Xavier University School of Medicine Aruba hosted the first annual Global Health Leadership Summit on May 19, 2023 at Xavier’s brand new residential campus.

The event brought together professionals who have spent their entire careers as leaders in healthcare to speak with Xavier University School of Medicine students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

The speakers included:

• Dr. Jerome Lowenstein, Professor, Clinician, and Researcher at NYU for more than 60 years
• Mr. Ramon Rodriguez, President and CEO of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
• Dr. Sampat Shivangi, Chairman of the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health and Member of the National Advisory Committee for the National Center For Mental Health Services
• Dr. Rachel Karmally ‘12, Associate Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Henry Ford Health
• Dr. J.G. Bhat, Chancellor of Xavier University School of Medicine
• Mr. Ravi Bhooplapur, President of Xavier University School of Medicine

“It was an honor to host the Global Health Leadership Summit,” said Xavier University School of Medicine President Ravi Bhooplapur. “It was a privilege to have such esteemed guests on our campus, and I know the event was a huge benefit to our students, alumni, and faculty.”

During the event, the creation of the Dr. Jerome Lowenstein Endowed Lecture on Humanistic Aspects of Medical Education was announced. This will be a guest lecture that will take place during the Global Health Leadership Summit every year in recognition of Dr. Lowenstein’s tremendous impact on the field of medicine.

Then, during the graduation ceremony on May 20, Dr. Lowenstein was presented with the Dr. William Osler Award for Lifetime Achievement in Medical Education.

Dr. Lowenstein noted in his address to students and graduates: “What does the future hold for you as newly minted physicians? Yogi Berra, once a star catcher for the NY Yankees, commented that ‘Prediction is hard. Especially about the future’ It is hard to argue with Yogi about that. I can only speculate about the nature of medicine with which you, as graduates, will cope. I would say that for you graduates the future has already begun.”

“It was incredible having my mentor Dr. Lowenstein at the Global Health Leadership Summit,” added Xavier University School of Medicine Chancellor Dr. J.G. Bhat. “I have learned so much from Dr. Lowenstein over the years, and I know our students, alumni, and faculty certainly were able to learn a lot from him.”

In addition, Dr. Sampat Shivangi was presented with the Xavier University School of Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award in Leadership and Patient Advocacy in Mental Health Care and Mr. Ramon Rodriguez was recognized with the Xavier University School of Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award in Healthcare Delivery.