A Tremendous Gift: A Generous Bequest Honors Four Faculty MembersOn the evening of Tuesday, June 8, members of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine community, family, and friends gathered to celebrate the combined investitures of Mark K. Eskandari, MD, and Mark D. Morasch, MD, as the James S. T. Yao, MD, PhD, Professor of Education in Vascular Surgery and John F. Marquardt, MD, Clinical Research Professor of Vascular Surgery, respectively. After a brief introduction by J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, vice president of medical affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean of the Feinberg School, during which he explained the origins of endowed “chairs” in Islamic culture, dating back to times when teachers would sit in chairs and students would gather around to learn, Nathaniel J. Soper, MD, Loyal and Edith Davis Professor and chair of the Department of Surgery took the podium to begin the evening’s program.  | Dr. Pearce (l) listens as Dr. Soper (r) explains the medallions androsettes presented to endowed professors |
Dr. Soper described the evening’s celebration as momentous. “We are doubly proud to honor not only Drs. Eskandari and Morasch, but also those whose names are attached to these professorships,” he said, referencing the emeriti faculty members honored in the endowed professorships’ names: Dr. Marquardt, assistant professor of clinical medicine, emeritus, and Dr. Yao, professor of surgery, emeritus. Following Dr. Soper’s introduction, William H. Pearce, MD, Violet R. and Charles A. Baldwin Professor of Vascular Surgery and chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery, took the podium to emcee the remainder of the program. He began by describing Joseph and Marjorie Lanterman, the generous individuals whose philanthropic foresight made the creation of these endowed professorships possible. Mrs. Lanterman had established a very close relationship with her husband’s physicians—Drs. Pearce, Marquardt, and Yao—and even after his death, remained their close friend, eventually working with these same doctors through her own illness. Dr. Pearce described Mrs. Lanterman as having a sharp wit and keen intellect, possessing the ability to identify the true excellence of the human spirit. In memory of her husband, Mrs. Lanterman established these two endowed professorships through a generous gift from her estate, which she humbly requested remain anonymous prior to her passing. In doing so, she created perpetual legacies to the great work and talent of Drs. Marquardt and Yao, now shared by Drs. Eskandari and Morasch.  | Drs. Marquardt, Morasch, Eskandari, and Yao (l to r) |
Dr. Marquardt’s remarks described in greater detail his relationship with Mrs. Lanterman. “She was philanthropic to many organizations throughout Chicago. She had a twinkle in her eye, was always eager to help, and extremely kind.” He further expressed his privilege at being close with the Lantermans, describing their relationship and the resulting professorship as “the highest compliment of my medical career.” He expressed pride in the accomplishments of Drs. Eskandari and Morasch, and shared that it was particularly fitting for these talented individuals to be honored with these professorships. Dr. Yao’s remarks were similarly thankful, referencing the unfailing kindness and generosity of the Lantermans, and his own humility at being honored in such a great way. He also thanked his family, friends, and colleagues present for attending the special event, sharing his respect for Dr. Eskandari. Drs. Eskandari and Morasch echoed one another’s sentiments, admitting that they felt this celebration was not to focus on them. “We don’t want to make this about the two of us. This celebration is truly in honor of the Lantermans and Drs. Marquardt and Yao,” Dr. Morasch said, describing himself as a “temporary steward” of the honor. By: Andrea Arntsen-Harris
Photo Credit: Nathan Mandell | 
