Reunion 2017
Dean’s Day speakers: Abdul El-Sayed’14, Fadlo R. Khuri’89, Mary-Jeanne Kreek’62, and Marc D. Grodman’77.
Alumni Day speakers: Kenneth J. Tomecki’72, Leslie H. Gise’67, William M. Lee’67, and Lisa F. Schneider’07.
Alumni Honorees: Medal recipients Ryan England’17, Daniel D. Von Hoff ’73, Alumni Awards Committee Chair Kenneth Forde’59, Alumni Association President Kathie-Ann Joseph’95, George M. Lazarus’71, Suzanne Oparil’65, Lee Goldman, and Yvonne S. Thornton’73, recipient of the Virginia Kneeland Frantz’22 Award for Distinguished Women in Medicine.
Gala Guest
At this year’s alumni reunion gala, Ron Cohen’81 enchanted the crowd of alumni and soon-to-be MDs in the Class of 2017, channeling the spirit of Dr. Samuel Bard in his forceful impersonation of the founder of Columbia’s medical school. He delivered excerpts from “A Discourse Upon the Duties of a Physician,” Dr. Bard’s remarks delivered at the 1769 commencement of King’s College (which became Columbia University). The text was adapted for the stage by Alumni News Writer Peter Wortsman. Star of numerous Bard Hall Players productions, Dr. Cohen is president and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with MS, spinal cord injury, and other neurological conditions.