May 8, 1997

The Many (Graduating) Faces Of The IU School of Medicine

INDIANAPOLIS--Indiana University School of Medicine will graduate 260 physicians during ceremonies Sunday, May 11, at the RCA Dome and Convention Center.

The processional for students receiving degrees from the Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis campus begins at 2:30 p.m. and is estimated to conclude about 5 p.m. Ceremonies for the IU School of Medicine will follow immediately on the floor of the RCA Dome.

The majority of the graduating class are Hoosiers, but 18 students from other states and five from foreign countries will be receiving medical degrees from IUSM.

Different backgrounds, different interests in medical science, different aspirations, all contribute to the strength of the IUSM student body and its educational experience.

It would be impossible to pick just one student representative of the Class of 1997. So, here are several that exemplify the strengths and diversity of this year's graduating medical school class. Look for them Sunday when they make the transition from student to physician.

-- Kathleen Bohnke: She is a non-traditional student, returning to college after her children were almost grown. Kathleen will share the joy of receiving a diploma this spring with her daughter, Jevne, who is graduating from North Central High School in Indianapolis, and her son, Nathan Hatton, who is graduating from Hanover College with an eye toward medical school. Kathleen is a native of Auburn and spent many years in Angola. Hometown: Indianapolis. She can be reached at 317-329-0143.

-- Richard Ha: A concert-level pianist with a bachelor's degree in biology and economics from Brown University. Hometown: Evansville. He can be reached at 317-630-4240.

-- William (Eric) Heath: One of the first graduates selected for a 1993 state tuition reimbursement program to encourage young physicians to return to underserved rural areas to practice medicine. Hometown: Farmersburg. He can be reached at 317-859-9595.

-- David Magnusen: He will serve as a role model for his patients in physician medicine rehabilitation. David has a severe hearing loss and uses implants. Hometown: Mishawaka. He can be reached at 317-291-8492.

-- Chantel Miller: After her residency training in pediatrics, she will return home to practice at Methodist Hospital of Gary. She was selected by the hospital for a unique program that paid a portion of her expenses in exchange for her services at the hospital following completion of her training. Hometown: Gary. She can be reached at 317-479-0641.

-- Matthew Nofziger: The son of a physician whose sister graduated from IUSM in 1996. He is interested in missionary work and has spent many hours working in Indianapolis homeless shelters and doing missionary work in Haiti and elsewhere. He is the recipient of the Mary Jean Yoder Scholarship which recognizes students for community service activities. Hometown: Paoli. He can be reached at 812-723-4136.

-- Jeffrey Rediger: Medicine is a second career for Jeffrey who is an ordained minister. He received his divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminar and has done counseling in prisons, with at-risk families and at a Menonite psychiatric hospital in Pennsylvania. He is the second medical student selected as an Otis R. Bowen Scholar. Hometown: Columbia City. He can be reached at 317-839-2136.

-- Brian Sloan: By all accounts Brian, at 6-foot-8-inches, is a standout in his medical school class. He is the son of Utah Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan, and played basketball at IU for Bobby Knight from 1985 to 1989. Hometown: McLeansboro, Ill. He can be reached at 317-726-1439.

-- Ann Wojtalik: Ann has some first-hand experience in the field she has selected -- pediatrics. A 1988 Cathedral High School and 1992 Notre Dame graduate, Ann also is the mother of a 3-year-old daughter, a 21-month-old son, and a little girl born April 11. Hometown: Indianapolis. She can be reached at 317-726-1764.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

MEDIA
RELATIONS

A STATEWIDE
RESOURCE

Phone
317 274 7722

Fax
317 278 8722