12th Annual Alumni Reunion and CME Weekend Marks Milestones

A mix of camaraderie, medical education, and merriment characterized the 12th Annual Alumni Reunion and Continuing Medical Education Program, which was held February 8-10 at the Renaissance Hotel in Plantation, Florida.

The alumni weekend kicked off in style with a Friday night reception that allowed family, faculty, and friends to reestablish and/or strengthen old bonds. “The reception is always a great way to get the weekend started,” said Lynne Cawley, M.Sc., director of alumni affairs. “For many, it’s the first time they’ve seen each other since graduation.”

Saturday and Sunday mornings were spent in the Morris Auditorium at the NSU campus in Davie earning CME credits for attending lectures presented by COM alumni. “We always try and get our alumni to deliver the lectures,” said Howard Neer, D.O., FACOFP, associate dean of alumni affairs. “We have a plethora of successful physicians, and they continue to share their knowledge and expertise with others.” In addition, for the first time in its 12-year history, physicians other than NSU-COM alumni were welcome to attend the lectures and earn CME credits, which is a trend Dr. Neer hopes to see continue.

The weekend’s highlight was the Saturday evening banquet, which attracted approximately 175 attendees and honored the classes of 1988 and 1998. “The leaders from the class of 1988 were very diligent in contacting their fellow classmates to come to the reunion,” Cawley stated. “In fact, we seem to get a better response when classmates contact each other directly.”

In addition to honoring COM graduates, Cyril Blavo, D.O., M.P.H., and T.M., director of the college’s Master of Public Health Program, was honored as the 2008 recipient of the Living Tribute Award that recognizes an outstanding faculty/staff member for contributions to the college and the osteopathic profession. It proved to be a truly memorable evening for Dr. Blavo as many of his family, friends, and supporters joined in honoring a great professor and humanitarian whose health initiatives in Ghana have received national recognition. “Dr. Blavo touched the lives of many students, and it has been great seeing the response of alumni giving back to the COM in his honor,” Cawley remarked.

The excitement level regarding the alumni reunion was epitomized by members of the inaugural class of 1985, who have already started making plans for their 25-year reunion in two years. “They’re working on reaching 100 percent participation in 2010,” said Cawley, who admittedly relishes her role as the college’s director of alumni affairs. “You can’t help but love the excitement being generated—and all the credit goes to the continued alumni involvement.”