Alumni Celebration

Class Reunions

Below is the schedule of class reunions taking place this month. Some classes have opted to organize in-person events in addition to those planned by the Medical School Alumni Relations team. For information on these activities and a list of classmates who have registered for your reunion, click the tab for your reunion year in the CLASS REUNIONS section below the Schedule on this web page.

NOTE: all times listed are Central Daylight Time.

• Class of 1960  Saturday, October 23, 11 am 
• Class of 1961  Saturday, October 16, 11 am
• Class of 1965  Saturday, October 16, 2 pm
• Class of 1966  Friday, October 15, 11 am
• Class of 1970  Sunday, October 17, 5 pm
• Class of 1971  Thursday, October 14, 7 pm
• Class of 1990  Saturday, October 9, 6 pm
• Class of 1995  To be scheduled

MEDx Alumni Showcase

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In this two-part series, we highlight the achievements of Medical School alumni, who share their insights in thought-provoking MEDx talks.

THE POWER OF MUSIC IN MEDICINE

Dr. Patience Reich, MD Class of 1997
As a physician and jazz musician, Dr. Reich will to touch on her own experience in the area of music as medicine as well as some of the exciting research on music’s therapeutic potential and the growing evidence pointing to a range of musical medical benefits for stroke recovery, Parkinson's disease, dementia and pain management.

LESSONS FOR CLINICIANS, CLINICIAN RESEARCHERS AND MEDICAL EDUCATORS

Dr. Byron Hoogwerf, MD Class of 1971
Dr. Hoogwerf will reflect on lessons learned through a series of vignettes from influential people met over the course of his career, including CJ Watson (first day at the Medical School), Robert ten Bensel, (Medical School advisor), Frederick Goetz and Donald Hunninghake (UMN mentors), Peter Schumacher (Chair at the Cleveland Clinic) and Carl Stokes (patient).

WHAT IF? CHANGING THE CLASSICAL PARADIGM OF CONTROL IN MEDICINE

Dr. Erin King, Residency Class of 2011
In a thought-provoking frame shift discussing the payment and decision-making models of medicine, Dr. King will explore answers to questions such as, "what if we didn’t have secondary payers? What if we were provided a menu of options for treatment (with cost) and chose our own future? What if we improved respect for physicians and medical professionals?"

Indigenous Identity

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Mary J. Owen, MD

Director, Center of American Indian and Minority Health

Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and BioBehavioral Health, Duluth Campus

BRIEF READINGS

The following articles were discussed during the presentation. To enrich your participation, please read the following prior to viewing the event:

• Germany's obsession with Native Americans is touching- and occasionally surreal
• Nature Poem by Tommy Pico 

For a subject worked and reworked so often in novels, motion pictures, and television, American Indians remain probably the least understood and most misunderstood Americans of us all.

— John F. Kennedy

JFK's words remain as true today as they were over 50 years ago. This seminar will introduce participants to just a few of the critical factors that complicate American Indian and Alaska Native identity. Importantly, the question of who is and who isn't Native is one that reverberates through Indian Country, and will likely continue to do so for decades to come. We will review at least two articles that address just a couple of facets of "being Native." Following a short presentation of other components of identity participants will break into groups to discuss the readings and presentation. Time permitting, participants will then reconvene to share some of their group discussion. The hour will end with a summary of readings, presentation, and discussion.

Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Medical School

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Ana Nùñez, MD, FACP

Vice Dean, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Medical School
Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine
Integration Strategist, Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)

The Medical School strives to create an atmosphere where differences are valued and celebrated, knowing institutional diversity fuels the advancement of knowledge, promotes improved patient care and fosters excellence. We especially strive to have our community better reflect the broad range of identities in our state, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, national origin, religious practice, socioeconomic status, and rural or first generation status. Dr. Núñez will outline activities addressing and advancing the diversity, equity, and inclusion of faculty, staff, and students within the Medical School, invite questions from participants, and highlight the ways alumni can contribute to these initiatives.

Indigenous Elders' Lessons on Successful Aging and What You Can Do to Age in a Good Way

Jordan Lewis, PhD, MSW

Professor, Department of Family Medicine and BioBehavioral Health, Duluth Campus
Associate Director, Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team

Dr. Jordan Lewis's research explores Indigenous successful aging in Alaska and aims to translate the lessons and experiences of Elders to improve the health and wellbeing of all generations. This presentation will provide an overview of Dr. Lewis's research, discuss what it means to age successfully, or in "a good way," and share lessons you can apply to your own life to help you explore what you can do to age successfully. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the presentation. 

Alumni Town Hall

Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD

State of Medical Education

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Mark Rosenberg, MD

Vice Dean for Education, Medical School
Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension

Learn about advances in medical education, including how the faculty and students have adapted to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel of students will join Dr. Rosenberg to share their perspectives on their education and their accomplishments as the next generation of physicians.

Exploring Gender Equity in Medicine with the Center for Women in Medicine and Science (CWIMS)

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Jerica Berge, PHD, MPH, LMFT, CFLE

Director, Center for Women in Medicine and Science (CWIMS)
Director, Women’s Health Research Program/Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH)
Director, Healthy Eating and Activity across the Lifespan (HEAL), Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
Vice Chair for Research, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

Kait Macheledt

Program Coordinator, Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH)

Join University of Minnesota Center for Women in Medicine and Science (CWIMS) leaders while we explore foundational concepts that are influential in building towards a more gender-equitable field while also looking to data-driven national and local snapshots that illuminate the state of gender equity in medicine now.

Scholarship Connection: Celebrating Alumni Generosity

Join the University of Minnesota Foundation in celebrating the life-changing impact alumni make through their support of scholarships at the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. Hear from scholarship recipients past and present as they recount their journey to medical school, reflect on their greatest accomplishments, and share their plans for the future.