Distinguished Service Awards for two alumni

The Distinguished Alumni Service Award was presented to Warren D. Widmann, M.D. ’61, HS ’67, and Irwin M. Braverman, M.D. ’55, HS ’56, at this year’s reunion.

Widmann was recognized for his service to the school, the Department of Surgery, and the profession of medicine. After military service, he practiced in New Jersey until 2000 when he became associate director for the surgical residency program at Columbia. He is now at the Staten Island University Hospital (SUNY Downstate Medical Center) as surgical program director. Widmann also served as a delegate to the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA), as executive committee member for the Association of Yale Alumni in Medicine, and serves as a member of the Yale Medicine editorial advisory board. He is also active in the Yale Surgical Society and has worked for the Lindskog Fellowship for study abroad.

Braverman was also recognized for his service to the school, profession, and the Yale community. After interning in medicine at Yale and serving two years in the Army, Braverman returned to Yale and entered the dermatology program, eventually joining the faculty. In 1973 he attained the rank of professor. He did groundbreaking work with electron microscopy describing the detailed structure of the dermis and its vasculature, and was a pioneer in the use of electron microscopy and 3D modeling of the skin vasculature. In 1997, he began a course for medical students and house staff in observational skills using paintings at the Yale Center for British Art. This is still used by students as well as law enforcement personnel. Braverman has served as a member of the Association of Yale Alumni Executive Committee and as an AYA delegate. He has lectured at Yale Club events, worked on the admissions, appointment, and promotions committees, and served on the editorial advisory board of Yale Medicine.