in Hampton Roads in Hampton Roads - Eastern Virginia Medical ...

Campus mourns lossof Dr. Sue Sayegharound campusThe EVMS community lost a cherished memberin July when Sue Sayegh, MD, died suddenly ofcomplications of an acute illness.Dr. Sayegh was a respected educator andcompassionate caregiver who made significantcontributions to the Department of Obstetrics andGynecology. Dr. Sayegh first joined the EVMScommunity in 1984, and in 1988, she was the firstevergraduate of the school’s fledgling maternal-fetalmedicine fellowship program. She rose to the rankof associate professor of clinical obstetrics andgynecology, earning respect from her students andpraise from her colleagues. She had recently takenon the responsibility of coordinating the ob-gynresidency program.“Sue’s passion in life was teaching, and she dida great job at it,” said Alfred Z. Abuhamad, MD,chair of obstetrics and gynecology. “[She] left a hugevoid that certainly will never be filled, and as wetry to pick-up the pieces, we will soon realize howlacking of skills we are when compared to her.”In 2007, she received the Dean’s FacultyAchievement Award for Achievement in Teachingthe Clinical Sciences, one of the medical school’shighest faculty honors, and in 2005, she was awardedthe EVMS Sir William Osler Award for Excellencein Teaching. The national organization AmericanProfessors of Gynecology and Obstetrics awardedher its 2008 Promising Educator Award.“Sue was a wonderful person, enthusiastic anddedicated to her students and to the academicmissions of the department and EVMS and willbe deeply missed by everyone,” said EVMS Deanand Provost Gerald J. Pepe, PhD.Students who had the chance to work with herrelished the opportunity to learn from Dr. Sayegh’senergy and passion.“She was so attentive, respectful and caring inworking with residents and students, “ said ObiamakaN.E. Mora, MD, an ob-gyn resident. Dr. Sayegh washer faculty mentor. “She has inspired me to be a betterteacher, resident, colleague and friend.”Sue Sayegh, MDNew board members are respected business leadersThree business and community leaders havejoined the EVMS Board of Visitors, includingone who has been involved with the school’s fundraisingarm for decades.The new members are Robin D. Ray, P. WardRobinett, Jr. and Anne B. Shumadine. The Boardof Visitors sets policy for the medical school.Mrs. Ray is a long-time friend of the medicalschool. She was president and chairman of theEVMS Foundation Board of Trustees for 14 years,stepping down from the post last year.She is a past president or chairman of severalcommunity groups, including the Boys & Girls Clubsof Southeast Virginia, the Business Consortium forthe Arts, the Virginia Beach Foundation, the VirginiaBeach Development Authority, and the Old DominionUniversity Intercollegiate Foundation, among others.Mrs. Ray holds a BA from the University ofGeorgia and is president of Atlantic DominionDistributors.Mr. Robinett is a banking executive with40 years experience in Hampton Roads. ARobin D. RayP. Ward Robinettformer member ofPortsmouth City Council and First Citizen ofPortsmouth, he is now on the Beazley Foundationboard, director and board chairman of AAA ofTidewater, a member of the President’s AdvisoryCouncil at Virginia Wesleyan College and amember of the board of Christopher Academy.He holds a BA from North Carolina WesleyanCollege and is president of TowneBank ofPortsmouth.Mrs. Shumadine is an attorney and financialadvisor. A fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation,she has extensive experience as an advisor toeducational institutions. She is chairman and pastpresident of the ACCESS College Foundation,Anne B. Shumadineformer rector of Old DominionUniversity, a member of the BusinessLeadership Council of WellesleyCollege, a trustee of Virginia WesleyanCollege, chair of the ODU EducationalFoundation Investment Committee, anda former trustee of the William & MaryLaw School Foundation.She holds a law degree from the College ofWilliam & Mary and is chairman of SignatureFinancial Management.Three recently retired board members havebeen tapped to continue their service to the school.Board veterans Wayne F. Wilbanks, managingprincipal and chief investment officer of Wilbanks,Smith & Thomas Asset Management, LLC;Thomas V. Rueger, president and CEO ofSunTrust Bank in Hampton Roads; and StanleyWaranch, president & CEO of Buxbaum &Waranch Realty Co.; recently joined the EVMSFoundation Board of Trustees.around campuswww.eVMS.EDU Fall 2009 9