Alumni A message from Jean E. Ramsey, MD, MPH Associate Dean for Alumni Affairs “I am so proud to be sitting here with my classmates from 1994—we haven’t been back to this campus for 25 years. When was the last time you visMy advice to the students sitting up ited the BUSM campus? Chances are, there have been changes since there: once you leave and go off to do your residencies, don’t wait 25-plus then. We hope you are receivyears to come back!” ing our BUSM Alumni e-NewsletHer enthusiastic contingent of ter to help keep you up to date classmates wholeheartedly agreed. on what’s happening at BUSM in Many Early Medical School between your visits. If you don’t see it in your inbox, give us a call at Selection Program (EMSSP) alumni also returned to BUSM during the 617-358-9525. three-day EMSSP Homecoming. A Recently, a number of alumni mix of social and mentoring time have returned. Class of 1969 among alumni, current medical stureunioners joined us for Alumni dents, and EMSSP undergraduates Weekend and were honored at a made this a unique and exhilarating special luncheon, during which the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award opportunity. We plan to continue these activities moving forward, so was presented to Ralph Sacco please stay tuned! (MED’83) [see page 35]. Many Our photos on pages 36–38 offer took the microphone spontaneously a glimpse of what it’s like to interact to talk about how they met their spouses at medical school and how with students and alumni on campus today. Other photos from Alumni they relied on their colleagues for Weekend and EMSSP Homecoming support. It was wonderful for all of us to hear them share their heartfelt can be found at facebook.com/ BUSMAlumniAssociation. stories with each other. On behalf of the entire alumni The 25th reunioners told stories, too! During the Deans’ Town team, we hope to see you at future Hall event, Diana Perry (MED’94) events to experience the alumni community for yourself. You may be expressed her excitement at being back on campus and offered pleasantly surprised! Please stay in touch. We always these words of advice to students welcome your feedback and ideas! n and others: DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS,
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CONTACT US: If you have news, announcements, or creative works you’d like to share with your fellow alumni, please write to the BUSM Alumni Association at 72 E. Concord Street, L120, Boston, MA 02118 or email us at alumbusm@bu.edu.
Alumni Profile: Reshma Kewalramani, MD (MED’98) A force multiplier for advancing medicine in the interest of patients
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ecently named the next president and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Reshma Kewalramani (CAS’98, MED’98) will tell you she has lived a charmed life, despite the challenges she faced as an immigrant to the United States and in cultivating her work ethic, leadership qualities, and dedication to education and mentorship. Currently Vertex’s chief medical officer and vice president, global medicines development and medical affairs, Dr. Kewalramani is the first woman to head a major biomedical company in the country. “Vertex is a company that tackles grave diseases with high unmet need where we understand causal human biology,” she says. “This is incredibly meaningful to me, becoming my life’s work. What really drives me is advancing medicine in the interest of patients. I am in awe of what this company has done. The scientists and clinicians of Vertex deserve enormous credit.” She previously spent 12 years at Amgen in research and development. An honors graduate of the Boston University combined seven-year liberal arts/medical education program, she is an internist with a specialty in nephrology. Born in Bombay, India, she and her family immigrated to the US when she was 11 years old. Coming from what she calls “a typical, close-knit Indian family,” she notes, “As an immigrant, you learn to be resilient and comfortable with change. Even though I spoke English, no one knew it because of my heavy accent. My clothes were different. I wasn’t familiar with pop culture, but I learned to work really hard and be grateful for opportunities. Winter 2020 | bumc.bu.edu
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