Illinois Medicine

FESTIVITIES CELEBRATE MEDICINE THAT HAPPENS HERE Illinois Medicine toasts traditions of innovation and inclusion HE ANNUAL TRADITION OF ALUMNI, FACULTY AND STUDENTS COMING TOGETHER to reunite, remember the storied history and reinvigorate the mission of the College of Medicine for the future was celebrated once again last fall during the 2016 Reunion and Illinois Medicine Gala celebrations. Alumni from the Chicagoland region, the state of Illinois and across the nation returned to campus to explore the updated College of Medicine Learning Center, interact with current faculty and medical students, and reminisce about their years of training. The weekend celebrations kicked off with the Golden Alumni Dinner at the Hotel InterContinental honoring the Class of 1966. Alongside College of Medicine Executive Dean Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA, class volunteers Philip Siegert '62, MD '66, MS '69, and Stephen Sherman, MD '66, welcomed members of the 50th reunion class for the celebration as the class shared memories about their time in medical school. Current medical students also celebrated the class of 1966 by presenting them with Golden Alumni medallions. The College of Medicine broadened its reunion celebration as alumni came to campus to participate in seminars held by educational leadership, faculty and the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient. While celebrating his own 15th reunion, Abbas Hyderi, MD '01, MPH, associate dean for curriculum, presented modern educational and curricular concepts along with Raymond Curry, MD, FACP, senior associate dean for education. Alumni also gathered for a presentation from a faculty panel discussing "Today's Most Pressing Global Health Issues." The panel included alumnus and professor of orthopaedic surgery Mark Hutchinson '83, MD '87, who served as head team physician for the United States Olympic Committee during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The previous year's Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, Douglas Mathisen '70, MD '74, also provided a presentation to alumni guests about the evolution of thoracic surgery education. For the third year, the Illinois Medicine Gala recognized the generosity of William W. Root Society members and bestowed the 2016 class of Illinois Medicine awards (see p. 36). The awards presented to alumni and innovators like Julius Richmond '37, MD '40 (accepted posthumously by his family); Lester Salans '59, MD '61; Mary Jo LaDu, PhD '91; Abbas Hyderi, MD '01, MPH; and Binay Shah, MD, Fel '10, underscored the COM's robust history in medicine. The gala also amplified a reinvigorated passion for the convergence of innovative medical practice with other professions to advance education, research and the delivery of patient care in Illinois and across the nation. Speaking to members of the Root Society, UIC Chancellor Michael Amiridis, PhD, thanked the alumni for their generosity over the years. "Your support increases our reputation, and the value of a degree from UIC and the College of Medicine," he said. "Whether you are a new donor or a longtime supporter, I hope you will continue your tradition of giving, cementing your legacy and ours for the future." I L L I N O I S M E D I C I N E | 35 T reunion & gala by Michael Wesbecher Members of the College of Medicine community, including alumni, donors and friends, came together over the weekend to interact with students and faculty, share notes on their careers and lives to date, and celebrate their school's mission and successes. P H O T O S : D I A N E S M U T N Y

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