Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection - Vol. XX No. 2

Alumni ConnectionA Legacy of Learning

Volume XX, No. 2Summer 2010

Beloved Alumni Association Director Announces Retirement

Those who have had the privilege to know Alumni Association Executive Director Sandra Stranscak during her 36 years at Cleveland Clinic know her passion for keeping graduates “in the fold.” She sees Cleveland Clinic-trained physicians – current students through retirees – as part of a tight-knit family. She takes great pride in her role of keeping them connected to Cleveland Clinic and to each other.

This commitment has made leaving the organization she has come to love a near impossible endeavor. But in typical Stranscak form, she announced her July retirement with a nod

INSIDE: Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Class of 2010 Match Results 12

Join Us for the Alumni Reunion and CME in Las VegasMake plans now to attend the first Cleveland Clinic Alumni Reunion west of the Mississippi!

All Cleveland Clinic alumni are invited to this exciting educational and social event Sept. 24 to 25, immediately following Cleveland Clinic’s Heart-Brain Summit 2010 planned for Sept. 23-24 at the new Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas.

The event kicks off Friday evening, Sept. 24, with a fun Alumni Reunion Party at the Encore Hotel, one of the newest and most glamorous locations on the Strip. Group room rates are available, making it easy for alumni to come early or stay late and enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer. Learn more about the facility at encorelasvegas.com.

Saturday will feature a half-day of diverse “Hot Topics in Healthcare,” CME lectures ranging from cardiology to psychiatry, Alzheimer’s to the “Skinny on Bariatric Surgery,” “Lotions, Potions, Lasers and Peels: Aging Gracefully” and a fact-or-fiction look at brain-heart connections. Presenters include Michael T. Modic, MD, Chairman, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute, and Daniel Nickelson, Emeritus Chairman, Government Affairs in Washington, DC, on “Healthcare Reform: What Next?”

World-famous author Michael Roizen, MD, Chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute, will give the not-to-be-missed lunchtime keynote address.

Tours of the building designed by internationally renowned architect Frank Gehry and valued in excess of $100 million will be offered in the afternoon. The 67,000-square-foot facility houses clinical and diagnostic space, neuroimaging facilities, physician offices, research laboratories and a resource library. It also includes an Activities Life Center for events, seminars and forums.

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Sandy Stranscak

Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las VegasFrank Gehry, AIA, Architect

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Alumni Reunion and CMEContinued from page 1

A clinical floor opened in July 2009 and treats patients with a spectrum of neuro-degenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Patients come not only from Nevada and other Western states but also from across the United States and other countries. It is estimated that more than 12,000 patient visits will take place each year.

The center’s multidisciplinary approach includes cognitive and physical exercise, medication, and assessment and treatment of vascular risk factors, as well as support and assistance for caregivers.

Las Vegas businessman Larry Ruvo and the Keep Memory Alive organization he established to support research into brain disorders partnered with Cleveland Clinic to open the center. Mr. Ruvo’s father, Lou Ruvo, died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease in 1994, and Mr. Ruvo has committed himself to creating a center to combat the disease and help others. Partnering with Cleveland Clinic and its expertise provided the perfect fit for his vision and is creating one of the most exciting projects in healthcare today.

The center’s shiny metal exterior, put together with 550 pieces like a puzzle, was designed by Mr. Gehry in Germany, fabricated in China and shipped from a Los Angeles port to Las Vegas. Each piece weighs between 2,000 and 8,000 pounds.

For more information on this exciting event, please visit www.ccfcme.org/AlumniReunionNevada2010. Or, you can contact Marilyn Bryce, Associate Director, Alumni Relations, at 216.444.2487 or 800.444.3664 or [email protected].

Letters to the editor

Thank you for obituary

Thank you so very much for sending the Alumni Connection magazine with my beloved husband’s obituary (Richard N. Rovner, MD, Vol. XX, No. 1, Spring 2010 issue). Incredibly, the death of one of his dear friends, Dr. Bernard Miklos, was recorded directly above his announcement.

Dick loved his years at Cleveland Clinic and was extremely proud to have been a fellow there as well as the Chief Resident in Neurology.

Judge Ilana Diamond Rovner U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Chicago, IL

Editor’s note: Judge Rovner forwarded the beautiful eulogy given by their son, Max, at the funeral on Dec. 1. In it, Max recalls many fond memories of his father’s love and humor, and his commitment to family. One of the funnier anecdotes relives the way his parents decided to marry: “When they met, they both lived in the Washington, DC, area, about seven miles apart. On their second date, my father said, ‘This commute is killing me. Why don’t we just get married?’ My mother said, ‘What a great idea,’ and four weeks later, their nearly 47-year adventure began.”

Privileged to contribute

It is my privilege to contribute to Cleveland Clinic’s Today’s Innovations – Tomorrow’s Health Care campaign and to have completed my fellowship in cardiology 60 years ago. William L. “Bill” Proudfit, MD (IM’43), remains a close friend after I left for additional post-doctoral training at Michigan and Oklahoma. I accepted a position as Director of Cardiology and Medical Director at the Geisinger Health System and Health Plan.

Now a semi-retiree, I have continued to contribute at Penn State University and Lock Haven University, teaching Applied Physiology. It has been a great experience.

Charles A. Laubach Jr., MD (IM’50)Danville, PA

Editor’s Note: The Charles Laubach Visiting Professor program was established in 2003, to honor Dr. Laubach, Founder of the Geisinger Cardiology Department and its first catherization laboratory. The program brings internationally known cardiology experts to Danville, PA. The Geisinger Research timeline says that, in 1966, the first U.S. National Institutes of Health grant was awarded to Charles A. Laubach, MD, for his Coronary Drug Project.



Neurology Representative on Alumni Board Enjoys Maintaining TiesFor Steven Benedict, MD (N’01, NEMG’02), joining a private neurology practice in the Sandusky and Bellevue area while maintaining close ties to Cleveland Clinic has been an opportunity to participate in the best of both worlds.

His practice, Advanced Neurologic Associates, includes two fellow Cleveland Clinic alumni, Brendan W. Bauer, MD (N’02), and Michael J. Leslie, MD (N’00), which he says makes for an excellent meeting of the minds.

“We trained at the same place under the same people, and we have the same sort of approach and philosophy about patient care,” he says. “It definitely makes hospital coverage easier because we instinctively know where each other is coming from.”

The practice was founded in 1982 by Dr. Bauer’s father, William Bauer, MD, PhD, now 74, and he continues to conduct research and see patients. The practice is rounded out by Nicole Danner, DO, who joined the group after completing her residency in Dayton in 2005.

Dr. Benedict, who serves as the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Society Neurology Specialty Director, says he was attracted to the practice because it serves a big geographic area that needed more neurological care and was receptive to their

input, but is close enough to Cleveland Clinic that referring complex cases or second opinions is simple.

His practice has been able to influence some changes in his region, such as stroke certification of two hospitals they serve and building renovations or additions at several others for which his group provided input on decisions such as purchases of diagnostic equipment.

“It has been a mutually beneficial environment, as we have been able to have a lot of influence on the environment and thinking in this area, while sending patients we can’t or shouldn’t treat to Cleveland Clinic,” he says. “We really enjoy staying connected, from a patient care standpoint, and also staying in contact with friends and colleagues.”

Cases that Advanced Neurologic Associates sends to Cleve-land include patients who need epilepsy surgery or access to a neurology intensive care unit. However, the practice offers strong expertise in areas such as neurophysiology, electromyography, neuromuscular disease, vascular neurology, therapeutic Botox injections, stroke and sleep disorders.

“We really emphasize that patients from our area who need any type of neurology care can come to us first, and we will make sure that they get what they need,” Dr. Benedict says.

“This has been a great opportunity to have a collegial practice among peers of about the same age and similar mindset but with access to an excellent tertiary care center nearby,” he adds. “That is not an opportunity you always have in private practice.”

Dr. Danner agrees, though she did not train at Cleveland Clinic. “The staff on the main campus is always so friendly and respectful, and they always make me feel welcome, too. We don’t hesitate to refer to them, and they always send patients back when they are done.”

Learn more about Advanced Neurological Associates by visiting their web site at http://www.advneuroassoc.com/.

Steven Benedict, MD

Michael J. Leslie, MD

Brendan W. Bauer, MD

Nicole Danner, DO

Cleveland Clinic, Elsevier Join to Offer Point-of-Care CME Credit

Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education has teamed up with Elsevier to provide easy point-of-care CME credit to users of MD Consult and First Consult.

Users of First Consult, which provides access to information on evaluation, diagnosis, clinical management, prognosis and prevention, and MD Consult, a clinical reference tool used by more than 2,000 healthcare organizations and 95 percent of all U.S. medical schools, will

earn Point-Of-Care CME Credit as they perform searches and access relevant content to answer patient-care questions.

“Within the daily workflow, as they use clinical content to support diagnosis and treatment, physicians will be able to click a button and receive CME accredited by one of the world’s leading healthcare institutions,” says Randy Charles, Managing Director, Global Clinical Reference, Elsevier.

After performing a search and finding the an-swer, physicians will be able to click on “Request CME” and complete a short form from the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education.

They can earn 0.5 American Medical Association PRA (Physician’s Recognition Award) Category 1 Credit(s)™ for each search conducted through MD Consult and First Consult.


Raising cattle is sort of a family business for John Bergfeld, MD (GL1’65, S’67, ORS’70). He and his cousin Henry grew up on a farm together, but one went to medical school and the other to an agricultural college.

The cousins today own Pine Hill Farm, with about 60 head of cattle in Summitville, Ohio, primarily managed by Henry, who has made a successful career of ranching. They recently expanded the definition of “family business” to include some of Dr. Bergfeld’s colleagues from the Warthog Society, a collegial group of about 70 physicians who completed a fellowship in Sports Medicine in Cleveland Clinic’s Orthopaedics Department.

At a Warthog Society meeting in May 2009, Dr. Bergfeld, who is Director of the Operating Room and Senior Surgeon, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, was showing off photos of a prize cow and her calf that he had for sale and somewhat jokingly asked if anyone wanted to invest in it. To his surprise, Richard Edelson, MD (SM’94), of Portland, OR, said yes. Before it was all said and done, the Warthog Cattle Company was formed, with eight Warthog partners sharing ownership of the cow with Dr. Bergfeld.

Since then, the Warthog Cattle Company has purchased a second cow and both had calves this spring. So the company has expanded to two cows, two heifer calves and one bull calf, for a total of five animals.

“The animals live on our farm. We charge them a management fee, but they own it,” says Dr. Bergfeld.

He stresses that this is a serious business for the Warthogs, not mere fodder for beef jokes at future cocktail parties. “We have only premium Angus Seed Stock cows that are valuable breeders,” he says. “We sell them to breeders that raise calves for eventually going to the slaughterhouse. If we get a cow of particularly high quality, we will fertilize her, then flush her eggs and implant them in surrogate cows. Sometimes we can get six or seven calves at a time from one really good mother.”

Calves can fetch anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000, depending on variables such as their weight, fat distribution

(marbling), physical appearance and mother’s history of milk production and progeny performance.

Dr. Edelson says he and his fellow Warthog investors were largely motivated by a desire to honor their collective mentor.

“We agreed in our incorporation documents that half of all our earnings go back to Cleveland Clinic in (Dr. Bergfeld’s) name to fund sports medicine education,” he says. “We hope this can grow into a good-sized business to benefit Cleveland Clinic. We definitely didn’t go into this to make money as individuals.”

He describes Dr. Bergfeld as a “founding father” of sports medicine in the United States who has held national and international leadership positions in the field. “We wanted to give back to him and Sports Medicine in general,” he says.

He readily admits that he and his fellow investors went into this venture without knowledge of livestock and, in fact, have never met their prize bovine but have seen photos and were given a standing invitation to visit the farm anytime.

The Warthog Cattle Company investors live across the United States: Charles Gatt, MD (SM’95), of Brunswick, NJ; William Raasch, MD (SM’92), of Milwaukee; Sheldon Cohn, MD (SM’88), of Norfolk, VA; Steve Carlow, MD (SM’86), of Groton, CT; Jason Koh, MD (SM’00), of Wilmette, IL; Chris Rothrock, MD (SM’03), of St. Louis, MO; Robert Sotta, MD (SM’88), of Lake Oswego, OR; and Drs. Edelson and Bergfeld.

“It’s been kind of fun to do this together,” Dr. Bergfeld says. “They used to make fun of me, but I make money on my cows, and I can always eat them if business doesn’t go well.”


John Bergfeld, MD, (at left) and his cousin Henry Bergfeld own Pine Hill Farm in Summitville, Ohio. They recently let several Cleveland Clinic alumni invest in one of their cows, and the business venture already is growing.

No Bull, Doctors Join Cattle Business



Son Creates Orthopaedic Fund to Honor Father

FISCAL F ITNESS

The Avrum I. Froimson, MD, Fund for Orthopaedic Research and Education, established by Dr. Froimson’s son, Mark Froimson, MD, MBA, to honor his father, is designed to foster innovation and development of improved techniques in musculoskeletal surgery and help support training of surgeons.

“These efforts will result in the development of better surgical techniques, allowing us to achieve better outcomes for patients who need joint reconstruction of the hip and knee,” says the younger Dr. Froimson, who is the Quality Review Officer for Cleveland Clinic’s Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute. “Because of the high volume of patients we treat and the innovative research performed at Cleveland Clinic, this fund will touch thousands of people afflicted with musculoskeletal disease, not only in Cleveland, but all over the world.”

Dr. Avrum Froimson, whose career spans 48 years, is a member of Cleveland Clinic’s consulting staff and the Orthopaedic Surgery staff at Cleveland Clinic’s Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center. He is a national leader in orthopaedic and hand surgery and is known for inventing the Froimson Tennis Elbow Support, used worldwide. He has made substantial contributions in his field for treating hand and elbow arthritis, nerve compression, sports injuries, limb lengthening, and hip fracture and replacement. A Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University, he has invented and published on novel surgical procedures for thumb arthritis, trigger finger (in which a finger or thumb catches in a bent position), biceps tendon rupture, elbow arthritis and wrist tendonitis.

Dr. Mark Froimson says he established the fund to honor his father’s distinguished career and create a lasting legacy in his name.

“Philanthropy is essential to allowing us to pursue our mission of improving the care we deliver,” he says. “My father’s career serves as a model of commitment to the best we have to offer, to constantly searching for better ways and to continuously sharing these developments by teaching and training our colleagues and those who follow.”

To make a gift supporting the Avrum I. Froimson, MD, Fund for Orthopaedic Research and Education, the Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute or any area of Cleveland Clinic, visit iSupport, our secure online giving site, or call Lois Sumegi, Development Officer, Institutional Relations and Development, at 216.444.6534.

Gift Annuity Rates Are Going Up!For the first time in seven years, gift annuity rates are going up. With a charitable gift annuity, you can secure guaranteed income for life for you or a loved one while supporting Cleveland Clinic. You also can take a charitable deduction this year, and each payment you will receive is partially tax-free.

To learn more, or to learn the rate applicable to your situation, please contact a member of Cleveland Clinic’s gift planning team of professionals at 216.444.1245 or [email protected].

Sample Gift Annuity Rates

Single Life Two Lives

Age 65 5.5% Age 65 and 68 5.2%

Age 75 6.4% Age 75 and 82 6.0%

Age 85 8.1% Age 82 and 85 6.8%

Avrum I. Froimson, MD

Mark Froimson, MD


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Healthcare Reform – The Saga ContinuesBy Dan Nickelson Former Director of Government Affairs, Cleveland Clinic

FRoM ThE NATIoN’S CApITAL

Typically, when legislation passes, attention turns to implementation issues. With healthcare reform, these issues appear to be as diverse and numerous as the stars in the night sky. This reform legislation was no ordinary feat, and a number of significant challenges remain to its core purpose – providing health insurance coverage to almost all Americans.

At this point, 20 states, all but one Republican-dominated, have filed suit to block implementation of the individual mandate and/or the significant expansion to Medicaid. (Ironically, the individual mandate was a concept advocated by Republican leadership during the 1990s.) The core of the opposition is that the federal government does not have the constitutional right to require individuals to buy health insurance. The counter-argument likely will rest on the government’s authority to regulate interstate commerce, which has been upheld by the courts since the late 1930s, and the government’s authority to promote the general welfare.

Given the high stakes, the cases will end up in the Supreme Court. The argument against federal mandates on Medicaid is not a strong one – the federal government has mandated innumerable Medicaid policies over the years.

But the courts will decide. As the individual mandate does not go into effect for several years, the first rebuttal is that a person cannot bring a case until they are actually affected. Expect these conflicts to start going through the judicial process in the coming months and years.

Then, there is the argument for outright repeal. This will be a political issue in the fall campaigns. Given the anti-incumbent sentiment, there are likely major changes coming in both the House and Senate. However, even if the Republicans should attain majorities in either or both bodies, repeal is highly unlikely because the president has veto power over any such legislation. Republicans would need two-thirds majorities to override that, which no one is predicting they will have.

In the meantime, implementation will proceed. In terms of healthcare financing and delivery, Medicare will be the experimental host. There will be increased emphasis on evidence-based medicine and better collaboration in care delivery. Hospital-physician integration is likely to continue to grow and models of full integration, such as Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, will be highlighted.

There also will be increased critical scrutiny, from insurance companies that distrust increased integration as anti-competitive and from many physicians who do not wish to give up their organizational and practice autonomy.

Mr. Nickelson, who can be reached at [email protected], will be one of the speakers at Cleveland Clinic’s Alumni Reunion in Las Vegas in September. See cover story for details about this exciting event.

William M. Michener, MD, retired pediatric gastroenterologist, Emeritus Chairman of the Division of Education and former Medical Director for the Alumni Association, now of Naples, FL, is spending his well-earned free time painting. He recently sent the Office of Alumni Relations an original artwork in one of his favorite Southwestern themes.



Campus ClipsThe Board of Governors announced changes in the leadership of the Digestive Disease Institute (DDI) on March 29. After more than 35 years of leadership in Colorectal Surgery and the DDI, Victor W. Fazio, MD (S’73, CRS’74), will be stepping down as Chair of the Institute. Robert Wyllie, MD, Chair of the Pediatric Institute and Children’s Hospital, will serve as interim chair. As part of the change, Arthur J. McCullough, Jr, MD (GL-1’75, IM’77), is stepping down as Chair of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. John J. Vargo, MD, Mph (GE’90), will be interim chair of the department.

Drs. Fazio and McCullough will continue to serve as mem-bers of the professional staff. Dr. Fazio has been appointed Physician Director to Institutional Relations and Development. He has a long history of modeling physician leadership in philanthropy, leading the efforts of the DDI campaign that wrapped up in 2001, launching Cleveland Clinic’s second volunteer philanthropic leadership board and securing at least nine endowed chairs that were awarded to his colleagues.

Several job changes were enacted April 26 to lead the continued integration of the Cleveland Clinic health System hospitals to ensure high-quality patient care and

the development of partnerships that will position Cleveland Clinic for the future. “As healthcare reform takes shape, Cleveland Clinic is integrating our hospitals to design a healthcare system that delivers the highest-quality care at the greatest value to our patients,” says Delos M. “Toby” Cosgrove, MD, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic.

David Bronson, MD, was named president of Cleveland Clinic Regional Hospitals. Dr. Bronson will lead operations at the nine regional hospitals in Northeast Ohio (Euclid, Fairview, Hillcrest, Huron, Lakewood, Lutheran, Marymount, Medina and South Pointe hospitals, and affiliate Ashtabula County Medical Center) and work to standardize quality and safety. The position was formerly held by Fred DeGrandis, who now will focus on strengthening Cleveland Clinic’s relationships with community physicians and hospitals throughout Ohio and beyond.

Dr. Bronson, who previously was Chairman of the Medicine Institute, has served on Cleveland Clinic’s Board of Governors, Board of Trustees and the Executive Management Team. He

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During his 35 years of extraordinary leadership and outstanding contributions to Cleveland Clinic, Victor Fazio, MD, has pioneered innovative techniques that have changed the practice of colorectal surgery worldwide. Dr. Fazio’s legacy of contributions to the field of digestive health are overshadowed by his commit-ment to innovation, teamwork and patient care.

“Vic has been an amazing asset to Cleveland since he joined us more than 35 years ago,” says Joseph Hahn, MD, Chief of Staff. “He is a medical pioneer, an extraordi-nary leader and has a true compassion for the patients he serves. We are all privileged to have the opportunity to work with him and learn from him each day.”

Dr. Fazio is among the most highly regarded colorectal surgeons in the world and is deeply respected by his patients and colleagues. A true innovator, he made major breakthroughs in colorectal surgery, including pioneering

small bowel strictureplasty, which allowed patients to minimize loss of small bowel in Crohn’s disease. He was the first to perform coloplasty for rectal reservoir reconstruction in the United States and the first to produce out-comes data that proved its safety and efficacy. In a landmark event, Dr. Fazio performed Cleveland Clinic’s 2,000th J pouch, a procedure designed to help patients avoid colostomies, in 2000.

In January 2008, after serving as Chairman of Colorectal Surgery for 33 years, Dr. Fazio was named Chairman of the Digestive Disease Institute. That No-vember, Dr. Fazio was honored for his career achievements at the 29th annual Turnbull Symposium, where it was announced that $13 million in contributions

from friends, former patients, alumni and colleagues had been raised toward a $20 million project to support and name the Victor W. Fazio, MD, Center for IBD, and the Victor W. Fazio, MD, Surgical Suites.

“Very few physicians have accomplished as much as Vic has in his career,” says Feza H. Remzi, MD (S’96, CRS’97), Department Chair of Colorectal Surgery, at the symposium. “He has elevated a small colorectal surgery unit into one of the best departments in the world. He has won the affection of his patients and the respect of his colleagues with an approach that shows humility and modesty, and always puts the well-being of his patients ahead of every-thing. I cannot describe a better chairman, mentor and friend than Victor Fazio.”

Dr. Fazio also holds the Rupert B. Turnbull, MD, Chair in Colorectal Surgery, an award bestowed on him in 1995. In 2000, Dr. Fazio was the first recipient of Cleveland Clinic’s Master Clinician Award. He also was the inaugural recipient of the Alfred and Norma Lerner Humanitarian Award in 2002, an honor awarded by Cleveland Clinic to physicians who exemplify the highest values of the medical profession. His highest honor has been the Order of Australia (AO), bestowed by the Australian Government for his pioneering work in IBD.

Sandra S. Stranscak, Senior Director of Alumni Relations, says that Dr. Fazio has been an outstanding champion of maintaining lifelong relationships with the hundreds of residents and fellows who consider themselves honored to have trained under him.

Alumni are invited to recognize Dr. Fazio by sending letters or e-mails to the Office of Alumni Relations, which will forward them to Dr. Fazio. Write to Cleveland Clinic Alumni Relations, 9500 Euclid Ave. – DV1, Cleveland, OH 44195 or [email protected].

Victor W. Fazio, MD

Victor W. Fazio, MD: A Prestigious Career



also is Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. He is a member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians and of the Board of Commissioners of the Joint Commission and also serves as Chairman, Board of Directors of the American Medical Group Association. He joined Cleveland Clinic in 1992 and led the multisite regional practices, including operations in Canada, from 1995-2008. Dr. Bronson received his medical degree from the University of Vermont and completed residencies in internal medicine at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Vermont, where he was chief resident.

He is replacing Fred DeGrandis, who was named Chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Community Physician Partnership (CPP) and Quality Alliance. Mr. DeGrandis will take leadership of working with doctors and hospitals outside Cleveland Clinic’s health system. CPP is the largest physician organiza-tion in Northeast Ohio and supports community physicians and practitioners in their efforts to provide the best patient care. The Quality Alliance is an initiative that enables independent physicians and Cleveland Clinic-employed physicians to work more closely to ensure safe, efficient, patient-centered care. He also will represent Cleveland Clinic on trustee boards at the regional hospitals and will serve as a leader on the Northern Ohio Regional Trauma Network.

Brian harte, MD, has been named Interim Chair of the Medicine Institute. Dr. Harte joined Cleveland Clinic in 2004 and is Chair of the Department of Hospital Medicine and Medical Director of Enterprise Business Intelligence. He also

is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. As Medical Director of Enterprise Business Intelligence, Dr. Harte has been providing clinical leadership to the Business Intelligence team within the Division of Medical Operations in its mission to develop rapid-cycle, transparent operational and quality reporting and management tools across the Cleveland Clinic enterprise.

David L. Brown, MD, has been named Interim Chair of the Emergency Services Institute. He will remain Chair of the Anesthesiology Institute while serving in this position. The role of Interim Chair of the Emergency Services Institute previously was held by Dr. Bronson.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic in 2008, Dr. Brown was Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; Professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Iowa; Section Head of Orthopedic Anesthesia at Mayo Clinic-Rochester; and Chief of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. Dr. Brown also served as a Flight Surgeon for the United States Air Force Medical Corps for seven years. He is a Professor of Anesthesiology at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, a member of the Cleveland Clinic Strategic Council and, nationally, is on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Armando L. Chardiet has been named Chairman of Institutional Relations and Development. Responsible for leading all philanthropic initiatives and capital campaigns for the health system, Mr. Chardiet brings deep international experience and extensive development achievements to Cleveland Clinic.

In addition to his role as Chairman of Institutional Relations and Development, he will be Executive Director of Today’s Innovations, Tomorrow’s Healthcare: Campaign for Cleveland Clinic, a five-year philanthropic campaign to raise $1.25 billion. Cleveland Clinic is one of the first health systems in the country to embark on such a campaign. The funds support innovative patient care, basic and clinical research, medical and patient education, and physical expansion.

Mr. Chardiet has significant expertise in developing, launching and stewarding major philanthropic campaigns across health systems. Under his leadership, the University of Pennsylvania Medical School doubled its annual fundraising numbers during the course of the Making History: The Campaign for Penn campaign.

Cleveland Clinic has received a $5.4 million federal grant to continue multiple sclerosis research that it started in 1999. The National Institutes of Health grant will fund the research

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Campus Clips

NEWS FLASH!

Our organization has launched a mobile version of ClevelandClinic.org at m.ClevelandClinic.org to give alumni, patients and visitors with mobile phones easy access to finding doctors and information about the Cleveland Clinic health system.

The mobile site offers a simple-to-use interface for streamlined access to information. It allows users to:

• Search for doctors and specialists by name, location, clinical institute or clinical department.

• Find locations, parking, hours of operation, directions and phone numbers for 80 facilities that provide Cleveland Clinic services, including regional, national and international locations.

• Access a systemwide phone directory, as well as listings of amenities, including free shuttle buses and restaurants.

The new mobile website, accessed at http://m.ClevelandClinic.org, is designed to work on web-enabled phones, including Blackberry, iPhone, Droid and Windows Mobile.



through 2014. Richard M. Ransohoff, MD (N’84), Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Neuroinflammation Research, has been leading the project, focusing on identifying the connection between inflammation and tissue injury in the central nervous system of people with multiple sclerosis.

Cleveland Clinic researchers have been awarded a $9.2 million, five-year grant by the National Institutes of Health to continue their study of the role of inflammation in heart disease. Stanley L. Hazen, MD, PhD, Section Head of Preventive Cardiology at Cleveland Clinic and a staff member in Lerner Research Institute’s Department of Cell Biology, is the principle investigator of the research receiving the award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Dr. Hazen and his colleagues hope to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanisms linking inflammation to cardiovascular disease and its consequences. The grant is a continuation of past NIH funding. Already, the researchers have discovered that blood levels of an enzyme called myeloperoxidase, or MPO, can identify people at risk of heart attack. They also developed a diagnostic test for MPO that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used worldwide.

Elaine husni, MD, Mph, Vice Chair of Rheumatology and Director of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Center at Cleveland Clinic, received a $200,000 grant from the National psoriasis Foundation. She will use the two-year grant to study psoriatic arthritis and the evidence that psoriatic arthritis patients are at a greater risk for heart disease. She hopes to discover biomarkers that would detect these risks earlier in psoriatic arthritis patients.

Abby Abelson, MD, Rheumatologic and Immunologic Dis-ease, and Tracy L. Hull, MD (CRS’92, CFCRS’93), Colorectal Surgery, received the Kaiser Award for Outstanding Medical Educator in the areas of pre-clinical and clinical, respectively. Lerner College of Medicine students selected the recipients based on their exceptional contributions to student learning and professional development.

Guy Chisolm, PhD, was named Faculty of the Year by the administrative staff in the Lerner College of Medicine. Dr. Chisolm is active on the Curriculum Steering Council, the Medical Student Promotion and Review Committee and the Research Education Committee, and he co-chairs the Basic Science Education Committee.

Linda Graham, MD, Vascular Surgery, is no stranger to running to help where needed. While volunteering in Miss-issippi and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Graham met volunteers from International Medical Alliance and began taking medical mission trips with the organization to the Dominican Republic near the Haitian border. When the

earthquake hit Port Au Prince, Haiti, in January, she quickly made plans to return to the clinic. On the first day there, her group visited Port Au Prince to help triage patients and bring them to the clinic in the Dominican Republic. Most of her work at the clinic, an outpatient facility which housed as many as 500 inpatients after the earthquake, was surgery, including amputations and wound debridements. Dr. Graham helped countless patients and even witnessed three births. She says that the grace and resilience of the Haitian people is remarkable and that the biggest need is monetary donations. If you would like to contribute to International Medical Alliance, visit http://www.imaonline.org/.

Kudos also to Paul Kempen, MD, General Anesthesiology, who was inspired to respond to January’s Haitian earthquake by his motto, “The world has been good to me; it’s time to pay it back.” He enlisted as a provider with Project HOPE, the humanitarian agency he worked with in 2007 when he traveled aboard the USNS Comfort for a medical mission in Ecuador, Colombia and Haiti. On Feb. 17, a little over a month after the earthquake, Dr. Kempen arrived aboard the Comfort with the second wave of volunteers. The Comfort served as the premiere hospital facility in Haiti, seeing patients with the most complex cases. Although Dr. Kempen was on dry land only during transfer to and from the airport and the ship, he says it was easy to see both the overwhelming devastation

Richard M. Ransahoff, MD

Executive Health Exams Help Physicians Take Care of Themselves

Physicians need to be as vigilant about their own health as they are about the health of their patients. A Cleveland Clinic Executive Health physical examination will put physicians in the best possible position to care for their patients.

Executive Health physical examinations are designed to uncover potential health problems and to target, reduce and eliminate risk factors. Wellness is an integral part of our program.

Evaluations are tailored to meet the needs of individuals whose time is at a pre-mium. Visits take place on a single day, and we streamline them by preschedul-ing individual consultations and confirming with a call before your appointment.

If any specific medical issues are identified, we facilitate prompt referral to our renowned specialists.

Physicians may choose to see any of our four Executive Health physicians, three of whom also are Cleveland Clinic alumni: Richard S. Lang, MD, MPH (GL-1’80, IM’82) Vice Chair, Wellness Institute and Chair, Preventive Medicine; Raul J. Seballos, MD (PULMCC’95), Vice Chair, Preventive Medicine; Anita D. Misra-Hebert, MD, Head, Women’s Executive Health Program; or John P. Campbell, MD (IM’75, END’77).

Executive Health physical examinations may be scheduled by calling 216.444.5707 or 800.553.5056, ext. 45707. For more information, visit clevelandclinic.org/executive health.

Continued on page 10



and the global response to the crisis. “I’d look out and see ships from all over the world stationed in the harbor to help, knowing the city was in ruins in the distance,” he says.

Kudos also to Mark Foglietti, Do, Grant hunter, Do, Brian Kessler, Do, Marc polecritti, Do, and Megan Rodgers, Do, of South Pointe Hospital. The physicians/residents spent eight days in Haiti providing medical care to survivors, in clinics and elsewhere.

Editor’s Note: The Office of Alumni Relations realizes that many of our alumni participate in medical missions throughout the world – and, indeed, have written about some of you. We’d like to know more about the depth and breadth of alumni involvement and maybe even share YOUR stories with fellow alumni, as well. Let us know where you are making extraordinary contributions to global healthcare – and if you’d be willing to share your story! We’d love to hear from you. Write us at [email protected] or call 800.444.3664.

Joseph F. “Joe” Hahn, MD, Cleveland Clinic Chief of Staff, received two honors recently. On April 23, he was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio at its annual meeting at the Ritz-Carlton. On May 2, he was honored at the Golden Age Center of Greater Cleveland gala, where he was recognized for Lifetime Achievement in medicine.

Barbara Messinger-Rapport, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Geriatric Medicine, has been chosen by the Alzheimer’s Association’s Cleveland Chapter to receive the Jennifer B. Langston Community Service Award for her advocacy and

role as an active member of the Association’s Professional Advisory Board.

Charles Modlin Jr., MD, Director, Minority Men’s Health Center, Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, received Northwestern University’s first annual Daniel Hale Williams Award for Meritorious Service to Underserved Communities. Seven years ago, Dr. Modlin started the Minority Men’s Health Fair, which now draws more than 2,000 participants annually.

Maria Siemionow, MD, phD, Director of Plastic Surgery Research and Head of microsurgery training at Cleveland Clinic, was appointed to the scientific advisory board of Sanuwave Health Inc., a Georgia-based emerging medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of non-invasive, biological response activating devices in the regenerative medicine area.

Randall Starling, MD, Mph, Medical Director, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, and Vice Chairman, Cardiovascular Medicine, has been elected to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) Board of Directors. He will serve as Heart Transplant Representative for a two-year term beginning in June.

The Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University has received a $2 million federal grant to upgrade research labs. The grant from the National Center for Research Resources involves stimulus money and will enable the Lerner College to renovate labs and build new cancer research space.


Campus Clips

Cleveland Clinic earned national attention in 2009 for medical breakthroughs, outstanding research, wellness programs and its integrated healthcare delivery system. The year brought unprecedented media attention from the first near-total face trans-plant press conference and President Obama’s visit to learn about our healthcare model and electronic medical records.

In his annual State of the Clinic address on Feb. 25, Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove, MD, gave the staff many other reasons for optimism and pride.

“There is high demand for our services. We’re innovating and adopting new technology. We’re measuring quality, monitoring safety, and expanding our data infrastructure,” he said in the address that was broadcast to all facilities.

“Outcomes are improving. Patient satisfaction is up. New facilities and renovations are under way at

all our locations. Working with partners across the United States and around the world, Cleveland Clinic is building the integrated healthcare delivery system of the future.”

He outlined plans to spent $848 million on renova-tions and construction through the health system this year, including renovations to patient floors, the intensive care unit and the Crile building on the main campus.“By the end of the year, all of this campus’ clinical and outpatient facilities will be renewed,” Dr. Cosgrove said.

He noted that Cleveland Clinic found ways to reduce expenses without compromising patient care.

On the system level, the progressive alignment of Cleveland Clinic’s many parts into a fully integrated healthcare delivery network continued. The institute model was translated to the regional hospital setting. Nursing functions were unified under single

leadership and a Department of Regional Pathology was created.

He noted that “Patients First” is Cleveland Clinic’s mantra, and survey results show improvement in meeting patient expectations.

“Cleveland Clinic has a tradition of surpassing itself year after year. The achievements of 2009 have enlarged our possibilities for 2010. With the skill of our doctors and the support of our friends, we will work hard to deserve the confidence of those who place their trust in our care,” he concluded.

To read Cleveland Clinic’s 2009 annual report, go to http://my.clevelandclinic.org/p2/digital-annual-report.aspx.

Cosgrove Optimistic About Cleveland Clinic’s Future, Growth



Cleveland Clinic and the American University of Beirut have signed an historic agreement to collaborate on developing a large-scale continuing medical education initiative in Beirut.

The agreement enables the University to develop CME programs that will be accredited for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians practicing in Lebanon who also have licenses to practice medicine in the United States will find it easier to take the courses required to keep their licenses current.

The partnership is an extension of an existing working relationship between the two organizations. The AUB and Cleveland Clinic have collaborated for more than a decade in providing CME accreditation for many portions of the Middle East Medical Assembly.

“Now, a much more ambitious collaboration is the

establishment of a formal CME office with AUB that will develop many additional CME programs and that will adhere to the highest standards set by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education,” says William D. Carey, MD, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education.

The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education has emerged as one of world’s largest academic providers of continuing medical education. The Center grants nearly 120,000 CME certificates each year and conducts programs on five continents.

The American University of Beirut was founded in 1866 and its medical school in 1867. Some Cleveland Clinic staff physicians received their training through the AUB and some AUB graduates received advanced training at Cleveland Clinic before returning to Lebanon to practice medicine.

Cleveland Clinic and AUB Establish Historic Partnership

to Sigmund Freud, the father of self-discovery, who said, “Being entirely honest with oneself is the best effort a human being can make.” And being honest meant acknowledging her growing desire to spend more time with her own close-knit family.

“I’ve got a list a mile long of things I want to do. I want to spend more time with my partner, my mother, my siblings and friends while I still have my health and wits about me,” she quips. “But I certainly don’t view my retirement as an end to my Cleveland Clinic relationships. I have made many enduring friendships along the way and value their support and encouragement as I move into the next phase of my life.”

Stranscak joined Cleveland Clinic as a nurse recruiter. From 1985 to 1987, she took on the role of coordinating alumni activities and reunions. Her career made several turns, landing her in public relations as a physician liaison. In 1990, she resumed her previous alumni-related responsibilities and much more as she became the first full-time Alumni Affairs manager. Her advocacy for the loosely connected group and her commitment

to building a strong alumni organiza-tion have kept her highly engaged and motivated over the years.

She knew that communication was key to the organization’s success, so she worked closely with department contacts throughout Cleveland Clinic to identify opportunities for alumni to become more involved. She launched Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection to enable graduates to keep up with each other. The magazine now reaches more than 10,000 alumni throughout the world. And she established a robust Alumni Board of Directors, who meet regularly to plan and coordinate alumni activities. With the opening of the Lerner College of Medicine in 2005, Stranscak embraced the incoming group of future alumni, welcoming representation on the board from the school.

Under her leadership, the Alumni Association has grown into a dynamic force of Cleveland Clinic ambassadors representing every state in the union and 70 foreign countries.

“Sandy has done an outstanding job of managing the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association and uniting our

alumni group by keeping up contacts and connections, by assisting and developing reunions, and through developing awards programs to honor residents in training and alumni who have contributed in outstanding service to either the Clinic or to their profession,” says Robert Hermann, MD, retired Chairman of General Surgery and Medical Director of Alumni Affairs. “We will sorely miss her enthusiasm and leadership, and I’m sure we’ll continue to seek her consult for many years to come.”

Stranscak says she has found the work rewarding and has been enriched by the many relationships and experi-ences it has afforded her over the years. But she knows her “fantastic Alumni Relations team” will continue the work she has directed, including Dr. Hermann; Development Director Lois Sumegi; Assistant Alumni Relations Director Marilyn Bryce McCoy; and Administrative Assistant Ellie Biehl.

Stranscak hopes her Alumni Association friends will keep in touch and welcomes emails to [email protected], although she won’t be checking it every day anymore!

Stranscak




Kevin Blaine Residency: Anesthesiology at Stanford University, Stanford, CAUndergraduate: BS, University of Oregon, 2003

patrick BlakeResidency: Dermatology at University of Texas Southwestern, DallasUndergraduate: BA, Ohio Wesleyan University, 2005

Nirica Borges Residency: Pediatrics at University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate: BS, Georgetown University, 2005

Anna Brady Residency: Internal Medicine at Hospital of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaUndergraduate: BS, Case Western Reserve University, 2005

Maria BunielResidency: Otolaryngology at Oregon Health & Science University, PortlandUndergraduate: BS, Kent State University, 2000

Ryan Doan Residency: Physical Medicine & Rehab-ilitation at Stanford University, Stanford, CA Undergraduate: BS, University of California – Berkeley, 2001

Rao Fu Residency: Pathology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MOUndergraduate: BS, University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, 2004

Rebecca Ganetzky Residency: Pediatrics/Genetics at Children’s Hospital Philadelphia Undergraduate: BA, Oberlin College, 2005

Alida GertzResidency Deferred – ResearchUndergraduate: BA, Swarthmore College, 2003

Stephen Greenfield Residency: Orthopaedic Surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, New YorkUndergraduate: BS, Duke University, 2005

Sharmila BasuResidency: Internal Medicine at University of Southern California, Los AngelesUndergraduate: MS, BA, New York University, 2001

Lyndsey BensonResidency: Obstetrics-Gynecology at University of ChicagoUndergraduate: BS, Brown University, 2005

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Class of 2010 Match Results

The Cleveland Clinic Alumni Associa-tion congratulates the Lerner College of Medicine Class of 2010 and its faculty on a successful Match Day. The graduates were welcomed into the worldwide network of Cleveland Clinic-trained physicians and scientists at the Alumni Board of Directors dinner on April 9, where they were presented with a gift of a laptop computer case with the Alumni Association logo.

Twenty-seven Cleveland Clinic students were matched to prestigious hospitals throughout the country at this year’s Match Day. If they are coming to your town, please welcome them. We know that you will be proud to meet any of them!



Richard haiglerResidency: Orthopaedic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Undergraduate: BS, Wake Forest University, 2004

Craig Jarrett Residency: General Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, BostonUndergraduate: BS, Bowling Green State University, 2004

paul KochResidency: Neurological Surgery at Hospital of the University of Penn- sylvania, PhiladelphiaUndergraduate: BA, Yale University, 2001

David Ly Residency: Radiation Oncology at University of Utah, Salt Lake CityUndergraduate: BS, University of California – Los Angeles, 2005

Jennifer MontiResidency: Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, BaltimoreUndergraduate: BA, Harvard University, 2002

Lauren Moore Residency: Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, BostonUndergraduate: BA, Boston University, 2003

Patricia ScripkoResidency: Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, BostonUndergraduate: BS, Bucknell University, 2005

Jared WachtermanResidency: General Surgery at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH Undergraduate: BS, Tufts University, 2004

Samuel WedesResidency: Psychiatry at University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate: BS, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, 2005

Shoshana Weiner Residency: Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, ClevelandUndergraduate: BS, Columbia University, 2004

Jacqueline WeissmanResidency: Pediatric Neurology at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Undergraduate: BA, University of Chicago, 2004

Catherine Weng Residency: Otolaryn- gology at University Hospitals/Case Medical Center, ClevelandUndergraduate: BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005

Robert Wirka Residency: Internal Medicine at University of California, San FranciscoUndergraduate: BS, University of Wisconsin, 2004

Jun Xu Residency: Vascular Surgery at University of PittsburghUndergraduate: BS, University of Maryland – Baltimore, 2005

Cathryn Zhang Residency: Internal Medicine at University of Vermont, BurlingtonUndergraduate: BS, Stanford University, 2005



CALENDAR

Selected Live Cleveland Clinic Continuing Medical Education Courses and Other Educational Events

The Center for Continuing Education announces myCME: A free service that helps you organize your learning and allows you to keep an electronic file cabinet of CME credits from all providers.

Monthly Newsflash: Stay informed of all the available live and online CME opportunities by signing up for our monthly newsflash:

www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/SignMeUp

August 2010

6–8 2010 Neurology Update – A Comprehensive Review for the Clinician, Ritz–Carlton Hotel, Washington, DC

11–13 SOLACI– XVI Congress of the Latin American Society of Interventional Cardiology, Buenos Aires, Argentina

13–14 Epilepsy Surgery: A New BeginningEmbassy Suites, Independence, OH

13–20 Cardiovascular CT Training Program

19–20 Lung Summit: Update in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

20 1st International Symposium of Cardiology, Sao Paulo, Brazil

22–25 11th Annual Intensive Review of Cardiology

30 – 9/3 16th Annual Pediatric Board Review Symposium

September

3 8th Annual Pediatric Neurology Update Seminar,Executive Caterers at Landerhaven, Mayfield Hts., OH

4–5 International League Against Epilepsy, Montevideo, Uruguay

10–11 Rheumatology Highlights Report LIVE, featuring Advances in B Cell Biology, Renaissance Hotel, Cleveland, OH

11 38th Annual Dermatopathology Self Assessment Workshop

13–14 2010 Diabetes and the Heart (jointly sponsored with Joslin Diabetes Center) Sheraton Hotel, Boston

13–17 2010–2011 Preceptorship in Cartoid Ultrasound Interpretation

14 Leadership Development for Women in Health Care Professions Warrensville Heights, OH


23–25 90 Years of Orthopaedics at the Cleveland Clinic: Honoring Our Past and Vision for the Future

23–24 Heart–Brain Summit 2010 Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas

24–25 Hot Topics in Healthcare – Alumni Reunion, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas

28–10/1 Digestive Disease Institute Week

October

1 Urology for the Primary Care Provider, Cleveland Clinic, Beachwood, OH

1–6 2010 Epilepsy Symposia

7–9 Nephrology Update 2010 Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, Cleveland, OH

15–17 13th Annual Endocrinology and Metabolism Board Review

18–19 Nanomedicine Summit

21–22 21st Century Treatment of Heart Failure

22–23 Rheumatology Highlights Report LIVE, featuring Advances in B Cell Biology, Westin Times Square, New York, NY

22–23 2nd International Symposium on Robotic Kidney and Adrenal Surgery

23 Pain Management for Your Practice Cleveland Clinic Administrative Campus, Beachwood, OH

29 24th annual Clinic Seminars Dermatology

30 Spine Care for the Primary Care Physician, Lutheran Hospital, Cleveland, OH

November

3–4 Obesity Summit 2010


11–12 Management of Connective Tissue Disorders and Latest Research: Bicuspid Valves, Marfan Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos and Related Diseases

13 Blood Management Summit

19 7th Annual Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium

December

1–5 Survey of Current Issues in Surgical Anesthesia, The Ritz–Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, FL

NOTE: All courses are at the InterContin-ental Hotel & Conference Center on the Cleveland Clinic campus in Cleveland, OH, or other Cleveland Clinic facilities, unless otherwise noted.

Center for Continuing Education

For current information on these events, as well as CME medical publications, and to register for free e-mail updates and more, visit: www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/ and for Cleveland Clinic in Florida CME, see: www.ccf.org/florida/cme

The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education is responsible for one of the largest and most diverse CME programs anywhere in the United States. Check the Website for the latest course announcement information.

69788_CLEVCL_ACG.indd 14 6/15/10 11:14 PM


Alumni are entitled to a substantial discount on CME courses sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education, Cleveland, Ohio, and by Continuing Medical Education of Cleveland Clinic in Florida.

Additional Contact Information:

Cleveland, OH: 216.448.0770; Toll-Free 800.238.6750; Fax 216.448.0782

Weston, FL: 954.659.5490; Toll-Free 866.293.7866; Fax 954.659.5491

Alumni Receptions: Alumni gatherings are planned for many major national medical meetings. Attendees and local alumni are invited. For more information, check www.clevelandclinic.org/education/alumni or contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at [email protected].

September

26–29 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Foundation, Boston

October

1–5 American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Toronto

2–5 American Academy of PediatricsSan Francisco

3–7 American College of SurgeonsWashington, DC

15–20 American College of Gastroenterology, San Antonio, TX

16–19 American Academy of Ophthalmology, Chicago

16–20 American Society of Anesthesiologists San Diego

21–23 North American Society for Pediatric, GI, Hepatology & Nutrition, New Orleans

21–24 Infectious Diseases Society of America, Vancouver, BC

29–11/2 The Liver Meeting, Boston

31–11/4 American Society for Therapeutic Radiation & Oncology, San Diego

November

7–11 American College of RheumatologyAtlanta

16–21 American Society of NephrologyDenver

December

3–7 American Epilepsy SocietySan Antonio, TX

4–7 American Society of HematologyOrlando

Cleveland Clinic offers online CME credits to BMJ readers The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has joined forces with Cleveland Clinic to offer certified continuing medical education (CME) credits to all of its readers. The program will start with modules linked to BMJ research articles focusing on important and clinically relevant questions and with findings that are applicable to a wide cross-section of readers.

“Because these are open access, this allows us to make CME activities available to all doctors and other health professionals wherever they are in the world and whether or not they subscribe to the BMJ,” explains Steven Kawczak, Associate Director at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education. “In time, we plan to extend CME credits to other content on bmj.com, including clinical reviews, practice articles and editorials.”

Cleveland Clinic’s CME accreditation will ensure that BMJ CME meets standards of effective educational planning and design as well as independence from commercial interests.

Readers will be able to claim credit toward the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™) for each module they pass. This involves reading the article online and completing a set of multiple-choice questions. Once readers have achieved an 80 percent pass on the test, they can claim their credit and Cleveland Clinic will provide them with a CME certificate. If they fail the test, they can retake it until they pass. Cleveland Clinic will maintain a record of which modules readers have completed.

Model Student. Laura A. Navarro, a student in the Class of 2013 at the Lerner College of Medicine, was used in this advertisement at the airport in Sarasota, FL, for the New College of Florida. As the State of Florida’s legislatively designated “honors college for the liberal arts,” New College is the only public college or university in the state whose sole mission is to provide an undergraduate education of the highest caliber to leading students from around the country. To read more about Laura, visit http://ncf.edu/stories/alum/navarro/story1.



50s

Porter F. Crawford, MD (D’51), of Palm Harbor, FL, writes that he is a retired dermatologist and “still kicking at 87” – soon to be kicking it up for his 88th on July 23! He and his wife, Hilda, raised two children, Amy and Craig, and are enjoying their grandchildren.

William V. Martinez, MD (S’56, TS’57), of Austin, TX, called the Office of Alumni Relations to say he is “alive and well” and was surprised and pleased to see the photo of the original 1956 Open Heart Team in the March issue of the Alumni Connec-tion. He is seated in the front row, flanked by Betty Lou Geary, head scrub nurse and Del Portzer, CRNA, a tremendous nurse anesthetist. As he recalls, he scrubbed on the first case, an inter-atrical-septal defect. In 1977, he had a heart attack and called Earl K. Shirey, MD (IM’56), to ask him to catheterize him. He had three-vessel disease and asked Earl to have someone operate on him. Floyd (Fred) D. Loop, MD (TS’70), did a quadruple bypass Sept. 19, 1977. “Some of the best years of my life were spent at Cleveland Clinic. I met my wife, Marilyn Heft, one of the scrub nurses, now married 51 years with seven wonderful children and 21 grandchildren. The eldest boy, William Jr., is a cardiac surgeon and clinical professor of surgery at the University of Connecticut in Hartford. The years at Cleveland Clinic were great, working and training with people who were the finest in their fields. Don Effler was a great doctor, always looking to the future.” He has an autographed photo of Dr. Effler that says “I expect the best from you.”

Editors Note: If anyone can identify any of the other individuals in that photo (technicians and

scrub nurses), please let us know! We also would like to receive contact information on Mrs. Del Portzer, CRNA, who may be living in Florida.

Pictured are William and Marilyn Martinez during their 40th wedding anniversary celebration, in 1998, with their seven children: Second row, left to right, Paul, Jim and Susan; third row, William Jr., William Sr., Marilyn Jr., Marilyn Sr., Keith and David.

Ramesh L. Naik, MD (AN’58), and his wife, Madhu R. Naik, MD, who trained at Marymount Hospital, along with their daughter, Beena R. Nayak, MD, MBA, made what they call a “family journey” back to their roots and the place where their only child was born 50 years ago this July – Cleveland. The elder couple traveled from their home in Gujart, India, and Beena from Virginia, where she is living while completing the Executive Leadership Program at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. The Office of Alumni Relations arranged for the physician trio to visit with Aura Lopez, Manager of the Center for Inter-national Medical Education; Brian Mandell, MD, PhD, Director of Scholarly Activities of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and Editor-in-Chief

of Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine; Tracey A. Cigan, BBA, Manager of Medical Staff Affairs at Marymount Hospital; David L. Brown, MD, Chairman of the Anesthesiology Institute: George Takla, PhD, Head, Clinical Information Engineering Section; and Wolf Stapelfeld, MD, Department Chairman, General Anesthesiology.

Dr. Ramesh Naik forwarded a letter of introduction prior to his trip. Here are some excerpts:

Born in Surat, Gujarat, India, in 1928, Dr. Naik was a gentle soul and a good student, helping his teachers and respecting adults.

In 1951, he completed a Bachelors in Science with a study in the ancient texts of the foreign language Pali (official Buddhist language) and, having been accepted to the Integrated Medicine course (Allopathy + Ayurveda, a four-year degree course), excelled at college theater, where he met his future wife, Dr. Madhu Naik. They had been raised with the true Indian values of Mahatma Gandhi when they were in high school, having been witness to the Independence struggle and Quit India movement.

They were married in April 1955 and went on to a residency in obstetrics at Europe’s busiest and largest hospital at the time, the Rotunda General Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. In 1956, they set sail on the HHS Queen Mary for the United States, following an advertisement for doctors from the continent, and went to Sharon, PA, for a year’s work at Sharon General Hospital.

In 1956, he was appointed a fellow in Anes-thesiology at Cleveland Clinic, after which he worked for a year as a cardiology resident at Huron Hospital, completing his stay in the United States as the anesthetist at Doctors’ Hospital, Cleveland. His first and only child, a daughter, Beena, was born there.

Madhu also worked a year as the obstetrics resident at Sharon General Hospital and followed him to Cleveland at first as the obstetric resident at St. Alexis and completed two more years at Marymount Hospital, Cleveland in 1960. They decided to bring Beena to India and set sail homeward in the fall of 1960 aboard HHS Queen Elizabeth II, via Europe and Africa. In 1961, they founded a private hospital in a quiet, pastoral From left, Madhu R. Naik, MD, Sandy Stranscak, Senior Director of Alumni Relations at Cleveland

Clinic, Ramesh L. Naik, MD, and Beena R. Nayak, MD, MBA.

CoNTACTS CoNTACTS CoNTACTS CoNTACTS CoNTACTS CoNTACTS CoNTACTS




community. Because of their great training in the United States, they were immediately invited to be leaders in the community. Retiring in 2003, they sold the private 25-bed hospital to a group of physicians, and, today, their building houses the District Multi-Specialty Oncology Hospital, serving the underprivileged through private dona-tions and government affiliations.

Together, they will celebrate 50 years with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, their alma mater and the root that grew them and their many social works, including Indian Red Cross Society, of which Madhu is the Chairman of the State branch in Ahmadabad, while Ramesh is the Sec-retary at the Health Center for Yoga at Navsari.

Both Ramesh and Madhu acknowledge their debt of gratitude to Cleveland Clinic.

Earl K. Shirey, MD (IM’56). See William Martinez, above, and Russell E. Raymond, DO, 80s, below.

60s

John Y. Kalucis, MD (OTOCD’64, OTOCD’67). See Martin S. Trott, MD, 90s, below.

70s

Ijaz Ahmad, MD (CLCH’71), wrote to say that he continues to appreciate the training he re-ceived at Cleveland Clinic under Charles E. Willis, MD. He says he also learned a lot from Drs. Waide Price, Ray J. Shamberger, Lena Lewis and Sharad D. Deodhar, and is grateful to

Edward E. Siegler, MD, who was kind enough to introduce him to Cleveland Clinic. “I love all of them,” he says. He adds that he always likes the information he receives from the Office of Alumni Relations. Currently, he is a consultant chemical pathologist in a private hospital, Shifa International Hospital, in Islamabad, Pakistan. He and his wife, Riffat, have four children; daughter, Attiya, who worked for 12 years as a scientist for Novavax, Inc. in Rockville, MD, and whose hus-band is in his second year of an internal medicine residency in Toledo; son, Aqeel, who completed a nephrology fellowship in Toledo on June 30, 2010; daughter, Zeenit, formerly a statistician married

to an application engineer with Weatherford International in Kinwood, TX; and son, Kaleem, who completed his last semester of a master’s in finance and is a consultant in oil and gas develop-ment in Pakistan.

Joseph J. Estwanik, MD (ORS’76), of Charlotte, NC, was recognized at the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet in June 2009. He was inducted into the hall in recognition of his 29 years as a ringside physician for the athletes of boxing and martial arts. A Cleveland native, he has been called “one of the foremost ring doctors in the country.” He has served on the boards of the World Boxing As-sociation (WBA), Association of Boxing Commis-sions and American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians. While Medical Chairman for USA Boxing, he traveled with the U.S. team to such locations as the Goodwill Games in Russia and to competitions in Bangkok, Bombay, London and Paris. Dr. Estwanik designed the gloves used in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and wrote the book “Sportsmedicine for the Combat Arts,” which provides guidelines for the modern care of athletes participating in boxing, wrestling and MMA. He enjoys photography, weight training and pistol shooting. Dr. Estwanik and his wife, Janice, raised three children in Charlotte, NC, where Dr. Estwanik established the Sports Science Center. Their children are Joseph IV, JD, who passed away unexpectedly in his sleep, at age 35, on Sept. 8, 2009; Ashley Estwanik Gray; and Brett H.; and granddaughter, Ella Covington Gray.

Dr. Estwanik (at right) upon his induction into the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame, with wife Janice and their late son, Joe.

Victor W. Fazio, MD (S’73, CRS’74). See Ian Civil, MD, 80s, below, and also Campus Clips, page 7.

Arthur J. McCullough Jr, MD (GL-1’75, IM’77). See Campus Clips, page 7.

80s

Jeffrey E. Binder, DO (OTO’87). See Martin S. Trott, MD, 90s, below.

Ian D.S. Civil, MBChB (VS’85), Director of Surgery and Head of Trauma Services at Auckland Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, was elected President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in February. Dr. Civil is only the seventh New Zealander to hold this post since the college was founded in 1927. Dr. Civil began his medical training in Auckland, NZ, but took a three-month final year elective in General Surgery at Cleveland Clinic in 1976. After completing training in general surgery in Auckland, he returned to Cleveland Clinic for vascu-lar training. Further training in trauma surgery led to his return to New Zealand in 1987 to a post with the New Zealand Army, actively serving in the first Gulf War in 1990-1991. Since leaving the Army, Dr. Civil has worked as a general and vascular surgeon at Auckland City Hospital with a continuing university affiliation. First elected to the RACS Council in 2003, Dr. Civil has been responsible for the education portfolio as Chair of the Education Board and Censor in Chief from 2007 until his recent election to the Presidency. Dr Civil writes, “I never expected this outcome, and it is a huge honor.” He is looking forward to the opportunity to travel widely in his new role and renew friendships with many colleagues around the world, including those at Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic and the Alumni Association take much pride in Dr. Civil’s election to the most distinguished position in surgery in Australia and New Zealand. Robert E. Hermann, MD, Emeritus Chairman of General Surgery and Medical Director, Alumni Relations, and Victor W. Fazio, MD (S’73, CRS’74), Emeritus Chairman of Colorectal Surgery, are especially proud, and both have acknowledged that Dr. Civil, a native New Zealander, has had a most distinguished career, holding a variety of important appointments in RACS.

Robert J. Coppola, DO (N’80), a neurologist with Kaiser Permanente in Virginia, while in Las Vegas attending a midyear American Academy of Neurology meeting in November 2009, was eager to tour the new Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Dr. Coppola writes, “I met with

Ijaz Ahmad, MD

Ian D.S. Civil, MBChB



(director) Dr. Schiffer and we had a nice morning talking and touring the facility. It was a great ex-perience, and he was terrific to meet and was very kind and pleasant to be with. YES, please put me down as a definite for a return trip in September for the Alumni Hot Topics in Healthcare CME Program and Reunion. My wife, Iris, and I plan on going, as I’d like to show her the facility.” Dr. Cop-pola adds that they can “check up” on their son, who lives Las Vegas, while they are there!

Melinda L. Estes, MD (NPTH’84), President and CEO of Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington, VT, was named one of the Top 60 physician leaders of hospitals and healthcare systems in America by Becker’s Hospital Review. Dr. Estes, along with Drs. Delos “Toby” Cosgrove, CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic, and A. Marc Harrison, Chief Medical Operations Officer of Cleveland Clinic, and A. Gus Kious, President of Cleveland Clinic’s Huron Hospital, were selected based upon nominations, research and accolades received by the institutions they lead. As many hospitals move toward clinical integration, a renaissance of physician leadership may be on the horizon, returning to levels seen a century ago when more than one-third of U.S. hospitals were run by physicians. Dr. Estes served as Associate Chief of Staff at Cleveland Clinic, Executive Director of Business Development and Chief Operating Officer of Cleveland Clinic Florida, leaving that post in the fall of 2003 for her current position. She also served as Chief of Staff at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Becker’s Hospital Review is a bimonthly publication, Website and e-newsletter offering business and legal news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems for hospital executives.

Lorrie G. Finelli, DO (D’87), and her husband, Daniel M. Finelli, DO, JD (PV’87), of Ambler, PA, filled us in on their two daughters: Cole graduated from Harvard University in June 2009, and Beu is in her third year at Johns Hopkins University. Lorrie adds, “Thank you, Cleveland Clinic for my residency. I sincerely appreciate my training and my specialty!!” The couple lives and practices in the Philadelphia area. Daniel is a licensed physi-cian, board-certified in Internal Medicine, and an experienced trial lawyer with Raynes McCarty, having received his law degree from John Marshall College of Law in Cleveland.

Richard M. Ransohoff, MD (N’84). See Campus Clips, page 8.

Russell E. Raymond, DO (IM’84, CARD’87), Cleveland Clinic interventional cardiologist, came from a family of doctors, but while his three broth-ers are obstetricians, he chose a different area of specialization. Russ decided to go into cardiology, saying, “I was fascinated with the heart and how it works, the mechanics of the heart. I was fascinated by the fact that the heart is something that, when it’s broken, much of the time, we can fix it.” Russ especially enjoys the chance to com-bine outpatient care with surgery and has taken a special interest in educating medical fellows. “It is so important to teach the fellows and give them respect because the fellows are the future,” he says. As a cardiologist, Russ has continued to use his background in a unique way by organizing an-nual trips to Honduras to provide medical aid. This tradition began through the Salvation Army, with which his family is closely involved, after the hur-ricane of 1998 in Honduras. The group that goes there each year began with Dr. Raymond’s family and has grown to include Cleveland Clinic doctors – the yearly group now numbers approximately 30. “We are a very faith-based family, and our service to the people of Honduras is really an extension of our faith,” he says. “We only pass this way once in life. We should each take the opportunity every day to give to others, for we are so very blessed in this country.” Russ and his wife, Karen, daughter of Earl K. Shirey, MD (IM’56), Cleveland Clinic Emeritus cardiologist, have three children; sons, Chad E. Raymond, DO (PGY-3, Internal Medicine), and Tim, and daughter, Abbie. Also see: Allison

T. Vidimos-Stultz, RPh, MD (D’89, DS’91), 90s, page 19.

90s

William E. “Bill” Bingaman, MD (NS’96), Vice Chairman, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute, performed his 1,000th pediatric brain epilepsy case the week of April 19 – a milestone for any neurosurgeon. “Reaching 1,000 pediatric epilepsy cases is an exciting milestone but, more importantly, it is seeing the improved quality of life our patients enjoy,” says Dr. Bingaman. “Our center sees over 300 cases a year, and still, many patients do not know that surgery is even an option.” Epilepsy affects up to 1 percent of the U.S. population, and Cleveland Clinic is one of the few centers to perform brain surgery on epileptic patients to improve their quality of life.

Tracy L. Hull, MD (CRS’92, CFCRS’93), Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease Institute, received the Kaiser Permanente Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine diploma cer-emony this year.

Joel L. Mayerson, MD (ORS’99), is Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Director of Musculoskeletal Oncology at The Arthur James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University. He also is program director for the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Training Program and serves as co-


Donald A. Moffa, Jr, MD, Chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Emergency Medicine has announced that the Emergency Services Institute at Cleveland Clinic is recruiting emergency physi-cians. The full-service emergency department, which sees approximately 55,000 adult and pediatric patients per year, is building new facilities and expanding its services. This growth opens the door for participation in a variety of exciting opportunities.

• Cleveland Clinic main campus Emergency Department

• Community Emergency Departments, under construction in Twinsburg and Avon, Ohio

• Rapid Response Team

• Critical Care Transport

To learn more, please peruse clevelandclinic.org. Submit an online application by clicking on “Cleveland Clinic Careers,” and then “Physician Opportunities.”

Tracy L. Hull, MD



director of the Bone Tumor Clinic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. He and his wife, Connie, have two sons, Drew, 11, and Ethan, 8.

Martin “Marty” S. Trott, MD (OTO’94), after 15 years with ENT & Allergy Health Services Inc., where he practiced with six fellow alumni, has relocated to Jackson Hole, WY, where he succeeds a now-retired otolaryngologist and allergist at St. John’s ENT. Marty and his family love the lifestyle and scenery in Wyoming, saying “In season, we ski every weekend; well, more often, actually, we fall and ski at about the same frequency.” Marty, who is working on his MBA, manages to find more time these days to enjoy his children’s activities. Marty and his wife, Cindy Trott (CRNA’94), have three children, Elliott, 15; Isabel, 12; and Abigail, 11. Cindy completed a master’s degree at Case Western Reserve University, and after spending a couple of years in the ICU as an RN, completed training as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthe-tist in Cleveland Clinic’s program. Marty’s former alumni co-workers include: Jeffrey E. Binder, DO (OTO’87); Mark E. Mehle, MD (OTO’92), brother of Anthony L. Mehle, MD (D’90); John A. Panuto, Jr. MD (A’92); Chris J. Kalucis, DO (OTO’95), son of John Y. Kalucis, MD (OTOCD’64, OTOCD’67); Marc E. Guay, MD (OTO’95); and Todd E. Ram-basek, MD (A’04).

Bennie R. Upchurch, MD, FACP, FACG (IM’96), was appointed Chairman of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, NE, in December. Previously, he was on staff at Cleveland Clinic (Feb. 6, 2006, to Oct. 31, 2009) and served as a visiting assistant professor with the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. He was named “Teacher of the Year” for Gastroenterology in 2009. Bennie writes, “My family and I are enjoying Omaha. I am enjoying

conquering the numerous challenges associated with running a division. Although there is great responsibility in my new role, I am fortunate to be surrounded by an extremely supportive faculty. It has been great to step into this role with confidence, after years of witnessing expert physician leadership from mentors and colleagues like John A. Dumot, DO (IM’94, GE’98, GEAE’98), and David S. Barnes, MD. I have always said that at Cleveland Clinic, I had the best partners in the world. Drs. Dumot and Barnes both epitomized this characterization and were always supportive of me in so many ways. I will always be grateful.”

The Upchurch Family

John J. Vargo, MD, MPH (GE’90). See Campus Clips, page 7.

Allison T. Vidimos-Stultz, RPh, MD (D’89, DS’91), Chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Dermatology and Vice Chairman of the Dermatolo-gy and Plastic Surgery Institute, and Kristen Stultz, her 14-year-old daughter, volunteered in Honduras Jan. 31 to Feb. 7, delivering medical treatment there as part of a Salvation Army medical mission trip started by Russell “Russ” E. Raymond, MD (IM’84, CARD’87) and his family after Hurricane Mitch hit Honduras in 1998. Three years ago, they wanted a dermatologist to go along, and Allison volunteered. She took her older daughter, Kath-erine, along. This year, she brought Kristen. Mom and daughters find the experience quite rewarding. “We stayed in San Pedro Sula and ventured out from there every day to a different rural town. The towns were chosen by a local Honduras physician, based on the lack of access to medical care,” Kristen says. “We visited Salvation Army Corps in San Pedro Sula, San Franciso, Donano, Santa Cruz and Bajos De Chalotar. Some of the people we saw walked up to six hours to see us.” Kristen was able

to help a great deal, despite not being a doctor. She took patients to the appropriate physician after they were screened by a nurse, played with the children, took patients to the pharmacy and helped with minor procedures. “It was a challenge to adjust to the extremely high temperature, coming from a cold winter climate in Cleveland. Each day, it got progressively hotter. On our last day, it was 106 degrees,” she says. “We saw more than 3,300 patients – two-thirds of whom were children in schools over the six days, and performed minor surgeries on school desks.” Allison will continue to go every year and Kristen and Katherine will take turns accompanying their mother. “The people were very grateful and welcoming to our little group. They don’t have much, but they are the happiest when they have others to share their little miracles of life with,” Kristen says. “They marvel at the riches of the simple things. We took pictures of the children and gave them to them. They were overjoyed and held them like they were gold, because many of them have never even seen themselves, as they don’t have mirrors.” See also Russell E. Raymond, MD, 80s, above.

00s

Sik Kim Ang, MD (H/OPM’08), and his wife, Yin Ping Liew, MD (VM’05, H/N’07), are living in Brunei, on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, with their son, Nicholas.

Mihir R. Bakhru, MD (IM’07), former Internal Medicine Chief Resident (’07-’08), is completing his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of Virginia, where he was named Chief Fellow for 2010-2011. After that, he will return to Cleveland Clinic to complete his final year of Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopy.

Dr. Bakhru and wife, Ritu, with their children.




The Trott Family at Yellowstone National Park last fall.


Christian S. M. Breburda, MD, PhD (CARD/I’96), who completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California at San Francisco in 1997, has been Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona and Director of Nonin-vasive Cardiology and Imaging at Maricopa Medi-cal Center in Phoenix, AZ, for the past four years. He was formerly Director of Cardiovascular Imag-ing Research and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine.

Elizabeth F. Callahan, MD (D’01), Founder and Director of SkinSmart Dermatology in University

Park, FL, is pleased to announce that fellow alum-na, Jonelle K. McDonnell, MD (D’01), joined her practice in September. Jonelle was a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland from July 2001 to September 2009. Elizabeth adds that they are looking to add a Mohs surgeon to their practice, which is near Sarasota, FL. Visit their website at www.skinsmartdermatology.com or forward your resume to [email protected].

Kamal R. Chemali, MD (NEMG’00, NPHY’00), Staff, Neurology and the Neuromuscular Center, hosted a recital for more than 50 patients in the main lobby at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, which is managed by Cleveland Clinic. A

live piano recital included several types of music to reach the most patients. “There are slow rhythms to calm the heart rate and high-tempo beats to trigger the motor area in the brain, which stimulates movement; this can be great for patients with difficulties in that area. It is difficult to measure individual effects on each patient, but feedback we have had from other concerts like this has shown even one hour of live music can raise energy levels and reduce stress by 60 to 80 percent for as long as a week,” he says. The hour-long performance by Prisca Benoit, from Conser-vatoire National Supérieur de Musique du Paris, was a repertoire of music by Brahms, Beethoven and the Spanish composer Albéniz. Neurological studies have shown that music can have many physical benefits. By placing sensors on the skin, Dr. Chemali and other doctors at Cleveland Clinic have been able to demonstrate a physical reaction even when a patient does not like the music. “The UAE and Abu Dhabi, in particular, seem to have placed such an important investment on the arts that our work is really relevant here,” says Neil Cherian, MD (NOTO’02), of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Neurological Restoration, who also was there for a medical forum as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival.

Michael J. Connor Jr., MD (H/N’09), and his wife, Jessica, celebrated the first birthday of their son, Erik, on May 14. Michael is a GL-7 Critical Care Medicine Clinical Fellow at Cleveland Clinic.

Thomas W. Frazier II, PhD (NPSYO’05), of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health and Center for Autism, was awarded a KL2 Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Training Program grant from the National Institutes of Health. This grant will assist Dr. Frazier in his work examining structural brain changes and cognitive deficits associated with mutations in PTEN in children with autism.

Anton Gorbachev, PhD (RES/I’02), Cleveland Clinic Research Associate, Immunology, was awarded a four-year, $308,000 grant entitled “CXCL9/Mig-dependant Suppression of Cutaneous Tumors.”

Juan P. Grimaldos, MD (RES/CS’97, AN’01), was named Medical Director of Cardiac Anesthesia at the Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, TX, in March.




Elaine E. Wyllie, MD (CHN’84, EEG’85), Epilepsy Specialist and Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Pediatric Neurology, lectured early in March at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital on Cleveland Clinic’s experience with children who benefited from epilepsy surgery despite complicated features on EEG or MRI. “Many people don’t realize just how serious epilepsy can be,” says Dr. Wyllie. “In about 30 percent of patients, we can’t stop the seizures with medications – and for some of those patients, surgery can truly make a differ-ence. It’s our obligation to explore the boundaries of epilepsy surgery, so we can help as many chil-dren as possible. I was delighted to have this opportunity to share our innovations with the Harvard group.” An exciting Cleveland Clinic discovery was that children and teens with congenital or early focal brain lesions may have an excellent response from epilepsy surgery, despite generalized findings on EEG. Traditionally, focal – not generalized – EEG discharges were considered a requirement before proceeding with epilepsy surgery. Dr. Wyllie and others showed that in special cases, surgery may be successful despite generalized EEG patterns.

Another Cleveland Clinic finding is that some children with MRI abnormalities on both sides of the brain may benefit from surgery, if the EEG shows focal seizure onset on one side only. Traditionally, MRI evidence of abnormality on the side of the brain not targeted for surgery has been considered a contraindication for operation. Now, we know that seizures may arise from one side only, even if both sides are affected by the underlying brain injury or malformation. In these children, surgery may make all the difference.

Dr. Wyllie was touched by the response from Tobius Loddenkemper, MD (RES/NSD’03, PD’05, CHN’08), who is on the staff of the pediatric epilepsy group at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Your lec-ture changed the way we approach our patients in our surgery conference,” says Dr. Loddenkemper. “Thanks for talking with us about surgical opportunities in challenging cases.”


Micah A. Jacobs, MD (IM’06, ID’08), and his wife, Beth, announce the birth of their first child, daughter Arielle Chasi Jacobs, born March 3 in Pittsburgh, where Dr. Jacobs is in private practice specializing in infectious diseases, attending at several hospitals (UPMC, St. Margaret, UPMC Passavant, Ohio Valley General Hospital and HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital).

Micah, Beth and baby Arielle overlooking Pittsburgh’s three rivers.

Tobius Loddenkemper, MD (RES/NSD’03, PD’05, CHN’08). See Elaine E. Wyllie, MD, 80s, above.

Samer N. Narouze, MD (IM/PR’98, AN’02, PM’03), has joined Summa Western Reserve Hospital, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, as Chairman of the Pain Management Department. He previously was Program Director of the Pain Medicine fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Narouze is board-certified in anesthesia pain management, pain medicine, headache medicine and anesthesiology, and was selected as one of America’s Top Pain Medicine Physicians in 2007 by Consumers’ Research Council of America. He specializes in treating chronic intractable headaches – a practice that has drawn patients from across the country. He also has pioneered the use of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks and spinal injections, which he says allows for a safer injection without radiation. Dr. Narouze will be joined at Western Reserve by Syed S. Ali, MD (AN’09), and James Timothy Sable, MD (AN’09), who completed their Pain Manage-ment fellowships at Cleveland Clinic this year.

Nicholas S. Papakonstantinou, MD (ORS’08), joined Rochester Hills Orthopaedics in Rochester, MI, in September. He and his wife, also proudly announce the birth of their first child, born in June 2009.

Todd E. Rambasek, MD (A’04). See Martin S. Trott, MD, 90s, page 19.

Jonathan “Jon” J. Taliercio, DO (IM’08), Nephrol-ogy and Hypertension Fellow, and Rachel M. Taliercio, DO (IM’08), Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Fellow, both at Cleveland Clinic, proudly announce the birth of their triplets, Ethan John, Fynn Michael and Landon Barton, on Feb. 22.

Rachel and Jon Taliercio with their triplets.

George Thomas, MD (H/N’10), who joined the Cleveland Clinic staff in the Department of Ne-phrology and Hypertension, and his wife, Seenia, welcomed their first child, Joshua, on March 21.

Srividya “Vidya” Vootukuru, MD (H/N’09), and his wife, Shailender “Shail” Bra are proud to announce the birth of their twin sons, Kapil and Sunand, on Feb. 16. Vidya is a Transplant Fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Future Alumni

Chad E. Raymond, DO (PGY-3, Internal Medi-cine). See Russell E. Raymond, DO, 80s, page 19.

Former Staff

Sharad D. Deodhar, MD, Emeritus Staff, Clinical Pathology, 1964 to 1993, Charlottesville, VA: See Ijaz Ahmad, MD (CLCH’71), 70s, above.

Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, a former member of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology staff begin-ning in 1986, is now professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Clinical Co-Director, Joint Center for Diges-tive, Liver and Pancreatic Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine and the

Children’s Hospital of Philadel-phia, and Co-Director, GI Motility/Physiology Program, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. Dr. Falk is a graduate of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and, after his intern-ship and Internal Medicine residency at George Washington University, completed a Clinical and Research Fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan Medical Center. While in Cleveland, he completed a master of science in Clinical Research at Case Western Reserve Uni-versity School of Medicine as part of a Cleveland Clinic career development award. He remarks, “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cleveland Clinic. The model of patient care is first rate, and I had wonderful colleagues and patients who were hard to leave. I have moved east to be closer to family and pursue unique multidisciplinary translational research opportunities in Barrett’s esophagus and eosinophilic esophagitis.”

Armin Schubert, MD, was appointed Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans in July 2009. He was on staff in General Anesthesiology at Cleve-land Clinic from Oct. 1, 1988, to June 14, 2009, serving as Vice Chairman of the Anesthesiology Institute.

In Memoriam

Grief can’t be shared. Everyone carries it alone. His own burden in his own way.

– Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Frank R. Begg, MD (IM’62, CARD’64), 79, died Dec. 5, 2009. Dr. Begg, of Fox Chapel, PA, died at Heritage Valley Health Care System, Beaver, PA. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, and then was the first cardiology fellow under F. Mason Sones, MD, at Cleveland Clinic. He returned to Pittsburgh and started one of the first cardiac catheterization laboratories in western Pennsyl-vania. He served as Director of Catherization at Allegheny General Hospital until his retirement in 1991. He was a Founding Fellow of the Society for




Gary W. Falk, MD, MS



Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, with Dr. Sones. Dr. Begg inspired hundreds of car-diologists during his career – especially his eldest son, Richard John Begg, MD, also a cardiologist. Dr. Begg was nationally known for his studies of heart patients, but his most indelible marks were left on his colleagues, who found him to have “amazing intellect” and always to be friendly and encouraging. His wife notes that his relationship with Cleveland Clinic remained very important to him throughout his entire life and perhaps the most important part of this was his friendship with Dr. Sones and many of the others who were with him during the years in Cleveland and afterward. Dr. Begg is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sue (Fink) Begg, whom he met during his internship at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA; and children, Richard (Catherine), Todd (Lisa Patrick Esq.) and Stephen (Megan Garrison); and six grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Valley Foundation Bea-ver, Heart and Vascular, 1000 Dutch Ridge Road, Beaver, PA 15009.

Ralph L. Johnson, MD (S’54), 86, of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, passed away suddenly at home on March 22, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Carol Johnson, and four children, David, Sydony, Leslie and Jeffrey. Dr. Johnson last wrote the Office of Alumni Relations in September 2008, saying, “Thanks for your mailings, which are always appreciated and read with interest, despite my being retired from surgical practice for over 20 years. Memories of my residency at Cleveland Clinic are, without exception, most pleasant!” Dr. Johnson acknowledged his “mentor,” Alexander Lind, MD (NS’52), at that time, as well. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Lethbridge, P.O. Box 125, Lethbridge, AB, Canada T1J 3Y5, or the charity of one’s choice.

Alexa A. McCubbin, RN, 87, died April 16, 2010. Mrs. McCubbin was preceded in death by her husband, former Cleveland Clinic research staff member James W. McCubbin, MD (RES’51) [3/28/21 to 5/3/81], and a sister, Liselotte Martin. Mrs. McCubbin lived a life in service to others professionally and in her retirement. Born in Germany, she received her general nursing education there during World War II. After the war, she took additional training as a maternal-child nurse. Mrs. McCubbin immigrated to the United States in 1952 and worked as a nanny while she learned English and took her U.S. nursing exams. She spent most of her nursing career at Cleveland Clinic, and she was the first epidemiologist in its surgical suites. She married Dr. McCubbin in 1970. She retired in 1988 after more than 30 years of service at Cleveland Clinic, where she was the Head Nurse of Eye Surgery and the Infec-tion Control Coordinator for the operating rooms. Mrs. McCubbin was an expert seamstress, avid skier, traveler and gardener. She put her skills to work in retirement and was named Volunteer of the Month in 2009 by the Cleveland Sight Center, lauded for her more than 5,000 hours of service in the craft room and at the center’s camp. She also returned to Cleveland Clinic as a volun-teer at the information desk. Mrs. McCubbin is survived by stepdaughter, Patricia K. McCubbin of Cleveland; niece, Sonya Martin Schwaegerle, MD (ACLPTH’88, S/PTH’89); sister, Dr. Sigrid Brunjes; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Memorial contributions may be

made to Cleveland Sight Center, 1909 E. 101 St., Cleveland, OH 44106.

Carlos A. Schaffenburg, MD (END’49, RES’49), 90, of West Point, MS, formerly of Chevy Chase, MD, died Feb. 14, 2010, of natural causes. Dr. Schaffenburg served as a postdoctoral fellow at the Mayo Clinic, having received his medical degree from the National University of Mexico in 1944, completing national health service in Mexico and a residency program at the Hospital Nacional de la Nutricion, Mexico City. Dr. Schaffenburg re-ceived further postdoctoral training at the Institute de la Medecin Experimental of the University of Montreal. His medical career included service in the pharmaceutical industries in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and as a medical officer for the Division of Endocrine and Metabolic Drugs, Office of Drug Review, Food and Drug Administra-tion. Dr. Schaffenburg, who retired from active practice in 1986, was a published poet who was listed in the International Who’s Who in Poetry, 2004. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lila M., in 1999, and is survived by three children, Mark, Lynneth and Karl C.

Ransan Logan Smith, MD (S’55), 86, of Green Valley, AZ, passed away June 1, 2009, at the Carondelet Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Tucson, AZ. The youngest of six children in an Iowa farming family, he attended the University of Iowa, the first member of his family to attend college. He obtained his medical degree there in 1947, following service in the Army from 1943 to 1946. While in the Army, he attended the Sheffield Scientific School special medical training program at Yale University. After marrying Shirley Clark in 1946, he interned at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, WA, and then entered private practice in Oroville, WA. During the Korean War, Dr. Smith was recalled into active duty as an Air Force captain. He served as an administrator of the Hills Field Base Hospital in Utah until 1953. Upon his discharge, he undertook a two-year general surgical residency at Cleveland Clinic, followed by a second surgical residency at the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, NY. He and his wife returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1957, and he practiced there until 1979, when he moved to Walla Walla, WA, where he served as a staff phy-sician for the Veterans Administration. In 1980,



Fairview Residents Win Medical Jeopardy Competition

Congratulations to Walaa Ayoub, MD; Nou-man Iqbal, MD; and Thimmaiah Theethira, MD, who represented Fairview Hospital at “Doctor’s Dilemma, Ohio Edition,” and won the competition. Fairview’s Internal Medicine Residency Program hosted this third annual competition sponsored by the American Col-lege of Physicians at Fairview on Feb. 12. The residents represented Ohio at the national competition in Toronto in April. KV Gopal-akrishna, MD, chair, Department of Medicine and Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Rakesh Bhalla, MD, Associate Program Director, were two of the four judges. Don Zabriskie, Clinical Manager, Pharmacy, served as moderator.



now divorced, he married colleague Dr. Valerie Bandelin. He retired from the VA in 1984 and began spending winters in Hawaii, later settling in Green Valley. His wife says that throughout his career, he remained very proud of his Cleveland Clinic training and displayed his certificate on the wall of his room, where he could see it all the time. He is survived by his wife and children Steven, David, Gregory and Carol, as well as nine grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Carondelet Hospice Services, 2202 N. Forbes Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85745.

Elisabeth “Betty” Ward Trowbridge, MD, (OB/GYN’65), 101, died in Klamath Falls, OR, on Aug. 13, 2008. The daughter of a physician who made house calls in a horse and buggy, Betty received her medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1932. She married Frederick L. Trowbridge on May 20, 1939, and they raised three children while both worked full time. The family moved from New Jersey to Cleveland, where she joined Cleveland Clinic and worked as a Clinical Associate from November

1959 until 1962, then completed a three-year OB/GYN residency at Cleveland Clinic in 1965. She practiced obstetrics and was a strong advocate for women’s health services. She moved to Houston, TX, where she was in private practice until 1974, serving as medical director at St. Anthony Center (1968-1972), and then to Boise, ID, where she served as Medical Director of the Mountain States Institute Breast Cancer Detection Program until her retirement at age 79. She moved to Klamath Falls, OR, in 1985 and continued her active lifestyle. She was a hospice volunteer well into her 90s and also a hospital guild volunteer. She was a member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), one of the pioneer societies for women, and American Association of University Women, as well as the American Medical Women’s Association and the

American Fertility Society. Her family always will remember her quiet thoughtfulness, dedication to the happiness and well-being of others, and strong belief in the importance of family. Robert E. Hermann, MD, Emeritus Chairman of General Surgery and Medical Director of Alumni Affairs, says, “I remember Betty Ward very well from her residency with Jim Krieger.” (Editor’s Note: James S. Krieger, MD, introduced gynecology as a specialty at Cleveland Clinic in 1950 and served as Chairman of the Division of Surgery from 1971 until his retirement in 1974). Dr. Ward was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and two sisters. She is survived by daughter, Joan (Jon) Wayland; sons Frederick (Jane) Trow-bridge and John (Vickie) Trowbridge; plus seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to a PEO scholarship fund for women (checks payable to PEO Foundation-Oregon Chapter U c/o Denny Ful-lerton, 262 Bisbee St., Klamath Falls, OR 97603) or to Sky Lakes Nurses Education Fund, Sky Lakes Medical Center Foundation, 2865 Daggett Ave., Klamath Falls, OR 97601.

Please Keep in ContactCleveland Clinic Alumni Relations wants to stay on top of significant changes in your life. Have you moved? Taken on a teaching position? Received an academic promotion or professional recognition of some sort? Decided to retire? Have an interesting hobby or avocation you’d like to share? Your former Cleveland Clinic colleagues really want to know what you are up to. Please take a few moments to complete this coupon so that we can keep them informed via “Contacts” (starting on page 16 of this issue) or e-mail [email protected].

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Elisabeth Ward Trowbridge, MD


Alumni ConnectionVolume XX No. 2 | Summer 2010

A publication of the Cleveland Clinic Alumni Association. Produced for medical alumni and friends by the Office of Institutional Relations and Development, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195. 216.444.2487 | 800.444.3664 | fax 216.445.2730 | e-mail [email protected]

CCF Alumni Association Board of DirectorsLee M. Adler, DO Louise A. Aquila Allen, PhD Kenneth W. Angermeier, MDElumalal Appachi, MDJanet W. Bay, MDSteven Benedict, MDJohn A. Bergfeld, MDEdwin G. Beven, MDPatrick BlakeJoseph M. Damiani, MDGary H. Dworkin, MDZeyd Y. Ebrahim, MD

Omar A. Fattal, MD, MPHElizabeth A. File, MD Kathleen N. Franco, MDGita P. Gidwani, MDJaime F. Godoy, MDLilian V. Gonsalves, MDMark K. Grove, MDRobert E. Hobbs, MDPauline Kwok, MDLucy (Massullo) LaPerna,

DOJames W. Lewis, MDCareen Y. Lowder, MD Jennifer L. Lucas, MD

David E. Martin, MDTarek M. Mekhail, MDJonathan L. Myles, MDMonique Ogletree, PhD William L. Proudfit, MDSusan J. Rehm, MDMarc S. Rovner, MDEdward D. Ruszkiewicz, MDLeslie R. Sheeler, MDDivya Singh-Behl, MD Scott A. Strong, MD Elias I. Traboulsi, MD David P. Vogt, MD

Robert E. Hobbs, MD, PresidentRobert E. Hermann, MD ............................................................ Medical DirectorWilliam M. Michener, MD .............................................Emeritus Medical DirectorSandra S. Stranscak ................................................................Executive DirectorMarilyn Bryce ......................................................................... Associate DirectorBeth Thomas Hertz .................................................................................... Editor

Lois Sumegi .................................................................. Director of Development

Cleveland Clinic is an independent, not-for-profit, multispecialty academic medical center. It is dedicated to providing quality specialized care and includes an outpatient clinic, a hospital with more than 1,000 staffed beds, an education division and a research institute.

The Cleveland Clinic FoundationAlumni Relations, DV19500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195

Address Service Requested

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U.S. Postage Paid

Cleveland, Ohio

Permit No. 4184

Make Your Mark on the World StageCleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is seeking extraordinary physician leaders to fill chair positions for its five institutes and seven departments. This is a once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunity to make your mark on the world stage. Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, you will join a world-class medical and administrative team as it establishes the premier tertiary care hospital and clinic in the Middle East.

Along with collaborative support from Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, you will plan and develop the systems, procedures and culture of the following institutes or departments and lead your team when the facility opens its doors in late 2012.

• Chair of Eye Institute• Chair of Digestive Disease Institute• Chair of Heart and Vascular Institute• Chair of Neurological Institute• Chair of Respiratory and Critical Care Institute• Chair of Department of Anesthesiology

• Chair of Department of Emergency Medicine• Chair of Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine• Chair of Department of Radiology• Chair of Department of Quality and Patient Safety• Chair of Department of Medical Subspecialties• Chair of Department of Surgical Subspecialties

About Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

This 360-bed hospital and clinic will be a physician-led medical facility, served by Western-trained, North American board-certified (or equivalent) physicians. The first facility in the Middle East to operate according to the Cleveland Clinic staff model, it will serve local and international patients in an environment combining excellent amenities with advanced tech-nologies in surgery, imaging, telemedicine and electronic medical records.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a subsidiary of Mubadala Healthcare, a business unit of Mubadala Development Co.

You can see detailed information about Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi from a recorded information session held a year ago in Cleveland at http://my.clevelandclinic.org/departments/abudhabi/video.aspx.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East. Under a new generation of visionary leaders, it has grown to a metropolis of 1.5 million people and is a hub of business, culture and tourism. Interested candidates should submit an electronic letter of interest and curriculum vitae to: Robert Lorenz, MD, FACS, Chief Medical Officer, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi at: [email protected].

Candidates for chair positions will be considered in 2010, with deployment to Abu Dhabi in 2011. Non-chair physi-cians will be recruited in 2011, to begin clinical work between late 2012 and early 2013.

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Cert no. SW-COC-001530


Cleveland Clinic Alumni Connection - Vol. XX No. 2

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