Welcome to the Spring/Summer 2020 edition of the Alumni Magazine. During this unusual time, our efforts are focused on maintaining the education of the next generation of physicians at the highest quality and keeping scientific discovery progressing. This poses an additional challenge as we adapt to an environment necessitating that we communicate more via technology rather than within close proximity to each other. To that end, it continues to be important to acknowledge the good work coming out of our College, our alumni and of course our students — there is much to be proud of.
At their 35-year reunion last year, Dr. Codella and classmate Alfred E. Geissele, MD.
The new decade brings in a new era at Drexel University College of Medicine. Like many of you, I am a graduate of one of Drexel’s legacy schools, Hahnemann University. I not only graduated from Hahnemann in 1984, but I completed my residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Hahnemann Hospital. Medicine is constantly changing, and while it pains me — along with so many others — in regard to the recent events surrounding the closure of the hospital, rest assured that the College of Medicine is adapting and thriving to meet that change.
Leading that charge at Drexel University College of Medicine is Dr. Charles B. Cairns, our new College of Medicine Dean. I hope you had the opportunity to read about Dean Cairns in the most recent edition of Pulse. Under his leadership we are excited about our partnership with Tower Health and the acquisition of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. I hope you also saw the exciting announcement that Drexel is embarking on a phased process to relocate the College of Medicine to a new facility in University City. At the new academic building, many of Drexel’s health-related programs will be under one roof, enhancing opportunities for interdisciplinary education in a facility that affords health sciences students, faculty and professional staff the best possible environment for continued development and growth.
As president of the Alumni Association, I can tell you that one of the most important missions of the association is to support our current students in their journey to become physicians, and to provide programs and opportunities for students to connect with alumni. Now, more than ever, our students are in need of alumni mentors and supporters. I want to thank the many of you who are already involved in mentorship roles or through philanthropic support. This pandemic has created challenges for all of us, but I know we will get through it, together. Stay well. Stay healthy. And thank you for your care and commitment for our community and, in particular, our students. If you would like more information on ways to get involved, please contact our Alumni Office by emailing medical.alumni@drexel.edu.
Mark S. Codella, MD, HU ’84
President, Alumni Association Board