Two honored as Distinguished Alumni at 2010 reunion

The Association of Yale Alumni in Medicine conferred two Distinguished Alumni Service Awards this year at the annual reunion.

Thomas P. Kugelman, M.D. ’60, was honored for his years of service to the School of Medicine, and to his profession, patients, and family. Kugelman graduated from Yale College in 1956 and started at the medical school that fall. While serving as a freshman councilor during his first two years of medical school, he met the woman who would become his wife. At medical school dermatology became his career and life’s work. After in internship and residency at the University of Michigan, and further training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Kugelman move to Hartford, Conn., to practice dermatology. He holds appointments at the University of Connecticut Medical School and Hartford Hospital, and also works at Yale in dermatology. One of his daughters, also a dermatologist, graduated from the medical school and shares a practice with him in Hartford.

Kugelman and his wife developed an interest in early Connecticut furniture and have authored a book on Connecticut Valley Furniture.

“Not only have you served your community, family, and patients, you have given outstanding service to your school,” the citation stated. “You and a few other classmates have run your reunions since graduation, and you have served on the Alumni Fund Board, served as president of the AYA Medicine, and attend in the Wednesday Dermatology Clinic at Yale. … Today your friends, colleagues, and classmates salute you for your love of Yale Medical School, your outstanding work as a leader, and true son of Yale.”

Also honored was Jerrold M. Post, M.D. ’60, for his service to his school, country, and profession. Post also graduated from Yale College, magna cum laude, before coming to the School of Medicine. He trained in psychiatry at Harvard before moving to the NIH.

Post spent his career entirely in the field of political psychology. For 21 years he worked with the CIA, where he founded and directed the Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior. This field and center assessed foreign leadership and decision making for the President and others preparing for summit meetings and negotiations. Post also published extensively on the psychology of political violence and terrorist behavior and their group dynamics.

In recent years Post directed the Political Psychology Program at George Washington University.

“You have helped with your class reunions from medical school for many years, including this, your 50th, and have worked as your class secretary,” according to the citation. “As in the past, you have lectured at this and other reunions, and shared your wisdom with all of us. … Today your friends and colleagues salute you for your outstanding performance as a leader, innovator and son of Yale.”