The recipients of the 2022 Alumni Association Awards were honored at a virtual ceremony on June 4.

Congratulations to These Deserving Alumni

MARYLOU BUYSE, MD, MCP ’70

Boots Cooper, MD, Service Award

LORETTA CHRISTENSEN, MD, HU ’84

Boots Cooper, MD, Service Award

RITA ALVAREZ, MD ’10

Emerging Leader Award

KRAFTIN E. SCHREYER, MD ’13

Emerging Leader Award

VANESSA S. BOYCE, PHD ’07

Graduate Citation Award – Early Career or Young Investigator

HEATHER J. PAINTER, PHD ’08

Graduate Citation Award – Early Career or Young Investigator

MARIAN BALDINI, MS, HU ’77

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Recognition Award

JEFFREY CARSON, MD, HU ’77

HU Distinguished Graduate Award

ANA PUJOLS MCKEE, MD, HU ’79

HU Distinguished Alumnus/a Award (2021)

NANCY STILES CURRY, MD, WMC/MCP ’72

WMC/MCP Distinguished Graduate Award

RYAN K. LEE, MD, MCPHU ’00

Outstanding Medical Graduate Award

ANTHONY J. PIRAINO, MS, HU ’74; PHD, HU ’76; MD, HU ’84

Outstanding Biomedical Sciences Graduate Award

HOWARD MILLER, MD, HU ’74

Special Recognition Award

FRANCES RUTH BATZER, MD, WMC ’72; MBE

Lifetime Achievement Award

HELEN MEEKS HORSTMANN, MD, WMC/MCP ’72

Lifetime Achievement Award

To give their fellow alums a chance to learn more about them, we asked them to answer a few questions.

WHO AT YOUR ALMA MATER INSPIRED YOU AND WHY?

BALDINI: Jonathan Morell, who was the former head of my program, inspired me. He truly expanded my appreciation for the social side of change management, which is essential to take evidence and use it effectively.

BAYLSON: My mother, Dr. Frances Marian Williams Batzer, inspired me.

BOYCE: Dr. Marion Murray inspired me through my graduate career and was one of my thesis committee mentors. Marion was head of the spinal cord group at Drexel and one of the few female professors in the department at the time. She was renowned in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI) and inspired me as a woman and as a leader in neuroscience and in the SCI field. Marion shared her insights on how to address the challenges faced by women in science. She was also a great sounding board for everything from experimental design to career goals.

CARSON: I worked and learned from many exceptional clinicians. I will mention two. Howard Miller was a young dynamic teacher and leader at the time of my clinical training. He was the residency director, a terrific role model who was extremely knowledgeable and communicated well with patients. The second was William Likoff. My recollection is of a polished, scholarly clinician who was respected nationally as an exceptional cardiologist and teacher. One of the legends was that he would cut the stethoscope of any student or resident who examined the patient from the wrong side of the bed. The other part of the legend was he would then pay for a new stethoscope.

CURRY: Betty Labovitz was a tough, smart, incredibly effective teacher and role model. Her nephrology savvy initially piqued my interest in the urinary tract. I also admired George Popky for his radiology skills and expertise, which also intrigued me. Later on, I was pleased to discover that he and I had become colleagues in the national Society of Uroradiology. Both helped influence my eventual choice of an academic career in uroradiologic and abdominal imaging and intervention.

HORSTMANN: Walter Rubin, MD, GI professor. Perhaps this is surprising that I’d pick a GI professor. When a Boston Hospital rotation fell through in senior year, Walter let me take GI with him at MCP. Later when I was on the MCP staff as an orthopedic surgeon we would frequently sit at lunch together with other greats such as June Klinghoffer, Phyllis Marciano and Oksana Korzeniowski. Walter was one of the most balanced physicians I have ever met, a true role model with a delightful sense of humor, and he was a genius in his field.

LEE: Dr. Frank Lexa, former vice chair in the Department of Radiology, is someone who inspired me to get involved in the radiology community including national organizations such as the American College of Radiology. I have learned much from his leadership skills and feel fortunate to have had him as a mentor and sponsor.

MCKEE: Graduating from Hahnemann Medical College in 1979 as a student of color, I found the environment to be far from welcoming. Minority students felt compelled to study and work together, having little opportunity to collaborate or socialize with the majority of the white student body. There were exceptions but they were exactly that, exceptions. So, when I answer the question of inspiration, my response must be appreciated in that context: Dr. Bonita Falkner, a pediatric nephrologist, treated me with inclusivity and support, and provided inspiration.

MILLER: My mentor was Dr. Charles Swartz. Charlie was a nephrologist and he taught me how to apply physiology to a patient care model and how to think through every case individually, taking into consideration all of the current parameters affecting the patient. He taught me how to think, teach, and care for patients. I was honored to have been his personal physician. When ill he was reading the Annals of Internal Medicine. What a hero and doctor.

PIRAINO: The individual who influenced my growth and my career most was fellow HU alumnus Dr. John DiGregorio. John was my thesis advisor when I pursued my master’s and my PhD degrees and, as a tenured professor of pharmacology at Hahnemann, he decided to apply to medical school. His bold initiative and his tireless work ethic inspired me to follow the same path and that decision to pursue my MD degree literally changed my career and my life.

SCHREYER: The most inspiring people in my life, who also happen to have attended my medical school alma mater, are my parents, Drs. Ray and Nancy Schreyer. Both are inspiring for different reasons, but together, they instilled in me the motivation and work ethic that has, thus far, allowed me to accomplish anything I aimed to achieve.

WHAT’S ONE GREAT LESSON, PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL, YOU’VE LEARNED?

BALDINI: The greatest lesson I’ve learned is one that applies to me both personally and professionally. Everyone is gifted in some way, but it is up to us to take the time to see it.

BAYLSON: You can please some of the people some of the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time.

BOYCE: I’ve learned to always advocate for myself and my career.

CARSON: I have been funded for many years by NIH to support my research. The peer review process is very difficult. A key lesson is never give up when you have an excellent idea. Keep applying and responding to the critiques until you win over the reviewers.

CURRY: Virtually every setback or seemingly negative event in my life, personal or professional, has been offset by freakish serendipity inevitably resulting in a favorable outcome. I learned that abiding by The Golden Rule seemed to facilitate that process.

HORSTMANN: Planning and persistence to reach a goal pays off far better than reliance on just good luck. It is probably not easy for anyone. That’s why it’s called life.

MCKEE: Perseverance is king. (I really mean “queen”!)

MILLER: Take what you do seriously, don’t take yourself seriously. This holds true in patient care, teaching, research and administration. Check your ego at the door.

PIRAINO: The greatest lesson I’ve learned is the power of persistence and determination. For example, I experienced multiple failures applying to medical school before finally succeeding. I received advice from many to abandon this pursuit. Clearly, despite all the effort and disappointment I encountered, I’m glad I remained resolute in my decision to become an MD. Similarly, my wife and I experienced years of infertility before having our four children. Persistence and determination have been hugely important in my personal and professional life.

SCHREYER: In both personal and professional settings, I’ve learned that you can’t plan for everything, no matter how much you try. It’s just as important to be flexible as it is to be prepared, because you never know what direction your life may take.

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING WHEN YOU FACE CHALLENGES?

BALDINI: Through any challenges I face, I have faith for the long-term ones, and determination for the shorter-term moments.

BAYLSON: W. H. Auden’s poem “Precious Five,” especially the last stanza, and Emily Dickinson’s “Will There Really Be a Morning?”

BOYCE: My family and close friends have supported me though every challenge I have faced. Challenge can often provide an opportunity for growth, and my loved ones certainly continue to help me navigate these growing pains.

CARSON: The knowledge that my (our) work benefits others.

CURRY: Facing challenges requires finding allies, staying persistent and focused, and most importantly, working especially hard to overcome whatever obstacles arise.

HORSTMANN: My husband, my six daughters, my garden and prayer.

LEE: My family. Without my strong support system including my amazing wife, I would not have been able to come this far.

MCKEE: I am passionate about patient safety and with that passion comes a never-emptying barrel of fuel. When I approach a challenge, I take the time to understand all aspects of the issue, I listen to opposing views and move forward with the best of information I have. I work with key stakeholders, apply my change management skills in order to make progress. At the end of the day, the results you want are that you applied the best solution and that everyone was engaged and respected throughout the process.

MILLER: Remember your original goals. Surround yourself with kind and caring and smart people who will help to direct you to a positive final outcome.

PIRAINO: Knowing that I’ve eventually been able to overcome the obstacles I’ve faced in my life has always been a source of strength and optimism. I truly never approach a task or problem thinking that I will not ultimately be able to achieve success.

SCHREYER: In my opinion, any challenge is manageable with a solid support system — whether that comes from family, friends or colleagues.

WHAT IS A SNACK YOU ENJOY WHEN YOU’RE ON A LONG CAR RIDE?

BALDINI: My ultimate favorite snack for long card rides is Pepperidge Farm Soft Baked Montauk cookies!

BAYLSON: Raisin nut mixes with no salt, and raw carrots.

BOYCE: Cashews are great for long trips!

CARSON: Anything sweet.

CURRY: “Fireball” candies help me stay awake if I am the driver on a long car trip. Otherwise, I reserve snacking for Netflix bingeing. My husband makes popcorn for that.

HORSTMANN: Cape Cod popcorn or Trader Joe’s cookies.

LEE: Chocolate donuts for the win.

MILLER: I don’t eat when I’m in a car. I do however consume large quantities of ’60s rock songs. The best of all time being "Gimme Some Lovin’" by The Spencer Davis Group/Steve Winwood.

PIRAINO: Growing up in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, we had Wawa milk delivered to our door every day when I was a little boy. I have remained a devotee of Wawa “goodies” ever since, and my “go-to” snack for road trips is a Wawa soft pretzel.

SCHREYER: Harvest Cheddar Sunchips. But I enjoy those anytime, not just on a long car ride.

 
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