University of Virginia School of Medicine Vitals magazine published by the UVA Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation (MAA MSF)
Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/741453
Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation Executive Director Associate Dean for Medical Alumni Affairs Barry J. Collins Associate Director Linda Weldon Executive Assistant Harsha Solanki Associate Director for Marketing and Communications Liz C. Taylor Director for Constituent Relations Sarah Brown Rothschild Associate Director for Constituent Relations Aimee Carter Constituent Relations Associate Andrea Wasiewski Constituent Relations Assistant Iris Hosey Luck Vitals Managing Editor Liz C. Taylor Contributors Josh Barney, Linda J. Kobert, Brian Murphy, UVA Health System Marketing Photography Sarah Brown Rothschild, Jackson Smith, Coe Sweet, Liz C. Taylor, UVA Health System Marketing Cover Jackson Smith Volunteer Editor Leah Gibbs Design © Anne Hilton Vitals is produced twice annually, in the spring and fall, by the University of Virginia Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation. Deadline for submissions for the Spring 2017 issue is February 14, 2017. The MAA/MSF reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and content. Please send submissions and other correspondence to: Managing Editor Vitals University of Virginia Medical Alumni Association and Medical School Foundation PO Box 800776 Charlottesville, VA 22908-0776 434-924-1734 medalum @ virginia.edu UVAMedAlum.org ©2016 University of Virginia Medical Alumni Association Medical School Foundation On the Cover David S. Wilkes, MD, is a board-certified specialist in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine and former Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He began his five-year appointment as Dean of the University of Virginia's School of Medicine in September 2015. Photo by Jackson Smith fromthepresident I t is an honor to write to you as president of the UVa Medical alumni association's Board of Directors. Normally in this space, you would read a letter from Dean David s. Wilkes, MD. However, i am excited that this issue features Dean Wilkes in our cover story, and i hope you will take the time to read about his vision and priorities for the school of Medicine. in the short time he has been here, several world class physi- cians and researchers have been recruited who will ensure that UVa stays at the forefront of medi- cal education and research. as president, i had the opportunity to attend the 2016 White Coat Ceremony to welcome the Class of 2020. this ceremony is endowed by the Class of 1965, which is a true testament to the loyalty that these alumni feel toward this University. i told the students and their families about our programs and scholarship assistance that are made possible because of the generos- ity of those who came before them, including the stethoscopes they received as gifts from the UVa Medical alumni association just days earlier. then i watched with pride as 156 students each came to the stage at Old Cabell Hall to accept their white coats and begin their journeys toward becoming physicians. Each time i visit the University of Virginia, i am struck by the commitment to excellence that can be found at every level of the school of Medicine. the students are among the best and brightest you will find anywhere, as are the faculty who guide them. and the research being done every day at UVa by some of the top scientists in the nation is truly impressive. as alumni, we are fortunate to be part of this institution's history, but we also have a role now and in the future. there are many ways to support the school of Medicine today in appreciation for all that it has given to us. One way, of course, is to support the annual Fund, which makes programs offered by the UVa Medical alumni association possible. But you can also give your time—as a Host program volunteer, as a mentor, as a reunion committee volunteer and so on. i am grateful to all of you who already serve, and i hope more will take this step. the time commitment is small compared to the impact. i also encourage alumni to support their class funds and help establish new scholar- ships to help ease the debt load that our students are burdened with today. in closing, i have some news to share with you about our annual Meeting. as a loyal attendee of this event myself for many years, i wanted you to know that we are moving to a bi-annual format beginning in 2018, and that there will not be an annual Meeting in 2017. look for more informa- tion about this new schedule soon. thanks for your continued support of the UVa Medical alumni association and the school of Medicine. Wahoowa! thomas Newbill, MD '79, Res '84 President, Board of Directors I watched with pride as 156 students each came to the stage at Old Cabell Hall to accept their white coats and begin their journeys toward becoming physicians.