Dreams sparked at the URochester, combined with life-changing scholarship support, led to a fulfilling career in medicine and teaching for Alan Kozak.

When Alan James Kozak ’65, ’69M (MD), ’72M (Res), arrived at the URochester as a college student, he had never spent a day away from home. Quickly his universe expanded through friendship and the heavy demands of his coursework—balancing literature with his pre-medical studies. He recalls the late-night sounds of typewriters in response to looming deadlines and the party music that spanned from Chubby Checkers to The Beatles.

It was at a concert, listening to Maynard Ferguson on the trumpet, when an encounter with two medical students sparked Kozak’s dream of staying at Rochester to pursue his medical school education at the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD).

At the time, Kozak imagined a future as a surgeon. However, as he graduated from SMD and completed an elective rotation, following an internist in his hometown of Binghamton, NY, he realized how much he valued face-to-face time with patients, hearing their stories and getting to know their families over time. Kozak began an internship year in internal medicine at the Mary lmogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY and then returned to Strong Memorial Hospital. The long hours, clinical responsibilities, and academic demands often seemed impossible, but the special camaraderie of his class and pride as “Strong’s Medicine Residents” kept him going. Kozak finished his medical training with a fellowship in infectious disease at the University of Minnesota and returned to Cooperstown to help create the Infectious Disease Division at Bassett.

Now, having completed a rewarding clinical career, Kozak continues to teach medical students as an attending physician. His interest in literature persisted well past his undergraduate years, inspiring him to provide a writing prompt to his students, which later led to the publishing of Let Me Listen to Your Heart: Writings by Medical Students. The book is a collection of essays, poems, and reflections by medical students from the Ģ����ý and from Columbia University, as they completed clinical rotations at Bassett.

Thinking back on his education, Kozak shares, “Like many of us, I entered college with no money. Thanks to a very generous Ģ����ý scholarship, and later support from the Clark Foundation, I was able to graduate from college and then medical school without a dollar of debt.”

In gratitude, Kozak now supports the Ģ����ý so that future students can have the same educational opportunities that he did. Kozak included the University in his estate planning and established two scholarships to support both undergraduate and medical education.

Kozak hopes to ease the journey for students and believes there is great importance in paying his good fortune forward.

“If I can help students realize dreams that lead to a career as fulfilling as mine has been, I will have accomplished a lot. And this will remain my legacy,” he says.

Allison Ramsey ’05M (MD), ’08M (Res)

Burnout, gender bias, pay gaps, career advancement, work-life balance—vital issues like these are at the heart of the Women in Medicine group. Formed in 2017, the group provides resources and fosters community among students, residents, fellows, alumnae, clinicians, and faculty members affiliated with the Ģ����ý Medical Center (URMC). It also serves to inspire women to thrive and succeed in medicine, providing a platform to discuss common challenges and solutions around topics such as mentorship, leadership, and career pathways.

Heidi Schwarz ’83M (MD), ’89M (Res) and Allison Ramsey ’05M (MD), ’08M (Res)—the group’s founding cochairs—meet quarterly with seven School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) alumnae committee members to plan programming. Before the pandemic, the group offered in-person lectures and networking events several times each year. When COVID hit, the committee kept its momentum with virtual programming.

“During the pandemic, many women, including those of us in medicine, took on an overwhelming amount of responsibility,” says Heidi Schwarz, a professor of Clinical Neurology at URMC. “Our careers have always required us to be productive, work long hours, and provide exemplary patient care. With COVID, we found that we had to do all of that while doing more at home and in support of our families, including our aging parents and children.”

Heidi Schwarz, ’83M (MD), ’89M (Res)

Ramsey, an allergy, immunology, and rheumatology clinical assistant professor within URMC’s Department of Medicine, says this has taken a toll on many women regardless of whether they’re in medical school or work in education, industry, a clinical environment, or at a not-for-profit organization. “COVID has certainly reinforced how important it is to offer programs that focus on supporting women in medicine, expanding and diversifying perspectives, and informing and encouraging all who participate,” she says.

Career and work-wellness issues have prompted the group to develop a four-part discussion series for 2022 and 2023 around the theme of self-advocacy. The first two virtual events featured alumnae moderators and panelists from industry, health care, and education. The third session, scheduled for July, will explore empowerment.

“Although we may come from different places, be in different stages of our careers, and serve in different roles, we are all in medicine,” says Ramsey. “We face a landscape of similar and relatable issues and benefit from drawing on each other’s wisdom and experiences.”

“We encourage all women to join our programs and community,“ adds Schwarz. “There is a powerful, shared experience around which our group coalesces, and we know that the work we are doing helps so many women in our field.”

Transformational gift will strengthen the Simon Business School, Eastman School of Music, the undergraduate College, and the University overall

Board of Trustees member Evans Lam ’83, ’84S (MBA), has committed $15.7 million to the URochester. Lam—the managing director of wealth management and the senior portfolio manager at UBS Financial Services—is a visionary leader whose generosity will increase the depth of resources for undergraduate business students and faculty at the ; expand the role and impact of music at the ; provide emergency resources to support undergraduates with immediate needs; fund capital projects for the (RCL); enhance undergraduate education overall; and provide funding to address pressing needs across the University.

“I am forever grateful to my alma mater for offering me a four-year scholarship to pursue the best education and realize my American dream,” says Lam. “I came to the United States with only $180 to my name. The circle of my life started here and when I’m gone, I hope that the education I received and also the work that I’ve done here will come full circle again and again, perpetuated by the people with whom I’ve engaged and who have a shared wish to help this great university improve the lives of others. I hope this gift inspires others to do what they can to support the University.”

“We are exceedingly grateful to Evans—he is an exceptional philanthropist, leader, and champion for our students, faculty, and our broad community,” says Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, president and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor. “This truly transformational gift builds off the tremendous generosity that Evans has shown to the University for nearly 20 years. During that time, his financial support, along with his volunteer leadership on our Board of Trustees and on many other committees and groups here, has made a significant impact on our University and all those we serve.”

Adds Mangelsdorf, “Evans’ role in the evolution of the University and the advancement of our mission cannot be overstated. He has propelled our libraries into the 21st century, helped scores of students reach their potential, and met the financial needs of many talented and diverse students from around the world while personally mentoring them. Evans believes in the University, our mission, and our values.”

Lam’s $15.7 million includes immediate funding to support the following areas:

In addition, Lam’s gift will ultimately establish endowed funds to further support student scholarships at Simon and within Arts, Sciences & Engineering; emergency needs for undergraduates; the Lam Professorship in support of EPAM; key initiatives at Simon, Eastman, and RCL; and presidential priorities.

“Evans personifies our mission and inspires others in everything he does at Rochester,” says Thomas Farrell ’88, ’90W (MS), senior vice president for University Advancement. “This includes his enthusiastic service on the Board of Trustees and multiple advisory councils and committees, and hosting events throughout the US and around the world, always in the spirit of further engaging alumni, parents, and friends of the University. This latest gift exemplifies all of this and positions the University well for the future, aligns with the emerging Boundless Possibility strategic plan, and sets a powerful example for others.”

The Friends of Rochester Athletics support the University’s students, alumni, and sports teams.

George VanderZwaag, Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation

Ģ����ý 20 years ago, George VanderZwaag—new in his position as Rochester’s director of Athletics and Recreation—had an idea. He wanted to find a way to recognize the significant contributions of former Yellowjacket athletes while engaging others and advancing the mission of the department: to provide Rochester students with exemplary educational as well as athletic experiences.

That was the beginning of the Friends of Rochester Athletics (FORA), a group that started with about 20 people, mostly alumni, and today includes about 15,000 alumni, parents, friends, and fans. All those who support the department in any way are counted as members. “Every kind of support matters—from dollars given to attendance at our games and events,” says VanderZwaag. “The Friends network is strong and well-connected, too, which benefits everyone.”

John Mattioli ’79 and Theresa Mattioli

John Mattioli ’79, a founding member of the FORA who played basketball throughout college, says he got involved because many of the important people in his life came from Rochester, including Theresa, his wife of 42 years (also a founding Friend), and the late Jim Klimschot ’78 who was his business partner until his death in 2001.

Being a Friend, Mattioli says, has been a great way to stay in touch with former teammates and remain connected with his alma mater. Four times a year, Mattioli and former teammates get together to play golf and whenever Rochester plays a game in Atlanta—Mattioli’s hometown—he’s there. Last January, Mattioli, Tom DiChristina ’82, David Bence ’81, and their former coach, Mike Neer ’88W (MS), cheered on Rochester in a game against Emory. “The ’Jackets didn’t win but getting together gave us yet another great Rochester memory,” says Mattioli.

Dennis Braniecki ’91

Friends often become part of a student’s professional network, too. For instance, Dennis Braniecki ’91—another founding member, former football player, Hall of Fame inductee, and parent of an alumnus—has talked with dozens of prospective students and introduced alumni to people in his network over the last 30 years.

For 30 of those years, Braniecki owned a moving company and gave summer jobs to many Rochester students, alumni, and assistant coaches. He’s even physically moved a number of people to Rochester, including Rochester’s football coach, Chad Martinovich, and his family, who came from Boston five years ago.

“So many of the best parts of my life tie back to my time at Rochester,” says Braniecki. “Being a Friend has provided a framework to pay it forward in whatever ways I can.”

This story also appears in the spring 2023 issue of Rochester Review.

This page is dedicated to our classmate and my beloved wife of 43 years, Dr. Rebecca Kantor Martin, who succumbed to Leukemia in April 2021. Her professional career was extraordinary. The links below summarize her myriad achievements, but she always felt that her greatest accomplishments were as a loving spouse, mother, grandmother, family member, and devoted friend.

To honor Rebecca, her passion for education, and her connection with the URochester, the Dr. Rebecca Kantor Martin Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in May 2022.

Those of us who knew Rebecca are in agreement that this scholarship is the most appropriate way to honor the Meliora spirit that she demonstrated throughout her life. If it is within your means, it is our hope that anyone who was touched by Rebecca in some way will consider a donation to support this special fund in her honor.

With sincere appreciation,

Reed Martin ’75

• State of Colorado Proclamation: PDF
• CU Denver news article:
• OSU Board of Trustees Resolution: PDF

Mel Sauce

Serves 32 l 1 fluid ounce per serving

1 quart mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons dark chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients.
Whisk until well-blended.
Cover and keep chilled until use.

Yellowjacket burger

Serves 10
10 pre-formed burger patties
10 medium-sized romaine leaves
10 pineapple rings
2 tablespoons Tajin (or chili lime spice)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups of Mel Sauce
10 brioche burger rolls
2 jalapenos, de-seeded and
sliced into thin rings
10 slices of cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Turn grill to high and close lid. Heat it for 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 500 degrees. Reduce the heat to medium and keep lid closed.

Season burgers well with salt and pepper.

Drizzle pineapple rings with oil, salt, pepper, and Tajin. Place the pineapple
rings onto grill and get some good marks on each side (about 2 minutes per side).
When done, set aside.

Place brioche rolls on grill. These will burn quickly, so just get some marks
on them (1-2 minutes). When done, set aside.

Place burgers on grill and shut the lid. Cook the first side for 3-4 minutes. Flip burgers, shut lid, and cook for 2 more minutes.

Open lid and place one pineapple ring on each burger, 4 jalapeno rings, and one
slice of cheese. Shut lid again and cook for 2-3 more minutes or until cheese is
nice and melted. Remove from grill and let rest for 3 minutes.

Assemble burger and enjoy!

Grilled Tajin Vegetables

Serves 10
1 pound garlic scapes
4 red onions, sliced into large wedges
4 red peppers, sliced thick
4 green peppers, sliced thick
4 yellow peppers, sliced thick
3 zucchini, sliced into
medium-sized rounds
4 yellow squash, sliced into
medium-sized rounds
1 pound button mushrooms,
cleaned and quartered
1 1/2 cups feta cheese
1/2 cup scallions, sliced
1 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons Tajin (or chili lime spice)
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
3/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
2 pinches salt
2 cups Mel Sauce

Turn grill to high and close lid. Heat it for 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 500 degrees. Reduce the heat to medium and keep lid closed. If you want to use vegetable baskets, place them on the grill while it preheats.

Place all the prepared vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and Tajin. Toss thoroughly so oil and spice are evenly distributed.

Place vegetables directly on grill or in baskets. Shut grill lid and cook for 5-7 minutes.

Open grill lid and stir vegetables (they should be getting charred and soft). Taste to check for doneness. If too raw or not charred enough, close and cook for a few more minutes.

Remove vegetables from grill and place in bowl. Crumble feta onto vegetables and add scallions. Toss everything together then place on a serving platter. Add salt to taste. Drizzle Mel Sauce onto the vegetables and feta.

Find these recipes and more good things for Ģ����ý alumni and friends in the summer issue of Buzz magazine.

Roger Friedlander ’56 and Carolyn Friedlander ’68N (PNP)
Photo credit: Andy Olenick

Roger Friedlander ’56 can often be spotted around town in his bright yellow sports car, with a license plate that reads “YeloJakt.” It’s a fitting moniker for his car—and for him. One of the University’s most committed volunteers and supporters, Friedlander celebrates a 70-year connection to Rochester this year, going back to his first day as a student in 1952.

A former voting member, and now life trustee for the University, Friedlander has also served as the chair of the Medical Center’s board of trustees. Over the last nearly 30 years, he’s held leadership and volunteer roles for the School of Nursing, the Simon Business School, Eastman Institute for Oral Health’s foundation, and the Friends of the UR Libraries. He and his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Friedlander ’68N (PNP), are also devoted to local causes related to public health, children, education, and the arts.

“The University and this community have given me so much,” says Friedlander. “I’ve always wanted to give back, to make an impact on students, alumni, families, patients, and the people I’ve worked with. I hope I have.”

My childhood

I was born in the Bronx, but my family moved to Brooklyn when I was young. We were there until I was a freshman in high school when we moved to Brighton, New York. My father was a traveling salesman who covered a lot of New York and thought we should move to a central part of the state. I graduated from Brighton High School, where I did well academically, played football, and was a member of the track team.

My college days

Friedlander, a participant in the US Navy’s ROTC program

When it came time for college, I applied to two schools and was accepted to both: Dartmouth and Rochester. I decided to go to Rochester but had to come up with financing. At that time I worked at Loblaws, a small grocery store in town. One day, I was loading the shelves when a man came up to me and introduced himself as Harm Potter, Rochester’s director of admissions. He handed me an envelope and inside was a scholarship. I was the first in my family to go to college.

Between the scholarship, working, and joining the US Navy’s ROTC program, I put enough together to go to Rochester and get my degree in business administration. I saved up during the summers, too, when I worked construction, on the production line for General Motors, and drove a truck for a local company. I did whatever I could to pay for my tuition.

I also continued to play football in college. I was #44 and am proud of the fact that our team was the first to go undefeated in the University’s history. I was also a shot putter on the track team, and I joined Psi Upsilon. And although I couldn’t afford to live on campus, one year I was treasurer for the fraternity. Because of that, and my savings, I could afford to live at the fraternity one year.

My college commute

One of the biggest challenges I had back then was just getting to and from campus. The bus cost 15 cents one way, which was a lot at that time. My family had only one car and my father needed it for work. So, I hitchhiked. The toughest time to catch a ride was at night, in the winter, after football practice. Funny thing, when I go to meetings now at the Saunders Research Building on Crittenden Boulevard, I park exactly where I used to look for a ride many years ago.

My career

College yearbook photo

After college, I was stationed with the Navy in Philadelphia. Then I worked for Mutual New York selling insurance. After that, I got involved in the bakery business, followed by the office furniture supply business. In 1970, my good friend, the late Henry Epstein ’80S (MBA), and I founded Spectrum Office Products. The company quickly grew into one of the largest office supply businesses in the Northeast.

Henry was the inside man who managed operations. I was the outside man and handled sales and external relations. It worked out well—we shared the same work ethic and we respected each other. We believed in rolling up our sleeves and carrying forward, especially when times were tough. We persevered, we grew, and we became profitable. In 1994, we sold our company to Staples Inc. That’s when I unofficially started my second career with the University—volunteering, joining boards and committees, and giving back to a place that has meant a lot to me.

My wife and family

In college, I spent a good amount of time in what is today the Martin E. Messinger Periodical Reading Room on the second floor of Rush Rhees Library. One day when I was studying, a young woman named Carolyn said hello and we had a nice conversation. The rest is history.

Carolyn is a very accomplished woman. After earning her bachelor’s in nursing at Cornell, she participated in academic studies at URMC’s School of Nursing—ones that marked the beginning of the nurse practitioner program. She then became one of the world’s first nurse practitioners. She went on to work at Elmwood Pediatrics for 25 years. Together, we’ve raised two sons and a daughter, and we have six grandchildren, all of whom we are immensely proud.

My life today

My involvement with the University continues. In my free time, I read a lot, especially anything on Winston Churchill. I work out every day, too, and my border collie, Beethoven, and I take long walks a couple of times a day. Carolyn and I also enjoy classical music and are looking forward to getting to the Tanglewood Music Festival in the Berkshires this summer. Of course, any time with the family is a bonus, and we are fortunate that our children live locally.

In honor of 30th Reunion, School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumnus establishes endowment to support education and community.

Stephen Batter ’92M (MD) and Laurieann Nessralla, MD, are forever grateful for the opportunities and experiences their medical degrees have provided. “We are quite fulfilled with our career choices in medicine,” said Batter, adding that he and Nessralla are committed to giving back to the academic institutions which have nurtured them.

The couple has long supported the School of Medicine and Dentistry as members of the George Eastman Circle. In addition, Batter gives his time as a member of the reunion class committee. With his 30th reunion approaching, Batter started looking for a way to make a permanent, and more personal, impact.

“I am a native of Rochester,” Batter said. “I even lived at home with my parents during medical school to save money!” After reaching out to a member of the advancement team, he began to consider an endowed gift pledged over multiple years. “We had conversations about needs and current priorities at the School that helped me realize I wanted to impact both current medical students and the local community, in part inspired by my relationship with Life Trustee Arthur M. Richardson, who has perpetually been generous to the Rochester community,” Batter recalls.

The couple established the Class of 1992 Fund for Medical Student Volunteer Community Engagementwhich will allow students to request funds for activities ranging from preparing meals at the local Hope Lodge for out of town cancer patients and their families to community outreach such as this youth basketball program with a focus on healthy decision-making. It will also support students participating in UR Well a program that provides health care services to uninsured and under-served adults.

“I feel indebted to the School and how it promoted the psycho-social aspect into how I care for patients,” Batter said. “Laurieann and I believe that encouraging volunteer opportunities in the surrounding community will only enhance the humanistic qualities of medical education that are so important to the Ģ����ý’s way of teaching to develop the absolute best future physicians.”

Batter invited classmates to add their support, increasing the yearly budget for support. “I don’t think I know of another school that has a fund like this,” said David R. Lambert, MD, senior associate dean for medical student education. “This support will help us attract students committed to the service of others. Maintaining our robust community service offerings is important to foster the School’s biopsychosocial model, and caring for the whole person and all people.”

The Piaker Family Scholarship was established as part of the Nataraj Challenge, which began during the University’s Together for Rochester campaign. In just one year, the Nataraj Challenge raised $2.6 million and created 22 new, endowed scholarships—including this one—in support of the Universityʼs equity, diversity, and inclusion goals.

Growing up about an hour north of Chicago in a small town called Round Lake, Alan Jimenez ’25 aspired to go to college, especially after an eighth grade field trip to a local campus. Watching the students there allowed him to imagine himself as a college student someday.

Jimenez’s parents—Mexican immigrants—wanted him to go to college, too. Getting a scholarship helped make it possible for him to attend the URochester, Jimenez’s top choice. “My parents always emphasized academics,” he says. “To this day, they continue to motivate me—my mom even sends me daily motivation texts.”

In his senior year of high school, Jimenez learned about the University from his school counselor. “I was really intrigued by the Rochester Curriculum and that I could dive deeply into my major and still have room in my schedule to explore other interests,” he adds.

Jimenez’s first class in computer science is both challenging and inspiring. He and a classmate are creating a Super Mario-like video game for their capstone project this semester—an effort that Jimenez describes as both “fun and hard.”

Besides delving into computer programming, Jimenez is already exploring new interests both in and outside the classroom. His love of music prompted him to sign up for a music class. He’s learning about treble and bass and what kinds of chords complement various melodies. He loves it so much he’s considering trying an instrument for the first time. While fluent in English and Spanish, he’s also hoping to learn another language during these four years.

When he’s not in class, Jimenez can typically be found studying in the Gleason Library or Carlson Library or exercising in the gym. He’s been a part of soccer and volleyball intramurals, and he enjoys pickup dodgeball games on Saturday nights.

Recently, Jimenez met his scholarship donors, the Piakers, via Zoom. “We talked about how the campus has changed, their advice for getting through final exams, and sights to see in New York City, as I’m planning a trip with some of my new college friends soon. It’s amazing to me that they gave me a scholarship. They didn’t even know me, yet they believed in me and wanted to support me. I can’t thank them enough.”