Profile Ida Stephens Owens Named First Recipient of The Graduate School Distinguished Alumni Award

Ida Stephens Owens grew up in Whiteville, North Carolina. She came to Durham to attend North Carolina College at Durham, now North Carolina Central University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a B. S. degree in Biology in 1961. In March of this same year, the Duke University Board of Trustees voted to integrate its graduate and professional schools. Dr. Owens was recruited to Duke's Graduate School in 1962 by Dr. Daniel C. Tosteson, then chair of the Department of Physiology, who later went on to become president of the American Physiological Society, serve as dean of the Harvard Medical School for 20 years, and be appointed a trustee of Duke. Dr. Tosteson was intentional in his effort to visit surrounding black colleges to identify promising students for advanced study in the sciences. It was during such a visit to North Carolina College that he was introduced to Dr. Owens by Dr. James S. Lee, then chair of Biology at North Carolina College at Durham.

Dr. Owens started her graduate study at Duke in fall 1962, after spending the previous summer doing research in Dr. Tosteson's lab. Under the mentorship of Dr. Jacob J. Blum, James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of Cell Biology, Dr. Owens received her Ph.D. in physiology in 1967, becoming the first African American woman to receive a doctorate from Duke. In 1988, as part of Duke's Sesquicentennial Celebration, Dr. Owens, along with 11 other women pioneers in their fields, was recognized in the Women's Studies Portraits of Women Firsts Project: "These twelve women all set precedents at Duke in their specific areas of interests, yet they represent the history and tradition of women's contributions as a whole to the institution."

After postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in drug biotransformation, Dr. Owens established a highly regarded research lab at NIH. In 1975, as a member of the Laboratory of Developmental Pharmacology in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), she initiated a research program that is now recognized nationally and internationally for its studies on the genetics of human diseases. In 1981, this research program was extended and made into a permanent Section on Drug Biotransformation, and Dr. Owens was named chief. She also was first to determine genetic defects in children with Crigler-Najjar diseases, a rare disorder affecting the metabolism of bilirubin. Currently, she serves as the head of the Section on Genetic Disorders of Drug Metabolism in the Program on Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics (NICHD). Dr. Owens received the NIH-Director's award in 1992 and is recognized throughout the world for her work on drug detoxifying enzymes.

Dr. Owens' research has been published in numerous journals, including the journal of Biological Chemistry, Pharmacogenetics, Biochemistry, and the Journal of Clinical Investigations. In 2009, she was recognized by the American Asthma Foundation as in the top 5% of cited authors for journals in pharmacology. Recognized as a distinguished leader in her field, Dr. Owens has presented her work at national and international scientific meetings. Most recently, Dr. Owens was invited to present her work at the 2013 Gordon Research Conference, established to provide an international forum for the presentation and discussion of frontier research.

Ida Stephens Owens is the inaugural recipient of The Graduate School Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Owens is a proud alumna of Duke who over the years has remained connected to and involved in the life of our university. She has served terms on the Trinity College Board of Visitors and the Women's Studies Advisory Council, and she continues to be sought out as a speaker for alumni groups. As part of the year-long Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the First Black Students at Duke, Dr. Owens has been a regular visitor to campus-sharing her experiences and engaging students and other members of the university community.

Read more:
Ida Stephens Owens Named First Recipient of Grad School's Distinguished Alumni Award

Kathleen Kelley Reardon,pProfessor of Management and Organization, University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and 1971 graduate of the University of Connecticut (UConn) Neag School of Education, has been awarded the 2013 UConn Alumni Association Humanitarian Award.

This award is presented to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to humanity.

Kathleen and her husband, Christopher Noblet '73, '78, have three children. As a painter, she often donates her art work to numerous nonprofits. Her first novel, "Shadow Campus," will be published in June by Blue Mustang Press.

Dr. Reardon will be honored at the Alumni Association Awards Celebration on Friday, October 11 at the UConn Storrs Campus, and the following day at the UConn Homecoming Game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. About the University of Connecticut Alumni Association

The University of Connecticut Alumni Association strengthens lifelong bonds among all members of the UConn family by inspiring pride and providing quality programs and services that enhance the diverse university community. Founded in 1888, the UCAA is a group of former students and friends who care about UConn's future. The goals of the UCAA are to connect 225,000 alumni worldwide, support students, and strengthen UConn. Membership is open to all alumni and friends of the University.

See the rest here:
READER SUBMITTED: UConn Alumna Kathleen Reardon Receives Humanitarian Award

Teens graduating from William Tennent High School in Warminster are ready for the next step in their lives.

Tennents 58th annual commencement was held Thursday in the schools Alumni Stadium.

Before walking to the stadium to receive their diplomas, the graduates shared their thoughts about the future.

Im nervous, but its exciting at the same time, said Emily Erv, 18, of Warminster.

Another student, Andrew Croft, 18, plans to go to college and is considering a career in the technology field. My plans are not yet set in stone, he said.

Amanda Crawford, 18, of Warminster, called high school an awesome experience. It was a lot of fun. Im sad, she said. Ive cried a lot already.

Now that I look back at it, everything at this school was perfect, said Alex Eyzips, 18, of Southampton. I feel more than prepared. I dont really have any concerns. Im trying to get a medical degree and I know that there will always be plenty of jobs in the health industry.

As the high school orchestra played Pomp and Circumstance, family and friends in the stands snapped photos and waved at the graduates taking their seats.

This year, the high school recognized the 50-year reunion of the Class of 1963 and members of that graduating class were among the dignitaries in attendance.

Principal Dennis Best praised the graduating students. Graduates, this is your day, he said. Successful completion of high school represents a significant accomplishment in your lives and it deserves to be celebrated.

Read the original post:
William Tennent High School graduation

Over his career, Dr. Goldberg served at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania from 1959 to 1979 and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center from 1979 to 1986. He was appointed dean of the Temple School of Medicine in 1986.

In 1989, he returned to a full-time role as a nephrologist, professor of medicine, and educator who designed a computer program on electrolytes. He received honors such as the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from Temple's medical alumni.

Dr. Goldberg was the youngest child of Yiddish-speaking immigrant parents, his father a tailor by night, a garment worker by day.

He grew up in the Strawberry Mansion and West Mount Airy sections.

He was influenced by the Sinclair Lewis novel Arrowsmith, which depicts the dramatic career of a brilliant doctor.

Dr. Goldberg at times would sing folk music to charm his family members, according to relatives.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Goldberg is survived by daughters Meryl Gibbons, Karen, and Dara; a son, David; and two grandchildren.

Private burial services were Thursday, June 20. Memorial donations may be made to Temple University Medical School, Department of Nephrology, 3401 N. Broad St., Fourth Floor Parkinson Pavilion, Suite 410, Philadelphia 19140.

Contact Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman at sabdur-rahman@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @sabdurr.

Visit link:
Martin Goldberg; was dean at Temple

Published: 6/21/2013 - Updated: 5 minutes ago

BY ROSA NGUYEN BLADE STAFF WRITER

Covered head to toe in scrubs and surgical gloves, a teen tripped in a room filled with aspiring physicians.

Its OK Im a doctor. I can help, said Andrew Fickert, a 14-year-old who will attend Lincolnview High School next fall.

Andrew is one of 36 participants in CampMed, an annual program designed to give upcoming high school freshmen a taste of medical school. Organized by the University of Toledo College of Medicine and the Area Health Education Center a workforce development program that promotes clinical education in health care the two-day camp was at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus on Thursday and continues today.

The program, which is free to students, is the 16th of its kind, encouraging students to pursue a medical career since 1998.

PHOTO GALLERY: CampMed at UT

CampMed is a place to start, and the next step is to be a strong science and math student in high school so they will be prepared for college, said Kathleen Vasquez, director of the Area Health Education Center. We hear often from our alumni that this experience was very meaningful as they moved through college and into a career.

At least 80 percent of CampMed alumni go to college, and 66 percent pursue a career in the medical field, Ms. Vasquez said.

We had a session this morning in the simulation center, and one of the instructors there attended our second annual CampMed in 1999. Its awesome, said Kathryn Oberhauser, CampMed program coordinator and Area Health Education Center administrative assistant.

Originally posted here:
CampMed teens aim high

Yesterday at 6:24 PM

STAFF REPORT

AUGUSTA Michael LaCombe, an Augusta physician and member of MaineGeneral Medical Center's Cardiology Department, is the new president-elect of the Harvard Medical School Alumni Council. He will become president of the council in the third year, according to a news release from MaineGeneral Medical Center.

click image to enlarge

Michael LaCombe

Contributed photo

LaCombe, who earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in 1968, also serves as professor of Medicine and Medical Humanities at the University of New England.

LaCombe has been a visiting professor at more than 60 universities and was Teacher of the Year for four years at MaineGeneral's Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in 2001, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

In 2011, the American College of Physicians honored LaCombe with the Nicholas Davies Memorial Scholar Award for Scholarly Activities in the Humanities and History of Medicine. Last year, he received an honorary doctor of humane Letters from the University of Southern Maine for his contributions to the fields of medicine and humanities.

The alumni council is composed of 15 members who are elected to three-year terms.

See the original post here:
Augusta doctor to preside over Harvard Medical School Alumni Council

Published on: Thursday, June 20, 2013

By Brandy L. Simms

SILVER SPRING The stars shone brightly at Springbrook High School in early June as Blue Devils basketball alumni came out to support Damon Brooks, a former student-athlete who was paralyzed last year after a freak accident.

Jamal Olasewere, Zaid Hearst, Devon Pestano, Demetric Austin and Folarin Campbell were among the former Blue Devils standouts in attendance at the second annual all-star basketball tournament bearing Brookss name.

The event not only featured former players competing against each other for a good cause but there was also a dunk contest and a variety of raffles.

It brings back the memories, said Olasewere, a 2009 Springbrook graduate. Its a great place to play. [Its] for a good cause. Damons my little brother, I would do anything to help him out any way we can.

Olasewere was part of the Springbrook dynasty during his high school career, helping the Blue Devils capture consecutive Class 4A state championships as a junior and senior.

During his college days at Long Island University-Brooklyn, Olasewere, a 6-foot-7 forward, helped lead the Blackbirds to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and was named the Northeast Conference Player of the Year last season.

Olasewere, who plans to pursue a career in professional basketball, said it was an honor for him to give back to his high school alma mater.

It feels good to know that were all still a family even after all these years, said Olasewere.

See original here:
Stars shine as alumni support paralyzed student

BROOKLYN, NY (PRWEB) June 17, 2013

On June 20th, 2013, the Allen School of Health Sciences, New York's leading healthcare training school, will hold its 53rd annual graduation ceremony at Colden Auditorium in Queens, NY. This year, 1,560 graduates will be added to an alumni base that exceeds 70,000 members and covers five decades.

The fact that we have 1,560 graduates this year is a testament to the amazing job that our faculty and staff do with our students. A great deal of these students have come to Allen School because they see friends or family members who are working in the medical field because of the training that they received here, said Jason Teich, President of Allen School.

This years graduates, from the Queens and Brooklyn campuses, will be celebrating the completion of Allen Schools Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant programs. Students from Allen Schools online Medical Insurance Billing and Coding program are expected to attend from all over the country, and are excited to visit New York City for the very first time with their family and friends.

About Allen School Allen School of Health Sciences has trained over 70,000 medical professional, including students from the medical billing coding training program, over its 50-plus year existence. Learn more about becoming a Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant at Allen School of Health Sciences by visiting http://www.allenschool.edu or by calling 718-206-1300.

Original post:
Allen School of Health Sciences Celebrates 53rd Annual Graduation

Benny Joseph is testing one of those fresh out-of-the-box ideas that could cut his $70,000 in graduate school debt and also forge invaluable networking connections with alumni and venture capitalists to help build his own upstart business.

Joseph, 33, who grew up in Sterling Heights, Mich., and now lives in San Francisco, refinanced his student loans last October through a young California company called SoFi.

SoFi, short for Social Finance, offers a social platform that mixes online loans and also career mentoring. Graduates save while making career connections.

Well-off alumni have a way to give back to the school's students and also connect to bright talent.

The company, with its venture capital backing, books revenue by collecting money management fees and the loan payments plus interest.

Borrowers apply online mostly to refinance to a lower fixed rate, though some original loans are available. The student loan re-fi model won't work for everyone, though. SoFi notes that the loan rates offered would likely be an attractive alternative only to unsubsidized federal Direct and PLUS loans, as well as some private loans.

Once a borrower applies online to refinance, SoFi approaches the current holder of the loan, pays it off and issues a new SoFi loan. The money for the loans is raised from alumni who have at least $100,000 to invest; as well as from venture capital funds and institutional investors.

Joseph cut his interest rate by 1.51 percentage points -- to 5.99 percent from 7.5 percent. He kept his payment at $750 a month but will pay off his debt a year early.

Joseph said the connection to the alumni network has helped him with advice on how to work at building his company, GoodApril, which provides year-round tax guidance.

Most of SoFi's work has involved financing or refinancing MBA loan debt, but the borrower base has been gradually expanding to other degree-holders, such as those with medical school debt. So far, the company has mitigated financial risk by working with degree-holders in high-earning disciplines.

See the original post here:
Susan Tompor: New company refinancing student debt, helping grads find work