Throughout the history of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, our graduates have made a
H.A. “Rick” Fonken, MD ’59
The Silver and Gold Award, the association’s highest honor, recognizes excellence in
hu-manitarianism, citizenship
Fonken, president of the Class of 1959 and an ophthalmologist, has regularly supported the Medical Alumni Association and the School of Medicine. He served on the alumni board of directors for 11 years and as president of the association for three years.
He was a dedicated member of the admissions committee, which he describes as “a humbling experience” due to the quality of the applicants. He is a member of the Heritage Society and of the Dean’s Circle. One of his outstanding contributions
was spearheading, with help from colleagues, the Stethoscope Sponsorship Program. The fund provides a stethoscope to each incoming
medi-cal student at the School of
Fonken chose ophthalmology because, as he puts it, “the eye is a fantastic extension of the brain.” After medical school, Fonken served two years as
Fonken lives in Fort Collins with his wife Elaine.
David S. Gordon, MD ’67
This award is given for outstanding service to the alumni association and to the School of Medicine.
Gordon, an oncologist and a native of Denver, was an immunology research fellow in the laboratories of the Nobel laureate, Sir Peter Medawar, at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, UK. He later developed a laboratory immunology program for the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control where he became director of the Immunology Division and was involved in the early years of the HIV epidemic. He also was
Since 2002 Gordon and his wife, Penelope, have lived in northern Michigan, where he is developing a community cancer center with his clinical colleagues.
When he’s not leading immunology research, founding biotech companies or helping de-velop cancer centers, Gordon is active in the Medical Alumni Association. He served two terms on the board of directors and helped establish a scholarship program with Class of 1967 colleagues.
Bruce A. Mallin, MD ’64
Mallin was recognized for his outstanding service to the community, the practice of
While much of Mallin’s career has been in his native Arizona, his
Mallin says he has gained much satisfaction in humanitarian service to the underserved—a passion that has taken him to Israel and to rural areas of South America. Closer to home, Mallin has regularly served at the St. Vincent de Paul clinic in Phoenix.
Mallin’s daughter Emily, who is also a physician, says: “Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of my father’s patients. I am always struck but never surprised that invariably they remember him as one of the most compassionate and caring physicians they have ever known.”
Mallin retired from private practice in orthopedic surgery a few years
To support and enhance our mission, this year and each year going
In its inaugural year, we were pleased to present scholarships to two successful and well-rounded members of the Class of 2014, both who have since graduated: Benjamin Medrano, MD, and Brandon Sawyer, MD.
To make a gift to the Medical Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 303-724-2518.