Health Professions Alumni Connection Alumni Connection is published by the SUNY Upstate Medical University Health Professions Alumni Association. Distribution is free to college alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends. Alumni Director: Mary Knepper Writer: Kristen Penfield Design: John Danial Design BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Anthony Kurec, MS ’86 Vice President Joseph Nicoletti, RRT ’76, RN Treasurer Robert Sunheimer, CLS ’74 Erik Boergesson, BS ’95, RRT-NPS Joseph Colello, RRT ’12 Susan Corieri, MT ’84 Laura Dell’Aiera, CP ’14 Trevor Farnsworth, MS, PA-C ’12 Mary Gleason, RT ’18 Brian Goodrich, RT ’14 Thomas Grady, RT ’88 Allison Lewis, PA ’12 Christine Pastore, DPT ’13 Josephine Przepiora, MT ’00/MS ’10 Nicole Tomasello, CP ’11 Jim Vossler, MT ’81 Gabriel Yankowitz, DPT ’83 Emeritus David Clemente, MIS ’93 Michelle Pisik, MIS ’72 Ex-Officio Members Mantosh Dewan, MD Interim President, Upstate Medical University Eileen M. Pezzi, MPA VP for Development, Upstate Medical University Katherine Beissner, PhD, PT Dean, College of Health Professions Mary Knepper Health Professions Alumni Director Send address corrections to: Health Professions Alumni Office Upstate Medical University 750 E. Adams Street – CAB 326 Syracuse, NY 13210 315-464-4416 chpalum@upstate.edu RT student remembered as strong and compassionate Lucy Reff proudly takes a selfie on her first day of clinical It is especially difficult when the Upstate campus experiences the untimely loss of a student who is on the threshold of a new stage in life, almost ready to begin their professional career. In January, second year Respiratory Therapy student Lucy Reff lost a brief battle with a sudden illness. Lucy’s name will live on at Upstate, though. Her family and friends are raising funds for an endowed scholarship as a tribute to her many accomplishments. The Clayton, NY, community where she grew up has been especially supportive. The scholarship will be awarded to a second year RT student based on excellence in clinical performance. “This was an area where Lucy really shined,” said RT Program Chair Claire Aloan, MS, RT, RRT-NPS, FAARC (AAS ’74). “She was just wonderful with patients and had a gift for teaching.” Her family noted that Lucy was “strong, tough, and spoke her mind with ease and respect.” She loved the outdoors, dance, and animals, and was an accomplished equestrian. Lucy’s desire to help others led her to choose the path of Respiratory Therapy, and also made it easy for her family to make the decision to donate her organs. Lucy was a 2014 graduate of Thousand Islands High School and a 2017 graduate of Jefferson Community College with an Allied Health Degree. She was set to graduate from Upstate Medical University in May of 2019. She and Skyler Weston had set a wedding date for the following August. The first Lucy Reff Scholarship was awarded last summer to Suad Velic, RT Class of 2020. “I very much appreciate this award,” said Suad. “I may have only known Lucy for a short period of time, but this award will allow her memory to be everlasting. I am proud to be the recipient of the Lucy Reff Scholarship.” To help grow the scholarship endowment, call 315-464-4416 or give online at www.upstatefoundation.org/chpalumni/ donate Grant award will help launch summer program for urban high school students The Green Family Foundation awarded a $23,000 grant to support a five-week summer pilot project at Upstate’s College of Health Professions. The program will introduce underrepresented and/ or economically disadvantaged Syracuse city high school students to the wide array of health care professions – not just jobs but lifelong careers that can provide a secure economic future for these students while helping to increase diversity in the local health care workforce. Using a case-based design structured around human organ systems, students will explore anatomy, physiology and pathology as well as diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that expose them to a variety of health careers. Classes will include library skills, communication/presentations, leadership development and ongoing interaction with Upstate faculty and students. Give online at 2 | SUNY Upstate Medical University www.upstatefoundation.org/chpalumni or call 315-464-4416. Health Professions Alumni Connection Winter 2020
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