137th SUNY Downstate Annual Reunion, May 19-20, 2017

The 137th Annual Reunion Weekend, May 19 – 21 2017, was attended by over 200 Alumni at the Brooklyn Marriott! The weekend was kicked off with a tour of SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kings County led by current students. Alumni enjoyed lunch as they reminisced on the memories of their past and time spent in medical school.

On Saturday May 20th, the alumni were greeted by SUNY Downstate President Dr. Wayne Riley. His address marked a theme of progress. Dr. Riley stated “Downstate doesn’t have to be across the water to be great and to continue to be thoughtful adapters of new pedagogy.”

The scientific program featured 4 alumni, each prominent in their respective fields. Topics ranged from Lyme disease to prescription opioids. Immediately following was the alumni awards ceremony, with the highest honor conferred Daniel Perl, MD’67, for his distinguished service American Medicine. The weekend culminated in the elegant Dinner Dance. Alumni dressed in their best formal evening attires, and celebrated their achievements thus far.

Thank you to ALL of the Alumni who attended and made reunion weekend a success. Congratulations to the class of 1957 on the occasion of their 50th anniversary of graduation. Photos are available on the Alumni Association Facebook and for purchase on Shutterfly. The compiled list of presentation topics and award winners is located below:

Scientific Session Topics:

Daniel Perl, MD ’67 “From the NFL to the Battlefield: Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury” Click here to watch the video of Dr. Perl’s talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLxbfgoONxg Martin Kafina, MD ’82 “Immunity in Lyme Arthritis’ Click here to watch the video of Dr. Kafina’s talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE30My1zrp8

Myron Yaster, MD 77 “The World is full of obvious things that no one ever sees: The Epidemic of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Opioids” Click here to watch the video of Dr. Yaster’s talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daw2HzUOkqw

Allen Frances, MD ’67 “Saving Normal: Over Treatment in Psychiatry” Click here to watch the video of Dr. Frances’ discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65fHK2gXGWg

Award Winners: Click here to watch the video of the Awards Ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5tFkOGMI8M

Alumni Medallion For Distinguished Service To American Medicine Is Presented To Daniel Perl, MD ’67   In Recognition Of Distinguished Service to the Medical Profession and the Community

Dr. Frank L. Babbott Memorial Award Is Presented To Gilbert Martin, MD ’67 In Recognition Of Distinguished Service to the Medical Profession and the Community

William A. Console, MD Alumni Achievement Award In Psychiatry Is Presented To Gerard Sunnen, MD ’67 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Psychiatry

Alumni Achievement Award In Orthopeadic Surgery Is Presented To John Aversa, MD ’67 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Orthopedic Surgery

Clarence And Mary Dennis Dedicated Service Award Is Presented To Sydney Butts, MD In Recognition Of Distinguished Service to SUNY Downstate and the Surrounding Community

Clark-Curran Award In Medical Administration Is Presented To Stephen Wadowski, MD ’87 In Recognition Of Distinguished Service to SUNY Downstate and Your Accomplishments as an Administrator

Honorary Alumnus/A Is Presented To Jeanne Macrae, MD In Recognition Of Distinguished Service to the Medical Profession and the SUNY Downstate Community

Honorary Alumnus/A Is Presented To Robin Ovitsh, MD In Recognition Of Distinguished Service to the Medical Profession and the SUNY Downstate Community

Alumni Achievement Award In Physiatry Is Presented To Anna Maria Massaro-Dunn, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Physiatry

Alumni Achievement Award In Dermatolog Is Presented To Jeanine Downie, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Dermatology

Phillip L. Lear, MD ’34 Master Teacher Award In Surgery Is Presented To Celia Maria Divino, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Teaching In Surgery

Master Teacher Award In Dermatology Is Presented To Ivan Cohen, MD ’67 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Teaching in Dermatology

Master Teacher Award In Surgical Oncology Is Presented To Henry Mark Kuerer, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Teaching in Surgical Oncology

Alumni Achievement Award In Urology Is Presented To Elizabeth Kavaler, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Urology

Alumni Achievement Award In Public Health Is Presented To Noriel L. Sta. Maria, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement In Public Health

Alumni Achievement Award In Cardiovascular Medicine Is Presented To Icilma V. Fergus, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Cardiovascular Medicine

Alumni Achievement Award In Preventative Medicine Is Presented To E. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Preventative Medicine

Alumni Achievement Award In Neurosurgery/Neurology Is Presented To Owen B. Samuels, MD ’92 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement Neurosurgery/Neurology

William A Console, MD Master Teacher Award In Psychiatry Is Presented To Allen Frances, MD ’67 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Teaching in Psychiatry

Richard C. Troutman, MD Master Teacher Award In Opthalmology Is Presented To David Berman, MD ’82 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Teaching in Ophthalmology

Alumni Achievement Award In Sports Medicine Is Presented To William Clancy, MD ’67 In Recognition Of Significant Achievement in Sports Medicine

Alumni Achievement Award In Pediatrics Is Presented To Myron Yaster, MD ’77 In Recognition Of Your Achievements in Pediatrics

Benhamin Zohn, MD ’25 Alumni Service Award Is Presented To Daniel Nicoll, MD ’72 In Recognition Of Distinguished Service and Dedication to the Alumni of the SUNY Downstate College of Medicine

Harry Z. Mellins, MD ’44 Alumni Achievement Award In Radiology Is Presented To Stanley Siegelman, MD ’57 In Recognition Of Your Achievements in Radiology

Richard L. Day, MD Master Teacher Award In Pediatrics Is Presented To Michael Whyte, MD ’72 In Recognition Of Your Achievements in Teaching in Pediatrics

Alumni Achievement Award In Immunology Is Presented To Martin Kafina, MD ’82 In Recognition Of Distinguished Service to the Medical Profession and the Community

Please provide feedback on the weekend using the following survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2RXKBDZ

Check out the photos of the weekend:  https://sunydownstatealumniphotos.shutterfly.com/