Reunion 2005 a Huge Success

Reunion 2005 was a time of renewing old friendships, sharing fond memories, and making some new ones. Celebrating were alumni from the class years ending in a "0" or "5." Alumni dating all the way back to the class of 1935 to the Class of 2005 attended the festivities.

Due to construction, all events this year were held at the Marriott Kingsgate Conference Center located on the Medical Center Campus. Friday began with a continental breakfast, followed by an update on the exciting renovation of the Medical Sciences Building (MSB) and the construction of the Center for Academic Research Excellence/Crawley Building. Alumni were then led on tours of the College and the Medical Center--accompanied by current medical students. Afterwards, alumni and guests attended a delicious lunch buffet in the Caminetto Restaurant.

This year's Scientific Session, "Cutting-Edge Advances in Medical Imaging" completed the day at Kingsgate. Friday evening, alumni celebrated at individual class parties hosted by local alumni and class representatives in private homes or area restaurants. This private gathering of each class was a fun time!

Early Saturday morning alumni enjoyed a continental breakfast before embarking on a bus tour--highlighting the many changes that have taken place on east and west campuses. The tour was completed with a guided walking tour of the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Following the tour, alumni and friends attended a financial and estate planning seminar. Afterwards, alumni were treated to a Cincinnati-style luncheon of Skyline Chili and Graeter's ice cream.

Reunion weekend came to a close with a festive all-class banquet and dance Saturday evening. The Golden Anniversary Class of 1955 and the Silver Anniversary Class of 1980 were specially honored. As a special treat, Joseph Nishimoto '55 brought with him from Hawaii handmade leis for his classmates and their spouses. The Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to John E. Albers '55, Frederick J. Kaskel '75, and Ronald G. Strauss '65. Also, special mention was made about the Dean's Named Scholarship Program. Gordon Stoney '55 and his wife, Joanne, were the first to establish a named scholarship through this program.

2005 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners

John E. Albers, MD '55 Retired Cardiovascular Surgeon Past Chairman of AMA Council on Continuing Physician Education Past Chairman of Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)	Frederick J. Kaskel, MD '75 Vice-Chairman Affiliate & Network Relations Department of Pediatrics Children's Hospital at Montefiore, New York	Ronald G. Strauss, MD '65 Professor of Pediatrics Professor of Pathology and Medical Director Elmer L. DeGowin Memorial Blood Center University of Iowa College of Medicine

Melissa Maykuth Burgett '05 received the annual Medical Alumni Association Student Award. A graduating senior, Melissa was selected by her fellow classmates because of a variety of activities she participated in while at the UC College of Medicine. These included serving on the COM Admissions Committee and working as an early intervention HIV counselor at University Hospital.

In 2003, her classmates also selected Melissa to receive the Swain Memorial Award for best exemplifying the qualities of treating people on equal terms, showing concern for fellow classmates, and possessing the skill to transfer the drudgery of the first two years of medical school into an enjoyable experience for all.

Melissa has been accepted into a residency training program in pediatrics at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont.

Special Thanks to Class Reunion Representatives