Mark Hattenhauer, M.D. ’66, R ’72, R ’74, answers our questions. He is this year’s OHSU School of Medicine Alumni Association Council president.

September 15, 2015

What's your background?

I graduated from OHSU in 1966 and received my residency and cardiology training at OHSU, finishing and starting practice near Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH) in 1974. In 1981, I started an interventional program at GSH. I was fortunate to be able to help train cardiologists from Vancouver, Bend and Salem in this new field. I also traveled to Boise and Yakima to help train cardiologists in coronary angioplasty. I joined the OHSU cardiology faculty in 2002 as an interventionalist. I retired from OHSU a little over three years ago. I spend my retirement playing tennis, working out, reading and traveling with my wife, Chris.  I especially enjoy learning new stuff about history and our amazing planet utilizing The Great Courses lectures. 

What will the alumni association be working on this year? 

The SMAA’s number one priority is to support medical students, residents and graduate students and to make connections with alumni that will mutually benefit OHSU, its students and alumni. We have in place a number of annual programs to help accomplish these goals, including HOST (Help Our Students Travel) and specialty and non-specialty speed-dating where MS1 and MS2s can meet with practitioners to discuss their fields of expertise. We host a Match Day reception for the graduating M.D. class. We are responsible for giving out various awards to recognize deserving alumni. One of our main activities is to nurture and support M.D. class reunions. I am currently coordinating my class of 1966 50th class reunion, and the help I have received has been exceptional.

This year, we are working on a program that will allow students access to cultural and other events at a discount in an effort to enhance wellness, which is a huge topic of importance in our profession.  Also, we are asking our medical students, residents and graduate students to help us create new programs that would enhance their overall experience at OHSU.

When people ask you what’s going on at the school these days, what do you tell them?

I mostly emphasize the great need for financial assistance in the form of scholarship support as the cost of education is quite expensive. I know because our son just graduated in June from medical school. Another is the amazing and exciting changes with the renovations on the main campus, the development of the South Waterfront, technological advances in teaching techniques and the new M.D. curriculum, YOUR MD.   

What are ways alumni can get involved?

Look up our new web page at www.ohsu.edu/som/alumni and you will find information about our activities. We have three-year council terms with the possibility of re-upping for another term. We have three main council meetings a year and one to two committee meetings a year. Interested alumni should contact any of the council members or staff by email.

What’s the best part about being president?

I enjoy staying involved with the school because it changed my life for the better in so many ways. I am indebted and hence committed to doing my part in helping OHSU achieve the best reputation possible for being a great center for education, patient care and research.It is also a privilege to work with our council’s great staff and high-quality council members, not to mention having an opportunity interact with our bright young students and trainees.