Class Notes: January 2020

Seymour Fradin, MD’ 58 is still teaching eye residents at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary at 94 years old. He is still married to his lovely wife Shirley, 60 years and counting. His daughters and two grandchildren are all thriving.

Michael B. Troner, MD’ 68 says ” although shopping for bananas and yogurt twice weekly and emptying the dishwasher may seem challenging I can assume that with practice it will be easy. Dr. Troner remains active in his run community and is in good health. He is taking lots of classes and travels often.

Robert L Knobler, MD’ 75 joined the faculty of Thomas Jefferson University, becoming a tenured Professor of Neurology after post-doctoral fellowship at Scripps Clinic and Foundation and UCSD (Pathology),. He left Jefferson after 14 years to establish the Knobler Institute of Neurologic Diseases, where he has been the past 21 years. Dr. Knobler continues his clinical practice in Neurology where he focuses on multiple sclerosis and complex regional pain syndrome. He continues to remain active in these areas and is now working towards the development of novel drug theories.

Malgorzata Hecht, MD’ 75 recently retired. She is still going to third world countries on medical expeditions, most recently Haiti and Africa. Her daughter Sarah is finishing a pediatric urology fellowship in Denver while her son is a banker with one son.

Cheri Ann Brodhurst, MD’ 75 has closed her OB/GYN practice and is retired after 41 years of practice and the delivery of 5,000 babies.

Stephen G. Jones, MD’ 85 is residing in Connecticut with my wonderful family and serving in the role of Medical Director of Safety for the Yale New Haven Health System.

Jacqueline Darcey, MD’ 95 is doing well – she is still married to John, approaching the 29 mark this July. She has 2 kids, both in college (Syracuse University and University of Michigan). She is currently the Program Director of the Internal Medicine residency program at Morristown Medical Center in NJ, the highest-ranked hospital in NJ, after having been an associate PD for 13 years. Jacquie remembers her Downstate days fondly, and is thankful for the way social media enables connections with her former classmates. “Happy 2020!”

In Memoriam:*The Alumni Association recognizes in the “In Memoriam” section, not all alumni listed are recently deceased. As we become aware of the passing of our alumni we recognize them to provide their classmates with an update.

Alexander F. Bonacarti, MD’ 51 Dr. Alexander F. Bonacarti of Pine Orchard, CT, and Englewood, NJ, died peacefully at home on September 6, with his family, his devoted caregivers, and his wife of 66 years, Patricia Elder Bonacarti, at his side. Dr. Bonacarti leaves behind six children, including fellow alumna, Emily A. Nolfo, MD, FACP, Downstate 1987.

Philip Warren, MD’ 53

Dr. Philip Warren, MD class of 1953, age 90, of Sarasota, Fl, lost his battle with metastatic melanoma and passed away Thanksgiving Day 2019 at Hospice, with his adoring family at his side. Born May 21, 1929 in Bronx, NY, he was an honor student at Bronx High School of Science and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of New York University. He received his medical degree at Downstate Medical College where he married Doris Ismach, the love of his life. After two years of service in the U.S. Air Force stationed in England, he finished his Pediatrics residency at Mount Sinai in NY, and entered private practice in Waterbury, CT. He was a compassionate, dedicated practitioner to generations of infants and youngsters for more than 38 years, before he retired to Sarasota in 1996. He was also an Associate Clinical Professor at University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He was a philanthropic community leader, a devoted husband, a doting father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had an endearing sense of humor and an incomparable intellect. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Herman Warren, and by his wife of 50 years Doris Warren (2002). He is survived by his son Dr. Steven Warren, MD of St. Petersburg, FL, and by his daughter Dr. Sondra Warren Levin, MD (Downstate class of 1981) of Olney, MD, along with 4 grandchildren (one who is a practicing physician and another who is a 4th-year medical student) and one great-grandchild, and countless friends who loved him. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers can be directed to Temple Beth Shalom, or to Aviva Kobernick Home, both in Sarasota.

Douglas G. Kalesh, MD’ 68 passed away on January 23, 2020.

Gary E. Ackerman, MD’ 72 ACKERMAN, MD, Gary Edwin Gary Edwin Ackerman, MD (Hannan Ben Sholomo) passed from this world on Sunday, June 16, 2019, Father’s Day, surrounded by his family at home in Dallas, Texas. To read the complete obituary, click here.