18 April 4 • 2019
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W
hen Robert Folberg, M.D.,
was named dean of the new
Oakland University William
Beaumont (OUWB) School of Medicine
in 2008, his background included 20
years as a National Institutes of Health-
funded researcher and as a pathologist
and ophthalmologist. Folberg also was
influenced by Judaism and credits his
Jewish values for helping to create what
has been called the medical school’
s
“kindness curriculum.
”
“I began to build a culture by putting
some values out there,
” says Folberg, who
stepped down Feb. 18 as dean. Although
clearly noting OUWB is a secular school,
the founding dean says, “When you are
creating something, you need a frame
of reference and I brought these things.
Science, knowledge and the techniques
of medicine need to be tethered to gen-
erous amounts of humanity to create
virtuoso physicians.
”
He references the Jewish Musar
Movement that stresses personal growth,
the Zohar and Rabbi Abraham Joshua
Heschel.
The patch on OUWB medical stu-
dents’
lab coats has two circles repre-
senting the school’
s core values, which
Folberg connects to Jewish traditions.
The circles (one for the medical school
and one for Beaumont Health) represent
the communities they serve and the
understanding that every community
member has infinite value.
To develop a physician expert in more
than science and medical techniques,
OUWB developed a special selection
process, curriculum and culture under
Folberg’
s leadership. The admissions
process emphasizes attributes and expe-
riences that predict whether a physician
will be altruistic, compassionate and
empathetic.
“Empathy is more than a course or
how we teach or inspirational speakers.
This is our culture,
” Folberg wrote for
the Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC) News. “Patients come
first, and the goal is to develop doctors
who are not only knowledgeable, but are
also skilled communicators, compassion-
ate people, respectful of diversity.
”
OUWB students participate in spiri-
tuality rounds with pastoral counseling
staff. “We ask that students go outside
their own faith traditions, which helps
them learn what patients bring to crit-
ical decision-making from their faith,”
he says. Community service also is
emphasized.
Such humanistic values reflect
Folberg’
s traditional Jewish education
in Philadelphia. As an adult, he took
classes at Gratz College, a local Jewish
institution, and taught Hebrew school
while attending Temple University
School of Medicine. His brother is a
rabbi.
“I did a lot of interfaith work and
advocacy when we lived in Iowa City.
Amy (his wife) taught Hebrew school
and I was an amateur hazzan,” he says.
They belong to Congregation Beth
Ahm in West Bloomfield.
While a professor at the University
of Illinois Medical School in Chicago
during the 1980s, Folberg initiated a col-
laboration with an Israeli medical school.
OUWB has academic partnerships
in Israel, including a medical student
exchange with Hadassah Hospital.
The OUWB Medical School began
with 50 students and now has expanded
to 500 students.
“Given my experience with medical
schools across the country, there is no
question Dean Folberg has established
a top-rate medical school with a truly
unique and innovative mission, extraor-
dinarily accomplished and dedicated
faculty, and a growing list of exemplary
academic and community engagement
achievements,
” said OU President Ora
Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.
Folberg announced last year he
would not seek to extend his 10 years as
dean. He will continue as a professor of
foundational medical studies as well as
pathology and ophthalmology. He says
he and Amy now consider Metro Detroit
their home. ■
Running to Raise Dollars
Young Franklin resident plans a run across America
in memory of her late grandfather.
W
hat Jackie Katz, 22, remem-
bers most about her late
grandfather Jerry Katz are his
smile and the interest he showed in her
activities.
“Every time we visited or spoke over
the phone, he always enjoyed asking
me about my accomplishments in
cross-country running and track and
field,
” said the Franklin resident.
For that reason, Jackie thinks her
grandfather would be proud of a new
challenge on her horizon: taking part in
the 4K for Cancer run across the country
to benefit the Ullman Foundation, which
provides support to young people with
cancer.
Accepting the challenge has special
meaning for Jackie since she lost her
grandfather to pancreatic cancer in 2015.
“I felt helpless in his fight,
” she said. “I
couldn’
t really do anything to help the
situation. Through the 4K for Cancer,
I am able to give back and make an
impact on those going through a similar
situation.
”
Jackie, a member of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek, has a goal of raising
more than $5,000 for the race and has
accumulated about $3,500 so far. She will
begin her race in San Francisco on June
16, running with a team of about 30 peo-
ple, and will end in Boston Aug. 3. All
told, she and her team will cover more
than 4,000 miles.
During the race, Jackie and her fellow
runners will visit various cancer centers
to volunteer, including visiting with
patients, putting together care packages
and cooking for patients staying at vari-
ous Hope Lodges and Ronald McDonald
Houses.
“I think my primary reason to do this
challenge is to give back to the cancer
community,
” she said. “I’
m excited to
meet a lot of people who are also moti-
vated to do the challenge and I’
m excited
to see the country in a new way.
”
Becca Eddy, coordinator for the 4K
for Cancer run at the Baltimore-based
Ulman Foundation, said the race will
bring together about 120 people. The
event not only includes runners but
cyclists, too. Participants come from all
quarters of the United States, as well as
Europe and Asia.
Participants will run or cycle past
spectacular American sites, according
to Eddy, including the Grand Tetons,
Mount Rushmore around July 4 and
Niagara Falls.
“There is no better way to see the
country than on foot,
” said Eddy, who
has participated in the race herself. “It’
s a
lot of fun. One of the best parts is getting
to know your teammates.
”
With the support of Ulman, the 4K
for Cancer has generated more than $7
million. The foundation provides nation-
al scholarships to young people living
with cancer. They also offer a navigator
program, which helps young people
from around the country locate support
services.
“Ulman is one of the oldest and largest
organizations helping young people who
have been diagnosed with cancer,
” Eddy
said. “Our programs really do reach
across the country.
”
To support Jackie Katz, visit her fund-
raising page at https://ulman.z2systems.
com/Jackie-Katz. For more information
about the Ulman Foundation, visit
ulmanfoundation.org. ■
Elizabeth Katz is a Metro Detroit freelance writer.
She has no relation to Jackie Katz.
Jackie Katz
jews d
in
the
Kinder Doctors
SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Former OUWB Medical School Dean
Robert Folberg with a student
Folberg’
s legacy at OUWB
includes Jewish values.
ELIZABETH KATZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS