Academy of Medicine Founders

 John R. Beljan, M.D.
Richard A. DeWall, M.D.
Raymond M. Kahn, M.D.
Frank L. Shively, Jr., M.D.
Sylvan L. Weinberg, M.D.

Drs. Beljan and Shively first envisioned the Academy of Medicine on a fishing trip. They saw that School of Medicine faculty members were in a unique position to provide financial assistance to medical students. Dr. Beljan explained, "We discussed how to break down the barriers among the university, community, and medical school and how to unify them into a cohesive force to benefit the people of this region." Their pioneering vision was realized in today's Academy of Medicine. 

Unfortunately, the Academy lost two of its founders in 2003. Dr. John R. Beljan died in July 2003 in Chicago, IL, and Dr. Raymond M. Kahn died on Monday, October 6th at Good Samaritan Hospital.