“David Hellmann created a culture where we all had each other’s back and stepped in to help, without being asked. I think we are bonded together in making academic medicine a priority in society. We should always behave with that in mind as we care for patients, do research, support the community and focus on the next generation. Back then, the AIDS epidemic was devastating East Baltimore, but I worked with a team that inspired both meaning and joy — even humor. Increasingly, my leadership role involves enabling others to succeed, and I remember how many great mentors from the Osler service have been there for me every step of the way.”

— Katrina Armstrong (Longcope, 1994)
Chair of the Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and physician-in-chief, Massachusetts General Hospital

“Charlie Wiener was one of the first people to really believe in me and help me see that I should believe in myself and that I could do great things. He met me where I was and respected me for who I am, and he saw the ability of all different types and styles of people to lead. He didn’t try to change anyone. He encouraged me to be honest and vulnerable and not compromise what’s most important to me. Whenever I’m asked to do something now that I feel unsure about, I say to myself, ‘What would C.W. say? He’d say, Why not?’ He has always believed in me, and that made anything possible.”

— Emily Sydnor Spivak (Longcope, 2004)
Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases,
University of Utah School of Medicine; Medical Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs, University of Utah Health and VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System

"Sanjay Desai taught us so much — not only about clinical medicine, but also about how to lead with grace. He is incredibly in tune with the trainees of the Osler program. During rounds in the PCCU last Thanksgiving, Sanjay came by to say hello, as he has done every year to support the housestaff teams working on Thanksgiving. All of our spirits in the PCCU were lifted by Sanjay’s appearance, especially during the pandemic. He is always available to listen, even well beyond traditional work hours, and to help trainees navigate challenges that go hand in hand with medical training, whether or not they are related to medicine. When I met with Sanjay to discuss next steps for pursuing an academic career, he described how he and I were “partners” in this decision-making process. He placed a significant degree of trust in the housestaff and the resulting autonomy, guided by his close support, catalyzed our growth as physicians."

— Amir Ameri (Thayer, 2021)
Medical Oncology Fellow, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins