By Elaine Evans
JABSOM UH Foundation
Prompted by the nostalgic fragrance of plumeria lei sent from home, MD alumni shared memories of their time at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) at dinners hosted recently by Dean Jerris Hedges for JABSOM ‘ohana members in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
Many recalled favorite professors. Some of JABSOM’s first alumni told touching stories that illustrated how caring and dedicated to medical students JABSOM faculty were and how committed they were to seeing the fledgling medical school succeed. The names of Drs. Kekuni Blaisdell, Charlie Judd, and Ben Young came up at every dinner.
Stories told by younger alumni of the encouragement and guidance they received – not just from faculty, but also from alumni who paved the way for them – prove this legacy of caring created by founding faculty members endures fifty years later.
All talked about the quality of the clinical skills and preparation JABSOM provided, giving them a solid foundation before residency training.
During these dinner visits, Dean Hedges and UH Foundation representatives Jeffrie Jones (who has since moved to another State) and Elaine Evans, consistently heard three messages which reinforce for them how special JABSOM is. JABSOM alumni feel exceptionally well-prepared when they begin their residency training. The school’s small size fosters a feeling of ʻohana. JABSOM students feel nurtured and supported. A spirit of collaboration – rather than competition – prevails at JABSOM.
LA, then JABSOM Director of Development Jeffrie Jones with Casey Kaneshiro 2011 and Brent Tatsuno 2012
US News & World Report’s recent ranking of JABSOM as one of the top 20 medical schools in primary care in the nation reinforces the quality of the medical education and clinical training being provided at JABSOM. What polls like this cannot measure, however, is the aloha – demonstrated in abundance at these mainland dinners – that alumni feel for JABSOM and each other. This is what makes JABSOM a truly remarkable institution.
OC Contingent: Back, left to right: Bryan Wahl c/o 1999, Nolan Higa c/o 1976, John Yee c/o 1976, Dean Hedges, Guests Dinsmore Sohn and Herbert Nakasawa, Curtis Lee c/o 1979, Guest Jay Choe; Front, left to right: Susie Foo and Irene Yee, Jacklyn Ma c/o 2011, Leah Nakamura c/o 2007, Sophie Lee.
SD Contingent: Back, left to right: Guests Jean Mefferd and husband Jerold Chun, Timothy Chong c/o 2006, Guest Dan Valentine; Front, left to right: JABSOM Director of Development Jeffrie Jones, Mary Ann Ram with husband Rakhi Ram c/o 1976, Dean Jerris Hedges, Pamela Jones c/o 1989.
Main Photo (at top of story): LA Contingent–Back, left to right: Guest Scott Donnelly with Wade Nishimoto c/o 1984, Rahul Lyenger with wife Margaret Ochner c/o 2009, Casey Kaneshiro c/o 2011, Brent Tatsuno c/o 2012, Guest Dr. Ian Yip, Jordan Lee c/o 2006; Front, left to right: Lorne Platt with wife Leigh Ramos-Platt c/o 2001, Dean Hedges, Ricky Amii c/o 2009, Marion Ho c/o 1990, Eric Lau c/o 2010.