UM Alum Receives Long Overdue Bachelor’s Degree | Miller …

11.26.2013 UM Alum Receives Long Overdue Bachelors Degree

Robert J. Mandel, M.D., a member of the University of Miami School of Medicine class of 1963, had an appointment with President Donna E. Shalala November 15. Mandel had retired after a long and distinguished career as a radiologist at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne but one thing that bothered him was that he never received his bachelors degree from UM because he was admitted to medical school after just three years.

During his meeting with the President, he told her his story, handed her his academic record and said, Ive always told my kids to finish what you start. Is there any way I can get that bachelors degree?

Passing the paperwork across the conference table to Leonidas G. Bachas, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the President answered, That would be the decision of the Dean.

But then she couldnt wait any longer. She pulled a degree out from under the table and handed it to Mandel. Im very pleased to present you your bachelors degree, she said.

Mandel was thrilled, and posed for pictures with the President, Dean Bachas and Jeffrey Block, M.D., President of the Medical Alumni Association. Im surprised! Mandel said. I was just going to ask if it would be possible.

President Shalala was alerted to Mandels desire to get his degree after he attended his 50th medical school reunion during Alumni Weekend last March and spoke to Steven Falcone, M.D., interim Executive Dean for Clinical Affairs and interim Chief Executive of the UHealth Clinical Practice.

Its wonderful to be able to recognize alumni who have matriculated through both the undergraduate and medical campuses of UM, and for various reasons did not receive their undergraduate degrees, Falcone said. All of these med school graduates were ahead of their time, as a six- or seven-year program did not exist back then.

Mandels UM connections cross the generations: His son, David W. Mandel, Ph.D., PT, is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy.

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