The University of Minnesota’s Medical Alumni Society has selected six physicians to receive its three awards for 2007. Please join us in congratulating and thanking these hardworking doctors for their exceptional work in the service of the medical profession.
The Harold S. Diehl Award
This lifetime achievement award is granted to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Medical School, the University, and the community. It was established by the University of Minnesota Medical Alumni Society in honor of the Medical School’s fifth dean, Harold Sheely Diehl, M.D.
JOHN P. DELANEY, M.D., Ph.D.
A member of the Class of 1955, Delaney is being honored for his
commitment to his patients, students, and colleagues through his work
at the University of Minnesota. Delaney became a faculty member in the
Department of Surgery in 1965—earning his Ph.D. in physiology from the
University in 1966—and today is a professor emeritus. Over the years,
he became a leading breast and endocrine surgeon at the University
while serving as a role model for residents and his peers. Colleagues
revere Delaney as a “surgeon’s surgeon” who conducts his work and life
with integrity.
A. STUART HANSON, M.D.
A member of the Class of 1963, Hanson is being honored for his tireless
devotion to improving the health of his community, especially through
tobacco-cessation and violence-prevention efforts. A career
pulmonologist now at Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park, Hanson has
advocated for a smoke-free Minnesota for two decades and is currently
board president of the Minnesota Smoke-Free Coalition. He has served as
president of the Minnesota Medical Association and has been an
inspirational mentor to many young physicians.
FRED A. LYON, M.D.
A member of the Class of 1957, Lyon is being honored for his decades of
service to the Medical School and the community. Lyon began serving the
school early as president of his class. Now he is an emeritus clinical
associate professor in the University’s Department of Obstetrics,
Gynecology, and Women’s Health; a mentor to students; and a member of
the Minnesota Medical Foundation’s board of trustees. He has also been
a consultant in his field nationally and internationally as well as an
advocate for reproductive freedom. Colleagues say his generous spirit
has contributed to his many accomplishments.
The Distinguished Alumni Award
This award recognizes University of Minnesota Medical School alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their local, regional, or national community through medical practice, teaching, research, or other humanitarian activities.
MARVIN GOLDBERG, M.D.
A member of the Class of 1953, Goldberg recognized music’s soothing
effects on hospital patients and staff alike and founded the Health
Sciences Orchestra in 1994. Currently an associate professor of
radiology and a violinist, Goldberg has helped provide faculty and
staff in the University’s Academic Health Center with a musical outlet
to help ease the stresses of their professional lives while bringing
joyful tunes to audiences at a variety of University venues. In
addition to his musical endeavors, Goldberg has been involved with
teaching medical students and residents at the University for the past
50 years.
KAREN OLNESS, M.D.
A member of the Class of 1961, Olness has been a longtime leader in
improving children’s health around the world. She was a quietly
effective “doctor without borders” before the now well-known
international medical relief group was organized, volunteering her
service in Africa, Asia, North and South America, and the Middle East.
In Minnesota, Olness developed the first developmental-behavioral
pediatrics program in the Midwest. She also cofounded Minnesota
International Health Volunteers and the all-volunteer group Health
Frontiers. She is currently a professor in pediatrics, family medicine,
and global health at Case Western Reserve University.
The Early Distinguished Career Award
This award honors a physician for his or her exceptional accomplishments within 15 years of medical school graduation.
JOHN Y. SONG, M.D., M.P.H., M.A.T.
A member of the resident alumni Class of 1994, Song is being honored
for his commitment to serving underserved and disadvantaged
populations. An assistant professor of medicine and member of the
University’s Center for Bioethics, Song founded the Phillips
Neighborhood Clinic, a free clinic that serves homeless people in
Minneapolis’s poorest neighborhood. Song leads students and volunteers
there who strive to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental, and
culturally appropriate care to patients. He also practices at the
Community-University Health Care Center and is an acknowledged leader
in developing an interprofessional bio-ethics curriculum at the
University.
