In my time at EVMS, I have made friends with a wonderful group of women — Rose DeRonne, Lorrie Amerson, Shelia Bennette, Charlene Simmons, Katherine Murray and Linda Chambliss. Collectively, we are known as the ‘Geek Chicks.’ We had, and still have, each other’s backs. We’ve been through thick and thin. We have seen our children grow up, graduate from college, get married and start their own careers. We have supported each other through life’s highs and lows. It’s because of EVMS that we have this unbreakable bond. — Terri Albright, Network Administrator II, Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning at EVMS

We met our fellow students and future professors on a retreat during orientation. The No. 1 priority was our mental and emotional health. It stayed that way throughout our education. In my second year, I had a difficult personal life change, and I contemplated leaving school. Dr. Pepe sat next to me and helped me through my loss. There is no greater act of kindness. I owe my chance to serve children to his humanity in that moment.” — Janet Black, MD (MD ’91), Pediatrician at Children's Medical Center, recalling her interactions with Gerald Pepe, PhD, the EVMS Foundation Chair in Biomedical Sciences, Professor and Chair of Physiological Sciences and a former Dean of the School of Medicine.

As a research scientist, I had the privilege of teaching medical students both in the laboratory and in lecture halls. As I offered constructive criticism in the lab or wrote exam questions for lecture material, I recall the mantra among faculty: ‘Be nice to the medical students as they may be your treatment providers one day in the future.’ We joked about that at the time, but then it became a reality for me. EVMS graduates I taught are now my providers! They are not only highly skilled and knowledgeable, but compassionate and dedicated to patients' well-being. Attendings involve me and my family in treatment plans, embrace outside opinions, and respectfully address all questions and concerns. Residents bring insight, laughter and words of encouragement to 5 a.m. rounds. And I am convinced the entire team treats all patients with kindness, respect and competence, not just their former professors.” — Ann Campbell, PhD, EVMS Professor Emerita, Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology

In 1990, I was appointed Director of Emergency Medicine, which at the time was a division of Family & Community Medicine. In this role, it was clear how far we had come in terms of patient care, training, teaching and scholarly activity. I wrote a white paper on the tremendous accomplishments made by the many members of the division. I reviewed the document with the Chair of Family Medicine (Terence Davies, MD) and requested permission to seek independent academic department status. He graciously agreed and pledged his support. In August of 1992, the Board approved the creation of the academic department of Emergency Medicine at EVMS — the first in Virginia and only the 26th in the nation at the time. It was an incredibly exciting time and only came about through the hard work of many. It was another, of many, firsts for EVMS.” — Frank Counselman, MD (MD ’83, Emergency Medicine Residency ’86), Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Emergency Medicine

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the resiliency and flexibility of the faculty, staff and students at EVMS. One of my fondest memories is our virtual White Coat Ceremony for the Physician Assistant Class of 2020. We brought four students on screen at a time from their homes scattered across the United States. When instructed to don their white coats, family members would coat them all simultaneously. Many students got balloons and decorated their backgrounds — one even put on the white coat in front of a fire truck with fellow EMS partners. Getting to share in that moment, to see their families and friends and see the creativity in celebrating this milestone virtually was amazing. It's moments of triumph in the face of adversity that make me so proud to work at EVMS. — Erin Suit, Program Administrator, Physician Assistant Program

Exam Administration staff was hosting the very last exam of the semester. After a series of back-to-back finals, both the doggedness and exhaustion of our examinees were nearly palpable. During pre-exam announcements, we took a rare pause to allow the students to recognize and appreciate their personal efforts. Promptly, a glorious applause erupted, smattering its way between raised fists and echoes of ‘WHOOP, WHOOP!’ It's coming alongside for moments like those, witnessing these epic future healthcare professionals rise that makes working at EVMS so immensely fulfilling.” — Victoria Evans-Quilloin, Testing Center Manager

EVMS’ former Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Mekbib Gemeda worked with our department to put on a massive, multistation simulation to help students understand the effects of poverty. Students were forced into tight time and monetary constraints while having to make choices on house payments, electricity, child care, drugs and more. What people, including themselves, would resort to when in survival mode genuinely surprised them. In event debriefs, there were tears, confessions of not understanding what a loved one had endured and awe of what many patients navigate on a daily basis. The compassion was real and so very pure. We knew we had been a part of something extraordinarily special.” — Kristi Duke, Events Administrator, Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning at EVMS

My best memories are the ones that showcase how many incredible friends I have made during my time at EVMS. We all face the same struggles, so we have a relative understanding of how our colleagues feel, and we practice the empathy with each other that we strive to provide for patients. When we see each other succeed, we cheer in joy for them. If we encounter setbacks, we are right there to support each other. These bonds will last a lifetime as we continue through rotations, residency and as practicing physicians.” — Matthew Douglas, MD Class of 2026 Friends from the MD Class of 2026 on a trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, in Fall 2023 (back row, from left): Luke Ekdahl, Ethan Brill, Shiv Sharma, Curtis Caughey, Jinho Dupont, Saxon Scott, Matthew Douglas, (front row, from left) Lauren Tucker, Leah McElheny, Julianne Ghiorzi.

In 1990, I was appointed Director of Emergency Medicine, which at the time was a division of Family & Community Medicine. In this role, it was clear how far we had come in terms of patient care, training, teaching and scholarly activity. I wrote a white paper on the tremendous accomplishments made by the many members of the division. I reviewed the document with the Chair of Family Medicine (Terence Davies, MD) and requested permission to seek independent academic department status. He graciously agreed and pledged his support. In August of 1992, the Board approved the creation of the academic department of Emergency Medicine at EVMS — the first in Virginia and only the 26th in the nation at the time. It was an incredibly exciting time and only came about through the hard work of many. It was another, of many, firsts for EVMS.” — Frank Counselman, MD (MD ’83, Emergency Medicine Residency ’86), Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Emergency Medicine

In 1997 when I was a student participating in Match Day, I wanted to stay in the area, because I am a Norfolk native and knew there was a great Internal Medicine program right here at EVMS. The theme for our year was Mardi Gras. We decorated McCombs Auditorium in purple, gold and green, and masks and beads abounded. We all got called up to receive our envelope, and at the end the last person to be called got the ‘pot’ and we found out where we were going for residency. I matched at my first choice, EVMS. So much fun and energy. I've had an amazing time at EVMS experiencing life at every level—from student, to resident, to fellow and ultimately to faculty.” — Marissa Galicia-Castillo, MD, MSEd (MD '97, Internal Medicine Residency '00), the John Franklin Distinguished Chair for Geriatrics and Director of the Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology at EVMS

The photojournalist Walker Evans once said, ‘Good photography is unpretentious.’ For 31 years — as technology changed, people shifted and EVMS reinvented itself — Doug Gardner, Director of News, has been ready, camera in hand, to capture our shared memories. With precision, clarity and kindness, Doug has photographed both the extraordinary events and quiet interactions that define EVMS. He would not want us to draw attention to his contributions — our excellent photographer is unpretentious — but we all are deeply indebted to him. Thank you, Doug! — EVMS Marketing and Communications

My best memories of working at EVMS for the last 33 years were at the Diabetes Center with the founding research team of Dr. Aaron Vinik and Dr. Gary Pittenger. We worked hard at the research labs and we played hard after work as a work family. It paid off with a patent for the great discovery of the INGAP peptide that in the future can lead to a cure for diabetes. Dr. Vinik was a phenomenal clinician, researcher and renaissance man. He treated research assistants to residents as equals with respect and love. Dr. Pittenger was a brilliant man who taught us all about science and humanity with a smile and a helping hand.” — S. Redy Kosuri, MS, MBA, Research Compliance Manager, EVMS Research, reflecting on his time with Aaron Vinik, MD, PhD, the former Murray Waitzer Endowed Chair in Diabetes Research, Director of Research at the EVMS Strelitz Diabetes Center and a Professor of Internal Medicine, and Gary Pittenger, PhD.

One of my favorite memories is participating in EVMS' celebration of the Indian festival, Holi — a Hindu festival commemorating the coming of spring. We get together and throw bright-colored powder on each other to welcome the season. It was so fun running around with orange in my hair, yellow on my cheek and a handful of blue ready to hit the white shirts of the other participants. I am so glad EVMS has cultural celebrations like these so I can learn more about the heritage of my friends and peers.” — Kelly Hogan, MD Class of 2025

The students here are professional, punctual, respectful, attentive, studious and attired appropriately. It is a privilege and an honor to be associated with these fine young individuals every day. I am 75, and EVMS has given me reassurance to keep active in my profession. In that way, it is self-serving, perhaps, but gratifying. The wide variety of seminars, webinars, luncheons, educational opportunities and other activities, as well as library privileges, make it all wonderful. Thank you. — Stephen Gudas, PT, PhD, EVMS Assistant Professor of Pathology and Anatomy (Community Faculty)

I was in the fourth graduating class, the oldest female in that class and the first person in the school to be a single mother. Other schools told me, ‘You couldn't possibly make it through school as a single mother.’ My acceptance to EVMS was a bit of a rocky road, but I made it, and my son started first grade the same year I started medical school. We were a small class with a lot of camaraderie. If I had to miss class, friends took notes and shared them. When we hit clinicals, my friends stepped up to babysit while I was on call. I never could have made it through school without them. I am proud that I did well enough to open the door to other nontraditional students. Thank you, EVMS.” — Edna Griffenhagen, MD (MD '79, Radiology Residency '84)

I was on a fourth-year trauma rotation, every other night on call. One night, a man came in with a samurai sword impaled through his belly and sticking out about 6 inches from his back. Dr. Gould was on, and I went to the OR and watched. Under direct visualization — and while teaching me the whole time — he expertly removed the sword. Afterward, he bought the entire OR trauma staff pizza and thanked them. Over the years, I have intermittently pulled the pizza trick for ICU staff at the end of a long, difficult shift. I ran into Dr. Gould at an EVMS reunion 15 years later and he said, ‘Weren't you the student in on the sword case?’ Turns out he had a memorable experience too! I learned so much on that rotation.” — Steve Krebs, MD (MD '89), reflecting on Randy Gould, MD (MD ’78), EVMS Community Faculty, Surgery, and former member of the EVMS Board of Visitors and the EVMS Foundation Board of Trustees

In the early 1990s one of our auto technicians here at First Team Auto Group informed me that he was losing his leg as a result of an untreatable infection caused by a scrape he received from a piling barnacle while guiding his boat onto the trailer. The amputation was scheduled within a week. Surgeon Jock Wheeler agreed to see the gentleman, and he saved his leg. Without EVMS, he would have lost his leg.” — W. Ashton Lewis, Sr., current member of the EVMS Board of Visitors and past acting President of EVMS

Special Events and Development teams pause for a celebratory moment during the grand opening of the EVMS Lawrence J. Goldrich Institute for Integrated NeuroHealth. A pillar of the EVMS Deliver on the Promise Campaign, the Goldrich Institute opened to patients in November 2022. Its establishment was made possible through a $15 million gift from Virginia Beach residents Larry and Janice Goldrich. It was created to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. — Ashley Weekley, Assistant Director of Special Events

When I was the incoming Assistant Chief Resident at EVMS Psychology, call shifts had to be redistributed among the more senior residents to ensure supervision for the interns. The original plan placed a heavy burden on second-year residents. I wasn’t sure how to tell my classmates, but one-by-one my fellow third-year residents volunteered for more call. We made the shift without problem. All it took was a group of people looking out for their juniors and each other. I truly feel those are the sort of people who make up EVMS, and it made me proud.” — Jessica Mees-Campbell, MD (Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Residency ’13), EVMS Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

When I started at EVMS in 1979, there were chair secretaries for each department. We were talking about ways to help the school and the medical students, and we came up with an organization called EVMS Friends. We had a Christmas Bazaar where we all made wreathes, decorations, baked goods or anything we could sell to raise money for scholarships. It was a tremendous success far beyond our expectations, and we continued the Christmas Bazaar for many years! And, the most extraordinary thing to come from this effort was the amazing comradery between faculty, staff and students. — Tommie Old, EVMS Lab Coordinator

In 1990, I was appointed Director of Emergency Medicine, which at the time was a division of Family & Community Medicine. In this role, it was clear how far we had come in terms of patient care, training, teaching and scholarly activity. I wrote a white paper on the tremendous accomplishments made by the many members of the division. I reviewed the document with the Chair of Family Medicine (Terence Davies, MD) and requested permission to seek independent academic department status. He graciously agreed and pledged his support. In August of 1992, the Board approved the creation of the academic department of Emergency Medicine at EVMS — the first in Virginia and only the 26th in the nation at the time. It was an incredibly exciting time and only came about through the hard work of many. It was another, of many, firsts for EVMS.” — Frank Counselman, MD (MD ’83, Emergency Medicine Residency ’86), Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Emergency Medicine

In 1990, I was appointed Director of Emergency Medicine, which at the time was a division of Family & Community Medicine. In this role, it was clear how far we had come in terms of patient care, training, teaching and scholarly activity. I wrote a white paper on the tremendous accomplishments made by the many members of the division. I reviewed the document with the Chair of Family Medicine (Terence Davies, MD) and requested permission to seek independent academic department status. He graciously agreed and pledged his support. In August of 1992, the Board approved the creation of the academic department of Emergency Medicine at EVMS — the first in Virginia and only the 26th in the nation at the time. It was an incredibly exciting time and only came about through the hard work of many. It was another, of many, firsts for EVMS.” — Frank Counselman, MD (MD ’83, Emergency Medicine Residency ’86), Vice Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Professor of Emergency Medicine

“I will never forget the first time I presented the Amputation Patient Panel to M1 students. There were five patients, all experiencing some form of limb amputation. While these patients’ experiences were not comfortable—and painful at times during their medical journey—the students’ engagement and questions were insightful, empathetic and caring. Seven years later, patient panels continue as one aspect of clinical teaching to deliver caring and effective interactions for patients and physicians. I am proud to be part of EVMS, which for 50 years has continued to drive enduring changes in improving our patient experiences while educating and training our medical students.” — Beverly Roberts-Atwater, DO, PhD, the Lydia I. Myers Endowed Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at EVMS

“Not sure of the year or date, but I came to work with a broken toe. No one knew I had a broken toe until a young student came to the door at Brickell Library. He asked me, ‘How are you today?’ I said I’d had better days. He asked what’s wrong with my foot, and I said ‘It’s my toe.’ He said, ‘That’s great!’ I looked at him like he was crazy. That Saturday they were having an ultrasound room on feet and toes. He said, ‘This your lucky day!’ God knows when to show up. These students took care of their Big Momma and were fighting over who put the ice on my toe. It was a day to remember.” — Audrey "Big Momma" Robertson, EVMS Public Safety Officer

It was the end of our first semester as first-year medical students, and my group of friends wanted to remember the moment by taking a picture with Dr. Kerry. I never knew I would be able to make such amazing, kind-hearted and helpful friendships in medical school. Only at EVMS. — Naser Salem, MD Class of 2027, and friends with Julie Kerry, PhD, the EVMS Foundation Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Sciences

Starting the EVMS bookstore with Keith Sivertson, MD (MD '80). Getting my pilot's license then flying cargo at night and still making it from the Norfolk airport to morning classes at EVMS. Having my own office in the new medical building while they were empty in the Pathology department. Studying until midnight every night, then going to my favorite bar across Olney Road.” — James Romano, MD (MD '81), Private Practice, San Francisco Plastic Surgery Associates, and clinical faculty at University of California San Francisco (UCSF)

My classmates and I spent hours in the anatomy lab. We practiced suturing and dissection and learned to use various surgical instruments while delving into the complexities of human anatomy. All of this prepared us to serve our patients in the operating room. I will always be grateful to our anatomical donors for their gift and to the faculty and staff who devoted their time to teaching.” — Stacey Twisdale, MSA (MSA '16), Surgical Assistant/Neurosurgery, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and EVMS Community Faculty

Hooding my daughter Lauren Gregory, MD (MD’17), at the EVMS Commencement Ceremony in 2017 is one of my favorite memories. We were lining up, and the usher said ‘Hey Doc, is this as big of a deal as when you graduated?’ I said, ‘Sir, this is 20 million times a bigger deal.’ And it really was kind of hard to believe. Like a magical moment. On the jumbotron they played a video of Lauren’s White Coat Ceremony, where she received her greatgrandfather’s white coat. He was a pediatrician at Washington University in St. Louis, and now she’s on the faculty and a pediatrician at Wash U.” — Bruce Waldholtz, MD, EVMS Rector and Assistant Professor of Medicine (Community Faculty)

The Master of Public Health (MPH) international summer exchange program in Moldova during Summer 2016 was life changing. This trip engaged my interests in global health and ignited a desire to live abroad. That spark led to me moving to China two weeks after graduation. I still reside abroad today. I am forever grateful to EVMS for the many great mentors, friends, life lessons, knowledge and memories.” — Dara Wissinger, MPH, DHSc (MPH ’17, DHSc ’22)

Late nights in the student game room were the best. My fellow sleep-deprived, over-studied and stressed med students and I would test our skills on the ping pong, foosball and pool tables. We talked and laughed, letting go of any worries. — Tennyson Lee, MD (MD '96), Interventional Pain Management — Neck, Back and Spine, The Orthopaedic Institute of Southern Illinois

One of my favorite memories and highlights each year is experiencing the excitement and culmination of our graduates' academic studies at EVMS...as well as our institution's successful completion of Commencement Exercises! — Gabriel Eckstein,Assistant Vice President of Special Events

My best memories are of the instruction by the Parisers in dermatology and the plastic surgeons in suturing. The lessons learned stayed with me throughout my practice. My personal favorite memory is of how my fellow residents helped me through my first pregnancy my senior resident year. The junior residents in particular seemed to claim it as their own! I am forever grateful to them. — Joan Wilson, MD (MD '79, Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency ‘83)

The MPA Class of 2024 took a class picture each semester to watch ourselves grow into amazing PAs. This picture was taken in October 2023 in our matching PA Week T-shirts. — Katelyn Glover, MPA Class of 2024

This is a newspaper clipping from my dad’s Match Day in 1984. He graduated from EVMS and went on to Ohio State’s OB-GYN residency.” — Katie Sandy-Miller, Friend of EVMS