‘A joyful reunion’

A reunion for the OUWB Class of 2015 was held May 9 — almost 10 years to the day after they graduated and immediately prior to commencement for the Class of 2025.

Members of the class and past and present faculty and staff were all smiles as they hugged each other, caught up, and reminisced.

The charter class members are among 1,100 who have graduated from OUWB since 2015.

Melissa Bayci, M.D., OUWB ’15, coordinated the event with the help of school officials and said, “it’s important for the legacy of the school, and to keep that tight knit community OUWB is known for.”

“It’s been really special to see how much we’ve grown,” said the gynecologist based in Warren, Michigan. “And how we’re helping the next generation of medical students.”

Many attendees called it a full circle moment.

“When you’re in medical school and fully engaged in your studies, all you think about is your future. To be on the other side of it is a beautiful thing,” said Adam Weiner, M.D., an ophthalmologist primarily based at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital (WBUH) in Royal Oak. (He also is part of the curriculum committee at OUWB and set to be one of the PRISM mentors for the matriculating Class of 2029.)

Sara Singer, M.D., an oncologist based in Chilicothe, Ohio, said time has helped her develop an even greater appreciation for the OUWB community.

“I always loved and appreciated what we had in medical school … the faculty and leadership,” she said “I knew how lucky I was while I was here but since leaving … I just realized even more how lucky we were to have (Founding Dean Robert Folberg, M.D.) and to be in a class of 50.”

“I haven’t been able to recreate that level of support any place else,” she added.

OUWB Founding Dean Robert Folberg, M.D., talks with charter class members Chris Jaeger, M.D., (center) and Adam Weiner, M.D.

Lucy Boekelheide, M.D., and Anne Spina (née Wagner), M.D., were among those who caught up with each other during the event.

“It’s very sentimental seeing so many people that we were so close with…we were a very close, tight-knit class,” said Spina, now a forensic psychiatrist with Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Michigan.

Boekelheide said the reunion brought back feelings of familiarity.

“There are a lot of familiar faces…our class was so small, so you recognize people right away,” said Boekelheide, who has a family medicine private practice in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Elizabeth White (nee Paluga), M.D., was among the several reunion attendees who noticed a room full of smiles and hugs.

“It’s really special,” said White, an internist based in Michigan. “The bonds that we formed as a charter class were incredible.”

“I’ve reconnected with old friends I have seen in years,” she added. “Coming back…it feels like we were here as medical students two weeks ago.”

Christina Grabowski, Ph.D., founding associate dean, Admissions, was among the several former OUWB administrators and faculty to attend. (She is now associate dean for Admissions and Enrollment Management at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical School.”

She called it “a joyful reunion.”

“To see all of these physicians out taking care of people…the way we envisioned right from the start,” said Grabowski. “It’s a privilege to be able to have been part of that journey.”

Angela Nuzzarello, M.D., founding associate dean, Student Affairs, said the reunion made her “want to cry” tears of joy.

“It’s so gratifying to see how they’ve done and just to reconnect,” said the retiree.

Nuzzarello mentioned that she enjoyed learning that several alumni will soon be mentors for one of OUWB’s signature programs, Promoting Reflection and Individual Growth through Support and Mentoring (PRISM). Nuzzarello started the program.

“It makes my whole life worthwhile because I poured so much into all of this and to see it grow and flourish…I literally could not ask for more,” she said.