Celebrating the Combined Investitures of Drs. John Robert Lurain III and Julian C. Schink | Drs. Schink, Jameson, Lurain, and Mr. Irving Stenn Jr. (l to r) |
On Friday, April 30, friends, family, and colleagues celebrated the investitures of John Robert Lurain III, MD, and Julian C. Schink, MD, at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. As the Marcia Stenn Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and the John and Ruth Brewer Professor of Gynecology and Cancer Research, respectively, Drs. Lurain and Schink were both toasted at a reception honoring the occasion at The Peninsula Hotel. As emcee, J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, vice president for medical affairs and Lewis Landsberg Dean at Feinberg, began the program by speaking about named professorships at Feinberg—the most prestigious and coveted positions held by faculty members—and the generous donors that create these important titles, which remain in perpetuity. Mr. Irving Stenn Jr. then took the podium, sharing the emotional story of his wife Marcia’s battle with ovarian cancer, which eventually took her life in 1999. In 1991, with her husband and their family, Mrs. Stenn created the Stenn Fund for Ovarian Cancer Research to support the Division of Gynecologic Oncology’s efforts to help patients and families suffering with ovarian cancer. In memory of his late wife and in honor of Dr. Lurain—Marcia Stenn’s physician and former chief of the division—Mr. Stenn, his family, and friends, launched a fundraising initiative in 2008 to create the Marcia Stenn Professorship in Gynecologic Oncology. Mr. Stenn described Dr. Lurain as “attentive, kind, and warm, but always direct and honest. Marcia and I spent 12 years—one third of our married life—with John, Nancy, and their entire team. Marcia would have been proud of the accomplishments of the fund under Dr. Lurain’s direction, and thrilled that Dr. Lurain is being honored for his medical skill and care of patients, and Nancy and her colleagues for the importance of their work. This end result would fill her with joy.” Presented with a medallion to recognize this prestigious title, Dr. Lurain spoke of his interactions with Mrs. Stenn, describing her fight against cancer as graceful and determined. “Marcia translated a life of volunteerism into becoming an advocate for all women with ovarian cancer.” Dr. Lurain pledged to continue his work to improve the lives of women with gynecologic malignancies through patient care, education, and research here at Northwestern and beyond. He closed by acknowledging all those who would be honored that evening: his colleague Nancy Anderson, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, OCN, adult nurse practitioner in the Section of Gynecologic Oncology, Dr. John Brewer, his mentor, and Dr. “Skip” Schink, his longtime colleague. Sarah Stenn Grabb and Rachel Stenn Paley, daughters of the late Mrs. Stenn, then announced the establishment of the Nancy Anderson Award for Excellence in Gynecologic Oncology Nursing in honor of Ms. Anderson, who they described as “an extraordinary nurse and human being, who also happens to be the personification of compassionate care. There is no one more kind or more committed—someone Mom called nurse and friend.” Ms. Anderson expressed her deepest gratitude at being honored, thanking the entire Stenn family for including her in the meaningful evening, and for making such an incredible contribution to inspire current and future generations of gynecologic oncology nurses to continue their valuable work. Following an effusive extolment, Dr. Schink was presented with his professorship medallion. His words of gratitude were extended to all those present, especially Drs. Lurain and Jameson, and his friend and extoller David Miller, MD, FACS, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He also acknowledged all of the generous benefactors who support gynecologic oncology research and education at Feinberg. Thanks to the tremendous philanthropic support of countless donors, Dr. Schink said, “We are able to soar to incredibly great heights, and make accomplishments to improve health for the patients who inspire and challenge us.” By: Andrea Arntsen-Harris
Photo credit: Stephen Serio / Nathan Mandell Photography | 
