel Geisler, MD, Colorectal Surgery, recently performed the world’s first colon resection (partial removal of the colon) entirely through a single incision in the navel. The conventional laparoscopic approach to colon resection for polyps or cancer uses three to five abdominal wall incisions.

Reprinted with Dr. Varley’s correct first name and our apologies:

Joseph D. Varley, MD (P’91), a psychiatrist at Summa Health System, Akron, OH, has been named as the first holder of the Jim and Vanita Oelschager Endowed Chair in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, made possible by a $1.5 million gift by Mr. and Mrs. Oelschlager. Dr. Varley is in-volved in a national Mind Brain Consortium, which is a research program to incorporate neuroscience into clinical practice. Under that consortium, Dr. Varley is conducting clinical trials to determine if there is a drug that can treat multiple sclerosis. Mr. Oelschlager, who is founder and CEO of investment firm Oak Associates, and his wife also support the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment in Green, which is where they met Dr. Varley. Mr. Oelschlager has multiple sclerosis.

| 00s |

Anil V. Asgaonkar, MD (IM’04), recently completed his Nephrology Fellowship at the University of Louisville where he also served as an assistant professor of Medicine. He is now practicing adult and interventional nephrology in Mishawaka, IN. His wife, alumna Melissa D. Stuck-Asgaonkar, MD (PD’04) are both originally from Michigan.

Rachid C. Baz, MD (IM’04, H/O’07), a member of the Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders Department in the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, is the recipient of the 2007 Celgene Future Leaders in Oncology award. The Future Leaders in Oncology award is presented to five fellows who have made significant contributions in the hematology field.

Brock J. Gretter, MD (AN’06, PM’07), joined the General Anesthesiology staff at the Cleveland Clinic, effective Dec.1, 2007.

Emil R. Hayek, MD (CARD’02), was listed by Crain’s Cleveland Business as one of their 2007 “Forty Under 40” of young professionals making

disease as part of the Holy Cross Medical Group. Her office is conveniently located adjacent to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For patient referrals, call 954.493.9752. Dr. Gorensek, board certified in Internal Medicine and Adult and Pediatric Infectious Disease, was previously chair of Infectious Disease at Cleveland Clinic in Florida and was with Cleveland Clinic from completion of her specialty training through March 30, 2007. Dr. Gorensek received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and currently serves as the Alumni Specialty Director for Infectious Diseases on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Marcello M. Mellino, MD (CARD’80), see Joseph F. Lydon Sr., MD, 60s above.

Daniel (Dan) J. Waters, DO (CARD/S’89), recently was featured in a National Geographic Channel documentary on incredible survival stories. He also appeared in companion interview segments on ABC’s newsmagazine 20/20 and on the Fox News

Channel’s Morning Show with Mike & Ju-liet. The documentary film details the story of a snowmobiler who fell into a frozen lake and was resuscitated by Dr. Waters and his surgical team after

more than two hours of cardiac standstill and clinical death, utilizing a portable heart-lung machine. Dr. Waters is chief of Cardiac Surgery at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa. The hospital was recently awarded its seventh “Top100 Cardiovascular Hospitals” award. Dan and his wife, Pamela, live in Mason City and Clear Lake, Iowa and have three children – Jessica 21, Michael 17, and John 12.

| 90s |

Raed A. Dweik, MD (PULMCC’96), directed the inaugural “International Breath Analysis Summit” presented in the fall of 2007 by Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary Allergy and Critical Care Medicine. The event brought together industry executives, entrepreneurs, scientists and clinicians from 23 countries and 18 states to discuss key trends, future directions and upcoming technolo-gies in breath analysis and medicine. Breath test-ing is an innovative new approach for non-invasive disease diagnosis and monitoring, and represents the new frontier in medical testing.

Inderbir S. Gill, MD (RES’90, U/RT’91), Vice Chairman of Cleveland Clinic Glickman Urologi-cal and Kidney Institute, has been awarded the St. Paul’s Medal for outstanding and innovative contributions to the field of urology by the British Association of Urological Surgeons. He received the award at the group’s annual meeting in Man-chester, England.

Michael Lincoff, MD (CARD’92, CARDIN’93), Car-diovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, has been appointed chair of the Lerner Research Institute’s newly created Center for Clinical Research, which will be responsible for providing and coordinating the administrative resources required by clinical researchers throughout Cleveland Clinic. He will remain vice chair for research in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Kandice Kottke-Marchant, MD (ACLPTH’90), chair of the Pathology and Laboratory Medicine In-stitute at Cleveland Clinic, was one of four women celebrated for recent career achievements by the Academic Careers in Engineering and Science, NSF-Advance at a reception, Jan. 7, 2008 at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Kottke-Marchant received her MD and PhD degrees from Case Western Reserve University.

David J. Muzina, MD (P’97), is now the clinical director of the newly established Cleveland Clinic Center for Mood Disorders Treatment & Research at Lutheran Hospital under the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology within the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute. The center, which will house a brand-new 10-bed adult inpatient psychiatry unit at Lutheran Hospital, is specifically designed for the diagnosis and treatment of primary mood disorders such as major depression (which affects roughly one in every 20 American adults in a given year) and bipolar affective disorder (which affects roughly one in every 40 adults each year). Treatment will focus on group therapy, and clinical social workers and art and occupational therapists will help patients address assertive-ness, communication and other issues. The first inpatient program for mood disorders in Northeast Ohio, it marks the opening of the fourth behavioral health unit at the 204-bed Lutheran Hospital on Cleveland’s west side, where Cleveland Clinic relo-cated inpatient psychiatry care in 2005. Two other units treat general psychiatric patients and a third specializes in geriatric psychiatry. The four units can accommodate a total of 74 patients. To make a referral to the new Mood Disorders Inpatient Unit, call 216.363.2122.

Dan J. Waters, DO


Contacts (continued)

Daniel Shedid, MD (SSF’05), relocated to Mon-treal, Quebec, Canada after completing his Spine Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. He was an as-sistant professor at the University of Montreal and affiliated with Notre Dame Hospital doing complex spine surgery until his recent appointment in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida, effective Jan. 2. His areas of interest include minimally invasive spine surgery, defor-mity, tumors, trauma and degenerative disease, as well as brain tumors and aneurysm treatment.

Zhongshou A. Shen, PhD (RES/CB’98, RES/CE’01), moved from New Jersey to accept the post of senior principal scientist in the Department of Pharmacokinetics, Dynamics & Metabolism at Pfizer Global Research and Development in San Diego, CA, in fall, 2007.

Amol Sorin, MD (PM’07), opened two pain management clinics, called Ohio Pain Centers, in Dayton, OH, in February. He expects to open a third center in north Dayton next year and to expand into Columbus and Cincinnati within five to 10 years. To complement his clinical knowledge, he is honing his business skills by completing a Masters of Business Administration degree through the University of Tennessee. In laying out his business plan, he is borrowing from manufacturing and global business, seeking transferable applications to the “business of medicine” which is “unlike anything else we do,” he said.

Gary A. Stephens, MD (CATS’05), led the medical team at the Caribbean Heart Institute in its first bypass surgery in 2007. He currently is “shuttle-ing” between the Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, NY and the Caribbean Heart Institute, where he is lead surgeon and CEO.

Susan E. Williams, MD, MS, RD, CNSP, CCD (NT/S’07), after completing her fellowship in Clini-cal Nutrition and Metabolism, returned to Xenia, OH, joined the staff of Greene Memorial Hospital in October 2007 and opened the Advanced Medical Group Center for Nutrition and Metabolic Medicine Jan. 2, 2008. She also is assistant professor of

Clinical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medi-cine. Dr. Williams studied music in college, spent more

says Dr. Kaouk. A total of 18 kidney surgeries have been completed to date using the single-port approach. The traditional surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse, a common condition affecting women, typically requires a hysterectomy with either a large abdominal incision or several small incisions, including vaginal incisions. The new, single-port technique, which includes technical modifications developed by Dr. Rackley, leaves virtually no scar after surgery, which means less pain and a more rapid recovery for women.

Michael P. Macken, MD (N’98, NPHY’00), has been appointed assistant professor of Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. Previously, he was as-sistant professor of Neurology at Loyola University Medical Center.

Emad B. Mossad, MD (AN’91, CFAN’92), is now chairman of Cardiovascular Anesthesia at the Texas Children’s Hospital of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Previously, he was Section Head of Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia (1997-2008) and Vice-chair of the Department of Pediatric Anesthesia at the Cleveland Clinic. He and his wife, Mona, have two children, David and Nadia.

Mossad family

Courtenay K. Moore, MD (UFPMRS’06), See Jihad H. Kaouk, MD, 00s above.

Armando P. Paez, MD (IM’04), joined the Infec-tious Disease staff at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, after completing an Infectious Disease Fellowship there (2004-2006). He also is assistant professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA. He is the recipient of the Maxwell Finland Award for Excellence in Research and the Edward H. Kass Award for Clinical Excel-lence from the Massachusetts Infectious Disease Society. He is a sub-investigator for the Community Research Initiative of New England (www.crine.org) involved in clinical research in the area of HIV.

an impact on northeast Ohio. Dr. Hayek is the medical director of the Heart & Vascular Center at Akron General Medical Center. Frustrated by the way people abuse their bodies and health and how often individuals ignore the warning signs of heart disease, he said, “People never want to believe it can happen to them. Once you’re in the heart disease club, you’re in. You’re a member, and it’s not curable.” He deals with compliance issues by involving spouses and other family members in the patient’s treatment as early as possible. A wellness regimen will only work for the patient if the family follows the same rules, such as stop-ping smoking and eating a heart-healthy diet. He also spends additional time with patients to insure that they understand what is happening inside their bodies. Ironically, it was the lack of patient education he received from a physician during his junior year at the University of Pennsylvania that compelled him to become a doctor in order to treat patients the way he wanted to be treated. He was seeking an engineering degree when a portion of his rib had to be removed due to a tumor. His surgery was scheduled for the following week without the benefit of any explanations. He switched majors and completed his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University and eventually decided to concentrate his efforts on the heart because he considers it the most amazing organ in the body; providing remarkable service and efficiency from birth to death.

Melissa D. Stuck-Asgaonkar, MD (PD’04), see Anil V. Asgaonkar, MD, above

Sergio G. Thal, MD (CARD/E’06), is the director of Electrophysiology at the South Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Tucson, AZ.

Rishi Gupta, MD (NVS’04), relocated from Oke-mos, MI, to join the Cleveland Clinic’s Cerebrovas-cular Center on Jan. 1, 2008.

Jihad H. Kaouk, MD (U/LS’02), performed the first single-incision (also called single-port) kidney surgery. He, Raymond R. Rackley, MD (U’95), and Courtenay K. Moore, MD (UFPMRS’06), also per-formed the first series of single-incision surgeries for pelvic organ prolapse. The single-port kidney surgery requires only a single, tiny, “belly button” incision and is an improvement on laparoscopic surgery, which typically involves three to four small incisions in the abdominal wall, and results in reduced postoperative pain and minimal scarring. “We are so excited about this new approach that gets us a step forward toward scarless surgery,”

Susan E. Williams, MD


than 20 years as a registered dietitian and had a successful military career before receiving her medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine (Dayton, OH) in 2003. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, she also is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist, a Certified Nutrition Support Physician, a Certified Nutrition Specialist and has maintained her certification as a Registered Dietitian. If you have questions about the practice or would like to refer a patient, please contact Dr. Williams at the Center for Nutrition & Metabolic Medicine: 937.352.2880 or [email protected].

Bin Yang, MD, PhD (ACLPTH’00), a member of the Anatomic Pathology staff at Cleveland Clinic, recently received the 2007 New Frontiers Award from the American Society of Cytopathology. This award is given annually to the individual who best presents original material describing new methods for enhanced cytologic diagnosis or better under-standing of cell biology.

| Future Alumni |

Jason D. Brayley, MD, GL-4 Primary Care Sports fellow, and trainer Tom Ianetta of Cleveland Clinic Sports Health, used a portable defibrillator to save a local high school wresting coach’s life during a tournament.

Melinda Z. Rixey, MD, see Guy M. Sava, MD (S’74, NS’79), 70s above.

Cristina P. Rodriguez, MD (IM’05), and Stephen Douglas Smith, MD, Taussig Cancer Institute Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program, were recently named the Sanofi-Aventis and Genentech BioOncology Fellows, respectively, for the 2007–08 academic year. These fellow-ships support the clinical and research activities of outstanding young oncologists who have made significant contributions to the field.

| In Memoriam |

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.

~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Thomas Boylan, DO (AN’88), 62, a pain manage-ment specialist in Fort Collins, CO, died when his helium balloon hit a power line on Nov. 16, 2007 and crashed in north-central Iowa. Dr. Boylan had

more than 20 years of experience piloting balloons. Fellow balloon pilot Shannon White, a friend of Dr. Boylan, said he was an excellent pilot who was respected and always willing to help others. Mr. White attributed the accident to the time it takes for helium balloons to respond. Helium balloons only have ballasts to release to adjust elevation, he explained. Hot air balloons have ballasts and heated air blowing into the balloon to adjust eleva-tion. Family friend Eileen Campbell said Dr. Boylan was a charismatic individual who frequently took passengers into the sky.

Dr. Boylan especially enjoyed giving rides to young people. “He wanted the younger generation to get involved in ballooning to keep it alive for genera-tions to come,” she said. “He was truly a wonder-ful man and lived life to the fullest.” Dr. Boylan was born on Jan. 16, 1945 and earned his medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific before traveling to Cleveland Clinic for anesthesia training. Dr. Collins is survived by his wife, Margo.

Richard (Dick) J. Broggi, MD (OPH’50), 83, passed away at his home on April 18, 2007. He had practiced ophthalmology in Worcester, MA over a span of five decades from the mid-1950s to 1995. He developed one of the busiest ophthal-mology practices in central Massachusetts. Born July 10, 1923, he received his medical degree from Tufts University Medicial School in 1948. He served in the Navy during both World War II and the Korean War after which he did his ophthalmo-logy training at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals of Cleveland. He started his private practice in Worcester in 1956.

During his nearly 40 years of private practice, he became an active member of several local, national and international ophthalmic specialty societies and served as president of the Massa-chusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. He published several papers in peer reviewed journals and lectured at meetings of various ophthalmological professional societies. Among these publications were descriptions of innova-tive surgical techniques and ophthalmic surgical instruments that he devised or modified. Creative and innovative, his hobby found him tinkering and repairing various things in his home workshop and crafting lamps. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Ann, eight children, 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Karel O. Cejpek, MD (PD’57), 85, a long-time practicing pediatrician and allergist in the La Crosse, WI, area, died from complications of pneumonia on Nov. 8, 2007. Born Oct. 5, 1922, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, he began his medical studies when the University in Prague reopened after World War II. During the communist takeover of Czechoslovakia, he fled and spent a year at a refugee camp in Ludwigsburg, Germany. He resumed his medical studies at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, where he received his doctorate of medicine. In 1955 he immigrated to the United States with his wife, Ursula, and son, Christian, and began an internship at Good Sa-maritan Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. He completed his pediatric residency at Cleveland Clinic and at Milwaukee Children’s Clinic, Milwaukee, WI. In 1957, Dr. Cejpek moved his family to La Crosse and began practicing pediatrics at Grandview Clinic, which later became Skemp Grandview. In 1978, he opened his own practice, from which he retired in 1988. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Academy of Al-lergy and Immunology. In retirement, Dr. Cejpek sincerely appreciated meeting adults and their families in the community, especially those he treated as children. He loved his farm in Romance, WI, where he moved in 1984, and enjoyed many outdoor activities.

Dr. Cejpek is survived by his wife of 53 years and their four children, Christian (Kim) Cejpek, Annemarie (Thomas) Kasper, Peter (Foula) Cejpek, and Jennifer Cejpek; and five grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 400 Congress Ave., Viroqua, WI or to the Christian Children’s Fund, 2821 Emerywood Pkwy., Richmond, VA 23294.

Stuart Melton Cooper, MD (OPH’73), died Nov. 8, 2007 at age 63. Although he was never a smoker and was otherwise in good health, Dr. Cooper was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer in April. A native of Chicago, Dr. Cooper earned his medical degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine and interned at Evanston Hospital in Illinois. He completed his residency at Cleveland Clinic and then spent two years in the Navy as a medical officer at Portsmouth Hospital in Virginia. Most of his medical career was spent in Milwaukee, where he had a private practice before moving to Albuquerque to join LasikPlus Vision Center in 2005.

Besides being devoted to his patients, calling them in the evenings to check on them, Dr. Cooper loved gardening and grew every vegetable he



received his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1945. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth (Becky), and children, Kathy, Brian, Steven and Bill. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5555 Frantz Road, Dublin, OH 43017.

Leonard A. Klafta Jr., MD (S’64, NS’68), died Aug. 13, 2007. He is survived by his wife Sandra; two children, Catherine and Phillip; four step-children, Brian, Michelle, Tara and Kelly; nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be made to the Witchita Center for Graduate Medical Education, 1010 N. Kansas, Witchita, KS 67214.

Michael J. McNally, MD (S’60, NS’64), of Colorado Springs, CO, died Feb. 14, 2008. He received a BS degree from the University of Scranton and his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, in 1955. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1958. During that time he interned at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Philadelphia for one year and then took Flight Surgery Training at the U.S. Naval Base in Pensacola. He served as a Flight Surgeon and Group Medical Officer for Marine Air Group 11 in the Far East. After complet-ing his Neurological Surgery training in 1964 at Cleveland Clinic, he entered private practice in 1964 in Colorado Springs. His practice later became Colorado Springs Neurological Associates, where he remained until he retired in 1998.

Dr. McNally was a member of multiple Neurosurgi-cal Societies and regional medical groups. He served as president of Colorado Springs Neurologi-cal Associates for 20 years, and president of the Rocky Mountain Neurosurgical Society, and is the past chair of the Medical Morals Committee of Penrose Hospital. He served on the Board of Direc-tors of United, Norwest, and Wells Fargo Banks. He also served as a board member for Cheyenne Village and the Pikes Peak Range Riders. He had a particular interest in the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and served on the Advisory Board for the Department of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and on the Development Committee of the Beth-El School of Nursing. He loved to read and travel with his wife, Mary Ellen, and they were able to visit all seven continents.

Dr. McNally is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Ellen; four children, Mary Beth, Maureen, Michael (Michelle), Mark (partner Gordon); and five grandchildren. Contributions may be made in Dr. McNally’s name to Cheyenne Village, Goodwill Industries or Beth-El School of Nursing.

office; one niece and one nephew; and his loving companion, Anne Tomko.

Dr. Hruby was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane. Contributions may be sent to Cleveland Clinic via the Office of Alumni Relations, 9500 Euclid Ave. – DV1, Cleveland, OH 44195; or to the Visiting Nurse Association of Cleveland, 2500 E. 22 St., Cleveland, OH 44115.

George O. Jaquith, MD (OPH’48), of Brawley, CA, died Oct. 24, 2007. After serving as a medical officer in the Navy during World War II, Dr. Jaquith completed training at Cleveland Clinic and the San Diego Naval Hospital. He was one of the first medi-cal specialists in Imperial Valley and was on the staff of all of the area hospitals during his 35-year career. He was a delegate to the California Medical Association for many years, and held various offices in the California Association of Ophthalmol-ogy and the Southern California Association for the Prevention of Blindness. One of his loves outside of work was genealogy, and after almost 30 years of research, he published an 800-page book on his family’s history in 1982.

Dr. Jaquith is survived by his wife of 67 years, Pearl; three children, Patricia Mueller (Don), George Jaquith Jr. (Toni), and Michele Smith (David); nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Donations in his memory may be made to the Northwestern University Ophthalmol-ogy Department, 750 North Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611; or to the San Diego- Imperial Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1207 Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103.

Milton A. Kamsler Jr., MD (IM’53), age 83, passed away peacefully at Flagler Hospital in St. Augus-tine, FL., on March 23, 2007. Born July 13, 1923, in Philadelphia, he completed his undergraduate work at Amherst College and earned his doctorate of medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1947. Dr. Kamsler married Ruth Mae Harris in 1946. He was a dedicated physician who enjoyed a 30-plus-year career in private practice as a doctor of internal medicine in Burlingame, CA. He proudly served in the U.S. Army in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt, Germany, during the post-World War II era. In addition to his wife of 60 years, Dr. Kamsler is survived by two sons, J. Scott (Linda Bishop) Kamsler and Kirk (Cindy) Kamsler; one daughter, Susan Louise (John Fogg) Kamsler; and five grandchildren.

Calvin B. Kitchen, MD (OPH’51), of Columbus, OH, died on his 85th birthday, June 25, 2006. He

could cultivate. He studied planting, soil blending, root structure, fertilizing, watering techniques and harvesting. He loved sharing his crops with co-workers, friends and family. Dr. Cooper is survived by his wife Susan; three children, Mitchell, Jorie Cwik (Marc), and Jeffrey; and two grandchildren. Donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 820 Davis Street, Suite 400, Evanston, IL 60201.

Thomas J. Ebner, DO (END’74), age 64, formerly of Aurora, OH, passed away on Jan. 14, 2008 in North Port, FL, where he was retired. He was an endocrinologist and internal medicine specialist at Brentwood Hospital and formerly vice president of Medical Affairs at Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights, OH. He was pre-ceded in death by his wife, Cecelia (nee O’Brien), and a son, Thomas J. Ebner Jr., DO; and is survived by two daughters, Colleen (Randy) Gallagher and Cathleen Ebner; daughter-in-law Melissa Ebner; three grandchildren; and a sister, Marian Klemer.

John F. Gschwendtner, MD (S’69, OTOCD’72), died suddenly at home on Dec. 29, 2007. Dr. Gschwendtner was an ENT surgeon and depart-ment head at Medical Associates in Dubuque, IA. After his Cleveland Clinic training, he served as a captain in the Air Force, stationed in Lubbock TX. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and a member of the Dubuque County Medical Society, serving as president from 1984 to 1985.

He is survived by his wife, Louise; two children, Jean (Scott) Diener, and John (Carol) Gschwendt-ner Jr.; and six grandchildren. Contributions may be made in his name to the Deafness Research Foundation, PO Box 75421, Baltimore, MD 21275.

Ferdinand “Fred” Hruby, MD (IM’44, IM48), age 91, passed away peacefully on Feb. 10 in his home in Chagrin Falls, OH. Dr. Hruby suffered a stroke, but after a brief hospitalization was able to spend his last days in the home he had built on his grand-father’s property. Dr. Hruby recently shared his recollections of Cleveland Clinic from his childhood, training and career in Alumni Connection, Volume XXVIII, no. 3, which can be seen on the internet at www.clevelandclinic.org/education/alumni.

After retiring from a successful and fulfilling 62-year medical career, Dr. Hruby remained active until his last days, even playing maracas in local bands. He is survived by his brother, Charles Hruby, DDS, with whom he shared a medical


Thelma J. (Janaske) Proudfit, 93, beloved wife of William L. Proudfit, MD (IM’43), died in her home Nov. 6, 2007. Born Oct. 21, 1914, in Shamokin, PA, she graduated in nursing at Geisinger Memorial Hospital in Danville, PA, where she was Instruc-tor of Nursing Arts for the following five years. She attended the School of Nursing of Columbia University. After marriage in 1940, she worked as a nurse at University Hospitals in Cleveland. She is survived by her husband; three children, John, Ann Iannarelli, and James; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mrs. Proudfit was described as a fine cook, an attentive and loving mother and a calm, affectionate wife. For many years, she was active in Calvary Presbyterian Church and was one of its first two women elders.

She taught young children in Sunday school for 18 years and was active in the work of foreign, national and local missions. In the last 12 years, she was a faithful member of Forest Hill Presbyte-rian Church Presbyterian at 3031 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights, Ohio, to which contributions in her memory may be made or to a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy to Dr. Proudfit and his family can be triaged via the Office of Alumni Relations, 9500 Euclid Ave. – DV1, Cleve-land, OH 44195.

Valentine F. (Bill) Pyto Jr., MD (IM’58), died of cancer at the age of 76. He had retired from his cardiology practice at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA, and was enjoying a wide variety of pastimes including driving Old Smokey, the steam locomotive at Knoebel Grove Amusement Park. A licensed pilot, Dr. Pyto loved to fly over the Pennsylvania hills with his granddaughters and look down at the “broccoli-like” trees; and sail the Chesapeake Bay in a variety of sailboats. He played piano passionately and performed in com-munity theater.

Dr. Pytko is survived by his wife of 45 years, Dolo-res; two children, Mary Pytko Marten, and William (Kim); and three granddaughters. Memorial gifts may be made to the Oncology Unit of Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822 in honor of Dr. Suresh Nair; or to the Columbia Montour Home Hospice, 599 E. Seventh Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

Eugene W. Rumsey Sr., MD (S’51), 89, died March 24, 2007

Willard D. (Will) Steck, MD, former Cleveland Clinic Dermatology staff, died on Jan. 6, 2008. Dr. Steck was a longtime resident of Bratenahl,

OH who retired from Cleveland Clinic in 1992. Dr. Steck completed his medical residency, internship and fellowship with the U.S. Air Force. Allison Vidimos, MD (D’89, DS’91), chairman of the Dermatology Department said, “Dr. Steck will be remembered for his astute clinical acumen, outstanding teaching skills, quick wit and compas-sionate patient care.

His generous endowed chair in clinical dermatology will perpetuate his contributions to dermatology and to the care of patients at Cleveland Clinic.” Jess Young, MD (IM’59), retired chairman of Vascular Medicine, added additional remarks at Dr. Steck’s memorial service. “Will Steck was a renowned dermatologist whose career included publication of more than 100 scientific papers and leadership of several organizations,” he said. “In addition, he had many other interests and skills. He was an accomplished speaker, teacher and researcher. He was a pilot in the Air Force, a world traveler, a musician and artist, a gardener and gourmet chef, and an avid sportsman.

Will was a strong supporter of Cleveland Clinic, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Art Institute.” In 2003, Dr. Steck made a $1.5 million donation to the Department of Dermatology for the creation of its first chair, The Willard D. Steck, MD, Chair in Clinical Dermatology.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Pulley Steck and is survived by four nieces and two nephews. A military honors service was held for Dr. Steck at Arlington National Cemetary on Feb. 27, 2008. Donations in Dr. Steck’s name may be made to the Cleveland Orchestra c/o Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106.

Harold A. Streit, MD (ORS’49), retired Captain in the U.S. Navy/MC, died Dec. 26, 2007 at the age of 93, at the St. Francis Home in Laconia, FL. Born in Los Angeles, CA, he grew up in Iowa before gradu-ating from Loyola University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, in 1939. In 1944 he was commis-sioned as a Lieutenant in the Navy Medical Corps serving as a Flight Surgeon through the end World War II. It was during this period that he met his bride of 61 years, LTJG Elizabeth (Betty) Gienandt. He also served in the Korean War with the 1st Marine Division in November 1950 and was part of the infamous Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Life in the Navy offered a wealth of opportunities for travel and adventure with tours of duty in California, Massachusetts, Italy and Japan.

Dr. Streit had a distinguished career and was awarded numerous medals and honors for his ser-vice to our country. He left the Navy after 30 years wearing his Naval “wings” and as a well-known orthopedic surgeon. Retiring in 1971 to Governors Island and Naples, FL, he continued to pursue fishing, gardening and most of all, tennis. Survi-vors include sons, Thomas and Phillip; daughter, Patricia Yagoda-Streit; and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made to a charity of your choice.

Robert W. Tawse, MD (U’51), age 84, died Oct. 11, 2006. Born July 9, 1922, he received his medical degree from Cornell University in 1946. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Merrill Tawse, RN, BSN, in Nov. 2004. The couple raised four children, Nancy, Robert W. Jr., Merrill and Stephanie.

Lawrence (Larry) L. Tretbar, MD, FACS (GL-1’61, IM’62, S’67), 74, surgeon, educator, medical inventor, cartoonist, photographer and former president of the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Associa-tion Board of Directors, died Oct. 14, 2007, at the Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson, KS. Dr. Tretbar lived and practiced in Shawnee Mission, KS, where he founded the Vein Clinic of Kansas City. His medical insight, modesty, artistic ability and rare good humor endeared him to his many friends and medical colleagues around the world. His handlebar moustache was legendary. He educated peers and students in medicine and photography, pioneered surgical procedures for obesity, venous disease and modified mastectomies, and directed a series of educational films for the AMA.

For the last several years, Dr. Tretbar was dedi-cated to establishing Lymphology as a medical specialty in the United States. He always sought to improve medical techniques, instruments, and therapies according to the working principle of his mentor, Dr. George Crile Jr., (S’37), of Cleveland Clinic: “Question the time-honored procedures.” Dr. Tretbar’s private practice was far from typi-cal. In addition to caring for patients, he was a prolific research scientist, publishing papers and lecturing worldwide. He was widely-known by colleagues as “The Grandfather of American Phle-bology.” Dr. Tretbar and his wife, Kathleen Paulsen, whom he always described as the love of his life, celebrated their 50th anniversary last summer.

Dr. Tretbar trained in General Surgery at Cleveland Clinic from 1960-67, where he also worked in the laboratory of Dr. Willem Kolff, developing a pro-



to the appearance of symptoms, he was able to discover more effective ways of treating coronary heart disease with medication. Patients seeking alternatives to bypass surgery and angioplasty turned Dr. Howard H. Wayne’s Bankers Hill office into a mini-United Nations.

At 82, Dr. Wayne had finished his fourth book, Do You Really Need Bypass Surgery? A Second Opinion, and had completed an outline for a fifth. Working long hours at his Noninvasive Heart Center was as much a passion as a profession.

He is survived by his wife, Gypsy B.; daughters, Marianne Werner and Vanja James; sons Howard Jr., Edward, Michael, and Bradley; and brother, Roy Weiner. Donations are suggested to the San Diego Zoological Society.

C. Charles Welch, MD, 77, a former member of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiology staff, died of cancer at his home in Temple, TX on Aug. 14, 2007. Dr. Welch received his undergraduate, graduate and medical degrees at Northwestern University in Evanston IL. He married Phyllis Joan Norman, whom he met during high school in Brookings, ND, in 1952. In 1955, he joined the Navy, and began an internship and residency in internal medicine at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA.

He was stationed at Great Lakes, IL, Jacksonville, FL, and Bethesda, MD, where he served as a fellow in Cardiology. In an article he wrote, “With the President’s Body,” for the November 2000 issue of American Heritage he explained that he was in his fifth month of his cardiology fellowship at Bethesda Naval Hospital when he heard the awful news of President Kennedy’s shooting. “Around four

Clinic. Dr. Wayne rose to chief of medicine at Keesler Air Force Base Hospital in Biloxi, MS.

He left in 1960 to practice in San Diego. Early in his career, while on the Faculty of the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, the forerunner of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), he was challenged by the frequent occurrence of unexplained accidents involving high performance aircraft. In addition, criteria were being defined for the selection of future astronauts. One of his early interests was to discover new ways of uncovering heart disease in pilots and future astronauts. This began his long quest for an early warning system so that heart disease not only could be diagnosed but treated as early as possible.

With grant support from the American Heart Asso-ciation, Dr. Wayne was successful in applying new methods to study heart function and to use these procedures to uncover heart disease long before traditional examination methods. Subsequently he wrote the first textbook on noninvasive cardiology in the early 70s. From 1975-1979. his scientific exhibits were displayed on multiple occasions at annual meetings of the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Medical Association, the European College of Cardiology and the Asian Society of Cardiology.

In 1975, the American Medical Association presented Dr. Wayne the Hull Award for a scientific exhibit detailing noninvasive techniques in cardiol-ogy. In the process of detecting heart disease prior

totype of the artificial heart and creating an early procedure for human liver transplant. After com-pleting his residency in Cleveland, he was Senior Surgical Registrar at the West Middlesex Hospital in London, England. He began practicing in Kansas City in 1968. Marcus D. Stanbro, DO (VM’92), who practiced with Dr. Tretbar from 1997 to 2001 and describes himself as “Larry’s protégé,” says that Dr. Tretbar’s book, Disorders of the Legs: Principles and Practice had many of Larry’s original illustrations and photographs. He added that Larry’s artistic photographs that also graced his home and office, “were not just pictures, but stories. What beautiful stories they were.”

Dr. Stanbro is now in a vascular medicine practice with another Cleveland Clinic alumnus, Bruce H. Gray, DO (VM’90), in Greenville, SC. Dr. Tretbar was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, serving as president of the Kansas Chapter, as well as president of the Phlebology Society of America. He also served on the Board of Directors of the American College of Phlebology. He was a founding member of the American Venous Forum, and of the American Society of Lymphology. At the time of his death, he was serving as its president and had just completed a textbook on Lymphology, now at press. He was also actively involved with Cancer Connection and Hospice of Kansas City. Dr. Tretbar is survived by his wife; son Eric, and daughter Kirsten (Ozzy) Benn; and his brother, Harold C. Tretbar, MD (IM’64).

William E. Wagner Jr., MD (RES’53), died Nov. 23, 2007. He retired from a 41-year career as a research associate at Ciba Geigy Pharmaceutical Company in Basking Ridge, NJ in 1992. Dr. Wagner was a member of the American Medical Associa-tion and the Academy of Family Practice.

He is survived by his wife, Eunice; two sons, Wil-liam Wagner III, PhD (Meredith), and Christopher Wagner, MD (Kristin); and four grandchildren. Memorial gifts may be made to the Evangelical Fellowship Chapel, PO Box 204, Liberty Corner, NJ 07938; or to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 1834, Merrifield, VA 22116.

Howard H. Wayne, MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP (IM’58), of La Mesa, CA, was three days short of his 83rd birthday when he died of cardiac arrest Oct. 23, 2006, while vacationing in South Lake Tahoe. Dr. Wayne obtained a combined MD and Masters Degree in Cardiovascular Physiology at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake For-est in 1953 before completing training at Cleveland Dazed young Naval officer C. Charles Welch, MD, in the front seat. Life Magazine 1963


Please Keep in Contact

_________________________________________________________________NAME

_________________________________________________________________PHONE

_________________________________________________________________ADDRESS q HOME q OFFICE

_________________________________________________________________CITY, STATE, ZIP

_________________________________________________________________E-MAIL ADDRESS

WHAT’S NEW?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Cleveland Clinic Alumni Relations wants to stay on top of significant changes in your life. Have you moved? Taken on a teaching position? Re-ceived an academic promotion or professional recognition of some sort? Decided to retire? Have an interesting hobby or avocation you’d like to

share? Your former Cleveland Clinic colleagues really want to know what you are up to. Please take a few moments to complete this coupon so that we can keep them informed via “Contacts” (page 24 of this issue).

o’clock, we received word that President Johnson was returning immediately to Washington. Since he had suffered a heart attack in 1955 while Senate majority leader, it seemed wise to send a cardiolo-gist in a Navy ambulance down to Andrews Air Force Base to be at the disposal of the President’s physician.”

Soon after parking inside the fence at the base one of Kennedy’s staff came by and explained that they might not be able to transport President Kennedy’s body by helicopter and requested the ambulance. Knowing by then that President Johnson was in no difficulty, Dr. Welch and the ambulance “pulled up to the front of the line of cars just before Air Force One landed.” Dr. Welch, stepping out of the ambulance, looked up at a scene he said he’d never forget: “the bronze casket of the President flanked by his brother and his magnificent wife in her bloodstained dress.” In a 1963 Life magazine photo, a “dazed young naval officer in the front seat of the ambulance” is “peering over his shoul-der at Mrs. Kennedy as she attempts to open the back door, with Robert Kennedy just behind her.”

When Mrs. Kennedy wanted to accompany her husband’s body to Bethesda, the nurse and Dr. Welch quickly offered their seats and were returned to Bethesda by an aide in a White House limousine. “Thus occurred a second never-to-be-forgotten image: the solemn, silent groups of people leaning over the railings of the overpasses as our procession made its way to the National Naval Medical Center.”

Dr. Welch joined the Cleveland Clinic’s Cardiology Department in 1965, and, after nine years, joined the Cardiology Department at Scott and White Hospital and Clinic in Temple in 1974. William L. Proudfit, MD (IM’43), Cleveland Clinic emeritus cardiologist, wrote that “Chuck was an excellent cardiologist; recognized as a careful clinician, a meticulous electrocardiographer and fine investi-gator and writer.”

Dr. Welch retired from Scott White in 1995 but continued to teach electrocardiography to medical students and residents, and to read cardiograms for 12 more years.

Dr. Welch is survived by his wife, Joan, and three children: Susan Kay Welch and her daughter Lauren Ferrel ; Julia Welch (Jack Taylor) and their daughter Kyla Taylor; and Thomas (Fransesca) Welch. Memorials may be made to Scott and White Hospital in care of the Development Office, 2401 S. 31st St., Temple, TX 76508; or First United Method-ist Church of Temple, 102 N. 2nd St., Temple, TX 76501.

Paul M. Wolfson, DO, FACC, FACP (GL-1’71, IM’72), 63, formerly of Northbrook, IL, died Oct. 25, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV after a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy. Born in Atlantic City, NJ Dec. 20, 1943, he graduated from the Chi-cago College of Osteopathic Medicine. After serving his internship and residency at Cleveland Clinic, he completed a cardiology fellowship at the University

of Iowa. In 1974, he joined the Department of Medicine at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, now known as Midwestern University, where he taught for 27 years, training thousands of students, residents, fellows and diagnostic techni-cians. He became director of Cardiology in 1980 and a professor of Medicine in 1983, posts he held until his retirement in 2002.

Dr. Wolfson was one of the early osteopathic physi-cians to formally train in allopathic programs for internal medicine and cardiology. He was among the first osteopathic physicians to achieve fel-lowship in the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Wolfson authored more than 75 publications and abstracts and was a principal investigator for over 100 clinical research studies of investigational new drugs during the 1980’s and 1990’s. He was a brilliant educator and an expert diagnostician, beloved by his students and patients. Away from the office, he enjoyed playing golf.

Dr. Wolfson is survived by his loving wife, Marlene (Rosenberg), who was at his side throughout the course of his illness; and children, Dr. Jack (Dr. Heather) Wolfson, Dr. Eric (Hillary) Wolfson, and Dana (Eric) Berggren; 5 grandchildren; and his brother, Howard (Linda) Wolfson. Understanding the cause and finding new treatment of neurologi-cal disease is the greatest gift you can give. Visit www.curepsp.org and make a donation in Dr. Paul Wolfson’s honor.

The Cleveland Clinic FoundationAlumni Relations, DV19500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Cleveland, Ohio

Permit No. 4184

Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection

A publication of the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association. Produced for medical alumni and friends by the Division of Marketing, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195. 216.444.2487 | 800.444.3664 | fax 216.445.2730 | e-mail [email protected]

CCF Alumni Association Board of DirectorsScott A. Strong, MD, President

Robert E. Hermann, MD .............................................Medical DirectorWilliam M. Michener, MD ............................ Emeritus Medical DirectorSandra S. Stranscak ...............................................Executive DirectorMarilyn Bryce ..........................................................Associate DirectorMarjorie Heines ..........................................................................Editor

Cleveland Clinic is an independent, not-for-profit, multispecialty academic medical center. It is dedicated to providing quality specialized care and includes an outpatient clinic, a hospital with more than 1,000 staffed beds, an education division and a research institute.

Lee M. Adler, DOMohammed Alghoul, MDKenneth W. Angermeier, MDGary E. Barnett, MDJanet W. Bay, MDJohn A. Bergfeld, MDEdwin G. Beven, MDRonald M. Bukowski, MDJoseph M. Damiani, MDGary H. Dworkin, MDZeyd Y. Ebrahim, MDKathleen Franco, MDGita P. Gidwani, MDJaime F. Godoy, MDLilian V. Gonsalves, MDMargaret J. Gorensek, MDRobert E. Hobbs, MDCarl Koch

Pauline Kwok, MDLucy Massullo LaPerna, DOJames W. Lewis, MDAndrew C. Liu, DO, PhDM. Deborah Lonzer, MDCareen Y. Lowder, MDMonique Ogletree, PhDCormac A. O’Donovan, MDDavid E. Martin, MDWilliam L. Proudfit, MDEdward D. Ruszkewicz, MDRaymond J. Scheetz Jr., MDLeslie R. Sheeler, MDElias I. Traboulsi, MDAllison T. Vidimos, MDDavid P. Vogt, MDMichael B. Walsh, DO

Save the Date June 3–6, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio

SavethedatesbetweenJune3-6,2009fora special Heart Summit, June 3-5, and extra alumni programming.

TOuR – the new state of the art Heart and Vascular and Urological and Kidney Institutes

CELEBRATE – the 10th Anniversary of the Alumni Library

WELCOME – the 83rd annual class of graduating interns, residents, fellows and post-docs, now num-bering more than 400 graduates per year, into our world-wide Alumni network of 10,000 physicians and scientists in every U.S. state and territory and 71 foreign countries

COMMEMORATE – the graduation of the inaugural five-yearClassof2009fromtheClevelandClinicLernerCollege of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University

ENJOy – the camaraderie of fellow alumni, and former and current faculty, staff, teachers and mentors!

Watch your mail and future issues of Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection for details.

The 2009 Alumni Reunion

Documents

Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection - Vol. XXVIX No. 1