February 9, 2023

Dennis H. Novack, MD, professor of medicine and associate dean of medical education, teaches clinical skills to the next generation of doctors. A few musically talented students get the real Dennis Novack Experience – playing in a cover band that, alongside other Drexel Medicine musical performers, has raised over $650,000 for pediatric AIDS research and care at the Dorothy Mann Center for Pediatric and Adolescent HIV, which provides patient-centered HIV/AIDS care at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children for newborns, infants, children and teens.

The band is typically the closing act at the College of Medicine’s annual Pediatric AIDS Benefit Concert (PABC) – now in its 30th year. Novack, now on vocals, wants to use his voice to make sure his students shine in the music and in their professions.

“A great feature of the band is that I get to know students over many rehearsals, sometimes over four years, and I feel confident writing recommendations for residency for them,” said Novack. “One of the first students in my band was a virtuoso lead guitarist, so I wrote him a letter for his plastic surgery application talking about his character and dedication, but also his great fine motor skills.”

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