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Volume 4 - Number 3 - Summer
2005
We hope that you'll enjoy these quick highlights from the
MCV Campus. Please forward
this newsletter to friends who might like to learn more
about the
School of Medicine!
 The School of Medicine's 23rd Dean has been
named with the
appointment of Jerome F. Strauss III, M.D., Ph.D., whose
term will begin on Sept. 15. VCU President Eugene P.
Trani, Ph.D. says that "Dr. Strauss' strengths in
medical education research and research training rose to
the top in a highly competitive field of candidates from
across the country." Read more about Dr. Strauss, who will
succeed Medicine Dean Heber H. "Dickie" Newsome Jr.,
M.D., who served the school in many capacities over a
40-year career. Read more about Dr. Newsome's accomplishments.
THANKS
for your generous support of the Annual Fund!
Loyal alumni and
friends made this a banner year for the School of
Medicine, with more than $290,000 raised for the Annual
Fund in the past 12 months. On behalf of the students
and faculty, our thanks go to all those who made a gift.
The scholarships, student groups, and research
opportunities made possible by your support will have a
direct impact on our students' experience. For your
commitment to helping the medical school thrive, we are
truly thankful.
 Graduation 
This spring, 165 graduates
received their medical degrees and 26 their Ph.D.
degrees from the School of Medicine. The M.D. graduates
received a memorable send-off from graduation speaker
and alum Thomas Krummel, M.D., who completed both a
surgical residency and research fellowship here before
joining the Surgery faculty in 1985. A pioneer in the
application of information technology to enhance the
quality and safety of surgical education, Dr. Krummel is
now Stanford University's Emile Holman Professor and
Chairman of Surgery and the first Susan B. Ford
Surgeon-in-Chief at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.
 Campaign Underway to Endow Professorship in
Urology
In May,
the campaign to endow a Professorship in Urology was
kicked off with a reception at the home of former
Urology Chairman Dr. Warren Koontz and his wife Win.
With the goal of improving and expanding the current
research program, the Professorship will be used to
recruit a research scientist with a track record of
exceptional accomplishments. Toward this goal, Dr. and
Mrs. Koontz have pledged a leadership gift of $50,000
that has been matched dollar-for-dollar by the
Department of Surgery. See pictures from the reception at the Koontz home. If you
are interested in making a gift to the Professorship,
please contact Tom Holland at tehollan@vcu.edu or
(800) 332-8813.
Low-dose oral contraceptives may increase
heart attack risk
A study published in the July issue of the
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
reported that the overall estimated risk of
cardiovascular events among low-dose oral contraceptive
users was doubled compared to non-users. John Nestler,
M.D., H'83, professor and chair of the Division of
Endocrinology and Metabolism, says that the findings
could have further significance for women who already
are at increased risk for such events because of
polycystic ovary syndrome or metabolic disorder. Read
more about Dr. Nestler's findings.
First in state to
implant medical device to treat hypertension
As part of a
Phase II clinical research program being conducted at a
limited number of U.S. medical centers, a patient at the
VCU Medical Center received a device that is the first
of its kind to treat resistant hypertension. The surgery
was the first in the state, and only the second in the
country. Read more about the device that is being implanted in
patients with high blood pressure that is inadequately
controlled with multiple medications.
Call for better infection-control
standards
Clinics
and other outpatient facilities should employ the same
strict infection-control standards as hospitals to
prevent patient-to-patient transmission of Hepatitis C
outbreaks like one that occurred at a freestanding
clinic in Nebraska, according to infectious disease
expert Richard P. Wenzel, M.D., chair of Internal
Medicine. Read more about the recommendations Dr. Wenzel laid
out in an editorial in the June 6 issue of the Annals of
Internal Medicine.
Pediatric hem/onc patients mark
high school graduations
"This experience has made my family and me look
at the world totally different and taught us to live
life each day to its fullest," said cancer survivor
Aubrey Cox, a graduating senior who will be majoring in
radiation therapy this fall at VCU. Aubrey was one of 14
patients from the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Clinic who are finishing high school this year. Read
more about the students who shared their personal
stories and experiences at an annual graduation
ceremony on campus.
Honoring longtime Biostatistics Chair
To mark the
retirement of Hans Carter, Ph.D., alumni from the
Biostatistics Department have endowed a Professorship
that will bear his name. Led by alums Karl Peace,
Ph.D.'76, and Chris Gennings, Ph.D.'86, the endowment
was built without Dr. Carter's knowledge until it
totaled more than $300,000 in gifts and pledges. See
pictures from Dr. Carter's retirement party at Richmond's
Jefferson Hotel last month, where he was finally let in
on the secret. If you are interested in making a gift to
the Carter Professorship, please contact Tom Holland at
tehollan@vcu.edu
or (800) 332-8813.
National medical award for
innovative cardiologist
Robert Jesse, Ph.D.'81, M'84, was honored with
the Richard A. Kern award from the Association of
Military Surgeons of the United States for his work in
sparking a national transformation of systems for
managing cardiac emergencies. Read more about the contributions of Dr. Jesse, who
serves as the national program director for cardiology
for the Veterans Health Administration and as director
of the Acute Cardiac Care Program at the VCU Medical
Center.
Firm Foundations
For a decade, the Foundations of
Clinical Medicine program has placed first- and
second-year medical students on the front lines of
healthcare - working in concert with community
physicians and their patients. The program celebrated
the anniversary in May, honoring more than 200
physicians who have served in the program - about half
of whom are medical school alums. The evening also
honored more than 50 physicians who completed the
Reynolds Geriatrics Scholars Program, earning at least
30 hours of CME. See pictures and read more about the programs.
Event celebrates gifts to the
Campaign for the School of Medicine
On May 19, Dr. Erika, H'73, and Mr.
Eldridge Blanton welcomed to their Richmond home those
who've supported the ongoing Campaign for the School of
Medicine. About 130 alumni and friends enjoyed the
garden party and heard about the success of the Campaign
that is currently $68.7 million toward its $87-million
goal. On schedule for completion in July 2007, the
Campaign will fuel the School's traditional strengths
with gifts geared toward medical research, chairs,
teaching professorships, and importantly, scholarships
for medical and graduate students. See pictures from the
Campaign celebration.
Multicultural
enrichment in the medical school recognized
Of the four university
members recently recognized for their significant
contributions toward enhancing VCU's commitment to
diversity, two were from the School of Medicine. Read
more about Wally R. Smith, M.D., a physician on a
mission to improve health care for the poor and minority
populations who are traditionally underserved, and Agnes L. Mack, a driving force to
increase minority enrollment at the School of Medicine.
 Medicine Alum
supports school through Charitable Gift
Annuity
When Fred Rahal, M'59, investigated the benefits
of Charitable Gift Annuities, he found an opportunity to
generate an annual retirement income while, at the same
time, building an endowment for the Department of
Pediatrics, where he had completed his housestaff
training in 1962. With a Charitable Gift Annuity, a
donor can make a gift of cash or property to the MCV
Foundation, and the Foundation will provide the donor
with a guaranteed income for life. Learn more about how
Dr. Rahal's Charitable Gift Annuity
works for him.
Reunion 2005
More than 230 School of Medicine
alumni returned to Richmond for Reunion Weekend 2005.
From Friday night's all classes cocktail reception to
individual class events on Saturday evening, alums
enjoyed catching up with old friends and seeing changes
on the MCV campus. See pictures from Saturday night's Grand Alumni Dinner honoring alumni
from the Class of 1954 and earlier.
Receptions honor
alumni from the Carolinas
In May and June, the MCV
Foundation welcomed more than 40 guests to receptions in
Durham, Wilmington and Charleston. See pictures from the
Carolina receptions.
Make sure
that your contact info is up-to-date so that
you'll receive invitations to upcoming School of
Medicine alumni receptions.
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We're interested in your
comments on this communication. Please email us your
thoughts.
Update
Your Contact Info and provide the Alumni and
Development Office with your latest news via our online
update form.
Mark your calendar now for
the 4th Annual Alumni Update Course on Friday April 21,
2006, scheduled for the first time to coincide with
Reunion Weekend.
Earn CME credit
Catch up with
Classmates
Re-Connect with your Alma Mater
Annual Fund dollars support
student interest groups and scholarships as well as
research in the medical school. Learn about how your Annual
Fund gift impacts the school and find a link to
online giving via the MCV Foundation's secure eGiving
page
For More Information:
MCV Alumni
Association
MCV Foundation
VCU
VCUHS
VCU Campaign
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