SKMC Alumni Bulletin
Cover Story Remembering a Renaissance Man
From the operating theater to the watercolor canvas, Gerald “Jerry” Marks, MD ’49, spent a century finding beauty and healing in the details.
Time Machine America at 250: Revolutionary Medicine!
As we mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, take a look at 18th-century medical artifacts housed in Thomas Jefferson University's Marion J. Siegman, PhD, FAPS, Archives.
Q&A A Conversation with a Jefferson Legend
Herbert Kean, now 94, recently sat down for a conversation to reminisce, talk shop, discuss philanthropy, and impart the wisdom he’s garnered throughout his seven decades as a physician.
Bridging Gaps and Building Bridges
For Akshay S. Krishnan, the James D. and Mary Jo Danella Family Scholarship does not only provide him with the opportunity to continue his medical education, it's allowing him to save for an additional degree.
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Looking Out for the Next in Line
After finding the love of a lifetime, Kathleen Shander Guarnieri, MD ’84, and her husband, David Guarnieri, MD, have given back by establishing the Kathleen S. and David M. Guarnieri Scholarship at Jefferson to assist medical students.
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Welcome Sidney Kimmel Medical College Class of 2030
For the first time in 2026, every student in the incoming Sidney Kimmel Medical College class will receive their own personal stethoscope, thanks to the generosity of Nancy Czarnecki, MD ’65.
Recap 2026 Scholarship Celebration
Thomas Jefferson University leadership and students gathered on March 24, 2026, to celebrate the profound impact of donor generosity. The event highlighted how philanthropic support continues to shape the academic journeys and future careers of the University’s student body.
ICYMI
Stay Connected Class Notes
Where have you been? What have you been up to? Tell us what’s new—jobs, weddings, moves across the country. Submit a Class Note for an upcoming issue of the Bulletin to share your story with fellow alumni.
Class Notes Letters of Life, Loss, and Love
Shanda McManus, MD ’96, reflects on a life of love and loss on her way to fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.
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Dennis Michael Young, MD '74
Dennis Michael Young, MD, retired from office-based psychiatry in 2017. He opened Mo’zArt Gallery and Studio in Historic New Castle, Delaware, where he regularly paints portraits and more in oil or pastels. The gallery was voted Best in Delaware in 2024. His work has garnered numerous awards, and his paintings hang in homes and offices locally and abroad.
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Leonard Zon, MD '83
Leonard Zon, MD, an acclaimed hematologist and stem cell scientist and national leader in maternal and infant health research, was announced as the winner of the 2026 March of Dimes Richard B. Johnston, Jr., MD Prize for his work in developmental biology. Zon is director of the Stem Cell Research Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Grousbeck Professor of Pediatric Medicine at Harvard Medical School and has pioneered the use of the zebrafish as a model to study human disease with a focus on blood diseases and cancers affecting newborns and children.
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Lawrence Ward, MD '99
Lawrence Ward, MD, was recently appointed as chief medical officer for Holy Cross Medical Group. In his new role, Ward will serve as the clinical dyad partner to the president of Holy Cross Medical Group. Ward will work closely with division chiefs, clinical leaders, and the HCMG Senior Leadership Team to advance the organization’s clinical vision, strengthen physician engagement, support strategic growth, and foster an environment centered on quality, safety, and exceptional patient experience. Ward will also establish his own internal medicine practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Meet Our Alumni
We recently caught up with two accomplished women who graduated in the 2010s and are already shaping the future of medicine. Their stories reflect the heart, purpose, and innovation of a new generation of Jefferson physicians making a meaningful impact in their fields and communities.
Together, we can ensure that the Jefferson legacy of innovation and excellence continues to thrive for years to come.
Dean's Column
Said A. Ibrahim, MD, MBA, MPH, the Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean Sidney Kimmel Medical College, gives an update on the past, present, and future of SKMC.
A Message From the SKMC Alumni Board President Goodbye But Not Farewell
Shakespeare said it best: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” In his last column as president of the SKMC Alumni Board, Irfan Galaria, MD ’01, MBA reflects on the accomplishments and changes over the past two years that he's served in the role.