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

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.