REUNION WEEKEND APPROACHES

The weekend of April 9-10 will be action-packed at the College of Medicine. It's a reunion weekend for ALL alumni of the medical school AND its predecessor, the PIMS program. This year, the spotlight especially falls on the alumni from the Class of 2005 (pictured above when they were still fresh-faced young med students), who five years ago were the first graduates of this college.

What's more, 10 years ago was when the governor signed into law the measure that created the College of Medicine. We'll be celebrating that anniversary all year, but especially during the reunion weekend. On Friday, April 9, Florida State President Emeritus Sandy D'Alemberte will reminisce about the early days of uncertainty, determination and hard, hard work. Dozens of people who were crucial to the creation of this college will be on hand for his CME lecture and the reception that follows.

That's just a small slice of what has been scheduled for the weekend, both at the medical school and across campus. Consider:

* An open house and a tour of the College of Medicine.

* A performance by the FSU Flying High Circus.

* A tailgating event in the courtyard, in preparation for …

* The spring football game, the first under newly designated head coach Jimbo Fisher.

* Activities for children.

This is too good to miss. For more information and to let your classmates and friends know that you plan to attend the reunion, visit www.med.fsu.edu/alumni.

DR. ERIN CONNELLY, CHIEF RESIDENT

The number of College of Medicine alumni who become chief residents continues to grow. Latest on the list is Erin Connelly, M.D., Class of 2007. According to Joan Meek, pediatric clerkship director on the Orlando regional campus, Connelly has been named one of the two fourth-year pediatric chief residents for the 2010-2011 academic year for the Orlando Health Pediatric Residency Program. Dr. Meek reported:

"Dr. Connelly is currently in her third and final year of pediatric residency. We had a number of very well qualified candidates for the position this year. Dr. Connelly has been exemplary in her knowledge base, clinical skills, teaching and leadership skills, and, most especially, has been a model of professionalism. Dr. Connelly also has become a staunch child advocate in our local community and has taken a leadership role in our community pediatrics initiative, In the Zone, in conjunction with the Parramore Kids Zone in Orlando. Dr. Connelly hopes to complete a fellowship in child abuse after the chief resident year. Erin is well respected by the faculty, staff and her peers."

PLEASE DON'T FORGET US, DEAR ALUMNI

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