Class Notes: May 2017
Norman M. Mann, MD’45 Dr. Mann wrote in April, 2017, “As a member of the 1945 graduating class, I feel my class should be represented in notes about us in our alumni magazine. Medicine has undergone so many changes since I entered practice in 1949, in the field of Internal Medicine. Initially, I took part in making many house calls during the day, and many during the night. Early hospital visits to see patients were necessary. Attendance at lectures in medicine was part of daily medical life. Now, patients must see their physician in the office, or run to the emergency room. If a patient has to go to the hospital, his or her doctor does not follow. A local hospitalist takes over. Unfortunately, the relationship between the patient and his doctor is severed. Many patients and some doctors have therefore resorted to hiring ‘consierge doctors’ who, for a yearly fee ($1,500 to $2,000), act as ‘backup care.’ They will take calls, make house calls, help in the transfer of the patient to the hospital. All of the above, I am sure my fellow physicians know very well. I must say my own experience in medicine was very satisfying. I am fortunate to continue to be active. I am on the staff at U. Conn. Health Center at Farmington, CT. I hope to hear from my classmates.”
Martin Kaplan, MD ’53 Dr. Kaplan writes in April, 2016, “Phil Warren and I get together during my winter stays in Sarasota, Florida.”
Murray Kofkin, MD ’53 Dr. Kofkin writes in April 2017 that he has retired from his Child Psychiatric practice to be closer to his three New York-raised daughters, now all living west of the Mississippi.
Stan Fischman, MD ‘60 Dr. Fishman writes in March, “Still alive and kickin’!” from Woodside, California.
Jack V. Forrest, MD ’66 With much help (as always) from my wife, Deb Pate, I now have a blog which includes an archive of many health related emails I have sent over the last few years. The title “Jack’s What Really Matters” was inspired by my frustration with the reams of professional medical and popular press articles which emphasize trivial issues and often spread incomplete, or even false, information about diet, drugs, medical testing and procedures. Huge amounts of money are made by the food, drug and medical businesses promoting poor diet and medical care choices. We joke about used car salesmen, but food, drug and medical promoters are the worst. They are killing people to increase their companies’ profits. Poor lifestyle, especially food choices; inappropriate medical tests and procedures; unnecessary drugs and supplements are the major cause of death, disability and physical suffering in western countries. We have glamorized this approach to diet and medical care with frightening results in developing countries. Some, like China and Mexico, now have a greater problem with diabetes than we in the United States do. New topics “Diet, Longevity and Quality of Life” and “Modern Medical Care and Diet” are included. A reading list and links to other relevant material will soon be added. This blog may be shared with anyone you know who might be interested. To do this choose the “more” tab and select “share by email.” At top right of blog page there is a tab “follow by email.” If you want to be notified of future postings select this, type in your email address, and follow instructions to confirm. Anyone you share this site with can sign up to receive future posts in the same way. Link to blog- http://jackswhatreallymatters.blogspot.com/
Robert Rudnicki, MD ’68 Dr. Rudnicki writes in April that he has retired from his Rheumatology practice. “I’m enjoying winters in Florida, visiting grandchildren (8) and traveling (Hawaii, Australia …) See you in Spring 2018 for our 50th!!”
Paul S. Quentzel, MD ’71 Dr. Quentzel has retired from active gastroenterology practice. He now volunteers at a clinic in south Florida, taking care of indigent patients. Dr. Quentzel writes, “I look forward to the 50th reunion in 2021.”
David M Klein, MD’ 75 Dr. Klein is being named a recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Medicine Awards by the Board of Directors of the American Medical Association (AMA). He will be honored on Friday, June 9, 2017, in Chicago, held in conjunction with the American Medical’s Association’s Annual Meeting. These awards honor physicians who represent the highest values of altruism, compassion and dedication to patient care. Dr. Klein is the recipient of the Jack B. McConnell, MD Award for Excellence in Volunteerism.
Gary Witman, MD ’75 Dr. Witman is executive medical director of Canna Care Docs in seven states. Canna Care Docs evaluate patients for the use of medicinal cannabinoids. In Aug 2010, Dr. Witman was hit in the back of the neck by a wave in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and since has been a complete quadriplegic at the c3 and c4 level. “I was immediately terminated from my position as both the medical director of the Town of Stoughton, Massachusetts, as well as the chief of emergency medicine at the Good Samaritan medical center in Brockton, Massachusetts. Dr. Witman writes, “I am happy to say that I have been able to make the RI hospital the first institution in the US to utilize medical marijuana instead of opioids for the treatment of post-operative post-surgical pain.”
Steven Bernstein, MD ’85 Dr. Bernstein writes in April, 2017, “I continue as Vice Chair for Research at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in the Department of Ophthalmology. We are looking at ways to enhance optic nerve regeneration, and have identified nanoparticles as a way to target strokes and inflammation-related damage.”
In Memoriam:
James Leslie Perry, MD ’77 Dr. Perry was born April 21, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri, and died January 22, 2017, at 81. He his survived by his wife Linda, of almost 59 years, and their extensive family and family of friends. With his father’s permission, Dr. Perry joined the US Air Force where he served as a radar technician and was discharged with rank of Staff Sergeant in 1956. Jim followed his father’s path to Kansas University and joined the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He also joined Air Force ROTC and received a 1st Lieutenant Commission and a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1960. Dr. Perry accepted an offer from Sperry Gyroscope Company on Long Island where he worked for three years and then moved to Grumman Corporation and was assigned to team developing the radar system for the Apollo 11 Lunar Module which landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969. During the 60’s he enrolled in night courses at Adelphi University, MS in Physics 1965, and in Columbia University for Pre-Med courses. In 1973, he began four years at the State University of New York School of Medicine in Brooklyn, followed by Internship at VA Hospital and residencies in Nuclear Medicine and Psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Hospital. He accepted a staff position in the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center on Coney Island for several years until hired by the NY State Department of Mental Health and served the next 20 years in state psychiatric hospitals and out-patient clinics treating persons afflicted with schizophrenia.
Menachem Friedman, MD ’86 Dr. Friedman was an internist affiliated with Maimonides for over 25 years, and specialized in Geriatrics. He died suddenly on March 10.
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