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the alumni network by Jenna Plakut, director of alumni relations On the Road With Dean Azar T he dean's travels recently included alumni gatherings in Bloomington, Ill., and San Francisco, where Dean Azar had the opportunity to share his vision for reshaping medical education in the 21st century with College of Medicine alumni and guests. This vision includes a change in the college's curriculum from a lecture-based approach to an emphasis on active learning and renovation of the historic College of Medicine West tower to include classrooms and small group discussion areas that can accommodate this approach to teaching. Photo: lloyd de Spring is in the air: flowers are in bloom, the weather is changing, children are emerging from layers of outerwear to play and greet activities only green fields and spring can provide. gr a n e The College of Medicine is embracing spring as well. We are getting ready and excited for the Jenna Plakut physical renovation of several of the floors and spaces within the historic College of Medicine West Tower building. As we prepare for these renovations, it is quite appropriate to reflect on how far we have come since our doors opened for the first time. How could our founders ever have imagined the growth and expansion of new buildings, classrooms, laboratories and health care facilities; the incomprehensible advances in medical research, technology, education and training; and the transformation of patient care and safety? These and other advances exemplify one of the defining characteristics of our great institution since its opening: a legacy of innovative leadership and a diverse and accomplished body of alumni. As one of America's largest medical colleges, the University of Illinois has consistently been a pioneer in training medical professionals to provide clinical care, research and education to communities across the state and our nation as a whole. We reflect on this rich history and hope to better provide opportunities for our alumni to connect with us, our current students and one another. One of the ways that we are enhancing networking opportunities for alumni is by developing a College of Medicine profile on the University of Illinois Alumni Association Online Network. This network will help us share information with alumni, connect alumni to each other, connect alumni to current students, list upcoming events and create a portal for alumni to search for each other based on specific criteria (specialty, geographic area of practice, affiliated hospital/clinic, etc.). The network will be launching soon! We hope that you will join us and the other 26,000 alumni who call the College of Medicine — whether a graduate from the Peoria, Rockford, Urbana or Chicago campus — their alma mater. Also, look for the College of Medicine and Dean Azar on the road, possibly coming to a city or area near you. (See his schedule of travel on facing page.) As always, we love to hear from you. Share your class notes, or volunteer your time as a student mentor or member of our Alumni Council. In advance, I thank you for being engaged with your alma mater. Only collectively can we be successful. As we launch our alumni network and create events and programs to bring our alumni together, we will be looking to each of you for your participation. Happy Spring! 36 | Spr i n g 2 0 1 3 Bloomington, Ill. Attended by 40 alumni and their spouses, the Bloomington gathering was held Sept. 20 at the Bloomington Country Club. In addition to Dean Azar, the representatives of the college included Sara Rusch, MD, Res '81, regional dean in Peoria; and Enrico Benedetti, MD, Res '93, Warren H. Cole Chair and head of surgery. During the dinner, Benedetti presented the Warren H. Cole Distinguished Alumni Award to John W. Frisch, MD '53. "It was an honor for me, because I knew Dr. Cole, and I considered him a close friend," said Frisch of the award, named for a renowned former chair of surgery in the College of Medicine. "It was a very worthwhile meeting," added Frisch, who acted as co-host for the event with Ruel Wright, MD, MS '77, Res '82. "I definitely think the people there are going to feel closer to the college again." San Francisco In San Francisco, 35 people joined the dean for brunch at the St. Francis Yacht Club, located on the bay with a beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge. "We all had fun. The dean really enjoyed connecting with a lot of people," said K.M. Tan '67, MD '71, who served as regional host. "There's a fair amount of alumni that want to reconnect with the college, and events like this with the dean help to do it." Peoria UI Day University of Illinois President Robert Easter meets College of Medicine alumni in Peoria. University of Illinois President Robert Easter, PhD, was the distinguished guest Oct. 17 during an alumni event on the campus of the College of Medicine at Peoria. Easter told those gathered that the influence of the college "extends the reach of our world-class programs into this important region, and fulfills our commitment to use the power of those programs to benefit the citizens across Dean Dimitri Azar met with 40 alumni and their spouses in Bloomington, Ill. Photo: Ron Johnson