Class Notes

Glenn W. Geelhoed (M.D. 1968) received the 2009 Surgical Volunteerism Award from the American College of Surgeons and the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative in recognition of his devotion to providing surgical care and education throughout the world. During his career, Geelhoed has led more than 200 surgical missions to treat underserved populations in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific and South America. A fellow of the ACS, he currently serves as professor of international medicine and of surgery at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

James E.C. Norris, M.D. (Residency 1974), has authored the book Fight On, My Soul, a biography that chronicles the experiences of his father, Morgan Norris, M.D., as an African-American doctor in rural Virginia from 1917-64. A certified plastic surgeon, James Norris practiced in New York City from 1974-97, when he formed Jamtak International Inc., which provides consulting services to health professionals.

Gilbert M. Snider (M.D. 1975, Residency 1981) published his first novel, Brain Warp: A Medical Thriller, featuring a neurologist-turned-sleuth who cracks a case in which patients are suffering from a rapidly progressive form of dementia. Snider is working on his second novel while continuing to practice in Chesapeake, Virginia, and is the father of a fourth-year U-M medical student.

Robert M. Soderstrom (M.D. 1972, Residency 1976) is enjoying the continued success of his book, The Big House: Fielding H. Yost and the Building of Michigan Stadium, published in 2005 by Huron River Press. During football season Soderstrom leads stadium tours sponsored by the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. He has a private dermatology practice in Flint, Michigan, serves on the staff of three nearby medical institutions and is a clinical professor of medicine at Michigan State University.

Anthony Alessi, M.D. (Residency 1985, Fellowship 1986), hosts the show “Neuro Frontiers” on XM Satellite Radio, channel 160. A collaboration between the American Academy of Neurology and communications group ReachMD, the show features interviews and discussions aimed at helping health care professionals better understand neurology. The series also is accessible at www.reachmd.com. Alessi practices privately and is chief of neurology at the William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Connecticut.

Mother-Daughter Docs, Revisited

The spring 2009 issue included an alumni profile on Janet and Karyn Baum, the only pair of mother-daughter graduates of Michigan’s Medical School that we were aware of at the time. Several readers wrote to us, identifying other generational pairs of female graduates; below is a more complete — though likely not final — picture of mothers, daughters, and medicine at Michigan.

Janet K. Baum (M.D. 1969,
Residency 1973)
Karyn D. Baum (M.D. 1995)

Irene S. Danek (M.D. 1968)
Katherine (Danek) Brito (M.D. 2005)

Lois Heath Harrison (M.D. 1962)
Ann Elizabeth Harrison Uhle (M.D. 1991)

Georgia A. Lewis Johnson (M.D. 1955)
Mary M. Johnson (M.D. 1984)
Barbara A. Johnson (M.D. 1985)

Paula Headbloom (M.D. 1981) and daughter Megan Reif Iacco will join the group when Megan completes her M.D. at Michigan in 2011.

Peter S. Thoms (M.D. 1959) identified a variation on the theme. His sister, Nancy Thoms Block (M.D. 1957) followed in her grandmother’s path; Marion Wells Thoms graduated with the medical class of 1898. It was in 1870 that the U-M Regents voted to admit women to the Medical School. —RK

MCAS Reaches Golden Milestone

For half a century, the Medical Center Alumni Society has represented the more than 9,000 alumni of Michigan’s Medical School, as well as another 9,000 individuals who have completed residencies and fellowships at Michigan. This year celebrates the MCAS milestone, with special 50th anniversary festivities planned for reunion this fall.

MCAS serves to bring alumni together, to build class loyalty and affiliation, and to provide alumni with the opportunity to use their leadership skills and professional experience in ways that can benefit the institution at all levels.

In the last decade especially, the society has organized and mobilized its resources in support of medical education, sponsoring key annual events such as the evocative White Coat Ceremony, which welcomes new students each August and provides them with the white lab coats they will wear during their medical training. MCAS also sponsors the Graduation Luncheon; commencement; the HOST Program, which links alumni hosts with medical trainees traveling the country during various interview processes; and an awards program that honors outstanding contributions to the medical profession by alumni and faculty.

MCAS’ signature event is Reunion, held each fall for classes at five-year intervals, with a special celebration for the 50-year class. From tours of campus, to seminars and class dinners, to the tailgating tradition before an afternoon of Wolverine football in the Big House, Reunion remains a popular way for alumni to reconnect with each other and with the institution that has helped shape and enrich their lives and careers. —RK