Preparing for the Telefund are (from left): this year's chair, Merle (Pete) Rydesky, students Dana Schroeder, Brian Dolsey, Samantha Anne, Reason Ford, and annual gifts officer Elsa Silverman.

Plans are in place for Telefund 2000. Continuing an annual fall rite inaugurated more than 25 years ago, the four-week campaign for the Alumni Annual Fund enlists volunteers, medical alumni and students, who contact graduates across national and international time zones and area codes. Hoping to surpass the 1999 Telefund record pledge total of  $536,000, organizers have set ambitious goals for this year’s campaign, which runs from Oct. 6 to Nov. 8.

Throughout the summer and early fall, two newly appointed professional staff, Alumni Affairs Manager Lori Robitaille and Annual Gifts Officer Elsa Silverman, collaborated on  Telefund preparations with Medical Alumni Association President Bruce Deschere, MD,’77, and Telefund Chair Merle Rydesky, MD, ’64. As opening night approaches, Silverman’s excitement is building. “This year’s Telefund is an opportunity to make history. We hope to contact a record number of alumni and surpass last year’s record-setting pledge totals. I’m encouraged and impressed by the alumni association’s dedication to helping our students develop into accomplished physicians by strengthening the school’s outstanding educational experience.”

Telefund proceeds support a broad range of programs and services to advance missions. Scholarships, summer fellowships, advanced research and educational programs increase academic quality. Additionally, funds are designated for Freshman Orientation Week, Career Day, the Student Senate Retreat and nearly 50 special interest groups and model community outreach organizations. 

Alumni activities sponsored by the Annual Fund include the annual reunion weekend, receptions at specialty conferences nationwide, and the services provided by the Alumni Affairs Office.

Robitaille, who has worked at the school for 12 years, most recently as assistant to the dean, sees the event as providing an additional dividend. Noting its spirited and cordial atmosphere, she adds, “Telefund invigorates relationships among alums, students and the school.”  She looks forward to meeting the stalwart “regulars,” alumni who volunteer year after year, renewing friendships with nearly all their classmates. 

2000 Telefund specifics:

DATES: October 16, 17, 18, 24, 25 and November 1, 2, 6, and 8
LOCATION: Scott Hall
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Buffet dinner served nightly
To volunteer, call (313) 577-6482