Laurence Boxer Installed as the First Henry and Mala Dorfman Family Professor
of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Tragic loss, good fortune and a deep philanthropic spirit create something 'extraordinary
and enduring'
At the heart of healing, at the core of medical research and clinical care,
are relationships between people. It is these relationships — the bond between
patient and physician, the collaboration among scientists, and the love among
family members — that can intersect in powerful ways to fight disease.
The lives and the marriage of Henry and Mala Dorfman tell a story of tragic
loss, hard work, determination, and incredible good fortune. Born in Poland,
the two narrowly escaped with their lives during the Holocaust, met and married,
then moved together to America. Together, they built a thriving business in
the Detroit area, raised a family, and nurtured a deep philanthropic spirit
that has created something extraordinary and enduring.
On September 18, more than 100 people gathered for the inauguration of the
Henry and Mala Dorfman Family Professorship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
at the University of Michigan and the installation of Laurence A. Boxer, M.D.,
as the first Dorfman Family Professor. The professorship will further research,
clinical care and education in pediatric cancer, which has profoundly touched
the Dorfman family.
In the mid-1980s, Henry and Mala's grandson Brandon Weiss was diagnosed with
congenital thrombocytopenia — an extremely rare blood disorder; Brandon died
when he was three. But by the time Brandon 's little brother Logan was born
with the disorder, medical technology existed to treat it. Today, after years
under the care of U-M pediatric oncologist Larry Boxer, Logan 's blood is perfectly
normal.
It is the relationship between the Dorfman family and this U-M physician,
begun many years ago, that has evolved through the years and yielded the Dorfman
Family Professorship. Boxer has devoted his life to solving the cruel puzzles
that cause children to suffer from myriad forms of cancer. His empathy and
dedication, combined with one family's profound generosity, have forged a vital
legacy to ensure that Michigan 's leaders in pediatric hematology/oncology
will be drawn from among the very best minds in the world.
Larry Boxer (front row,
second from right) and his family
front
row: David Boxer, son; Grace Boxer, M.D., wife; Boxer; Rosemary
Walzem, niece
back row: Emily Benz, daughter-in-law; Kevin Boxer, nephew;
Tillie Boxer, sister-in-law; Michael Boxer, brother; Samantha Walzem, great-niece
 The Dorfman Family
front row: Mala Dorfman; Allen Charlupski, brother-in-law; Franka Charlupski,
sister
back row: Eleanor Park (mother of Carol Dorfman); Devin Weiss,
grandson; Jordan Dorfman, grandson; Carol Dorfman, daughter-in-law; Joel
Dorfman, son; Gayle Weiss, daughter; Noah Dorfman, grandson
Photos: Marcia Ledford |
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