Brown Medical Alumni and Friends

Event Opportunity:
Get those endorphins flowing bright and early this Saturday! All local alumni, PLME, and MD parents are invited to join the Serotonin Seekers, a beginner-friendly, inclusive running group that offers an outlet for medical students to prioritize their wellness while meeting fellow students. Registration is not required.

Medical and PLME parents, join us October 13-15 for Medical Family Weekend. Register here:
https://tinyurl.com/3bd9tkx9

Spotlighting: Alexes Hazen MD'87 MD'96, P'18 ScM'20 for Women in Medicine Month.

Alexes graduated from The Warren Alpert Medical School in 1996 and continues to serve the Brown Medical community in her roles on the Advisory on Biology and Medicine Council and the Brown Medical Alumni Association (BMAA). She pursued a career in plastic surgery training at NYU Langone and is now an assistant professor of Plastic Surgery and in private practice. Alexes shares what it means to her to be a woman in medicine, her passion for relationship building, and the advocacy in her work:
“Being a woman in a surgical subspecialty has its challenges - we are underrepresented in leadership positions academically and in surgical societies, we get paid less than our equivalent male counterparts, and we have the challenges of maternity among other things. However, I have had the great privilege of having had fantastic male and female mentorship all around the world. Mentors who have supported and collaborated with me enhanced my career and have been friends as well. Some of the most gratifying experiences of my career have been enhanced by being a woman, for example, breast reconstruction for cancer patients, gender-affirming surgery, and my volunteering and connection to Reconstructing Women International -- whose mission is to reconstruct women and children who have been victims of violence, war, and accidents all over the world at no cost.”

Sarah Buchanan '21 MD'26, a PLME and Student Ambassador, shares what it means to her to be a woman in medicine:
"Being a woman in medicine is an incredible journey, filled with both triumphs and challenges. As the first person in my family to become a doctor, I am conscious of the incredible opportunities I have to provide compassionate care to my patients and build connections that extend beyond the clinical setting. I know that women bring unique perspectives, empathy, and unwavering dedication to health care, even as we face gender inequity in male-dominated fields. My time so far, at The Warren Alpert Medical School has instilled in me the confidence that I can make a significant impact in the field of medicine and pursue my dreams in any medical specialty, knowing that my education has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to do so."

Dr. Shani Belgrave ’03 MD’07 shares for Women in Medicine Month: “I graduated from The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University 16 years ago and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to pursue and fulfill my dream of becoming a minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon. Life-long learning is an essential part of being a doctor and the goal of learning the latest technologies, and providing the most up-to-date care inspires me. Diversity and inclusion are important components of providing excellent care as we all bring our unique experiences and perspectives which creates a favorable environment for the generation of new thoughts and ideas."

Dr. Shani Belgrave-Heath is an Atlanta-based minimally invasive and bariatric surgeon. She is featured in the September 2023 issue of Best Self Atlanta Magazine and her practice was recognized as the Best Bariatric Surgery Practice.

Congratulations to the MD Class of 2027 who received their first white coats this Saturday. The White Coat is a time-honored tradition from the Brown Medical Alumni Association to welcome the next generation of physicians. 145 students received their White Coats, with friends and family present to celebrate them.

September is Women in Medicine Month and we are spotlighting amazing women in our Alumni and Friends Medical Community. Rudrani Banik,’93 MD’97, author of Beyond Carrots: Best Foods for Eye Health A to Z shares: “Since my graduation from The Warren Alpert Medical School over 26 years ago, my career has evolved both professionally and personally in ways I never would have dreamed of! Along my journey from academics to solo practice and entrepreneurship, I've had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable shift in female representation, within the broader field of medicine, and also within ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology. This transformation underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in health care. It inspires me to continue my journey, hoping that my career experiences can further contribute to this positive change and leave a lasting legacy in the realm of improving eye care.”Rudrani is also an active member of the Brown Medical Alumni community. She served as her 25th Reunion Class Marshall in 2023, met with ophthalmology residents for grand rounds, and has spoken with student interest groups such as the Association of Women Surgeons and the Opthalmology interest group.

September is Women in Medicine Month and we are spotlighting amazing women in our Alumni and Friends Medical Community. Rudrani Banik ’93 MD’97, author of Beyond Carrots: Best Foods for Eye Health A to Z shares: “Since my graduation from The Warren Alpert Medical School over 26 years ago, my career has evolved both professionally and personally in ways I never would have dreamed of! Along my journey from academics to solo practice and entrepreneurship, I've had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable shift in female representation, within the broader field of medicine, and also within ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology. This transformation underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in health care. It inspires me to continue my journey, hoping that my career experiences can further contribute to this positive change and leave a lasting legacy in the realm of improving eye care.”

Rudrani is also an active member of the Brown Medical Alumni community. She served as her 25th Reunion Class Marshall in 2023, met with ophthalmology residents for grand rounds, and has spoken with student interest groups such as the Association of Women Surgeons and the Opthalmology interest group.

Ceremony of Commitment to Medicine **IMPORTANT UPDATE** The location for the Ceremony of Commitment to Medicine has changed and will now take place at the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center (OMAC) at 229 Hope Street. Parking will remain the same. Information and details are below.

Attention: Local Alumni Event Opportunity. Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-jXWXk_bJKh1EGNdbHOda3wsHaexdRAamt8o2DKkFnCcI3Q/viewform

The Medicine Today series is back! Register today to attend.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/medicine-today-registration-668304405467?aff=oddtdtcreator

Call to action to ALL Medical Alumni!

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Vice President Emeritus Levi Adams ADE’75 on July 25. Levi was a pioneering member of the leadership team at Brown University who was instrumental in establishing the medical school and shaping the lives and careers of a generation of Brown alumni. He came to Brown in the mid-1960s to help guide the University as it considered moving the Master of Medical Science program to a full MD program.

Levi was instrumental in establishing the Early Identification Program with Tougaloo College in 1976 and the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs in 1981. He served as a mentor and advisor to students, many of whom consider Levi among the most influential figures in their lives. In 2018, alumni whose lives and careers he impacted created the Levi C. Adams Medical Scholarship to support the next generation of African American physicians working to earn medical degrees at The Warren Alpert Medical School.

The incredible legacy of Levi Adams was detailed in the spring issue of Medicine@Brown.

It is with profound sadness we share the passing of Vice President Emeritus Levi Adams ADE’75 on July 25. Levi was a pioneering member of the leadership team at Brown University who was instrumental in establishing the medical school and shaping the lives and careers of a generation of Brown alumni. He came to Brown in the mid-1960s to help guide the University as it considered moving the Master of Medical Science program to a full MD program.

Levi was instrumental in establishing the Early Identification Program with Tougaloo College in 1976 and the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs in 1981. He served as a mentor and advisor to students, many of whom consider Levi among the most influential figures in their lives. In 2018, alumni whose lives and careers he impacted created the Levi C. Adams Medical Scholarship to support the next generation of African American physicians working to earn medical degrees at The Warren Alpert Medical School.

The incredible legacy of Levi Adams was detailed in the spring issue of Medicine@Brown.
https://medicine.at.brown.edu/build-bridges-build-trust/

On Friday, Dean Jain and alumni of the Gateways program gathered at the Medical School to welcome the ScM class of 2024. Welcome 'home' to alumni who attended and welcome to the new class!

50 Years of Medicine Finale

As we close out our celebration of 50 Years of Medicine at Brown, we are looking ahead to the future of The Warren Alpert Medical School.
The Brown Medical Annual Fund (BMAF) is crucial to this future because it provides the foundation for the medical student experience. As a special opportunity, Donna McGraw Weiss '89, P'25, P'27 and Jason Weiss P'25, P'27 are offering to match all BMAF gifts dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000, through June 30 in honor of today’s students and tomorrow’s physicians.
Link to give: https://bbis.advancement.brown.edu/bbphenix/giving/biomed

Jack A. Elias, M.D. is the 2023 recipient of The W.W. Keen Award. Dr. Elias served as the seventh Dean of The Warren Alpert Medical School (2013-2021) and the first senior vice president for health affairs at Brown. He currently holds The Warren Alpert Professorship in Translational Science.

Dr. Elias raised the national profile of The Warren Alpert Medical School, making it one of the top 10 most selective medical schools in the country. One of his most outstanding achievements was the forming of Brown Physicians, Inc. which built partnerships between the medical school, physician groups, and affiliated health systems. This alliance has fostered an exceptional level of patient care as well as the integration of research, teaching and clinical excellence in the region through alignment with Lifespan and Care New England.
Dr. Elias bolstered the Medical School's focus on evidence-based research and biomedical innovation. During his tenure, research funding increased by over 150%, and his own research has positively affected countless individual patients and has advanced scientific understanding of multiple disease processes. His impact has and will extend beyond Brown and the local region and will be the basis for many advances in the field of medicine.

The 2023 recipient of The Ruth B. Sauber Distinguished Alumni Lectureship is Peter V. Chin-Hong '92 MD'97, who directors the immunocompromised host infectious diseases program at UCSF and has been one of the leaders of institutional community education around COVID-19 and Monkeypox.
Dr. Chin-Hong has been part of numerous UCSF initiatives including outreach to the Asian American community and the Association of Black Cardiologists national webinars on the impact of COVID-19 on minority populations. In 2022, he received the Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization which recognizes researchers who “have contributed mightily to the public understanding and appreciation of science.”

The 2023 recipient of the Early Achievement Award is Sarah E. Wakeman '05 MD'09. Dr. Wakeman is a champion for addressing the overdose crisis, holding various leadership roles at Mass General, in addition to being an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the medical director for the Substance Use Disorder Initiative at Mass General. Her research includes recovery coaching, screening, as well as low threshold treatment models where clinicians help break down barriers for patients struggling to access care. She also evaluates the practice of integrated care in medical settings which attempts to address physician attitudes and practices related to overall approaches to substance use disorder diagnosis and treatment.
Learn more about the posts here: https://alumni-friends.brown.edu/volunteer/recognition/medical-alumni-association-awards

The 2023 recipient of the Senior Alumni Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is Agueda Hernandez '92 MD'96, P'25 MD'29. Dr. Hernandez is a physician-leader, educator, and champion for equity, diversity, and inclusion. She plays a critical role in shaping the future healthcare workforce by ensuring the next generation of physicians has a deep medical, cultural, and practical understanding of what it means to provide equitable, high-quality care to patients of all backgrounds. Congratulations!
Read more about the awards here: https://alumni-friends.brown.edu/volunteer/recognition/medical-alumni-association-awards

Every year, the Brown Medical Alumni Association (BMAA) sponsors a number of awards to recognize distinguished alumni, faculty, and members of the community who support The Warren Alpert Medical School's mission and purpose.

Congratulations to Jennifer Tsai '14 MD'19 - the 2023 recipient of the BMAA's Junior Alumni Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion!

Dr. Tsai is a writer, educator, activist, and emergency medicine physician who uses her unique skill set to advocate for racial equity while drawing attention to the barriers to quality care that marginalized communities regularly face. Tsai’s work expertly highlights the ways in which structural racism impacts the quality of care in communities of color.

Read more about the awards here: https://alumni-friends.brown.edu/volunteer/recognition/medical-alumni-association-awards

Congratulations to Vivek Masson '97 MD'02 on receiving the 2022 Impact in Leadership Award from the Radiology Leadership Institute (RLI). In his role as system chair of radiology, Masson combined previously separate radiology divisions and hospitals into one combined service line, allowing for increased subspecialized care for the local community.

“Over the past few years, I have worked hard to address access to care and systemic bias issues in my local system and community at large,” Masson says. “A significant aspect of the women's center is offering affordable care to populations who would otherwise be unjustly deprived of access. Beyond that, we’re providing state-of-the-art technology, top-quality facilities and exceptional care in underserved communities — we didn’t sacrifice anything. Quite simply, this center has saved lives by providing one-stop screening, diagnosing and treatment for women who have breast cancer, as well as a host of other gynecological malignancies and diseases.”
Read more about the award here: https://www.acr.org/Practice-Management-Quality-Informatics/ACR-Bulletin/Articles/June-2023/Making-an-Impact-in-Leadership

ACR.org Home ACR.org Home page

Congratulations to the MD Class of 2023 who graduated last Sunday and are new members of the Brown Medical Alumni Association. Welcome and congratulations!

Recapping a great Reunion Weekend!

After a year of celebrating, last night's capstone event marked the close of the 50 Years of Medicine at Brown anniversary. This exciting milestone highlighted the visionaries and luminaries that shaped the Medical School, celebrated the partnership between Brown and the Providence community, and toasted to the future.
Highlights from the Grand Finale included President Paxson, BMAA Awards, 5 student speakers, and a packed a tent!

We are excited to welcome Medical School alumni- especially those in classes ending 3 or 8- for a weekend full of exciting events and opportunities to connect with each other and the Warren Alpert Medical School.

Alumna Linda Shiue '93 MD'98 was recently featured in the New York Times Article '10 Nutrition Myths Experts Wish Would Die'. This year is also Linda's double reunion year, and she will be serving as a Class Marshal in the Medical School's Commencement Procession.

Congratulations to the MD Class of 2023 on their recent Match Day! We invite you all to relive the day and celebrate these students by making your gift to the Brown Medical Annual Fund today.
https://bbis.advancement.brown.edu/bbphenix/giving/biomed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGR6sIBqZOs

Match Day 2023

Today marks the end of our 50 Years of Medicine and Match Day campaign. Earlier this month, John Johnson MD'23 matched at Massachusetts General Hospital in Anesthesiology. Congratulations to all who matched, and thank you for following along!

Today's Match Day memories come from Evan Stern '16 MD'20 and Maia Dinsmore MD'22.

Today, we celebrate National Doctors Day, which honors these professionals for their dedication and contributions to society and the community. Thank you to our physicians for putting the patient first time and again and for all that they do for our communities.

Alex Tran '15 MD'19, also a board member of the Brown Medical Alumni Association, shares his Match Day experience as a first-gen student.

More Match Day stories from Alexis Mancini '10 MD'14, Zach Grabel MD'15 and Olivia Linden '12 MD'16.

Almaz Dessie '07 MD'11 F'17 and Annie Wang '07 MD'12 RES'16 continue our 50 Years of Medicine and Match Day series. Both were Program in Liberal Medical Education students and spent 8 years at Brown before their residency programs.

On the Match Days of 2008 and 2009 there was excitement and nervousness for Min Jung Park '05 MMSc'05 MD'08 and Steven Rougas MD'09 RES'13 about staying or leaving the Brown community that had become home for so many medical students.
Photos include Min Jung Park with Juli Ip and the MD Class of 2008 graduation photo.

Brownsyne Tucker Edmonds '00 MD'05 recalls the relief she felt on Match Day 2005.