AlumniJOURNAL - It Shall Be the Effort of My Life UPSTATE HONORS AMERICA'S FIRST FEMALE DOCTOR
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Alumni JOURNAL
UPSTATE MEDICAL
S PR ING 2021 PUBLISHED BY UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI FOUNDATION
It Shall Be the Effort of My Life
UPSTATE HONORS AMERICA’S FIRST FEMALE DOCTOR:
ALUMNA ELIZABETH BLACKWELL, MD
C O U R T YA R D
M ED I C A L A L U M NI
B O A R D O F D I R EC T O R S
Robert A. Dracker, MD ’82 EMERITUS
President A. Geno Andreatta
Larry S. Charlamb, MD ’88 Frederick R. Davey, MD ’64
Vice President Karen K. Heitzman, MD ’83
Barbara A. Morisseau, MD ’98 Patricia J. Numann, MD ’65
Treasurer Michael H. Ratner, MD ’68
Thomas A. Bersani, MD ’82 Gregory A. Threatte, MD ’73
Secretary Jack Yoffa, MD ’69
Richard M. Cantor, MD ’76
EX-OFFICIO
Barbara Jones
Lawrence Chin, MD
Connor, MD ’82
Christopher Morley, PhD,
Dennis D. Daly, MD ’83
MA, CAS
Mantosh Dewan, MD
Paul Norcross
Richard W. Doust
6 8
Julie White, PhD
Mark S. Erlebacher, MD ’79
Brian J. Gaffney, MD ’72 HONORARY
Diane F. Green-el, MD ’78 Sadri Garakani
Douglas W. Halliday, MD ’79 STUDENT
Ruth H. Hart, MD ’80 REPRESENTATIVES
Robert H. Hill, III, MD ’06 Amanda Balch ’21
Danielle A. Katz, MD ’97 Divaker Lal ’21
Bruce M. Leslie, MD ’78 Binghamton
Barbara Clayton Lutz, MD ’92 Moje Omoruan ’22
Kirsten P. Magowan, MD ’87 Tyler Fuller ’22
Mark S. Persky, MD ’72 Binghamton
Amy L. Reynders, MD ’01 Barnes Werner ’23
Charles J. Ryan III, MD ’82 Gavrielle Rood ’24
K. Bruce Simmons, MD ’79
George L. Stanley, Jr., MD ’94
Ralph L. Stevens, MD ’81
James A. Terzian, MD ’75
AlumniJOURNAL
UPSTATE MEDICAL
14 20 SPRING 2021 ISSUE Kiefer Creative
Published three times in Design and Production
2021 in spring, autumn, Emily Davenport
Features and winter. Copyright
©2021 by Upstate
Contributing Writer
Medical Alumni Foundation. Kathleen Froio
8 Celebrating Elizabeth Blackwell, MD Opinions expressed are those
of the individual authors
William Mueller
Debbie Rexine
and subjects and do not Rich Whelsky
Upstate marks Elizabeth Blackwell’s 200th year with a campaign to commemorate her legacy. Photographers
necessarily reflect
the views of the Alumni Michael H. Ratner,
14 A Force Multiplier Foundation or Upstate
Medical University.
MD ’68, chair
Thomas Bersani, MD ’82
President Mantosh Dewan has elevated Upstate Medical University by inspiring and Published by the Fred Davey, MD ’64
Upstate Medical Alumni Diane Green-el, MD ’78
supporting its greatest asset: Its people. Ruth Hart, MD ’80
Foundation of Upstate
Medical University, Setnor James Terzian, MD ’75
Editorial Board
Departments Academic Building #1510,
750 E. Adams St., Syracuse, JUST A CLICK AWAY
New York 13210-9976 Visit the Medical Alumni
2 COURTYARD Issue Number: 82 web page at medalumni.
upstate.edu for special
20 STUDENT ROUNDS Submissions and event information, past
address corrections
22 CLASS NOTES Alumni Journals, giving
should be sent to Paul opportunities, and more.
34 IN MEMORIAM Norcross, SUNY Upstate Follow us on Facebook at
Medical University, Setnor www.facebook.com/
Academic Building #1510, UpstateMedicalAlumni
750 E. Adams St., Syracuse,
New York 13210-9976 Correction: The
Phone: 315/464-4361 Winter 2020 Alumni
Fax: 315/464-4360 Journal was misnumbered
Email: norcrosp@ as issue number 82, when
upstate.edu in fact, it was issue number
81. This is issue number 82.
Paul Norcross
Executive Editor ON THE COVER:
Renée Gearhart Levy Elizabeth Blackwell, MD,
Managing Editor young and old: a montage
combining Upstate’s paint-
Sarah Burns ing of Dr. Blackwell by Joe
Ellen Edgerton Kozlowski and a drawing of
Lori Murphy her as a young woman from
Chere Raven the Library of Congress,
Contributing Editors Blackwell Family Papers:
Elizabeth Blackwell Papers,
1836-1946.
2 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021
L E T T E R F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
Medical Alumni Foundation
Dear Alumni and Colleagues,
T
o say this past year has been unprecedented would be the under-
statement of the century. Despite changes in our personal and
professional lives, the alumni of our medical school have persevered
in their support and enthusiasm for our students and fellow future
physicians. At a time when many academic institutions have
suffered both financially and philosophically, we have witnessed innovation,
leadership, and untiring care from the Upstate Medical University and its
reinvigorated leadership. It can be said that with creative intent, we have
witnessed collaboration, partnership, and support, despite societal distancing.
Our students have learned to grow academically and professionally regardless
of hardships. Dr. Robert Corona, the CEO of University Hospital, has continued to
achieve greatness for the institution, recognized both as a Magnet Institution for
Nursing and as one of the top 100 businesses to work for. Our Dean, Dr. Larry Chin,
continues to demonstrate his innovative approach to the school curriculum and is
recognized by the students for his professional excellence and his nurturing nature.
Finally, our President, Dr. Mantosh Dewan, is admired by many for his patience,
consideration, and gentle yet wise leadership, qualities rare but essential in successful
stewards of any organization. Please read on in this issue to learn more about Upstate’s
achievements.
More than at any time in my association with Upstate Medical University, I feel the
institution is on the edge of greatness and will advance in its academic recognition at a
pace not seen before. Throughout this past year, the Medical Alumni Foundation—with
your help—has responded to the changing needs of our medical students. It is because
of your support that Student Services has been able to help so many students in need of
assistance. Please know that your support of the Medical Alumni Foundation is greatly
appreciated, and I am hopeful that you will continue to be a part of our developing
legacy. I thank you for your support and caring on behalf of OUR institution.
Sincerely,
Bob Dracker, MD ’82
President
Medical Alumni Foundation
Board of Directors
Setnor Academic Bldg #1510 | 750 E. Adams St. | Syracuse, NY 13210 | Ph: 315.464.4361 | Fax: 315.464.4360 | medalum@upstate.edu | www.upstate.edu | SUNY
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 1
C O U R T YA R D
Upstate Medical University named to
Forbes’ Best Large Employers List
UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITYhas been community and each other,” he says. “As the
named to Forbes’ Best Large Employers 2021 largest employer in the region, we take our respon-
List. Upstate is ranked No. 35 on the list overall, sibility very seriously and we are humbled to be
above others in the education industry category listed among such outstanding employers across
including Cornell, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins the country.”
universities. Forbes compiles its annual list based on an
Twenty-five colleges and universities are independent survey from more than 50,000 U.S.
on this year’s list, which includes more than employees working for companies employing at
two dozen industry sectors, such as construction, least 1,000 people in their U.S. operations. The
engineering, manufacturing and more. evaluation asked employees to rate their willing-
“All of Upstate Medical University should ness to recommend their employers to friends and
be proud to be included on this list from Forbes,” family as well as evaluate other employers in their
says Upstate President Mantosh Dewan, MD, respective industries. Employees were also asked
HS ’79. “If you work here, you know what an to give their opinions on work-related topics such
incredible place it can be with smart, compas- as working conditions, salary, potential for devel-
sionate colleagues who care deeply about this opment and company image.
SUNY Announces Initiative to Enroll
EOP Students in Medical Schools
S
UNY has createdthe first The program falls under the chan- successfully completed two semes-
statewide initiative to help cellor’s SUNY For All Initiative. ters of general chemistry and two
more Educational Opportunity SUNY EOP helps New York semesters of biology.
Program (EOP) students enroll state’s disadvantaged students “The new SUNY for All
in SUNY’s medical universities. from underserved communities Pre-Medical Scholars Pipeline
SUNY Chancellor Jim The Pre-Medical Scholars Pipeline gain access and succeed in under- Program will be a deliberate and
Malatras announces the Program was introduced by SUNY graduate programs. The new SUNY well-executed mechanism to
Pre-Medical Scholars Chancellor Jim Malatras at a press initiative seeks to strengthen the increase much-needed diversity
Pipeline Program at a news conference held at the Upstate preparedness of SUNY EOP students in our medical school and across
conference held at Upstate. College of Medicine in February. for medical education and build an the state,” says Upstate President
effective pipeline to SUNY medical Mantosh Dewan, MD, HS ’79.
schools. The program will prepare “This program will allow more
students for success in their under- young men and women from a
graduate programs, medical school wider variety of backgrounds pursue
and the medical profession through their dreams of becoming a doctor.”
academic support, mentorship, clin- The new medical pathway
ical exposure, assistance with MCAT program is being established at
preparation, academic coaching and Upstate, University at Buffalo,
workshops. Downstate Health Sciences Univer-
The new program is set to begin sity, and Stony Brook University.
in summer 2021 with 25 students, This program builds upon the suc-
which could be expanded based on cesses of Stony Brook Medicine’s
initial results and further funding. Pre-Medical Access to Clinical Expe-
To be considered for the program, rience (PACE) program, which is a
candidates must be a SUNY EOP pipeline program that enhances the
sophomore or junior on a pre- entry of underrepresented minorities
medical track, have a grade point into medicine and monitors their
average of 3.2 or higher, and have success.
2 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021
C O U R T YA R D
Students Hold Successful Health Justice Conference
M
ore than 850 people partici-
pated in Upstate’s student-led
Health Justice Conference 2021
on January 16. The theme for this
year’s conference was “The Time
Is Now: Action for Health Equity,”
and was organized by Samantha
Williams ’23, Isabelle Thenor-Louis
’25, and Angelina Ellis ’25.
The co-chairs say the theme
was selected to address an array
of issues, ranging from how the
Isabelle Thenor-Louis Samantha Williams Angelina Ellis
COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted
unequal outcomes in health care to
raising awareness of inequitable led organization. “They were very
treatment by the criminal
“Racism is a public accommodating and supported our
legal system. health issue. This vision as three Black women cre-
They started with the single ating a space to discuss the things
concept that “Racism is a public statement led us that are often not addressed in
health issue,” says Ellis. “This state- to start thinking medical education,” says Ellis.
ment led us to start thinking about The keynote address, “Mobi-
the many ways that different ‘-isms’ about the many lizing for Health Equity,” was pre-
impact how minority groups sented by Uche Blackstock, MD,
access health and healthcare,” ways that different founder and CEO of Advancing
Ellis said. She noted that Black ‘-isms’ impact Health Equity, which partners with
Americans have historically healthcare and healthcare-related
been mistreated by the medical how minority organizations to address the critical
system and several other systems factors contributing to health
in America. “It wasn’t just the groups access inequity, through talks, workshops,
Tuskegee experiment, it is a lot health and health- and consulting services. She was
deeper than that,” she says. formerly an associate professor in
For the first time, the confer- care. . . . It wasn’t the Department of Emergency Med-
ence was held via Zoom, an addi- icine and the faculty director for
tional challenge for organizers, who
just the Tuskegee Recruitment, Retention and Inclu-
had to learn the intricacies of Zoom experiment, it is sion in the Office of Diversity Affairs
hosting, including making sure that at New York University School of
all presentations had live captioning a lot deeper than Medicine.
available, screen reader accessible that.” One speaker, Robin Wilson-
images, and sign-language inter- Beattie, was grateful to the orga-
preters in all large group sessions. —Angelina Ellis ’25 nizers for the opportunity to present
But it also provided opportuni- on “Disability and Ableism in Sexual
ties. “Going virtual allowed us to Health,” says Thenor-Louis. “It was a
reach out to programs and organiza- are dedicated to addressing decade-long dream of hers to
tions from across the globe,” says health inequities.” speak in the medical space.”
Williams. “I personally reached out The virtual conference also Alumnus David Ansell, MD ’78,
to 200 colleges, high schools, and eliminated the need for speakers senior vice president for Community
organizational programs. From to travel to campus, allowing for Health Equity at Rush University
this outreach, we were also able to greater outside participation. Ellis Medical Center in Chicago, spoke
yield several quality applicants for and Thenor-Louis said those they on “The Death Gap: How Inequality
our high school and undergraduate contacted to speak were generous Kills,” based on his experiences
scholarships and to provide $500 with their time and flexible with working at Chicago’s largest public
scholarships for three students who their limited budget as a student- hospital.
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 3
C O U R T YA R D
Sherard ‘Scott’ Tatum, MD, Named
Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology/
Head and Neck Surgery
S
herard ‘Scott’ Tatum, MD, was Program, and as a scientific reviewer Surgery. He has been included on
appointed chair of the Depart- for the Institutional Review Board. many top doctor lists through the
ment of Otolaryngology/Head He is a sought-after presenter years, including Best Doctors in
and Neck Surgery. Dr. Tatum on craniofacial disorders and surgery, America, America’s Best Physicians,
had served as interim chair of the speaking regularly at annual meet- America’s Top Plastic Surgeons,
department since April 2018. ings of American Academy of among others.
“I’m grateful to have Dr. Tatum Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Tatum earned his medical
Sherard ‘Scott’ Tatum, MD continue his service as chair to this Surgery. He has published widely degree from the University of
important clinical department,” in the Clinics of Facial Plastic and South Florida and did postgraduate
says Lawrence Chin, MD, dean of Reconstructive Surgery and JAMA training in general surgery and
the College of Medicine. “He is an Facial Plastic Surgery, among others. otolaryngology at Eastern Virginia
exceptional physician, researcher, Tatum is a fellow of the Amer- Medical School; craniomaxillofacial
and campus leader; Upstate will ican College of Surgeons and the surgery at University of Eppendorf,
continue to benefit by his valuable American Academy of Pediatrics, Hamburg, Germany; and facial
and dedicated service.” and a member of the American plastic and reconstructive surgery
Tatum has been a member of Academy of Otolaryngology–Head at University of California-Davis
the Upstate faculty for nearly 30 and Neck Surgery, the American Medical Center.
years, serving on numerous commit- Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Associa-
tees including the Trauma Com- tion, and the American Academy of
mittee, Medical Student Advisor Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Margaret Maimone, PhD, Named Interim
Chair of Cell and Developmental Biology
MARGARET M. MAIMONE, PHD, who has Dr. Maimone joined the Upstate faculty in
been on the faculty of Upstate Medical University 1993 and has been involved over the last 15 years
for nearly 30 years, has been named interim chair in teaching, advising, and administration. She has
of the Department of Cell and Developmental held leadership positions in these areas, including
Biology. She succeeds Joseph Sanger, PhD, who as a course director in the College of Health Profes-
has stepped down as chair but remains on the sions and College of Medicine, and as assistant
faculty of the department. dean of student affairs for College of Medicine
“I want to thank Dr. Sanger for his service advising.
Margaret Maimone, PhD to Upstate as chair of this important basic Maimone is a recipient of the Chancellor’s
science department and look forward to his Award for Excellence in Teaching and is a Gold
continued service on our faculty,” says College Standard Award winner for her passion, commit-
of Medicine Dean Lawrence Chin, MD. “And I ment, excellence and integrity in service to
am grateful that Dr. Maimone will continue to Upstate. She is also a founding member of the
lead this department forward in her role as interim Academy of Upstate Educators.
chair. Dr. Maimone’s work in research, teaching, Maimone earned a PhD in biochemistry and
advising and administration provides her with a completed a postdoctoral fellowship in molecular
firm foundation to move this department forward.” biology from the Washington University School of
Medicine.
4 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021
C O U R T YA R D
“One of the things that will
be really important is the
integration across providers,”
Roane says. “Having your
doctors all co-located is a nice
thing for families.”
—Henry Roane, PhD
Henry Roane, PhD
Henry Roane, PhD, Named Executive Director
of New Golisano Center for Special Needs
UPSTATE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL allow us to see more kids, more quickly and that
has named Henry Roane, PhD, a professor of will be better for the community,” he says.
pediatrics and division chief of the Center for The center will continue to serve a 22-county
Development, Behavior and Genetics at Upstate area in New York state and will expand existing
as executive director for the new Golisano Center services such as the Inclusive Fitness and Adaptive
for Special Needs, which opened in February. Design Program and the Family Behavior Analysis
The center provides comprehensive, coordi- Program. “One of the things that will be really
nated, and scientifically based medical and important is the integration across providers,”
behavioral care for children and adolescents Roane says. “Having your doctors all co-located
with many types of intellectual and develop is a nice thing for families.”
mental disabilities. Roane has worked at Upstate since 2009.
“Dr. Roane will be an outstanding director In addition to serving as division chief of Develop-
of the Golisano Center for Special Needs and I ment, Behavior and Genetics in the Department
was honored to be able to appoint him to that of Pediatrics, he also serves as the chair of the
position,” says Gregory Conners, MD, executive Behavior Analysis Studies program in the College
director of the children’s hospital. “Dr. Roane of Health Professions. He earned bachelor’s and
has been advocating at Upstate for additional and master’s degrees from Louisiana State University
more streamlined services for children and families as well as a doctorate in psychology. He previously
for many years.” worked at The Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta,
Dr. Roane has been involved in nearly every the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, and
aspect of planning for the new center, which is the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders in
located on the third floor of Madison-Irving Omaha, Nebraska.
Medical Center. “Developing this centralized
program and growing these clinical models will
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 5
C O U R T YA R D
Sriram S. Narsipur, MD, named Edward C.
Reifenstein Professor of Medicine
SRIRAM S. NARSIPUR, MD,was appointed the Dr. Narsipur joined Upstate in 1996, and in
Edward C. Reifenstein Professor of Medicine. addition to being chair of Medicine, he serves
“It’s a pleasure to bestow Dr. Narsipur with as a professor of medicine, pediatrics and surgery;
this honor, especially following his appointment chief of nephrology; and medical director of
earlier this year as chair of the Department of University Dialysis Center. His key area of research
Medicine,” says College of Medicine Dean is cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic
Lawrence Chin, MD. “Both are testimony to his kidney disease and end-stage renal failure.
great leadership here at Upstate.” The professorship is named for Dr. Edward
Reifenstein, the medical advisor and close friend
of Horace White, the 37th governor of New York
state. White left a quarter of his estate to Syracuse
University’s College of Medicine in honor of Reif-
enstein, “who has devoted many years of faithful,
distinguished, gratuitous service to said college of
Medicine.” The college, of course, later transferred
to SUNY.
Narsipur earned his medical degree from the
University of Michigan Medical School, and
completed his residency at Baystate Medical
Center, Tufts School of Medicine, where he served
as chief resident in pediatrics. He completed a
fellowship in Nephrology/Hypertension at the
University of California, San Diego School of
Medicine.
He is a fellow of the American College of
Physicians and the American Society of Nephro
logy, and a member of the Royal College of
Physicians.
IS THERE A DOCTOR IN
THE FAMILY?Sri Narsipur,
MD, professor and chair of Housecalls for the Homeless Program
medicine and medical direc-
tor of nephrology, received Receives Bank of America Grant
U
his second COVID-19 vaccine pstate Medical University’s women experiencing homelessness in helps continue necessary work in the
dose from Sonia Narsipur— street medicine program, House- Syracuse and Onondaga County. The community, especially as the health
his daughter. Sonia is a calls for the Homeless, received a program provides basic medical and crisis created an increase of needs,
fourth-year Upstate medical $30,000 grant from Bank of America preventive care to those sheltering at services, and precautionary measures
student and is interested in
to fund point-of-care equipment, the Rescue Mission, Catholic Chari- at the shelters we serve,” says Dr.
family medicine. Sonia comes
from a family of doctors. Her
medicine, coronavirus supplies, ties Men’s Shelter, Salvation Army Lehmann. “We’re grateful for Bank
mom—Sonia Y. Kragh, MD— eyeglasses, dentures, and personal Women’s Shelter, and through In My of America’s contribution, which will
is an internist. care items vital for the care of Father’s Kitchen, a mobile program help us continue our mission.”
homeless individuals in Onondaga providing food and basic necessities
County. for individuals living outdoors.
Pioneered by David Lehmann, The COVID-19 pandemic has
MD, and Mia Ruiz-Salvador in 2018, created an increased need for
Housecalls for the Homeless pro- medical supplies to stop the corona-
vides medical, psychiatric, and addic- virus spread in shelters and on the
tion care services for men and streets. “Bank of America’s funding
6 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021
C O U R T YA R D
Eunice Choe ’23
Elected Medical
Society of
the State of
New York Student
Delegate
E
unice Choe, a second-
year medical student at
Upstate Medical Univer-
sity, has been elected as
Stephen J. Thomas, MD, is lead principal investigator for Pfizer's global Phase 3 trial of the a 2021 medical student
COVID-19 vaccine. delegate for the Medical
Society of the State of New
York. Choe is one of seven
Stephen J. Thomas, MD, Co-Authors students elected to a post
at the fall meeting and the
New England Journal of Medicine Paper first in six years from
Upstate to serve as
on Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine delegate.
Choe, a native of Platts-
Eunice Choe
UPSTATE CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS medical literature to make medical burgh, New York, serves as
Disease Stephen J. Thomas, MD, is decisions. The reviewers are external president of Upstate’s student chapter of
co-author of a paper published in to the company and the project. If a the American Medical Association/Medical
The New England Journal of Medicine in vaccine is going to start rolling out Society of the State of New York. In her
December 2020 about the effective- any time soon it is absolutely in the student leadership role at Upstate, Choe is
ness of the COVID-19 vaccine best interest of everybody for these eager for students to be well-equipped to
developed by Pfizer/BioNTech. companies to publish their data.” advocate for their patients and practices in
Thomas is the coordinating principal The paper cites the specifics of the future.
investigator for the world-wide the vaccine’s clinical trials, which “I’m honored to represent the Medical
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine trial. took place at 152 sites around the Student Section at the 2021 MSSNY House
The paper, “Safety and Efficacy world. The trial involved 43,448 of Delegates,” Choe says. “In this role, I
of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 participants who received injec- hope to learn how organized medicine
Vaccine,” is authored by 12 doctors tions—21,720 with the vaccine and works at the state level. That knowledge
and medical experts from around 21,728 with the placebo. The vaccine, will inform how my classmates and I write
the world. Thomas says the study’s BNT162b2 “was 95 percent effective healthcare resolutions and prepare students
publication is an important step to in preventing COVID-19. Among 10 to be active in future medical societies. It is
ensure transparent and objective cases of severe COVID-19 with onset a privilege to learn how physician leaders
review of the vaccine’s perfor- after the first dose, 9 occurred in and medical students work together to
mance. The New England Journal of placebo recipients and 1 in a address the health concerns of our state.”
Medicine is among the most presti- BNT162b2 recipient. Choe is also active in the Rural Medical
gious medical journals in the world. “The safety profile of BNT162b2 Scholars Program, the Christian Medical Fel-
“Publication is another level of was characterized by short-term, lowship and participates in volunteer activi-
external peer review,” Thomas says. mild-to-moderate pain at the injec- ties with the Upstate’s Center for Civic
“The people who are going to be tion site, fatigue, and headache. The Engagement. Prior to attending medical
administering this vaccine consume incidence of serious adverse events school, she served with AmeriCorps VISTA
information in the medical literature. was low and was similar in the and worked to secure more than $700,000
They read the press release from the vaccine and placebo groups.” for grants to develop various programs for a
company, but they rely on the rural behavioral health program. She earned
her undergraduate degree from Brandeis
University in 2017.
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 7
Celebrating Eliza
On the occasion of her bicentenary, Upstate Medical
University has launched a campaign to honor the
legacy of one of its most famous graduates: America’s
first female doctor.
T
he first woman in At the portrait unveiling,
America to receive Upstate President Carlyle
a medical degree, Jacobsen, PhD, surprised
Elizabeth Blackwell, attendees with the announc
MD, was born on ement of a campus street to be
February 3rd, 1821. named after Blackwell. Constru
She graduated first in her class ction of Elizabeth Blackwell
in 1849 from Geneva Medical Street—located across from the
College, which is the prede- hospital entrance and between
cessor of what is known today East Adams and Harrison streets
as Upstate Medical University. in Syracuse—was part of the site
In 2021, Upstate is commemo- planning for the downtown
rating Dr. Blackwell’s 200th hospital, which now runs
birthday with a series of Second-year medical students Sruti Akula and Neelima between the hospital parking
events and the launch of the Dosakayala celebrate Blackwell's 200th birthday (photo garage on one side, and Jacobsen
Elizabeth Blackwell 200th taken pre-COVID). Hall, the Campus Activities
Anniversary Legacy Campaign. celebrates the 200th anniversary of Building, and Health Services
The fundraising effort is intended her birth as a platform to honor an on the other.
to build upon Upstate’s efforts to American icon and support future The College also started a lecture
celebrate her life and contributions students who share her passion.” series in Blackwell’s name, held
and will support the commissioning To categorize Blackwell as a every February. Mary Voorhees, MD,
of a sculpture of Blackwell for the trailblazer is an understatement. assistant professor of pediatrics, gave
University grounds and the estab- In the 1840s, the idea of a woman the first Elizabeth Blackwell Day
lishment of an Elizabeth Blackwell pursuing medicine was unthinkable. Lecture back in 1964.
Scholarship for medical students. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until 1964 that This year, due to the pandemic,
“Today, more than half the Upstate first began recognizing its the Blackwell Lecture has been
students at American medical schools, pioneering female physician. Patricia postponed to September. In February,
including Upstate, are women. That is Numann, MD ’65, one of 15 female Upstate sponsored an interview on its
due at least in part to the bravery and students in the entire College of award-winning radio show Health
intellect of Elizabeth Blackwell, who Medicine at the time, was among a L
ink on Air with Janice Nimura,
opened the door for women in the group of female students, faculty, and author of The Doctors Blackwell: How
medical profession. We are proud to alumni who conceived of the idea to Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine
have her among our alumni ranks,” honor Blackwell. “We raised $500 for to Women and Women to Medicine. The
says Paul Norcross, executive director Joe Kozlowski to paint her portrait, widely-heralded book, published in
of the Upstate Medical Alumni which was more than a semester’s January, tells the unlikely story of
Foundation. “This fundraising effort tuition in those days,” she says. Elizabeth Blackwell and her younger
8 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021abeth Blackwell
COURTESY OF SCHLESINGER LIBRARY ON THE HISTORY OF WOMEN IN AMERICA, RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE
sister Emily, who both I don’t think any of them
became pioneering female spent much time sitting in
physicians. classrooms, but they all read
In the interview, avidly and discussed what
Nimura said she spent they read. Education and
five years writing the book, intellectual pursuit were
which included a research of paramount importance,”
visit to Geneva, New York, she says.
to walk the streets and view As a young person,
the buildings that Elizabeth Elizabeth became interested
did while in medical school. in the writings of Margaret
According to Nimura, Fuller, a journalist and
Elizabeth was largely women’s rights advocate
imprinted by her upbring who wrote Woman in the 19th
ing. Born in Bristol, England, Century. Fuller argued that
she and her nine siblings “women could do anything
came to the United States that men did, it was just a
with their parents as matter of talent and toil,
children, settling in the not gender,” says Nimura.
frontier town of Cincinnati, “Elizabeth had a healthy
Ohio. Her father was self-esteem and saw herself
an abolitionist and sugar Daguerreotype portrait of Elizabeth Blackwell as someone who could
refiner, whose life’s goal embody this idea—find a way
FROM ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
was to make sugar from to prove that women could
sugar beets without slave do anything men could do—
labor. Unfortunately, he and medicine turned out to be
died shortly after their the path she chose as sort of a
arrival, leaving his large graphic way of making this
family struggling to make point, not necessarily to be a
a living. His five daughters healer or because she was
received a clear message: passionate about biology.”
having a husband was no For the time, it was a
guarantee of security. None profoundly eccentric choice.
of the five Blackwell sisters Medical schools in the United
ever married and two of the States did not admit women.
Blackwell sons married After being rejected by 29
prominent feminists of the medical schools, Blackwell
day, Lucy Stone and Antoi- was accepted by Geneva
nette Brown. Medical College, but only
All nine children because the faculty put it
received the same educa up to a student vote, and as
tion, a combination of a practical joke, the 150 male
schools and tutors that students unanimously voted
The first building of Geneva Medical College, the Middle
Nimura describes as Building, stands between Geneva Hall on the right and Trinity to admit her to their ranks. No
“patchwork but passionate. Hall on the left. one thought it was a joke when
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 9COURTESY OF THE MECHANICAL CURATOR COLLECTION. BRITISH LIBRARY
she graduated at the top advocate Mary Edwards
of her class and the dean Walker, MD, blues
bowed to her at gradu- musician Libba Cotton,
ation. and the Syracuse Jerry
But earning her Rescue Memorial.
medical degree was “The statue will be
easy compared with seen by anyone entering
what came next. Not Weiskotten Hall, and
only would no one hopefully, will be the
hire her, but when first in a sculpture
she started her own garden with other
Blackwell’s story owes partly to
practice, Blackwell struggled to gain note-worthy alumni,” says Numann.
timing. “With the inauguration of
patients. Women wealthy enough to The Legacy Fund also supported
our first female vice president, I think
choose their own doctors did not trust the creation of a commemorative
it’s the right moment for redefining a
a female physician. Together with her exhibit on Elizabeth Blackwell,
heroine in our imaginations,” she says.
younger sister Emily, who she had sponsored by the Health Science
F
encouraged to pursue medicine five or the Upstate community Library and curated by Cara Howe,
years after her, Blackwell founded the today, Blackwell represents the assistant director of archives and
New York Infirmary for Indigent institution’s mission to improve special collections (see companion
Women and Children. The clinic, health through education, biomedical story).
A
which also served as a nurse’s training research and patient care and its
s a counterpoint to her
facility, was funded by “charitable core values, including innovation,
interview with Janice
donations from wealthy people who respect, diversity and inclusion.
Nimura about Elizabeth
liked the idea of a woman doctor “Elizabeth Blackwell is the most
Blackwell, HealthLink on Air host
serving the poor, but didn’t neces- recognized woman physician in the
Amber Smith also interviewed current
sarily want to be consulting one world. As her alma mater, I believe
students Sruti Akula ’23 and Neelima
themselves,” says Nimura. Later, that she should be visible daily and
Dosakayala ’23, who have been
the sisters started their own medical honored with the best tributes we
involved with activities surrounding
school, the Women’s Medical College have to offer,” says Dr. Numann.
the 200th birthday commemoration,
of the New York Infirmary, to provide The centerpiece of that effort is to
about their experiences as female
women with access to the best establish an Elizabeth Blackwell, MD,
medical students today .
medical education available. By the Scholarship, which will be used to
“If I could speak to her today,
end of the 19th century, new medical support students who share Black-
I would definitely thank her,” says
schools such as Cornell and Johns well’s resilience, passion, and service
Akula. “As a female in the field,
Hopkins were admitting women to the indigent and to population
I’m fortunate not to really feel any
and the College closed in 1899. health. According to Norcross, the goal
difference from my male colleagues.”
In 1869, Blackwell returned to is to raise enough funds to create an
“Not only was she a pioneer in
England, where she worked with endowment that will fund a full annual
being the first, but she set a foundation
Florence Nightingale and four others scholarship. “Elizabeth Blackwell is a
for other women to follow,” adds
to establish the first medical school major figure in medical history. As her
Dosakayala. “In addition to fighting
for women in England, the alma mater, we want the scholarship
for women, she also fought against
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
London School of Medicine in her name to be appropriate to her
racial inequity. I thank her for starting
for Women. By the time stature,” he says.
the work and I’m proud to be able to
Blackwell died in 1910, And in an effort to honor
continue it.” n
there were around 9,000 Blackwell in a public way, Upstate
female physicians in the has commissioned sculptor Sharon To contribute to the Elizabeth
United States, many of BuMann to create a life-size bronze Blackwell Legacy Campaign,
whom studied at the sculpture of Blackwell as a 26-year-old please contact Paul Norcross at
Women’s College for medical student for the Weiskotten norcrosp@upstate.edu or visit
Medicine or trained at the New Courtyard. A native Central New https://medalumni.upstate.edu/
York Infirmary for Women. Yorker, BuMann has previously elizabeth-blackwell.
With her book climbing bestseller created well-known public sculp-
lists, Nimura says the interest in tures of surgeon and women’s rights
10 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021“It Shall Be the Effort of My Life”
The Work and Words of
Elizabeth Blackwell, MD
Steady, Uphill Work
T
o commemorate the 200th anniversary
P
of the birth of Elizabeth Blackwell, the reviously a student of the metaphysical, Elizabeth
Health Sciences Library Archives and needed to discover if she could overcome the
Special Collections has launched an exhibit repulsion she felt for the corporeal nature of
medicine. Her first exposure to anatomical studies was
focusing on her life and legacy—the triumphs,
shepherded by a Dr. Allen who, knowing of her aversion,
challenges, and sacrifices made by this pioneer helped her to see the artistry of the body, igniting a
in the history of medicine. newfound appreciation for the aesthetics of the subject.
According to Cara Howe, assistant director, With this initial hurdle surmounted, Elizabeth sent letters
of inquiry to medical schools in Philadelphia and New
archives and special collections, the exhibit
York. Invariably, she received rejections with repeating
was assembled from Upstate’s own small themes; either women were not physically able to
collection, as well as research conducted at the withstand the rigors the education and training required,
Library of Congress and the Schlesinger Library or it was considered immoral for them to have intimate
knowledge of the body. Most especially, the idea of a
at Harvard University, which both have large
woman receiving anatomical training along-side men
repositories of Blackwell family papers. She was unconscionable.
also drew heavily from Blackwell’s autobiog- When her letter of acceptance finally came, from a
raphy, Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical small school in Upstate New York, she had no idea that
her admittance was actually the product of a practical joke.
Profession to Women.
The faculty of Geneva College of Medicine, not wanting to
“I really wanted to include her own words for refuse her entrance outright, had put the question of her
this exhibit,” says Howe. “Many of the secondary
COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
resources tend to all quote the same content from
her, the same quotes repeated. I wanted to spend
some time with Dr. Blackwell’s words and her
memoir was a really wonderful source.”
Howe believes Blackwell’s legacy to the
institution cannot be overstated. “To claim the
first woman doctor as an alumna of our insti-
tution really helps set the stage for current
diversity and inclusion initiatives,” she says.
“It demonstrates a strong commitment to that
that reaches back to the earliest years.”
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE EXHIBIT:
Diploma awarded to Elizabeth Blackwell, MD. Geneva
College of Medicine.
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 11COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
admittance to the student body, assuming the young men “I therefore obtained
would balk at the idea of studying along-side a woman. a complete list of all
The students, assuming the application could only be a the smaller schools
hoax, unanimously voted to admit Elizabeth. of the Northern
To their surprise, the product of their joke arrived in States…and sent
November 1847 to begin her studies. Though the citizens in application for
of Geneva gave her a wide berth and suspicious stares, admission to twelve
she found her classmates to be ultimately accepting of her of the most promising
presence and respectful of her person. Her self-contained institutions, where
demeanor and commitment to her studies soon won the full courses of
respect of the faculty. When one of her greatest supporters, instruction were
Dr. James Webster, tried to dissuade her from attending given under able
anatomy lectures with the rest of the class, she sent a letter professors. The result was awaited with much anxiety...
that was roundly applauded by the group and cemented At last, to my immense relief (though not surprise, for
her presence in the front-row for all demonstrations. failure never seemed possible), I received the following
When she graduated at the top of her class on January 23, letter from the medical department of a small university
1849, the valedictory address, delivered by Dean Charles town in the western part of the state of New York.”
Lee, exalted Elizabeth as a novelty. Despite proof that a Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women:
woman could fulfill the requirements of a medical course Autobiographical Sketches by Elizabeth Blackwell (1895)
of study, even those who witnessed it first-hand were not
M
prepared to agree that it was anything more than a fluke. edical education of this era was sparse at best,
with the American Medical Association being
“…I commenced my formed in 1847 to address the inconsistent and
FROM ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
anatomical studies in the ineffective education most medical students received.
private school of Dr. Allen. Attendance at lectures for 16 weeks was required, two
This gentleman by his years in a row, with some preliminary years of study under
thoughtful arrangements the guidance of a practitioner. If a student managed to
enabled me to overcome scrape together some observations in between terms, that
the natural repulsion to these was likely to be their only exposure to a real patient before
studies generally felt at the receiving their diploma.
outset. With a tact and
delicacy for which I have “Knowing very little of practical medicine, I finally
always felt grateful, he gave decided to spend the summer, if possible, studying in
me as my first lesson in the hospital wards of the great Blockley Alms House
practical anatomy a demon- of Philadelphia.”
stration of the human wrist. Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women:
The beauty of the tendons Autobiographical Sketches by Elizabeth Blackwell (1895)
and exquisite arrangement
of this part of the body
COURTESY OF YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
struck my artistic sense,
and appealed to the sentiment
of reverence with which this
anatomical branch of study was ever afterwards
invested in my mind.”
Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to
Women: Autobiographical Sketches by Elizabeth
Blackwell (1895)
Lithograph of Blockley Almshouse in 1838
12 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021A
s the medical curriculum afforded almost no
COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
practical training, students were responsible for
seeking their own clinical opportunities between
terms. The awakening Elizabeth experienced at Blockley,
where the poorest of Philadelphia society suffered through
debilitating illness in inhumane conditions, was pivotal.
Though she chose to write her thesis on the typhoid cases
she observed here, significant time spent in the women’s
Syphilis wards opened her eyes to the moral degeneration
of society, which she would proselytize against for the
duration of her career.
“But this terrible epidemic furnished an impressive
object-lesson, and I chose this form of typhus as the
subject of my graduation thesis, studying in the
midst of the poor dying sufferers who crowded the
hospital wards.”
Pioneer Work in Opening the Medical Profession to Women:
Valedictory Address to the Graduating Class of the Geneva College of Medicine at
Autobiographical Sketches by Elizabeth Blackwell (1895)
the Public Commencement.
COURTESY OF THE DAVID RUMSEY MAP COLLECTION, DAVID RUMSEY MAP CENTER, STANFORD LIBRARIES
“After the degree had been conferred on the others, I
was called up alone to the platform. The President, in
full academical costume, rose as I came on the stage,
and, going through the usual formula of a short Latin
address, presented me my diploma. I said: ‘Sir, I thank
you; it shall be the effort of my life, with the help of
the Most High, to shed honour on my diploma.’ The
Map of death rate of typhoid fever in the Mid-Atlantic region
audience applauded...”
Excerpt from Journal (1849)
E
lizabeth observed throngs of Irish immigrants fleeing
T
the famine, exiting ships infected with typhoid fever, he same residents of Geneva who had
spilling into the halls of Blockley Almshouse. Her ridiculed her turned out in droves to witness
thesis shows great insights regarding how little was the conferring of diplomas. When she was
actually understood about disease; germ theory invited to process down the aisle with the rest
was mocked as Quackery, in favor of the of the graduates she refused, pointing out
miasma theory that blamed “bad air” for the that parading in public was inappropriate
spreading of illness. Yet, her writings for a lady. After the ceremony, her brother
also demonstrate little sympathy for Henry escorted her out of the First Pres-
the patients, who she observed in a byterian Church past an enthusiastic
WOMEN IN AMERICA, RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE
COURTESY OF SCHLESINGER LIBRARY ON THE HISTORY OF
rather calculated manner. crowd that included many women.
To view the exhibit
in its entirety, visit
https://hsl.upstate.edu/
blackwellexhibit.
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 13Mantosh Dewan, MD, HS ’79,
was named president of Upstate
Medical University in November
2020.
14 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021A Force Multiplier
During an unprecedented year, President Mantosh Dewan
has elevated Upstate Medical University by inspiring and
supporting its greatest asset: Its people. B Y R E N É E G E A R H A R T L E V Y
O
n a Saturday in early Instead, Dewan has been lauded
February, Mantosh for Upstate’s contributions in the fight
Dewan, MD, HS ’79,
“I’ve found leadership against COVID-19, including clinical trials
president of Upstate and working with for vaccines and treatments and break-
Medical University, through biotechnology research. Upstate’s
and Robert Corona, people not much chief of infectious disease, Stephen
DO, CEO of University Hospital, traversed Thomas, MD, was named lead principal
the halls of the hospital with a vaccine
different. My job is to investigator for Pfizer’s global Phase 3
cart, visiting every nursing unit to offer work to have 10,000 clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine
the COVID-19 vaccine on the spot. “We and co-authored a paper on its efficacy
wanted to reach the people who hadn’t terrific people do published in the New England Journal of
gotten the vaccine because they were too Medicine. In partnership with Quadrant
busy or because they had concerns about even better. It’s Biosciences, Upstate co-developed
it,” says Dr. Dewan. “We wanted to be out actually quite simple. the Clarifi COVID-19 test, the world’s
there supporting the people who are doing number-one ranked saliva test according
very hard work and doing it so well.” You pick the very to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
That’s been Dewan’s goal since The test is accurate for detection of all
he took the helm of Upstate as interim best people and then common strains of the virus and also
president in December 2018, to raise empower them and detects asymptomatic cases. Additional
the profile of the institution by helping development of wastewater testing and
each of its 10,000-plus employees to support them to do a COVID pooled surveillance testing
“be better.” program have allowed colleges and
It’s a leadership philosophy he draws their work.” universities across the state to meet the
from his 41 years as a practicing psychia- —Mantosh Dewan, MD, HS ’79 demands of regular testing for students,
trist. “With the physician/patient model, faculty and staff on campuses, and has
the goal is to work with the individual been used by other entities, including
patient to make them better,” he says. abruptly. Dewan agreed to provide stable Syracuse University and the Albany
“I’ve found leadership and working with leadership while a search for a permanent International Airport.
PHOTO BY CHUCK WAINWRIGHT, COURTESY OF 55 PLUS MAGAZINE
people not much different. My job is to successor was underway. The arrival In September 2020, the State
work to have 10,000 terrific people do of a global pandemic brought unprec- University of New York (SUNY) Board
even better. It’s actually quite simple. edented stress to the hospital system of Trustees issued a commendation
You pick the very best people and then while upending the University’s educa- to Upstate Medical University and Dewan
empower them and support them to do tional model. National political turmoil for “exceptional leadership in combating
their work.” and a reckoning over systemic racism the COVID-19 pandemic.” The commen-
It’s clearly working. To say Dewan contributed to an overall sense of anxiety dation extolled Dewan for his work in
took over at a tumultuous time is an for many of the University’s employees advancing the technological and scientific
understatement. The institution’s and students. It should have been enough research to ensure the ability of SUNY
previous two presidencies had ended to scare anyone off. campuses to continue providing “world
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 15President Dewan with students on Match Day 2021 Dr. Dewan circa 2000
class education and student services important leadership position at
in the face of a global pandemic” VITAL STATISTICS Upstate Medical University and
and further recognized members of Birthplace: Bombay, India understands how the University and
the Upstate community and their Education: Elphinstone College; the state work together. You combine
“steadfast commitment to keeping T.N. Medical College, Bombay that with an approach to leadership
our students, campuses and commu- University that combines achieving results
nities safe.” Publications: Thirty-five books with compassion for the students and
But Dewan is typically humble in or book chapters and 75 papers faculty, I think it’s an unbeatable
accepting any credit. “We’ve always and hundreds of presentations on combination,” says Lawrence Chin,
had these shining stars. But it really topics ranging from brain imaging MD, dean of the College of Medicine.
took the deep darkness of a pandemic and the economics of mental health “He is what author Liz Wiseman
to allow these stars to shine,” he says. care to psychotherapy and medical would say is a ‘Force Multiplier,’”
education. He served on the adds Corona. “He makes everyone
D
ewan was named president editorial boards of the Annals of feel valued and feel smarter. He leads
Clinical Psychiatry and Surgical
of Upstate Medical University by example.”
Neurology.
in November, surprising Dewan has always been drawn
himself more than anyone. “It’s Honors: Distinguished Life to people’s stories and once thought
certainly an honor and a privilege Fellow of the American Psychiatric he would become a journalist. He
Association; Scientific Achievement
but I did not see myself in the role,” became interested in medicine when
Award from the Indo-American
he says. “I’ve always loved being a his mother had spine surgery. Her
Psychiatrists Association;
professor and treating patients.” Exemplary Psychiatrist Award neurosurgeon became a family friend
But those around him have long from the National Alliance for and a role model. In medical school at
thought otherwise, including former the Mentally Ill; the 2010 George Bombay University, Dewan
Upstate President Gregory Eastwood, Tarjan Award from the American discovered psychiatry. “It was the
MD, who encouraged Dewan to apply Psychiatric Association; appointed perfect mix of brain and mind and
for the position. “Dr. Dewan has SUNY Distinguished Professor of stories and people,” he says.
made extraordinary contributions Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences in But in India, psychiatry training
to Upstate for so many years,” says 2009; designated a SUNY Exemplary followed the British model, which was
Eastwood, now SUNY Professor. Chair in 2011. biologically based. Dewan was inter-
“He would be well qualified to lead Family: Wife Anita; son Amant, ested in the therapeutic approach of
Upstate at any time in our history, who works in finance in New York U.S. training. “I was convinced that
but that is especially so now. His City; daughter Radhika Fliegel, an the training would be not only signifi-
remarkable leadership during the attorney in Los Angeles; and three cantly different, but better,” he says.
grandchildren.
COVID pandemic has been reassuring Although he didn’t know a single
and inspiring to all of us faculty, staff, person who had trained in the United
and students throughout Upstate.” States, Dewan arrived in Syracuse for
“Dr. Dewan has held every his residency in psychiatry at Upstate
16 UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021Medical University in 1975, along with kind, brilliant people who provided me to retreat and say, ‘what can I do
his wife Anita. They never left. a stimulating environment to debate now? How can I reach this person in
After completing his training in everything from psychiatry and a different way?’ In medicine, we talk
1979, Dewan joined the faculty as medicine to philosophy and law,” about the science and art of medicine,
an assistant professor of psychiatry, he says. “It’s the only program I have but we sometimes forget the poetry
rising through the ranks, and was ever seen where disagreements are of medicine where you have to try
named a SUNY Distinguished Service not swatted down but celebrated.” something that is really out of the box.”
Professor in the Department of Psych- He cites former colleague Thomas That ability has served Dewan well
iatry and Behavioral Sciences in 2009. Szasz, MD, who wrote The Myth of over the last year. He also points to his
He served as department chair, Mental Illness, an argument against 45-year tenure at the institution and
director of undergraduate education, the field of psychiatry. “How the relationships developed during
director of residency training, and wonderful to be in a department that time. “I cannot imagine coming
served as interim dean of the College that can raise that question.” from outside and stepping into the
of Medicine from October 2016 to From early on, Dewan was most role of president. Just learning the
June 2017. interested in treatment-resistant system and making relationships
Although he’s had plenty of patients, which became the topic of with people would be a very long
opportunity to go elsewhere, Dewan his first book, The Difficult to Treat process before you could start to be
had no desire to leave, finding intel- Psychiatric Patient. “In a perverse way, effective,” he says.
lectual excitement within Upstate’s I kind of enjoyed being defeated,” One of those long-time colleagues
Department of Psychiatry. “It’s a he says. “Every session was a challenge is Frank Middleton, PhD, associate
small department populated by when you didn’t do well. It forced professor of neuroscience and physi-
Along with University hospital CEO Robert Corona, DO, President Dewan visits with nursing staff to offer the COVID-19 vaccine.
UPSTATE MEDICAL ALUMNI JOURNAL | SPRING 2021 17You can also read
