October 13, 2000

Thousands of physicians and researchers have trained at the MGH over the years. Some have remained at the institution, while others have gone on to practice at and lead medical and business institutions around the world. The intensity of the training program at the MGH creates a strong sense of camaraderie, and that bond is what brought nearly 150 former and current medical house staff to Boston for a medical house staff reunion Oct. 6 through 8. The theme of this year's reunion, organized by Dennis Ausiello, MD, MGH physician-in-chief, was "Careers in Medicine in the New Millennium."

"The event itself was a celebration of the impact that training at the MGH has had on former medical house staff," says John Potts, MD, director of MGH Research. "It's also wonderful for the alumni to return to see how this institution has met the changing needs of health care. It's a great party too."

The MGH has an extensive list of former house staff who have gone on to become major players in the medical world. Five Nobel Prize winners – including Gerald Edelman, MD, PhD, (right) director of the Neurosciences Institute, who spoke at this year's reunion – trained at the MGH. In addition, three of the current institute directors at the National Institutes of Health are MGH alumni.

Reunions are held approximately every five years. This year's attendees ranged from distinguished retirees to current house staff. The topics of discussion ranged from challenges faced by medical education institutions, to what the MGH is doing to help improve health care in third world countries and among the homeless in the United States.

"Alumni of the MGH are proud of their training, and the reunion is a special time for them to come back and enjoy that affinity toward the MGH together with their peers," says Potts.