Profiles of current holders of endowed chairs and professorships at The Ohio State University Medical Center and insight into the donors and namesakes of these prestigious positions.
William Abraham, MD, FACP, FACC
The Designated Chair of Excellence in Cardiovascular Medicine
Director of Ohio State’s Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, William Abraham is also deputy director of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and professor of Internal Medicine. An internationally known researcher in heart failure, Dr. Abraham has participated as principal investigator in more than 100 multicenter clinical drug and device trials and has received grants from the National Institutes of Health, the American College of Cardiology and the Aetna Quality Care Foundation. He has authored more than 600 original papers, abstracts, book chapters and review articles.
Namesake: Community leaders and strong advocates for the heart program at Ohio State, John G. McCoy and his late wife Jeanne Bonnet McCoy, Dimon and Darlene McFerson, Elizabeth (Libby) Ross and Sarah (Sally) Ross Soter all made the Designated Chair of Excellence in Cardiovascular Medicine possible. The chair fosters innovation and excellence in cardiac care.
Michael Tweedle, PhD
The Stefanie Spielman Chair in Cancer Imaging
Michael Tweedle joined Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James) in 2009 as professor of Radiology and director of the Imaging Agents Laboratory for the Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging. The holder of 29 patents and a specialist in contrast media used for diagnostic imaging, Dr. Tweedle invented the first catalysts for production of Tc radiopharmaceutical kits for the heart, the first nonionic macrocyclic MRI agent, and radiotheranostics for imaging and therapy for breast and prostate cancers.
Namesake: With her husband Chris, Stefanie Spielman started the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the OSUCCC – James shortly after her diagnosis in 1998. They later established the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Patient Assistance. To date, the funds have generated more than $6.5 million. She also served on the OSUCCC – James Foundation Board. Stefanie Spielman lost her battle with cancer in November 2009.
Mark Wewers, MD
The John A. Prior Professorship
Mark Wewers completed his training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is associate director of Inflammation Research in Ohio State’s Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute. His NIH-supported lab focuses on immune responses to pathogens, particularly lung host defense mechanisms. Dr. Wewers is a nationally recognized expert in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and runs the Alpha-1 Clinical Resource Center at Ohio State.
Namesake: John Prior received his bachelor’s degree (’35) and medical degree (’38) from The Ohio State University. He helped develop Ohio State’s School of Allied Medical Professions and its Pulmonary program, and was named Professor of the Year in 1951. Dr. Prior was dean of Ohio State’s College of Medicine from 1970 to 1972 and remained an active member of the Pulmonary Division until his death in 1992 at age 79. Ohio State’s Health Sciences library was named in his honor in 1988.
This page was compiled by Jami Brunk Young.