Honoring Dr. MehlmanAt a recent program and reception at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, David J. Mehlman, MD, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology, was celebrated by his colleagues, family, friends, and patients. Held on October 4 at the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center, this event brought together more than one hundred individuals with a common aspiration—for one reason or another, they wished to honor the life and work of a tremendous physician, whose compassionate care, upbeat attitude, and genuine spirit had touched them all. Following a vibrant reception, Robert O. Bonow, MD, Max and Lilly Goldberg Distinguished Professor of Cardiology, chief of the Division of Cardiology, and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, provided an introduction in which he described the great accomplishments and aspects of the division, and exclaimed that Dr. Mehlman is truly the embodiment of these best qualities. Dr. Bonow also explained the importance of fellowships at the Feinberg School, particularly, the need for advanced training in the field of echocardiography. After sharing details about the David J. Mehlman, MD, Advanced Echocardiography Fellowship Fund, named for the evening’s guest of honor, he declared it “a fitting tribute to an individual who demonstrates excellence in cardiovascular clinical medicine and imaging.”  | Drs. Rigolin, Mehlman, and Bonow (l to r) |
To more fully recognize his accomplishments, those in attendance then received a special treat: a window into the life of Dr. Mehlman. Vera H. Rigolin, MD, associate professor of medicine, associate medical director of the Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, and medical director of the Echocardiography Laboratory at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, took the podium armed with photographs and stories she had collected from Dr. Mehlman’s family. Describing her first encounter with Dr. Mehlman as a medical student—“he walked so fast I was running just to keep up”—Dr. Rigolin heralded her mentor and now-colleague as knowledgeable, compassionate, a great listener, and a pleasure to work with as a student, associate, and friend. Taking a tour through the years, from babyhood, to school days, and so on, the attendees shared laughs over old hairstyles, dated fashions, and Dr. Mehlman’s particular calling card—bags of fruit. “There are no excuses with David; he practices what he preaches! You always know he’s around because of his bag of fruit.” Dr. Rigolin further described him as an extremely impactful educator and mentor, and central to camaraderie in the office. Like Dr. Bonow, Dr. Rigolin also focused her presentation on the importance of the Advanced Echocardiography Fellowship program, as well as the tremendous fundraising effort jump-started by this event. She invited all those present and eager to honor Dr. Mehlman to consider making a gift to the fund. His keen interest in echocardiography and training at the Feinberg School will develop the crucial field of cardiovascular medicine for future generations of Northwestern physicians to come.  | Dr. Mehlman with his patient Mr. Ira M. Zeidman |
Clearly moved by the program, Dr. Mehlman took the podium to share stories that had altered his life as a physician, as well as his philosophy on science and art within the practice of medicine. Since not all problems are easily-identifiable, and remedies are quite often challenging to pinpoint, other layers begin to show themselves as exceedingly important: management, treatment, and compassionate care. It was this final theme that worked its way through Dr. Mehlman’s presentation—the tremendous importance of time spent between caregivers and patients. It is upon this valuable lesson that Dr. Mehlman has built his career, made exceptionally clear by his stirred patients throughout the audience. By: Andrea Arntsen-Harris
Photo Credit: Nathan Mandell | 
