18 April 4 • 2019 jn 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