Alumni News

1970s

Barbara Hales, MD '76 has recently launched her second book, Power to the Patient: The Medical Strategist.

A. Michael Drachler, MD '78 and Carey B. Strom, MD '80 were selected to be inducted as alumni members of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.  

1980s

Frank Erickson, MD '81 was profiled for East Oregonian.

Stuart Markowitz, MD '81, was appointed chief medical officer for Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. 

Terrance P. Flannery, MD '82, was appointed to the Doane Stuart School Board of Trustees.  

Stephen P.Winikoff, MD '82, was recently awarded the Distinguished Physician Award by St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center Foundation in New Jersey for his key role as a physician-leader.

Daniel Wynn, MD '83, was guest speaker at the 7th annual informational meeting of the Sauk Valley MS Support Group.

Mildred Olivier, MD '88, received the Dr. Nathan Davis International Award in Medicine from the AMA Foundation. Additionally, she received the Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation's 2011 Benjamin F. Boyd Humanitarian Award for services on behalf of the Haiti Relief Program. Dr. Olivier presented “The Impact of Disparities in Healthcare” to all first-year RFUMS students on November 30.

On Oct. 15, David T. Feinberg, MD '89, President of the UCLA Health System and CEO of the UCLA Hospital System, visited the RFUMS campus to give a presentation on patient-centered care to more than 100 students, faculty, and staff.
 

1990s

Michael Fiorillo, MD '91 has opened his third Medispa location.

Robert Raquet, MD '92 has received a score of 99% in a national patient satisfaction survey.

Kevin D. Watkins, MD ’93, was named to the Healthy Community Alliance board of directors.

Samuel E. Cross, MD '96 was profiled in The News-Herald as a new staff member at Titusville Area Hospital.

Dennis Kim, MD '96, was appointed Chief Medical Officer at Zagren, Inc., a pharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Chicago Public Schools has announced Stephanie Whyte, MD '96 as the Chielf Health Officer for CPS.

Ardavan Afrasiabi, MD '98 contributed to an article for the Chico News and Review.
 

2000s

Aunita Hill, MD ’02, was profiled for the St. Louis American.

Gina Bell, MD '03 has joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as an assistant professor of family and community medicine.

Jordan Kalcheim, MD '03 has joined the staff at Silver Cross Hospital.

Hammad Amer, MD '04 has joined the staff of Wood County Hospital.  

Daniel F. Kiernan, MD '05, was a guest speaker and vision expert at the Suffolk County Department of Health in New York.

Sunday Olatunji, MD ’05, has joined the Mayo Clinic Health System’s Eye Care Center.

Laura Ragauskaite, MD '06 has joined the Elkhart Clinic and Elkhart General Hospital medical staff.

Advocate Lutheran General has welcomed new physicians Stephen Wielgus, MD '05 and Safia Majid, MD '08. 

Click here to tell us about your practice, recent appointments, residencies, fellowships, awards, and other significant personal and professional news.

In Memoriam

The Chicago Medical School Alumni Association and the extended CMS family were saddened to learn of the passing of the following alumni:

Eugene J. Rogers, MD ’46, FACP

Eugene J. Rogers, MD ’46, FACP, Professor Emeritus and past Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation passed away May 29. 2009.  Born in Vienna, Austria in 1921, Dr. Rogers emigrated to the United States at the age of 16.  He received his baccalaureate degree from the City College of New York in 1943.  He graduated from the Chicago Medical School in 1946 and received his MD degree one year later following completion of his first internship year.  Following service as an Army Captain, Dr. Rogers completed his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at New York Medical College in 1954. Dr. Rogers returned to his alma mater in 1973 as Professor and founding Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a post he held until his retirement in 2005.  He was active as an educator, offering popular M2 electives in sports medicine and physiatry, directing senior electives in PM&R, and serving as advisor to the Physical Medicine student interest group.  It is to Dr. Rogers’ credit that CMS students choose PM&R as a specialty in disproportionately high numbers. Dr. Rogers published throughout his career.  His participation and service to the profession, the Chicago Medical School, and the University were exemplary.  He was a long time member of the University Senate and the CMS Academic Assembly, including a term as Speaker.  He was very active in the Chicago Medical Society, was president of both the Illinois Society and Chicago Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Rogers was a member of the Chicago Medical School Alumni Association since 1946 and served as its president.  He was subsequently named a Distinguished Alumnus of the Chicago Medical School. As he approached retirement in 2005, he was honored by his faculty colleagues, University administration, and the Board of Trustees with designation as a Professor Emeritus. In his letter of support for this honor, Senior Associate Dean Dr. Charles Barsano described Gene Rogers as one of the “most solid and enthusiastic ‘patriots’ of the school.” He was a factor in shaping the school’s history. Dr. Rogers is survived by his wife, Joyce Rogers, and two sons, Robert J. Rogers, MD ’82 and Jay Rogers.  Condolences and contributions to the Eugene J. Rogers, MD, Memorial Award for Excellence in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation may be directed to the Office of Alumni Relations. 


Daniel W. Platt, MD ’49

Daniel W. Platt, MD ’49, a pioneering physician at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, IL, died July 31, 2009. He was 83. Dr. Platt, an anesthesiologist, practiced at Alton Memorial for 48 years, helping the facility — which had only 100 beds when he arrived in 1954 - establish an intensive care unit at a time when only a few hospitals offered such treatment. He is credited with introducing the Alton hospital to the lifesaving technique later known as CPR. He is best known, however, for encouraging the use of a more reliable anesthetic procedure - endotracheal anesthesia, administered through a tube in the throat— on a greater number of patients. Previously, doctors often used ether for all but major operations. In 2002, the hospital renamed its surgical and emergency building in honor of Dr. Platt. At the time of the dedication, Dr. Edward H. Cornell, a surgeon who worked with Dr. Platt for more than 36 years said, “He was the most remarkable doctor this area has ever known.” Dr. Platt, who lived in Ladue, was a native of Scarsdale, NY. He earned his degree from Chicago Medical School. He came to Alton from New York, where he had practiced for a year after serving two years in the Army in the Korean War. Among the survivors are two sons, Drew and Brett; a daughter, Carol Liebau; and seven grandchildren. His wife, Jo Ann Haynes Piatt, preceded him in death.

Irving Liebman, MD ’57

Irving Liebman, MD ’57, 78, passed away on September 13, 2009 in New York City after a long battle with cancer. Beloved husband of 41 years of Doris, devoted father of Elissa, Cheryl, Darlene and Jason, adored Grandfather of Katie, Jake and William, brother of Herbert and Grace, he will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know his quick mind, wit and funny, vivacious spirit. A lifelong resident of New York City, Irving was born in Brooklyn where he attended New Utrecht High School followed by Brooklyn College and later The Chicago Medical School. As a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon, he built a thriving private practice in Manhattan and remained actively engaged in his work until the time of his passing. He was an attending physician at Cabrini Medical Center. He split his time between his homes in New York City and East Hampton where he enjoyed spending summers at the beach with family and friends.
 

Robert J. Schultz, MD ’57

Robert J. Schultz, MD ’57, born in Brooklyn, New York on June 29, 1930, passed away on August 8, 2009. He was an extraordinary man who lived life to the fullest and gave much of himself to make this world a better place. A graduate of Brooklyn College and Chicago Medical School–where he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1984–, Dr. Schultz had a distinguished career in both public service and in his practice as an orthopedic surgeon. He served during Vietnam, attaining the rank of Captain, M.C. United States Navy, and spent close to two years at the Naval hospital in Millington, TN, caring for wounded Vietnam veterans. While serving with the 1st Marine Brigade, he was a member of the Black Sheep Squadron and earned expert rifle and pistol awards, as well as a National Defense Service Medal. Dr. Schultz piloted fixed wing aircraft as well as helicopters. During his professional career, Dr. Schultz became Director of Orthopedics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1967, then both Chairman of Orthopedics at Westchester County Medical Center and Professor of Orthopedics at NY Medical College in 1977 and Chairman of Orthopedics at USF Tampa, FL in 1990. Dr. Schultz was the inventor of artificial finger joints, the Schultz Angle Guide and surgical K-Caps. He authored The Language of Fractures (1972) and was close to publishing a new book on exercising safely to avoid injuries, which will be published posthumously. He lectured worldwide on orthopedics as a visiting professor in Israel, England, France, and the People’s Republic of China, held three professorships and was a 32nd degree Mason. He served as the doctor for the New York Rangers in 1979, was Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission, and was the police surgeon of Westchester County, NY. He also served on the Surgeon General’s Advisory Panel in Washington, DC. Dr. Schultz was an accomplished flamenco guitarist and active athlete. He played football for Tilden High School and Brooklyn College, won medals in skiing and trap shooting, had entered rodeos with his wife in Louisiana in the 1960s, and was an avid tennis player. He is survived by his wife Marcie, daughter Judith, son Andrew, daughter-in-law Erica, and three grandchildren, Jacob, Alexander, and Samuel.
 

Lt. Col. H. Robert Prager MD ’94

Lt. Col. H. Robert Prager MD ’94, 43, of Las Vegas, NV, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2009. He was born on February 6, 1966, in Ithaca, NY, and was a resident of Nevada since 2006. A member of the CMS Class of 1994, Dr. Prager had the highest academic standing in the basic and clinical sciences and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha. He performed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He was a Flight Surgeon in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Robert was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Robert was a member of Temple Beth Sholom, The American Medical Association, Fellow of The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Robert is survived by his wife, Lisa Prager; daughter, Rebecca Samantha Prager (14), and son, Joseph Henry Prager (13) all of Las Vegas, NV; mother and father, Joan and Leonard Prager of Port Jervis, and brother, Michael and his wife, Rochelle Prager of Chicago, IL. Services with full Military Honors were held June 19, 2009 at Temple Beth Sholom. A second Memorial Service was held at the Nellis Airforce Base Chapel on June 23, 2009; at this service a posthumous Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster was presented.