Tamara Thomas, MD, dean of Loma Linda University School of Medicine and Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health, recognized faculty physicians for their commitment to medical education during the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.
Distinguished Academic Service Awards
H. Roger Hadley, MD
Coming from a long line of physicians on both sides of his family, his career has centered on academic medicine and passionate care for patients while nurturing an effective practice environment. He is an advocate for both the institution and the individuals who make up that institution. Thousands of medical students and hundreds of faculty members are deeply grateful for his leadership and commitment to our mission.
He ended his tenure as the longest serving dean in School of Medicine history on July 1, 2019, and continues to work a urologist at Loma Linda University Health. Since his tenure as dean, he has significantly contributed to medical education nationally through serving on the board for the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the accrediting body for all medical schools. He currently is serving on the Board of Directors for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the oversight body for all residency programs.
For his commitment to medical education, Loma Linda University School of Medicine honors Dr. H. Roger Hadley with the DISTINGUISHED ACADEMIC SERVICE AWARD.
Leonard S. Werner, MD
Remember your pathophysiology course? We sure do, and are forever grateful for all that Dr. Werner has done for Loma Linda University for the last forty-plus years. Dr. Werner has taught generations of medical students with the desire to create knowledgeable, skilled physicians that are life-long learners.
Dr. Werner completed his internal medicine residency at Loma Linda University in 1981. In response to a growing interest in teaching, the School of Medicine first appointed Dr. Werner as course director for first-year student Physical Diagnosis and Interviewing (1982), then later asked him to develop a new sophomore course called Pathophysiology and Applied Physical Diagnosis (1983).
As the former senior associate dean of Medical Student Education, he put together a team to develop the clinical skills department and was instrumental in creating the simulation center. Since his retirement from the Senior Associate Dean role, Dr. Werner has tutored and mentored numerous medical students and continues to contribute to both the overall educational program as well as the journey of individual students.
In the 2021 academic year, Dr. Werner taught his last pathophysiology course, and to celebrate his legacy, the School of Medicine has created the SM Leonard Werner Education fund in his honor.
For his academic and professional expectations for his students, and commitment to medical education, Loma Linda University School of Medicine honors Dr. Leonard Werner with the DISTINGUISHED ACADEMIC SERVICE AWARD.
Distinguished Service Awards
Richard Catalano, MD
Loma Linda University Health is one of only two Level I Trauma Centers in the region, and Richard Catalano, MD, has been there every critical step of the way. He joined the School of Medicine in 1981 and currently serves as professor of surgery.
Dr. Catalano retired from his full-time role with the School of Medicine in December 2022, which ends a family legacy spanning 101 years in service to the School of Medicine. His father-in-law, Dr. Louis L. Smith (’49), served from 1959 to 2000 in the Department of Surgery, and Dr. Smith’s father-in-law, Dr. Floyd W. Gardner (’21), served from 1922 through 1960 in the School of Medicine teaching Anatomy and Physiology.
He has served multiple leadership roles including administrative vice-chairman for the Department of Surgery, Level 1 Trauma medical director for more than 30 years, division chief of general surgery, associate program director in surgery, and course director and instructor of the advanced trauma life support (ATLS) program.
For his commitment to medical education and priority to patients, Loma Linda University School of Medicine honors Dr. Richard Catalano with the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.
Kenneth Jutzy, MD
Originally wanting to be a race car driver, he decided to stay on the same pathway as his late father Roy Jutzy, who served as chief of cardiology and chair of medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Dr. Kenneth R.
As a valuable member of the International Heart Team throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Dr. Jutzy traveled to Burma, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and many other countries providing cardiology care and training.
For his humility, kindness, compassion and excellent patient care, Loma Linda University School of Medicine honors Dr. Kenneth Jutzy with the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.
