'40s

Gladys T. McGarey, MD, WMC ’46, was featured in an article in Entrepreneur magazine and on an episode of “The Doctor’s Art” podcast. McGarey was one of few women to attend medical school in the U.S. in 1941. She opened her own medical practice with her former husband in Wellsville, Ohio, in an era before women could open their own bank accounts. She also co-founded organizations such as the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine and the American Board of Integrative Medicine. Today, the still-consulting centenarian is the author of six books, including her most recent, The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.

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'60s

Samuel H. Basch, MD, HU ’61, is being honored by Mount Sinai Hospital for his 50 years of service. Basch completed his residency as chief resident with the hospital in 1965, and began his career there as the assistant chief of the Consultation-Liaison Service. Throughout his career at Mount Sinai, Basch served as clinical professor, attending psychiatrist, member of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) Admissions Committee, supervisor of the psychiatry residents at ISMMS, member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Attending Staff, and recurring member of the Faculty Psychotherapy Conference.

Loretta P. Finnegan, MD, HU ’64, spoke at the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence’s 2024 conference during a plenary session on “The Evidence-Based Practices That Underlie the Effectiveness of OTP Treatment.” The event was held in Las Vegas, Nev., May 18-22.

Elissa J. Santoro, MD, WMC ’65, was featured in an episode of the online radio show “Close Up Radio.” Santoro is a retired breast surgical oncologist. In 1979, she started the first breast cancer center in Livingston, N.J., the Breast Care and Treatment Center, where she practiced for more than 40 years. She is considered a pioneering surgical oncologist, visionary and women’s health advocate. After retiring from her surgical practice in 2020, she continued her work as a breast care consultant for Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health Center, seeing about a dozen patients a day.

Alfred M. Sadler Jr., MD, HU ’66, and his identical twin brother, Blair, who co-authored a book titled (P)luck: Lessons We Learned for Improving Healthcare and the World, were featured in a Monterey Herald article. During his medical career, Sadler specialized in surgery and internal medicine. He and his brother went on to work together as a medical-legal team, making significant contributions to health care and medicine.

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'70s

Len Lichtenfeld, MD, HU ’71, became a member of the newly established Cancer Business Advisory Board at Anixa Biosciences Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the treatment and prevention of cancer. Lichtenfeld is an experienced medical oncologist and independent consultant with an extensive background in cancer care, cancer research, health care policy and physician payment. He is a member of the CancerCare board of directors and an advisor to several early-stage patient- and cancer-focused companies, including Trialjectory and OneHealth. Lichtenfeld was previously the chief medical and scientific officer and deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

Conrad D. Tamea, MD, HU ’74, was one of the authors of a study published by the peer-reviewed journal Biomedicines on March 11, 2024. The study, “Safety and Efficacy of Wharton’s Jelly Connective Tissue Allograft for Rotator Cuff Tears,” evaluated the improvement of patient-reported pain, quality of life and functionality scales after applying Wharton’s jelly in rotator cuff defects.

David Behar, MD, HU ’75, JD, wrote an article for Clinical Psychiatry News on the ways in which visual supervision of suicidal patients could drastically reduce deaths by suicide. Behar is a psychiatrist in Lower Merion, Pa.

Mary Anne Delaney, MD, HU ’77, was featured in an article by WHYY News regarding her participation in a conversation on women’s reproductive rights, specifically focusing on the impact of recent legislation in Alabama and the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Delaney provided insights into the medical aspects of reproductive health, including the importance of IVF as a resource for individuals seeking to have children.

Robert J. Wicks, PsyD clinical psychology, HU ’77, presented on “Recognizing, Preventing and Limiting the Dangers of Secondary Stress” at the Fall Family Caregiver Virtual Symposium hosted by Duet. He discussed resilience, self-care and the integration of psychology and classic spiritual approaches to maintain a healthy perspective. Wicks is professor emeritus at Loyola University, the author of over 60 books and an international lecturer.

Maureen R. Litchman, MD, HU ’78, the medical director of the Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre Practice and a board-certified family medicine physician, was recently presented with a Family Medicine Education Consortium award for creative writing in the prose category. She received the award during the consortium’s annual meeting in Providence, R.I., for her story “Not Knowing,” which recounts Litchman’s experience delivering a baby in the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital emergency room.

Thomas J. Zaydon Jr., MD, HU ’78, was promoted to professor of plastic surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He is currently in private practice in Miami, Fla.

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'80s

Mark J. Russ, MD, HU ’80, was named chief medical officer of New Canaan’s Silver Hill Hospital. Russ has 40 years of clinical and leadership experience, and will work to enhance Silver Hill Hospital’s programming, improve access to evidence-based treatments, and fulfill its mission to transform the lives of people impacted by mental health disorders and addiction. Prior to joining Silver Hill, Russ served as vice president for clinical programs and medical director at New York-Presbyterian/Westchester Behavioral Health. He previously had a long and successful tenure at the Zucker Hillside Hospital overseeing inpatient and emergency services.

Mary Albaugh, MD, HU ’82, was appointed medical director at Dickinson Center in northern Pennsylvania. Albaugh is a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist who has over 40 years of clinical experience. She will also continue to serve as a psychiatrist at Deerfield Behavioral Health, where she started in 2015.

Keith Burkhart, MD, MCP ’82, received the 2024 American College of Medical Toxicology Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his dedicated passion for and commitment to the field of medical toxicology. Burkhart is senior advisor for medical toxicology to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to his professional achievements, he is proud of his role as grandfather to five children.

Richard W. Petrella, MD, HU ’83, joined East Georgia Medical & Surgical Associates and will be practicing at the newly opened East Georgia Cardiology. Petrella is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialty certifications in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. He is a primary site investigator for a range of clinical trials and a member of numerous organizations, including the Digital Vascular Imaging Physician National Advisory Board, the Boston Scientific Physician National Advisory Board and the Guidant Corporation Eastern United States Council. In his previous role at UPMC Hamot, Petrella performed the first directional coronary atherectomy in Pennsylvania.

Rohinton J. Morris, MD, HU ’84; Surgery Residency, HUH ’89; Thoracic Surgery Fellowship, HUH ’92, was appointed chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Tower Health in eastern Pennsylvania. Morris previously served as chief of Jefferson Health’s Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, co-director of its cardiovascular service line and medical director of Jefferson’s Center for Perfusion and Extracorporeal Technology.

Daniel J. Rader, MD, MCP ’84, was honored with the American Heart Association’s 2024 Merit Award, receiving $1 million in funding for his groundbreaking research focused on new genes and pathways altering lipid metabolism and causing cardiovascular disease, as revealed through largescale human genetics. Rader is the Seymour Gray Professor of Molecular Medicine and chair of the Department of Genetics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and chief of the Division of Human Genetics at Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Michael Ackermann, PhD microbiology and immunology, MCP ’85, MBA, was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board at Circular Genomics. Ackermann began his career with Eli Lilly and Company, where he was instrumental in the launch and commercialization of multiple successful psychiatric drugs for the treatment of depression, psychosis and ADHD. He then served as the senior vice president at Quintiles (now IQVIA) and co-founded the AB Collaborative Investment, an angel fund, where he also serves as president. Ackermann then expanded his executive and entrepreneurial experience with multiple positions as a board member or consultant to Fortune 500 and start-up companies in the biopharma sector. Since 2015, he has served as co-founder, board member and chief business officer at Arrivo BioVentures LLC.

Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, HU ’85, was featured on Philadelphia magazine’s list of the 150 Most Influential Philadelphians. In addition, he was recognized as one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs and named to the journal’s Power 100. Cacchione is the CEO of Jefferson University and Jefferson Health.

Mary I. O’Connor, MD, MCP ’85, co-founder and chief medical officer of Vori Health, was featured in an episode of the “Disruption/Interruption” podcast. O’Connor discussed Vori Health’s integrated team approach to musculoskeletal care, emphasizing patient engagement and the benefits of telehealth for accessibility. She also highlighted how Vori Health addresses health disparities, especially in women’s health, through a hybrid virtual and in-person service model. O’Connor, who is an orthopedic surgeon, health equity advocate and former U.S. Olympic athlete, is co-author of Taking Care of You.

Reginald Blaber III, MD, HU ’89, executive vice president and chief clinical officer of Virtua Health, was recognized as a Veterans in Business honoree by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Blaber spent six years in the Army and rose to the rank of major. After his service, he transitioned to a civilian career, practicing throughout the Philadelphia region, including more than two decades at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, which is now part of Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health. He was president of the system and created the Lourdes Cardiovascular Institute. He remains involved with military personnel through Virtua’s colleague community “We Serve” and through its “Here to Serve” initiative, which is aimed at removing barriers to health care for service members and their families.

Marc Colton, MD, MCP ’89, joined Precision Healthcare Specialists. Colton is a board-certified urologist with more than 30 years of experience in private practice and hospital environments. He offers a full range of urologic care for patients with prostate, bladder and kidney cancer, and provides medical and surgical management for patients with erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence and kidney stones. Colton performed southwest Florida’s first Aquablation surgery, which is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment for symptoms of enlarged prostates. Additionally, he was the first physician in New Jersey to perform GreenLight laser therapy, a procedure that rapidly heats and vaporizes excess prostate tissue to restore natural urine flow.

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'90s

Alyssa Dweck, MD, HU ’90, was featured on an episode of the “Perimenopause WTF!” podcast hosted by Rachel Hughes. Dweck discussed the anatomy of the vagina, and common issues experienced during perimenopause and menopause.

Wendye Robbins, MD, MCP ’90, was appointed CEO of Incendia Therapeutics. Robbins is a pharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years of experience revolutionizing drug discovery and leading the growth of companies at all stages of development. She has served as an independent director for RAPT Therapeutics since 2019 and has raised approximately $2 billion in capital across the many companies she has supported.

James Tursi, MD, MCP ’90, was appointed to the Board of Directors of NeuroBo Pharmaceuticals. He will also serve as a member of the board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Tursi is currently executive vice president of Global Research and Development for Endo International. He has held a number of leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry throughout his career. Tursi practiced medicine and surgery for 10 years and created a medical education company, I Will Pass, which assisted physicians in the process of board certification.

Katherine Sherif, MD, MCP ’91, gave a lecture at the Henrietta Lacks Symposium at Morehouse School of Medicine on ethnic disparities in polycystic ovary syndrome. Sherif is a professor and vice chair of academic affairs in the Department of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

John Sundy, MD/PhD microbiology and immunology, HU ’91, joined the Board of Directors at Sanofi. Sundy is chief medical officer and head of research and development at Seismic Therapeutic, a machine learning immunology company. He is adjunct professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology at Duke University School of Medicine, where he was previously a tenured faculty member before moving to the biotech industry. He also serves on the boards of Neutrolis Inc. and the Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance, and he is a member of the Steering Committee of the National Institutes of Health Immune Tolerance Network.

David Thomas, MD, HU ’91, was appointed dean of medical education and chair of the Department of Medical Education at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, having previously served as associate dean for continuing medical education and system vice chair for education within the Department of Medicine. From 2020 to 2022, he was chair of the Department of Medicine for the Mount Sinai Health System. Thomas is the recipient of numerous awards including the Solomon Berson Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Edward J. Ronan Mount Sinai Medical Student Distinguished Teacher Award, the Alexander Richman Award for Humanism in Medicine, the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award for his work with the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership, and the Jacobi Medallion, which he received in 2019 from the Mount Sinai Alumni Association and Icahn Mount Sinai.

Anthony Yanni, MD, HU ’92, published a book, A Bandana and a Bluebird: The Path to a Patient Centric Healthcare System, which makes the case for patient centricity in health care delivery, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry. Yanni practiced internal medicine in Scranton, Pa., where he was born and raised, for a decade before pivoting to the pharmaceutical industry.

Daniel Brown, MD, HU ’93, was named chair of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences. Brown has served as interim chair since summer of 2023, and has been with the center since 2013. Prior to his new position, he was the founding director of the Division of Interventional Oncology and served as the department’s vice chair for innovation and clinical research. Brown has authored more than 100 articles and scientific abstracts, and has written performance guidelines for a number of the minimally invasive oncologic interventions performed at Vanderbilt.

Scott M. Klein, MD, MCP ’93, was appointed president and CEO of Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH). Klein is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine, and has spent the past 30 years working in children’s hospitals. He began his career in medicine as a pediatric intensivist, then transitioned into pediatric hospice and palliative care. Before joining MWPH, Klein served as executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief medical officer at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, N.Y.

Eric Pifer, MD, MCP ’93, was a guest lecturer at a Commonwealth Club of California’s Nutrition, Food & Wellness member-led forum. His lecture was recorded and featured in an episode of the organization’s podcast. Pifer is a board-certified internal medicine physician, and he serves as the medical director of San Francisco Concierge Medicine at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation.

Matthew Davis, MD, MCP ’94, RPh, was appointed chief operating officer of Tiziana Life Sciences Ltd., a biotechnology company developing breakthrough immunomodulation therapies via novel routes of drug delivery. In this role, Davis, who also serves as chief medical officer, will drive the company’s growth and strategic initiatives. He will be responsible for overseeing Tiziana Life Sciences’ day-to-day operations, including research and development, manufacturing, clinical trials and commercialization efforts. He has extensive experience in the biotechnology industry, coupled with his deep understanding of medical affairs.

Parvez Fatteh, MD, MCP ’94, joined the medical team at Medrina, one of the nation’s largest physical medicine and rehabilitation physician groups. Fatteh has over two decades of experience in addiction medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation. In addition, he will continue practicing at Bicycle Health, while also serving as the medical director of the Recovery & Resilience Centers in San Francisco, Calif.

Adrienne Green, MD, HU ’94, was appointed CEO of the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living, making her the first woman and medical doctor to ever lead the senior center. Green worked for 25 years at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was a clinical professor of medicine, chief medical officer for the UCSF Medical Center, and vice president for patient safety and accreditation. She served on the board at the Campus for Jewish Living for four years prior to becoming CEO.

Daniel Kim, MD, HU ’94, MBA, received the Riverside County Medical Association’s Outstanding Contribution to Medicine Award. Kim is chair of medicine at Riverside University Health System and founding director for the University of California Riverside Internal Medicine Residency program.

Alexia Gordon, MD, MCP ’95, received a Lefty Award for her book Murder in G Major, part of her Gethsemane Brown Mysteries series. The novel was also nominated for an Agatha Award for Best New Novel and was selected as one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Debuts. Gordon is an International Thriller Writers debut author, who put literary endeavors on hold to finish medical school and family medicine residency training. After establishing a medical career, she returned to writing fiction and completed Southern Methodist University’s Writer’s Path program in Dallas, Texas.

Jeffrey Hawtof, MD, HU ’95, was honored with the Physician Philanthropy Award by the Beebe Medical Foundation. Hawtof has been a steadfast supporter of the foundation, serving as a founding member of the 1916 Club for a decade. He is involved in the Sussex Supports Beebe campaign and serves on its committee. He joined Beebe’s medical staff in 1998. He is a past vice president and chief medical officer for Beebe Healthcare and currently serves as director of both provider information technology and medical education there. Hawtof is board certified in family medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He sees patients at Beebe Primary Care Rehoboth in Delaware.

Rajaram Nagarajan, MD, MCP ’95, has been appointed medical director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center and professor of hematology-oncology at Baylor College of Medicine. Prior to this, he was a professor at the University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics. Nagarajan has more than 20 years of experience as a pediatric hematologistoncologist and more than 10 years of service as a medical director. He has also served as co-clinical director of the Cancer Survivorship Center at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center and as grant chair for the University of Cincinnati Cancer Survivorship Grant.

Shawn J. Pelletier, MD, HU ’96, was appointed chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery in the Department of Surgery and director of the Transplant Service Line at University of Virginia (UVA) Health. He has been on the faculty at UVA for 12 years and had served as interim division chief since 2022. Pelletier is also surgical director of liver transplantation at UVA Health, medical director for LifeNet Health, and transplant program director for United National Organ Sharing. He is a leader in several professional organizations, including the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, the International Liver Transplant Society, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and the American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association. Pelletier has contributed to more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals. His research interests include ex vivo liver perfusion and improvements in allocation of deceased donor livers.

Jeffrey Weiss, MD, HU ’97, founder and CEO of Weiss Medical Allergy, has rebranded the organization as Impact Medical Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, marking a significant chapter in the practice’s journey. The organization comprises four locations, including Riverdale, Paramus, Morristown and West Nyack, N.J., with a dedicated team of 12 physicians and four advanced care providers serving about 50,000 patients annually. Weiss completed his pediatric residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, during which he won numerous teaching awards and was honored as the “Most Compassionate Doctor.” He was also awarded “Best Teaching Fellow of the Year” at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Weiss is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and has been practicing medicine in northern New Jersey since 2002.

Deborah Lang, PhD molecular pathobiology, MCPHU ’98, associate professor of dermatology at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, has been awarded a two-year $300,000 Discovery Boost Grant from the American Cancer Society for her project “Exploring Roles for PAX3 in Regulating Gene Expression on a Post Transcriptional Level.” Lang’s work has garnered awards from foundations and institutes including the Schweppe Foundation, American Skin Association, Harry J. Lloyd Charitable Trust, Leo Foundation and National Institutes of Health. She has earned honors such as the Falanga Endowment and the Daneen and Charles Stiefel Investigative Scholar Award through the American Skin Association.

Madan N. Kandula, MD, HU ’98, president and founder of ADVENT, was interviewed on the podcast “Dentistry Uncensored With Howard Farran,” to discuss the fight against sleep apnea. Kandula is board certified in otolaryngology head and neck surgery, with 20 years of experience in clinical practice. He was also the first surgeon to perform balloon sinuplasty in Wisconsin, and he developed a new model of care, the Breathing Triangle, a simple concept that can provide relief for sleep and sinus struggles.

Brian Radbill, MD, HU ’98, a board-certified nephrologist, was appointed chief medical officer at Overlook Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System. Radbill is responsible for the clinical leadership of Overlook Medical Center’s medical staff. Radbill most recently served as chief medical officer and senior vice president of medical affairs at Mount Sinai Morningside, a 495-bed hospital in Manhattan. In that role, he served as the incident commander for the hospital’s Incident Management Team when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020 and coordinated the hospital’s local response through multiple successive waves of the pandemic.

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'00s

John Davidyock, MD, MCPHU ’01, was named senior vice president and chief physician executive at UF Health Central Florida. Most recently, Davidyock served as vice president and chief medical officer for the Polk region at Baycare Health System. He was also the associate chief medical officer and chief of hospitalist medicine for AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division in Orlando and the interim associate chief medical officer at Temple University Hospital & Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia.

Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MCPHU ’01, MBA, received the Michael Gratch MD Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society. He is associate dean of clinical research at the College of Medicine, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, a surgeon at the Rothman Institute and president of the Rothman Opioid Foundation.

Erum N. Ilyas, MD, MCPHU ’01, a dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology and interim academic chair of dermatology at the College of Medicine, provided her best tips for treating dry skin in winter in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Ilyas also received a patent for textiles that contain built-in UV protection but do not include sunscreen chemical finishes.

Sanjay Nayak, PhD pharmacology, MCPHU ’01, was appointed chief strategy officer at Ocular Therapeutix. Previously, Nayak was the founder and fund manager of a biotech-focused private investment fund, Sentiv Capital. Prior to founding Sentiv, Nayak was the founder and managing partner at AnalyzeRx LLC. He is the author or co-author of several publications related to presynaptic receptors in the brain.

Joshua Hottenstein, MD ’02, a family medicine physician, is opening a new primary care practice in Lewisburg, Pa., called Eulistic Health, offering a full range of primary and preventive care services. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Jeffrey Nau, PhD; MS medical science ’02, was appointed chief operating officer at Kalaris Therapeutics and was elected as a member of the Ophthalmology Foundation Board of Directors. In his role as a board member, Nau helps the organization deliver upon its mission to improve eye care and advance the preservation and restoration of vision. Prior to joining Kalaris, he held leadership positions across several pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and holds numerous patents.

Gilbert Smith, DO; PBC medical science preparatory ’02, joined Campbell County Health Behavioral Services as a mental health provider. Smith has an extensive background in childhood psychiatry and substance use management, starting when he received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He later completed three years of residency at Larkin Community Hospital and fast-tracked into the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Larkin Community Hospital in consortium with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Christopher D. Evans, MD/MPH ’03, is an associate professor of medicine in the Divisions of General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics and Infectious Diseases at Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. Evans has received numerous awards for his work with medical students and fellows, and with the Oregon AIDS Education and Training Center. He was principal lead for vaccine administration at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evans is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases, with an additional certification as an HIV specialist from the Academy of HIV Medicine.

Brett Karlik, MD ’03, joined the OCLI Vision team of eye care professionals. Karlik is an ophthalmologist with a diverse range of expertise in ophthalmic procedures, including no-stitch micro-incision cataract extraction, pterygium excision, eyelid blepharoplasty, Botox treatment, selective laser trabeculoplasty for glaucoma, focal and panretinal photocoagulation retinal laser treatment, and laser refractive vision correction.

Stacey A. Scheib, MD ’04, joined the Fertility Institute of New Orleans as a minimally invasive gynecological surgeon, specializing in fertility surgeries and complex gynecological surgical needs, in addition to complex cases of endometriosis and pelvic pain. She has received several honors, including being named a National Electrosurgical Scholar by the Association of Professors of Gynecology & Obstetrics and receiving the Alumni Trustee Endorsement Grant and Women’s Health Education Award from Drexel.

Erik Sylvin, MD ’06, MBS biological science ’02, joined Holy Cross Medical Group as a thoracic surgeon. Sylvin is board certified in thoracic surgery and general surgery, and a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and General Thoracic Surgery Club. Prior to joining Holy Cross Health, Sylvin was an attending physician with Florida Heart and Vascular Center at JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Fla. Sylvin has authored several high-impact academic papers in journals such as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Chest. He also authored a book chapter in the American College of Surgeons textbook on the principles and practices of chest wall mass surgery.

Diana Xerxes Bharucha, MD ’07, was honored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association with a Tribute Award for her significant contributions to helping those with neuromuscular diseases through scientific discovery, care and fundraising. This award acknowledges the legacy and life’s work of those whose extraordinary efforts support the patients and families served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Bharucha is an associate professor of pediatrics and neurology at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Lesley Rabach, MD ’08, co-founder of LM Medical NYC, was selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for being among the best in her specialty. Rabach is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, board certified in both facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Her surgical training includes a fellowship sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery and a residency and internship in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital. Rabach’s extensive education, training and experience have earned accolades in her field, and she has been published in various medical journals.

Liang Oscar Qiang, MD; PhD molecular and cell biology and genetics ’09, delivered a presentation, “Advancing Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Research: Insights From Human Stem Cell Models,” at the annual conference of the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation in Tampa, Fla., on June 22, 2024. He was also awarded a three-year, $200,000 Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant for the project “Bi-phasic Microtubule-Based Mechanisms and Therapies for Tauopathies.” Qiang is an associate professor in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy at the College of Medicine.

Santisree Tanikella, MD ’09, joined the pediatrics team at UPMC Outpatient Center in Montoursville, Pa. Tanikella completed her residency in pediatrics with the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, associated with Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y. She also completed a fellowship in integrative medicine with the Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine in San Diego, Calif. Most recently, Tanikella practiced pediatric integrative medicine with Geisinger in Lewisburg, Pa.

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'10s

Meghan S. Haggerty, MD ’10, a radiation oncologist at Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers, was profiled in an article in Happenings Magazine for National Women Physicians Day. Haggerty is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Scranton, where she was a Dean’s Scholarship recipient. After completing an internship in internal medicine at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Philadelphia, she completed her radiation oncology residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., serving as chief resident in her final year.

Clarence Lee Jr., MD ’10, joined Drexel’s President’s Leadership Council in March 2024. He also met students in the Drexel Pathway to Medical School program, from which Lee graduated in 2006. He earned an MBA from Drexel in 2014. Lee is a physician-entrepreneur, author, speaker and CEO of CMLEEJR Companies LLC, a personal development company.

Anna Katsman, MD ’10; Orthopedic Surgery Residency, Drexel/Hahnemann ’16, received her American Board of Orthopedic Surgery certification. Katsman is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty interest in adolescent sport injuries, scoliosis, trauma and hip preservation. After graduating from her residency at Hahnemann, she continued her training with a sports medicine fellowship at New York University, where she has taken care of athletes participating in college and professional leagues including the NFL and WNHL.

Michael Messina, MD ’10, chief of orthopedic surgery at Phoenixville Hospital, has been named an “Emerging Leader: Provider Organization Leaders Under 40” by Becker’s Hospital Review. This accolade recognizes young health care leaders who are making significant strides in innovation and development within their organizations. Messina joined Phoenixville Hospital in 2016 and assumed his current role as chief of orthopedic surgery in 2020. He received fellowship training from Harvard University in comprehensive management of shoulder pathology, encompassing sports-related injuries to advanced arthritis requiring reconstructive joint replacement surgery.

Paul Owen Phelps, MD ’10, has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for the second year in a row. Phelps is an oculofacial plastic surgeon who specializes in performing cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the eyelid, orbit and lacrimal system. A fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Ophthalmic and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Phelps founded Chicago Oculofacial Plastic Surgery in 2021. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is currently an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. In addition to his clinical activities, Phelps serves as a clinical associate professor at the Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

Nicholas Bertoni, MD ’11, an emergency medicine specialist, was named to the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s 2024 Top Physicians Under 40 list. Bertoni is based at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital’s emergency department.

Kathryn E. Bowser, MD ’11, was named to Drexel Magazine’s 40 Under 40. Bowser is a vascular surgeon at ChristianaCare, co-director of the ChristianaCare Center for Aortic Health and an assistant professor of surgery at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Drexel in 2007.

Andrew Gold, MD; MS biological science ’11, was recognized as a Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and was profiled in an article by the publication. Gold is assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and co-director of the surgical intensive care unit at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Melvin King III, MS forensic science ’11, was promoted to development manager at CORE, an education nonprofit in Las Vegas dedicated to ensuring historically underserved students and their families achieve economic mobility and lead choice-filled lives. King initially joined CORE as a program manager before transitioning to the role of data and grant manager. Prior to CORE, King served as a learning specialist at Touro University and as a case manager for Nevada Partners Inc., where he worked in the realm of adjudicated youth and alternative education. He has also worked as a developmental advising specialist at West Virginia University.

Nicoleta J. Economou, PhD biochemistry ’12, was interviewed by the publication Artificial Intelligence in Medicine for an article about the necessity of fairness, transparency and inclusivity during the development, implementation and monitoring of health AI. Economou is algorithm-based clinical decision support oversight director at Duke University School of Medicine.

Shalin Patel, MD ’12, joined the spine program at Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates, serving the Delmarva Peninsula. Prior to his Drexel degree, Patel earned his undergraduate degree at Boston College. He subsequently completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center and pursued fellowship training in spine surgery at Harvard University.

Laura A. Stein, MD ’12, received the 2024 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching at an Affiliated Hospital from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Stein is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and the co-director of the Neurology Residency program. After graduating from Drexel, she completed her neurology residency and vascular neurology fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her master’s degree in medical education from Penn’s Graduate School of Education.

Diana (Meskill) Stephens, MD ’12, joined University of Rochester Medicine Finger Lakes Health and will be practicing at Geneva General Dermatology. Stephens is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She completed her residency in dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She previously practiced at Cayuga Medical Associates in Ithaca and Homer.

Luiz Araujo, MD ’13, a board-certified vascular surgeon, joined the team of heart and vascular specialists at Bayhealth Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgical Associates. Before joining Bayhealth, Araujo worked for Vascular Specialists of Delaware and operated at Christiana Hospital, Wilmington Hospital and St. Francis Hospital in northern Delaware. He holds board certifications from the American Board of Surgery in general and vascular surgery.

Veronica Cellini, MD ’13, a board-certified pediatrician, has begun practicing at two Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers: Waymart Pediatric Center in Waymart, Pa., and Sterling Pediatric Center in Lake Ariel, Pa. Cellini previously spent seven years as a general pediatrician at Annapolis Pediatrics in Maryland, providing sick and well care for patients ranging from newborns to young adults. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She completed her pediatric residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Kraftin Ellice Schreyer, MD ’13, was featured in Drexel Magazine’s 40 Under 40. Schreyer is an associate professor of emergency medicine at Temple University, and she created Temple’s Emergency Medicine Administrative Fellowship program.

Austin Williams, MD ’13, was included on the Pennsylvania Medical Society’s list of Top Physicians Under 40. Williams is a surgeon in the breast cancer program and assistant professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Maj. Saira Ahmed, MD ’16, was profiled in an article about the physicians who practice at the Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Ahmed, who is the clinic’s service chief, has been a pediatrician for eight years and has specialized in adolescent and young adult medicine for five years, addressing a range of primary and subspecialty needs for patients aged 12 to 25.

Fred Okoye, DO; MS interdisciplinary health sciences ’16, who graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2024, entered a urology residency at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, N.Y. Okoye was featured in a testimonial about his match placement on the American Osteopathic Association’s social media.

Jared T. Tobolski, MD ’16, a general cardiologist who specializes in noninvasive cardiology, was appointed director of the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute’s Preventive Cardiology and Subspecialty Clinic and director of cardiac rehabilitation. Tobolski received residency training at Brown University and completed a fellowship in cardiology at Maine Medical Center.

Dominick Trombetta, MD ’16, received his board certification as a child and adolescent psychiatrist from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He was also appointed as a faculty member in the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Trombetta was initially certified as a general psychiatrist in 2021. He works at Wyoming Behavioral Institute, providing child and adolescent psychiatric services. Trombetta is one of just six board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists living and working in Wyoming.

David L. Bernstein, PhD neuroscience ’17, Stacia I. Lewandowski, PhD pharmacology and physiology ’21, and colleagues in the College of Medicine published “Inactivation of ERK1/2 Signaling in Dopaminergic Neurons by Map Kinase Phosphatase MKP3 Regulates Dopamine Signaling and Motivation for Cocaine” in the Journal of Neuroscience on January 31, 2024.

Emily Ortega Goddard, MD ’17, PBC Drexel Pathway to Medical School ’13, joined Brown Surgical Associates’ Divisions of Bariatric Surgery and General Surgery. Goddard, who will also serve as a surgeon at the Providence VA Medical Center in Rhode Island, specializes in both bariatric and general surgery, with a particular interest in surgical endoscopy, robotic surgery, complex abdominal wall reconstruction and hernia surgery, foregut surgery and bariatric surgery.

Jennifer Hope, PhD microbiology and immunology ’17, was awarded the Bristol Myers Squibb-MRA Young Investigator Award by the 2024 Melanoma Research Alliance for her project “Overcoming Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy With PSGL-1.” She is also the principal investigator for a Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium pilot funding grant, with College of Medicine colleagues serving as co-investigators, for the project “Development of a Novel Preclinical Model to Address Mechanisms of HIV-Mediated Enhancement of Pancreatic Cancer Incidence and Severity.” Hope is an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the College of Medicine.

Andrew T. Gargiulo, PhD neuroscience ’19, see Pirino ’24.

Khalil Taylor, MS interdisciplinary health sciences ’19, was awarded the McGruder-Knox Scholarship at an awards ceremony held by the Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania in February 2024. The scholarship is awarded to exceptional Black or African American medical students who are in their second or third year and demonstrate a sustained commitment to serving their community through volunteer work, outreach programs or other initiatives. Taylor is now a fourth-year MD student at Drexel.

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'20s

Nicole Gribbin, MS drug discovery and development ’20, associate director of regulatory affairs at MCRA, authored “CMC Considerations for Medical Device-Led Combination Products” online in Orthopedic Design & Technology. Gribbin emphasized the importance of understanding the regulatory landscape governing combination products, in particular chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) requirements. Gribbin has been involved in the pharmaceutical industry in various capacities, specializing in CMC and biologics, since 2009. She provides MCRA’s clients with FDA regulatory strategies and submission support.

Deannah Jordan, MD ’20, a pediatrician, joined the medical team at Norfolk Pediatrics, part of CHKD Medical Group. Jordan completed residency training in pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Capt. Carl Tischbein, MD ’20, joined the sustainability team at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as part of the institution’s renewed commitment to sustainability. His main goals in this role are to offer an insider’s perspective on perioperative waste and develop plans to simultaneously reduce waste generation, save taxpayer money, and play a small part in preserving our planet for the next generation.

Emily M. Black, PhD neuroscience ’21, is the co-author of the novel National Treasure Hunt: One Step Short of Crazy, which is inspired by the National Treasure film franchise. Black and co-author Aubrey R. Paris discussed the book at a Library of Congress “Live! At the Library” event, “A True-Life ‘National Treasure,’ on Film and at the Library,” in June 2024. She also cohosts the “National Treasure Hunt” podcast and serves as its sound engineer. Black is an adjunct professor and researcher whose work focuses on the neurobiology of traumatic stress and substance abuse.

Stacia I. Lewandowski, PhD pharmacology and physiology ’21, see Bernstein ’17.

Brianna Mosley, MS biomedical studies ’21, was elected as the Region IX director for the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Harlem for the 2023-2025 term. SNMA is the nation’s oldest and largest independent student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Mosley plans on specializing in obstetrics or pediatrics after she graduates in 2025.

Alexis Price-Moyer, MS Drexel Pathway to Medical School ’21, was quoted in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about Drexel’s expanding network of medical school campuses. Price-Moyer was one of the first 40 students enrolled at Drexel’s Tower Health Regional Medical Campus in West Reading when it opened in 2021, allowing her to receive medical training without leaving her hometown. She is currently participating in the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, a comprehensive physician-scientist development program.

Lorela Ciraku, PhD molecular and cell biology and genetics ’22, see Esquea ’24.

Genevieve R. Curtis, PhD neuroscience ’22, see Pirino ’24.

Leila E. Hilal, MD ’22, wrote an article for Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s website, in which she discusses U.S. Senators John Fetterman, Sheldon Whitehouse and Peter Welch’s proposed legislation to cancel school lunch debt nationwide and how it would allow children in poverty to have access to consistent nutritious meals. Hilal is a family medicine resident at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pa.

Nancy Flynn Mack, PhD neuroscience ’22, and Drexel colleagues were the authors of “Prefrontal Regulation of Social Behavior and Related Deficits: Insights From Rodent Studies,” which was published in Biological Psychiatry on March 13, 2024.

Ivy Ochieng, MS interdisciplinary health sciences ’22, was one of the ten recipients of a $10,000 scholarship from a partnership between the National Board of Medical Examiners and National Medical Fellowships. The students were selected from 423 qualified applicants who demonstrated leadership, perseverance, commitment to service and financial need. Ochieng is a second-year medical student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She previously worked as a teacher at an elementary school in which the majority of students were from low-income backgrounds.

Kristopher S. Raghavan, PhD molecular and cell biology and genetics ’22, was a speaker at a webinar presented by Fierce Biotech and Integral Molecular in June 2024, “Redefining Antibody Specificity Profiling for IND.” Raghavan is an application scientist at Integral Molecular, specializing in membrane proteome array.

Katie Bryant, PhD neuroscience ’23, was featured in eNeuro’s “Beyond the Paper” series, which interviews the authors of recent work published in the journal. She discussed her studies into how low-dose alcohol changes reward-seeking behavior, in addition to her experiences in the College of Medicine’s Barker Lab and her future plans. Bryant is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Indiana University School of Medicine, investigating how alcohol exposure promotes or alters impulsive behavior.

Dillon Malloy, PhD neuroscience ’23, was featured in an article from Pfeiffer University’s online news site detailing his academic journey at the university. Malloy joined EY-Parthenon, Ernst & Young’s global strategy consulting arm, as a scientific consultant in July 2024. In addition to his Drexel degree, he earned his BS in health and exercise science from Pfeiffer University.

Sopiko Darchiashvili, MS drug discovery and development ’24, and colleagues at Drexel’s Colleges of Medicine and Engineering were among the authors of “X-Chromosome Linked Genes Associated With Myeloid Cell CNS Trafficking Contributes to Female-Male Differences in the Disease Outcome for Neuroinflammatory Diseases,” which was published in the July 2024 issue of NeuroImmune Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Emily M. Esquea, PhD molecular and cell biology and genetics ’24, Lorela Ciraku, PhD molecular and cell biology and genetics ’22, and colleagues at the College of Medicine, Drexel’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine published “Selective and Brain-Penetrant ACSS2 Inhibitors Target Breast Cancer Brain Metastatic Cells” in the May 15, 2024, issue of Frontiers in Pharmacology.

Breanne E. Pirino, PhD neuroscience ’24, Andrew T. Gargiulo, PhD neuroscience ’19, Genevieve R. Curtis, PhD neuroscience ’22, and colleagues at the College of Medicine authored “Kappa-Opioid Receptor Stimulation in the Nucleus Accumbens Shell and Ethanol Drinking: Differential Effects by Rostro-Caudal Location and Level of Drinking,” which was published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology on March 25, 2024.

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