Internal Medicine Grand Rounds paid tribute to one of its trail-blazing members last week with the first Dr. Thomas O’Dorisio Lecture. Named for the recently passed endocrinologist, researcher, and educator, the event welcomed Lauren Fishbein, MD, PhD, MTR, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Before Fishbein delivered her lecture, Ayotunde Dokun, MD, PhD, FACE, spoke briefly to the assembled audience, which included Sue O’Dorisio, MD, PhD, pediatric endocrinologist and partner in work and marriage of that day’s honoree.
Dokun recounted Tom O’Dorisio’s achievements from an impressive career. This included his pioneering work in the field of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). After both O’Dorisios successfully brought an NIH-sponsored SPORE grant to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center to study and treat NETs, the duo also successfully achieved Center of Excellence status from the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society for the University of Iowa, the first and only institution to earn this status in the United Status.
Dokun also saved time to share the personal testimonials of colleagues who still miss their friend and to recognize Sue O’Dorisio’s attendance and thank her as well. After that Dokun introduced Fishbein, who opened her presentation with a similar acknowledgement of Tom O’Dorisio’s influence and impact, not just on her field of specialty but in the example he helped set of how both physician-scientists can have successful careers as well as a marriage.
After an engaging hour and a few questions at the end, attendees chatted and those who were closest to the O’Dorisios–either as family or as colleagues–posed for a couple photos to commemorate the first of many sessions in his honor to come.
