College of Medicine Prominent Alumni

Emil J. Freireich, MD ’49, hematologist and pioneer of clinical trials in cancer therapeutics and in treatments for adult acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Olga Jonasson, MD ’58, is among the pioneers of kidney transplantation; performing the first transplant in Illinois in 1969.

U.S. Rep. James A. McDermott (D-Wash.), MD ’63, has served since 1971 in both the House and Senate for the state of Washington.

Charles Hirsch, MD ’62, chief medical examiner for New York City. His office is identifying the remains of those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center disaster.

Julius Richmond, MD, MS ’39, BS ’37, HON ’79, is John D. MacArthur Professor of Health Policy emeritus at Harvard University and served as surgeon general and assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from 1977 to 1981. He was appointed as the first director of the Head Start program in 1965.