The Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation hosted its graduation dinner for its fellows last week at the Marriott Hotel in Coralville. The three departing fellows were, in the words of Dr. Usha Perepu, Associate Director of the program, perfectly balanced, each one providing strengths to complement the others. Where one excelled at providing the kind of stern feedback that would form lasting impressions with trainees, another could adapt to changing circumstances with a cheerful disposition. But regardless of the role they filled, Program Director Dr. Dan Berg was emphatic in just how much they would be missed.
After a brief social hour, Division Director Dr. Steve Lentz welcomed members, family, and friends. Dr. Lentz recognized and thanked two retiring faculty members for their years of service as well as two staff members who, he says, are the ones really responsible for the division’s success. He welcomed new faculty members joining the division, including one of the graduating fellows. And Dr. Lentz announced the winners of two awards: the 2017 Advanced Practice Provider Excellence Award went to ARNP Pat Schwickerath and the 2017 Faculty Teaching Award went to Dr. Muhammad Furqan.
Dr. Berg briefly described the fellowship program and offered his thanks to Fellowship Coordinator Jana Ringle. Then he and Dr. Perepu each introduced the graduating fellows and offered them the opportunity to offer some thanks of their own. All had kind words for mentors who guided them through particularly difficult chapters of their previous three years and gratitude for the experiences that would carry them through the coming years.
The evening concluded, as with last year, with a light-hearted and affectionate roast of both faculty and fellows from Dr. Ravi Patel. Congratulations to Dr. Patel, Dr. Rohan Garje, and Dr. Grerk Sutamtewagul. Thank you for your years of dedicated service and best wishes for what is to come!