Dec. 12, 2017

Illusionist Tony Oberio provided a compelling, evidence-based case for the existence of holiday magic at the annual OHSU School of Medicine Holiday Reception, hosted at The Town Club on Dec. 3 by the school's Alumni Association, with support from the Office of the Dean.

Oberio's sleight-of-hand engaged more than 160 alumni and guests who had gathered to celebrate the season and extend an alumni welcome to Sharon Anderson, M.D. R '82, who was appointed dean on July 5, 2017. Dean Anderson is the second female dean in the school's 130-year history.

"A medical and biomedical research school must build community in order to succeed," said Dr. Anderson in her remarks. "As alumni, you do this by identifying, mentoring and fostering incoming students, by contributing time and resources and by becoming part of the intellectual fabric of our medical and research communities."

Dean Anderson recognized members of the 1887 Society and made a special appeal on behalf of the endowment honoring former Dean Emeritus Mark Richardson. She also outlined key updates in the M.D. and Ph.D. curriculum and noted the success of OHSU's graduate medical education programs in recruiting and retaining excellent physicians to serve the health needs of Oregonians statewide.

Dean Anderson recognized the impact of OHSU President Joe Robertson's retirement, effective June 30, 2018. "Our world was rocked by his announcement," she said. "But this is still a great time to be at OHSU. We are pushing the envelope to bring specialized and primary care to more patients statewide and to partner with communities across the state to enrich the education of our students while providing them with an opportunity to serve."