From right, Paul C. Brucker, MD, President of Thomas Jefferson University, and Douglas J. MacMaster Jr., Esq., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, congratulate Marie and Joseph Field, the recipients of the 2000 Cornerstone Award. Robert Neroni Photography

Joseph and Marie Field Receive Cornerstone Award at President's Club Dinner

Annual Donor Event Sets Record for Attendance and Awards

Joseph and Marie Field were the recipients of the prestigious Cornerstone Award at the 2000 President's Club Dinner held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on October 27.

A record number of Jefferson's most generous and loyal benefactors attended this year's annual event, hosted by University President Paul C. Brucker, MD, and his wife Joan, to acknowledge and thank major donors to the University and Hospital for their support. The festivities also included recognition of 17 new President's Club Fellows and 26 new members of the Winged Ox Society, an unprecedented number of awards.

Nearly 300 donors were present as Dr. Brucker thanked them for their outstanding generosity, saying, "Your gifts will continue to keep Jefferson strong so we can produce the best healthcare professionals, be on the leading edge of research, and provide efficient, effective, compassionate patient care for years to come."

Dr. Brucker noted that, despite many changes in the healthcare environment over the last decade, "Jefferson has stayed very alive and remained competitive."

He also introduced Jefferson's newest department chairmen: Donald Dafoe, MD, Samuel P. Gross Professor and Chairman of Surgery, and Roy Proujansky, MD, Robert Brent Professor and Chairman of Pediatrics.

Presenting Cornerstone Award

Douglas J. MacMaster Jr., Esq., Chairman of the University's Board of Trustees, presented the Cornerstone Award, Jefferson's highest and most distinguished tribute, to Joseph and Marie Field, honoring their generosity in establishing and supporting the Field Laboratory for Cerebrovascular Research at Jefferson Medical College (JMC). The laboratory, which focuses on brain injury and stroke research, is directed by Robert Rosenwasser, MD. In thanking Mr. and Mrs. Field for their outstanding commitment to this research program at JMC, Mr. MacMaster said, "Your leadership inspires us all and will benefit countless patients now and in the future."

Acknowledging Past Recipients

Mr. MacMaster also acknowledged past years' Cornerstone Award recipients who were at the dinner including:
J. Wallace Davis, MD, JMC '42, (1978); members of the Women's Board of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (1980), including Mrs. Susan Silver, current President; Mr. Spencer Wright and Mr. James Stratton, Directors, and Mrs. Judith Bardes, Administrator, of the Percival E. and Ethel Brown Foerderer Foundation (1981 and 1994); Mrs. Mary L. Smith of The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust, (1983); Gustave G. Amsterdam, Esq., University Trustee for 38 years and Vice Chairman of the Board (1985); Edward A. Jaeger, MD, OPH '64, President of the JMC Alumni Association (1997), as well as numerous JMC alumni association members who were present; and Truman Schnabel, MD, Brooke Roberts, MD, and James C. Brennan, Esq., Board members of The Benjamin & Mary Siddons Measey Foundation (1998).

Recognizing Special Donors

The evening's program included awards to an unprecedented number of special donors.
University trustee James Stratton announced the names of new Fellows of the President's Club, who received gold-headed physicians' canes symbolizing healing and acknowledging exceptional, enduring philanthropy to Jefferson. The new Fellows are: Robert C. Bair, MD, JMC '50; Mr. and Mrs. Victor J. Bertrand; Harry Bock Charities, Inc.; James E. Culbert, MD, JMC '57; Anthony J. DiMarino Jr., MD; Mr. and Mrs. Jay Dunphy; Dale E. Johnston, MD, JMC '79; Robert E. Karns, MD, JMC '50; Howard S. Kroop, MD; Antoinette C. Kruc, DO, and Paul J. Palmerio, DO; Jorge A. Prieto, MD; Mr. and Mrs. V. Watson Pugh, MD, JMC '53; Retha Reed; Helyn L. Romberg, RN, DN, Jefferson School of Nursing '37; Frederick A. Simeone, MD; Richard L. Steelman, PhD, CGS '77; and Mrs. Henry C. Stofman, GS '58.

Mr. Stratton also welcomed new members of The Winged Ox Society, who received pins to recognize their generous support of Jefferson in the last fiscal year. They are: Frederick Anton; Dr. and Mrs. Frank Bakewell, JMC '52; James E. Beasley, Esq.; Mr. and Mrs. Edmund N. Carpenter III; Robert M. Coben, MD; Mitchell I. Conn, MD; Martin H. Feldman, MD, N '66; Abol H. Fotouhi, MD, JMC '41; Eliot N. Freeman Jr., MD, JMC '34; Carole Haas-Gravagno; Adrian S. Hooper; Mrs. Herbert G. Hopwood Jr., JMC '58; Patricia H. Imbesi; Robert W. Keller; Mrs. Herbert Klemmer, JMC '37; Ronald J. Librizzi, DO, and Robin Kershaw; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lotman; Ms. Mary Alice Malone; Elizabeth E. Piersol, RN, DN, Jefferson School of Nursing '34; Michael F. Rieders, PhD, CGS '85; Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Snitzer; Alfred P. Spivack, MD, JMC '54; Margaret Summers, RN, DN, Jefferson School of Nursing '41; Dr. (JMC '41) and Mrs. (DN, Jefferson School of Nursing '41) Frederick B. Wagner; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Weiss; and one anonymous new member.