A mark of any good party and maybe of how much the party guests all like each other is when the social hour lasts about twice as long as scheduled. The reunions, the introductions, the general catching up among colleagues, friends, and families becomes as important as the main reason they gathered in the first place. That reason was the completion of years of training in the pulmonary and critical care subspecialty. These four fellows, and a fifth who spent a year in advanced lung disease and transplantation, got their moment in the sun later. But first, this division just wanted to hang out together.

Then it was time for the meal. Attendees made their way through the buffet line and found their seats, keeping the conversation going. While they were eating, Division Director David Stoltz, MD, PhD, and the fellowship Program Director Alicia Gerke, MD, MBA, began the evening’s program. After a welcome and words of thanks from Stoltz to everyone in the division for their efforts over the past year, Gerke walked through some of the achievements of those efforts. Grant wins, clinical successes, personnel additions, and even additions to families with some baby photos as well.

Gerke then moved on to recognize the leadership of Kevin Doerschug, MD, the medical director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the university campus. Gerke presented him with the “golden laryngoscope” in honor of his long-standing commitment to training Iowa’s fellows and faculty in airway management, establishing Iowa as one of the top training programs in the country. Next Herb Berger, MD, presented the annual “Sleep Award” to the fellow, who completed his requirements in sleep medicine first. This year’s honor went to Andrei Schwartz, MD. Finally, Gerke presented the Teacher of the Year award, as chosen by the fellows themselves, to Jeff Wilson, MD.

Then it was time to recognize the fellows. First transplant fellowship director Tahuanty Peña, MD, introduced Ram Katpally, MD, MPH. Peña spoke of Katpally’s dedication and willingness to help in any situation. Katpally was called up to receive his certificate of completion and to pose for a photo. Gerke then introduced each of the pulmonary and critical care fellows, describing their paths to Iowa, complete with some family-supplied childhood photos. After all the fellows had received their certificates and other gifts and posed for photos, they were each invited to say a few words of their own. They thanked their significant others, their families, and the faculty and staff who have supported them throughout their training.

The formal program concluded and the conversation resumed. Guests posed for photos with the graduates, grabbed another drink from the bar, and made plans for what they would do next. That evening, and in the months to come.

Congratulations to this year’s graduates!

Mark Frommelt, MD
Ram Katpally, MD, MPH (Advanced Lung Disease and Transplantation)
Andrei Schwartz, MD
Roger Struble, MD
Adam Wolfe, MD