Alumni Notes, Fall 2023

Dear CHOP Alumni Family,

Remember our CHOP Alumni Motto: Keep … Tradition, Keep … in Mind, Keep … in Touch!

I hope that you have all had a good summer with a little R&R scheduled. I don’t take summer vacation in the summer—it’s too hot and too crowded, and I usually cover clinical service for my colleagues who are vacationing.

I’ll take some time this fall to visit Scotland and Sweden for some work—but fun work!

And now to catch you up on CHOP Alumni news:

Keep … Tradition: I will report on an old tradition and a brand-new tradition for the Alumni Organization. First the old: At the Annual Meeting of the Medical Staff, we bestowed the hospital’s highest honor, the Richard D. Wood Distinguished Alumni Award, on Dr Potsic earned his undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Illinois in 1965 and his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1969. But in true “life-long learner” fashion, he also earned an advanced management program certificate from Wharton in 1994, a certificate of medical management from the American College of Physician Executives at Tulane University in 1996, and a Master of Medical Management from Tulane in 1998. And he put all that education to work for his patients, the Division of Otolaryngology, and CHOP, where he served his patients as Chief for 34 illustrious years.

Dr Potsic is proud of his role in establishing the Center for Child Communication and the Cochlear Implant Program at CHOP.  Dr Potsic is still—to this day—the “go-to guy” for advice for junior faculty for career development. The Department of Surgery recognized this generous aspect of his personality by establishing the William P. Potsic, MD, Mentor Award in 2016.

I am also excited to introduce a NEW annual recognition this year. There are many wonderful physicians from this wonderful hospital who have devoted their careers—their time, incredible talent, and energy—to serve the CHOP community in remarkable ways. The Alumni Organization has developed a new award to recognize our colleagues who have provided extraordinary service to CHOP over their careers. This award will be known as the Patrick Pasquariello Service Award and will be given annually to a past or present faculty member who has served the CHOP and Philadelphia community with great distinction.

In its inaugural year we presented this award posthumously to its namesake, “Dr Pat,” as he was affectionately known. He started his tenure at CHOP as an intern in 1961 and never left, working tirelessly at CHOP for more than 54 years. Known for his caring and supportive bedside manner and his reassuring tone, he continued to care for patients until his passing in 2015. He believed all children should have good medical care and worked with staff and his residents to go into neighborhoods to ensure it was provided.

Dr Pat held many CHOP leadership positions, including Director, Office of Continuing Education; interim Chief, Division of General Pediatrics; and Director of both the Spina Bifida Program and the Diagnostic and Complex Care Center. He initiated multidisciplinary programs for spina bifida, cleft palate, craniofacial reconstruction, and 22q11.2 deletion. In 1989, Dr Pat showcased his diagnostic skills by creating the Diagnostic and Complex Care Center, treating thousands of children from all over the country

with difficult-to-diagnose medical problems. CHOP honored his remarkable legacy with the Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr. Endowed Chair in General Pediatrics. Dr Pat was also a great advocate of women, and was a confidante to many female professionals, making them feel positive and special in an era when women faced workplace challenges. Our own Carol Pasquariello, MD, accepted the award in honor of her father.

Keep … in Mind: Getting involved with the Alumni Organization has never been easier, more rewarding, and impactful! I hope you’ll consider making a gift, as well. Visit www.chopalumni.org today.

And finally, Keep ... in Touch! The Alumni Association is ready to help you organize a reunion. This fall, we will be welcoming back the residency class of 1998 for its 25th reunion! Many classes have made generous donations to the hospital as part of their reunion. If you are interested in organizing a class reunion, please be in touch, as we are happy to help support your efforts. And as always, if you have exciting news to share with us, please drop me an email (Christian@chop.edu). We love hearing what everyone is up to. Until next time, enjoy, work hard, but not too hard, and keep in touch.

Cindy W. Christian, MD, President, CHOP Alumni Association