Illinois Medicine

"To be named the A. Tom Petropulos Endowed Professor for Professionalism in Medicine is a very meaningful honor. Not only were Dr. Petropulos and I colleagues, but we were also friends sharing our Greek heritage. Tom was the quintessential clinician, educator and professional in his long career. I am proud to carry forward his legacy and his name through educational activities related to professionalism in medicine for the enrichment of medical students, residents, fellows and faculty." GEORGE T. KONDOS, MD '78 Interim Chair, Department of Medicine A. Tom Petropulos Professor for Professionalism in Medicine "I am honored to hold the Sara Smart Mansueto Endowed Professorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery as an enduring tribute to the late Sara Smart Mansueto, UIC alum and beloved wife of the late Dr. Mario Mansueto. I am forever grateful to Joe and Rika Mansueto for their enormous support of our research endeavors through creating this professorship and also establishing the Mansueto Research Fund, which has been supporting the laboratory of Professor Takeshi Shimamura. The pioneering work of Dr. Shimamura on newer kinase inhibitors as potential targeted therapy for lung cancer underscores the commitment of the University of Illinois College of Medicine to tackle this most common cancer killer and to save more lives." MALEK G. MASSAD, MD, FACS Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Sara Smart Mansueto Professor in Cardiothoracic Surgery George T. Kondos, MD Malek G. Massad, MD, FACS Illinois Medicine | 31 "Dr. Masi was an outstanding mentor who played an important role in the lives of many young physicians," says Regional Dean Emeritus Sara Rusch, MD. "His patients loved him. He was also very knowledgeable and thoughtful and filled with curiosity about why certain people were affected by particular diseases. This curiosity led to a very successful research career." "Dr. Masi's contributions of time, teaching, clinical care and research were immeasurable and invaluable," adds Teresa Lynch, MD, who currently leads the Department of Medicine in Peoria. "He also brought Nancy into our departmental family, and we feel blessed to have them both." A Lifelong Commitment to Excellence After decades of distinguished service, Dr. Masi is still making meaningful contributions to medicine. He recently joined forces with his wife, Nancy, and their children—Christopher Masi, MD; Anthony Masi, MD; Amy Masi Schauwecker; and Maria Masi-Kammerer—to advance medicine in perpetuity with a $1.2 million gift to establish a fund leading to the first endowed chair at the Department of Medicine in Peoria. The Dr. Alfonse and Nancy Masi Endowed Chair of Medicine will support a nationally renowned physician-scientist who will enhance the department's research enterprise while promoting a culture of innovation, scholarship and discovery. "This endowed chair reflects our family's long-standing commitment to excellence," says Dr. Masi. "It is our hope that it will set a high standard for leadership in clinical research, teaching and dedicated services at the College of Medicine in the years to come." "The Masis' generous gift will have a lasting impact on the Department of Medicine and elevate academic medicine overall in Peoria," says Regional Dean Meenakshy Aiyer, MD, MACP. "Dr. Masi knows firsthand the importance of research and scholastic activity in attracting and retaining the best and brightest faculty physicians, who go on to treat and provide care for innumerable patients. The creation of the Dr. Alfonse and Nancy Masi Endowed Chair of Medicine is a complement to the rich legacy that Dr. Masi has created surrounding research, teaching the next generation of physicians and providing outstanding clinical care." "This endowed chair reflects our family's long-standing commitment to excellence. It is our hope that it will set a high standard for leadership in clinical research, teaching and dedicated services at the College of Medicine in the years to come." Alfonse T. Masi, MD, DrPH The Impact of Giving

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