Phillip P. Bonanni, M.D.

Citation read by James Haley

Phil Bonanni is a physician who has always championed the importance of the unique story of each patient in approaching patient care. Over the years he has received complimentary notes such as this one from 1987: "I enjoyed our sessions in the office and although undecided about my ultimate career choice, this experience reinforces my leaning toward general medicine." I wrote that and joined a legion of other students, residents, and attendings, who have been inspired and mentored by Dr. Bonanni.

Phil is from Brooklyn, NY, and was the student president of New Utrecht High School. One day, as they commuted on the 18^th Ave bus to Brooklyn College, Phil--a dashing figure in his ROTC uniform--gave up his seat to the woman who would become the love of his life, Anita. They married in 1962, have four beloved children: Jim, Chris, Elena, and Felicia; and nine grandchildren. Phil handles the most stressful of complex patient situations with steadiness and calm. However, he disintegrates into a mass of jello if there is an illness in his own family – a clear manifestation of the depth of his love and devotion.

After college graduation summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, Phil came to Rochester and while a medical student, won the Academy’s Strassenburg award for original papers twice. After chief residency at Strong, he was a founding faculty member of Strong’s General Medicine Unit. He entered private practice in 1973 and, despite his many roles over four decades, he continues to practice internal medicine. I witnessed his masterful approach to practice when I joined his group in 1989 and marveled at his balancing of patient care, teaching, leadership, and family.

His honors include the James M. Stewart Award for Distinguished Clinical Teaching, Physician of the Year Award from VNS, and the Medical Society’s Edward Mott Moore Award. His leadership skills resulted in his appointment as Associate Chair in Medicine at Strong in 1966, and his current position as Associate Chair of Medicine at Unity Hospital since 2004. Stories of his leadership, mentorship, dedication to medical education, and his advocacy for teamwork and quality care abound. He has consistently focused on clinical excellence for the Rochester community and being an integral part of the teaching of clinicians for today and tomorrow - students, PAs, NPs, nurses and doctors! As Professor of Medicine, Clinical Nursing, and Medical Humanities, he remains a spokesman for our medical community. Phil has been President of the Rochester Academy of Medicine, the Medical Society, and The Corner Society. He has participated and chaired numerous local and state councils and task forces for the betterment of our patients, our profession, and the Rochester community. His kind and insightful interviewing style has recruited scores of medical students and residents. During times of divisiveness in Rochester’s healthcare, Phil’s credibility, trust, and respect by members of each Rochester health system and his steadfast role as champion of collegiality among physicians, along with his unfailing message that the welfare of our patients must be the first priority, is exemplary. He is the soul of medicine. He practiced patient-centered care long before the term became fashionable. Through his actions and his writings, Phil has shared with us compassionate care of the sick, the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship, and the principle that medicine is not just what we do, it is who we are. In one of his many Bulletin articles, he stated,"Even with the changes that have occurred, it remains (for me at least) that medicine is the greatest of professions." One resident wrote:"Dr. Bonanni is one of my teachers who will leave an impression on me for the rest of my life."

I am sure Phil would want his story to be your story, to be our story, a story which invigorates each of us for what we do every day and reminds us of the incredible privilege it is to be a physician. He stands with Engel, Morgan, Young, Stewart, Ureles, Berg, Joynt, and the other master clinicians and educators in Rochester’s history. It is with the greatest admiration that I present to you, my good friend, Dr. Philip Bonanni, as the recipient of the 2011 Albert David Kaiser Medal.

Distinguish Service Awards:

J. Richard Ciccone, M.D.

Read by Robert Weisman, D.O.

Dr. Richard Ciccone is a visionary leader who helped create modern forensic psychiatry and has placed the field squarely in the mainstream of medical specialties.

Richard often acknowledges his debt to his teachers—prominent among them were John Romano and George Engel. Early on, Dr. Romano encouraged Richard to pursue his developing interest in forensic psychiatry during a time when few mentors appreciated the interface between psychiatry and law. Richard shares how presenting cases to Dr. Romano made for excellent training for expert witness testimony. Richard’s adaptation of Dr. Engel’s principles for psychiatric consultation provided a model framework for forensic psychiatric consultations to the legal system.

In 1974, after serving in the Navy, Richard returned to the University of Rochester where he is Professor of Psychiatry. He is founding director of the University of Rochester Psychiatry and Law Program, one of the nation’s first and most highly regarded Forensic Psychiatry Fellowships. Under his direction, Richard has trained more than 40 fellows. Continuing his visionary leadership in the field, Richard’s fellowship recently became the first program offering a training track in child and adolescent forensic psychiatry. This program enhancement will no doubt be emulated by other training fellowships across the nation.

In 1986, as President of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Richard presided over the adoption of the "Ethical Guidelines for the Practice of Forensic Psychiatry."

In 1992, Richard helped write the original American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology examination in Forensic Psychiatry, and 10 years later was instrumental in creating the first recertification examination.

In 1997, Richard led the effort establishing credentialing criteria for forensic psychiatry fellowship programs.

A Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Richard has held several leadership positions within the APA. From 1993-2000, he chaired the APA’s Commission on Judicial Action which provides amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court on issues important to psychiatry. As chair, Richard attended a number of Supreme Court arguments and interacted with those sitting Justices, during the Rehnquist Court.

Richard’s body of forensic psychiatric work has lead to worldwide speaking engagements including several visiting professorships in Sienna, Italy.

Richard delights in recounting his travels with his wife, Natalie, whose loving support he relies on. Together they have three children—Regina, Louis and Robert---and four grandchildren. Here tonight with their parents Regina and Stephen MacAdam, are two of Richard’s grandchildren – Maggie who is 9 ½ and Mary Liz who turns six next Monday.

On a personal note, Richard has selflessly shared his principles for excellence in practice with me since my fellowship days in 1995, and now in my role as Director of Education for that program. He continues to find "teachable moments" with me, and I feel privileged that he now considers me a colleague. Like my late father, I have come to trust Richard implicitly. Whether a midnight call about a challenging case or even a family matter, he is always willing to help break things down in his gentle, generous and dignified way. As Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

It is my honor to present Richard with the Rochester Academy of Medicine’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the medical profession.

Janine L. Fogarty, M.D.

Robert H. Israel, M.D.

Dr. Richard T. Moxley III

Peter H. Van Brunt, M.D.

Citation read by Richard S. Constantino

Good Evening, I am very honored to have been asked to speak on behalf of Dr. Peter VanBrunt, as he is recognizes with the Rochester Academy of Medicine Distinguished Service Award. Peter was born and raised in Stanford, Connecticut. Dr. VanBrunt attended Ohio Wesleyan University achieving Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa status while competing successfully in their intercollegiate wrestling program. Peter then attended med school at the U of R, graduation in 1977, being honored with Alpha Omega Alpha Designation.

I have known Peter for over 33 years in a variety of capacities. I served under Peter first as an intern and junior resident and subsequently he was my Chief Resident. He taught me a tremendous amount of medicine in both formal and informal ways and we established a partnership in a medical practice 30 years ago that has endured to this day. In conjunction with Dr. Ronald J. Umanksy who served as Chief Resident for both of us, we have had a wonderful relationship over the years and I am told that we now represent the longest standing, intact original coverage group in Rochester. (I am not sure if we should be proud of that.)

The term physician’s physician I believe is over utilized, but not in the case of Cr. Peter VanBrunt. He cares for numerous physicians who seek his wise counsel, guidance, care and concern. Dr. Umansky and I, individuals who have good insight into physician services available are honored to count ourselves among Dr. VanBrunt’s patients.

Like many physicians, Dr. VanBrunt has quietly taken on the responsibility and concerns of his patients with little fanfare or desired recognition. His commitment is pure to those individuals fortunate enough to be cared for by him and he has met and exceeded the medical needs of his patient population for over 30 years.

Peter has done much to further care and education in our community. He has diligently taught residents and medical students over the years much as he taught me over 30 years ago. In fact his students consider it an honor to be taught by him and one student recently wrote: "Dr. VanBrunt was a great mentor and physician and I want to model my style after his".

Dr. VanBrunt has had a strong medical administrative presence in our community serving as a member of the Executive Medical Dental Staff; Credentials Committee,; Executive Committee Dept. of Medicine. Peter has also been President of RGH Medical Dental Staff; Chair, Quality Assurance Committee and Chair, Credentials Committee.

Peter became President of the Medical Dental Staff on Rochester General Hospital in 2002. He dealt with some of the most incredibly difficult Medical Dental Staff issues and situation s at a time of great uncertainty in Rochester General’s history.

Peter VanBrunt has been blessed with the love and commitment of a magnificent wife, Patty VanBurnt. Together they have two beautiful children; Peter Jr., someone who has committed his life to teaching children in Washington, DC and his daughter Margaret who is pursuing her PHD in history, having received her Masters.

But as I close, I salute you and congratulate your family on your great accomplishments. I know that you are honored to now be a member of the very select group of Distinguished Service Award members of the Rochester Academy of Medicine, but they also fell honored to now have you as a member…And when it comes to a name, now you know the rest of the story.