MD Class of 1975

Jan, 2019

Jeffrey L. Purvin writes: “After a long career in business, I’m working full-time with my wife, Francesca, on the University of Fashion website, where she’s handling the fashion end and I’m handling the business end. It’s been a great way for me to learn some new skills and keep my brain sharp in retirement. I’m taking a break from music after rejoining my Brown bandmate, Mark Blumenkranz ’72, ’75 MD, ’76 MMSc and the Fabulous Kangaroos a few years ago in Silicon Valley. I’ve stayed in touch with many of my other Brown classmates, including Mike Byers ’71, Noah Dorsky ’74, Peter Mansfield ’71, Eric Oliner ’72, and Peter Reinke.”
 

 

Obituaries

Aug, 2023

John A. Horneff ’71, ’75 MD, of Charlottesville, Va.; Mar. 24, from complications of metastatic colorectal cancer. He was a member of the “Charter Twelve” first graduating class of Brown medical students (see “Build Your Own MD,” Jan.-Mar. ’23). He completed residencies in anatomic pathology at the University of Chicago and in internal medicine at Northwestern University, and a fellowship in clinical oncology at the National Cancer Institute. Disillusioned by experiences with specific individuals and systems in academic medicine, he changed paths and pursued his other passion, photography. As an independent thinker and a creative photographer, he was drawn to seeing ideas and objects unconventionally. He particularly enjoyed finding obscure visual features and relationships in the natural and human-built worlds and creating new images based on, but not anchored to, conventional ways of seeing. He was an avid follower of current events, constantly connecting them to historical precedent to compare and contrast personalities and events in an effort to understand historical and political movements. He enjoyed playing chess. He is survived by his wife, Christine Peterson ’72.

Jun, 2022

Joseph A. DiLorenzo ’71, ’73 MMSc, ’75 MD, of Saunderstown, R.I.; Jan. 12. He opened his own internal medicine practice in Cranston and was affiliated with Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center. He was an avid camper and enjoyed hiking and canoeing. He is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, and seven nieces and nephews.

Apr, 2022

William Graham ’72, ’75 MD, of Phoenix; Oct. 24. He was a graduate of Brown Medical School’s first class and became an infectious disease specialist, practicing in both West Virginia and Phoenix. In retirement he was labeled with the title Pickle Man at Madison Heights Elementary School and Litter Guy on Central Avenue’s Bridle Path, a hobby that resulted in a local artist painting him on his route. He also volunteered to read in the middle school English classes. He is survived by a daughter, a son, a grandson, and a brother. 

Jun, 2020

Mark J. Rosen ’72, ’75 MD, of Great Neck, N.Y.; July 3, 2019. His distinguished career in pulmonary and critical care medicine spanned more than four decades. His research and administrative accomplishments at New York City and Long Island hospitals were many. Over the course of his career he was director of critical care at Mount Sinai Hospital, director of pulmonary medicine and critical care at Beth Israel Hospital, and chief of pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine at North Shore University Hospital. During his tenure with the American College of Chest Physicians, he served as president, medical director, and director of global education and strategic development. He was the recipient of numerous awards. He played guitar and his bands played at parties and special events at Brown from 1968 to 1975. He is survived by his wife, Lenie; two daughters; and three grandchildren.

 

Apr, 2020

Reid Coleman ’72, ’75 MD, of Columbia, Md.; Dec. 2. He practiced internal medicine for more than 20 years in Providence. In 2001 he became the medical director at Lifespan Health System, where he remained until 2011, when he became chief medical information officer for Nuance Communications. Throughout his career he continued to teach residents and students in the Brown system. He received many teaching awards and retired in 2017. He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, and playing bridge. He is survived by his wife, Katherine.

 

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