Dear colleague: 

Last Wednesday evening, members of the campus community gathered in solidarity with Pittsburgh to honor the victims of shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue and support one another with empathy and compassion. The candlelight vigil included comments by guest speaker Rabbi Brian Field, who also led those gathered in a recitation of the Kaddish, a traditional Jewish prayer of mourning. Reflections by students and faculty focused on our common humanity and solidarity against violence and intolerance. 

The annual Dean’s Circle Dinner to thank alumni for supporting the School of Medicine was last Thursday, November 8, at the Wellshire Inn in Denver. We are extraordinarily fortunate to have alumni support and pride in our School. Through their support, we have boosted scholarships and provided stethoscopes to all matriculating medical students, establishing strong bonds between distinguished alumni and the next generation of physicians. I would like to thank our Medical Alumni Association for hosting the annual event.

In the past week, a number of people with ties to our campus were recognized. The 2018 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon was held at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, November 9. This event, attended by more than 800 people, presents awards related to philanthropy in a number of categories. Ted Harms of the Anschutz Foundation was recognized as the “Grantmaker of the Year.”  Ted and The Anschutz Foundation have been invaluable partners of the School and the campus, and of many additional causes in Colorado and nationally. Laura Barton was recognized as the “Philanthropist of the Year.”  Laura has been a strong and sustained supporter of Children’s Hospital Colorado, serving on both the hospital and foundation boards, as well as a number of other causes in Colorado. Congratulation to both of these valued partners. Videos shown at the luncheon about the awardees are available online as is a complete list of the honorees. On Saturday evening, the American Cancer Society held its Champions of Hope Gala to raise money to support cancer research.  This year’s honoree was our Chancellor, Don Elliman, who noted that the Anschutz Medical Campus is the site of outstanding clinical cancer care and exciting research that is translating into improved survival and quality of life for those with cancer. 

Congratulations to graduate student Jacki Essig and post-docs Courtney Wilson and Christy Beitzel who spearheaded a collaboration with Soaring Heights PK-8 school in Erie to develop a neuroscience-based public school curriculum. The work, accomplished while all three were graduate students in the Neuroscience Training Program, was featured in a Colorado Public Radio report. 

The CU Board of Regents met this week in Colorado Springs, where they held the first meeting of the Presidential Search Committee. It was the final meeting for Regents Stephen Ludwig and Kyle Hybl, who were awarded emeritus status. Two new regents were elected on November 6: Lesley Smith to the at-large seat, and Chance Hill to the District 5 seat. In addition to the two new regents, the congressional district that includes the Anschutz Medical Campus will have a new representative. Jason Crow will represent the 6th Congressional District when the House of Representatives is sworn in next January. 

The Office of Veteran & Military Student Services will host a Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, November 14, on the Student Community Bridge between the Education 2 North and South buildings. Everyone is invited to stop by to grab a bite to eat, enter a prize drawing, and visit with our staff and military-affiliated students and friends. When we honor veterans for their service, we are also letting them know that we never forget the sacrifices they make for our country’s security and freedom. 

Have a good week, 

John J. Reilly, Jr., MD
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and
Dean, School of Medicine