Geraldine Poppa Schechter ’63 

Dr. Schechter, one of the pre-eminent hematologists in the country, is former Chief of Hematology at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC, where she served for more than 40 years and professor emeritus of medicine at George Washington University. Her research contributions have advanced the diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphoid malignancies and autoimmune hematologic disorders. Since 1974, Dr. Schechter has been the cornerstone of hematologic care at the Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She is known for her mentorship, teaching and clinical care skills, and her organizational and editorship roles in hematology in general. Her leadership roles included service in major professional societies such as the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Society of Hematology. Following her retirement as Chief, she continues to work part-time in the VA Hematology Clinic and has continued to consult there by virtual means during the current pandemic. 

Karen Antman ’74 

Dr. Antman is provost of Boston University's medical campus and dean of its school of medicine since 2005. Based on her group's translational research, Dr. Antman developed now-standard regimens to treat sarcomas and mesotheliomas. She has also developed regimens for breast cancer and supportive care of patients receiving chemotherapy, including pharmacology, growth factors, and mobilization of peripheral blood-derived stem cells for blood and marrow transplant. Dr. Antman previously served as deputy director for Translational and Clinical Sciences at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Before that, she was the Wu Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology and director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at VP&S, where she co-directed the cancer care service line at New-York Presbyterian Hospital. Outspoken on public health policy issues, Dr. Antman has testified before Congress on the need for federal research dollars to support cancer research.

Henry Buchwald ’57 

Dr. Buchwald, Professor of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, is a renowned surgeon-scientist in obesity management, atherosclerotic coronary heart disease, and implantable artificial internal organs. He is a pioneer of metabolic and bariatric surgery, with more than 4,000 bariatric cases. Early in his career, Dr. Buchwald discovered that part of the small intestine is the primary site for cholesterol absorption. He developed the partial ileal bypass to lower cholesterol levels, one of the first surgical techniques to treat metabolic disease. Today it remains the most potent therapy for hypercholesterolemia. Dr. Buchwald's landmark trial for the NIH proved the link between lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease. He holds 20 patents for bioengineering devices, including the first implantable infusion pump used in insulin delivery and continuous chemotherapy delivery, among other applications. In 2019, Dr. Buchwald received the Jacobson Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons.

William B. Macaulay ’92 

Dr. Macaulay is Chief of Adult Reconstructive Surgery, the William & Susan Jaffe Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, and Medical Director of International Patient Services at NYU Langone Health, where he oversees 45 hip and knee surgeons across six hospitals. He will serve as president of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons (ABJS) from 2021 to 22. Dr. Macaulay was president of the VP&S Alumni Association from 2009 to 2010 and is co-chair for the class of 1992. He hosted students as part of the Home Away from Home program, which has given medical students lodging with alumni over the holidays. He was formerly the Nas S. Eftekhar, M.D. Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, a perennial member of the VP&S Club Advisory Board and an Advisory Dean at VP&S from 2005 until 2011. A popular faculty advisor, Dr. Macaulay helped shape the careers of more than 200 VP&S students.

Mary Raddawi ’20 

Dr. Raddawi was an exemplary leader at VP&S, where she served as class Vice President and Co-Chair of Outreach. This follows years of service to her undergraduate community at Stanford, where she studied international relations and was awarded the Stanford Alumni Association Award of Excellence. At VP&S, Mary earned praise on clinical rotations for her genuine connection with patients, her holistic thinking, and her communication skills. She volunteered weekly at Columbia Harlem Homeless Medical Partnership, a student-run clinic. Upon early graduation from VP&S in Spring of 2020, Mary supported the front lines of NY-Presbyterian Hospital by working virtually to monitor recently discharged COVID-19 patients, speaking mostly in Spanish. She is now a resident in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-chair for the Class of 2020.

Taiwo Alonge ‘21

Taiwo has distinguished himself academically and as a skilled leader who is exceptionally dedicated and collegial. He was elected by his peers to class president and has worked effectively with faculty and administration as a member of the CUIMC Task Force for Addressing Structural Racism. Taiwo is one of eight students chosen from his class as a Daniel Noyes Brown Scholar for immersion in primary care. He also volunteers weekly at the Columbia Harlem Homeless Medical Partnership, a student-run clinic. On medical rotations, Taiwo earned praise for his exceptional manner of connecting with patients, including challenging ones. He works conscientiously and caringly with each patient, understanding their needs and earning their trust. Taiwo will graduate in 2021 with an additional Master of Public Health degree from Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health.