2024 Alumni Awards
Congratulations to the 2024 Alumni Award recipients. We are proud to recognize their professional achievements and contributions to medicine, and honor them as representatives of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
One of our most fundamental tenets is the strength and spirit of our alumni community, which has proven true now more than ever before. Together, we all share in the pursuit of excellence—in our work and in supporting one another. We recognize this year’s Alumni Award recipients for exemplifying that pursuit and celebrate their commitment to the values that define a Temple Made physician: exceptional care for their patients, generosity of spirit and a passion for serving others.
Michele Elaine Hackley Johnson, MD ’79, FACR, FASER
The Henry P. and M. Page Laughlin Alumna of the Year
Michele Elaine Hackley Johnson, MD ’79, FACR, FASER, professor of radiology and biomedical imaging, neurosurgery and surgery and director of interventional neuroradiology at Yale School of Medicine, is a 1979 graduate of Temple University School of Medicine. A pioneer in her field and a committed advocate for the value of mentorship, diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine, Dr. Johnson completed an internship and residency in diagnostic radiology at Temple University Hospital and a fellowship in neuroradiology (diagnostic and interventional) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She served as assistant professor of radiology at Temple from 1985 to 1990.
She joined the faculty of the Yale School of Medicine in 1999, and in 2014, she became the first African American woman to be appointed to full professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Her practice encompasses all neuroimaging and neurointervention, especially emergent vascular, brain, spine and head and neck pathologies. She also has served the school as a member of the admissions committee, the committee on the Status of Women in Medicine, the Minority Organization for Retention and Expansion, and has served as the credentials committee chair and secretary of the Yale New Haven Hospital board.
Beyond her clinical endeavors, Dr. Johnson’s educational and research contributions include dozens of invited lectures, publications, reviews and commentaries. As chair of the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion for the American Society of Neuroradiology, she has been a tireless champion for equity. She is the director of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Pipeline Initiative for the Enrichment of Radiology (PIER) Summer Program designed to introduce rising first-year medical students who are underrepresented in medicine to careers in radiology, providing both exposure and mentorship.
Her distinguished career has garnered widespread recognition, including fellowship status in esteemed organizations such as the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Emergency Radiology, for which she was also named a 2021 Gold Medalist honoree. In 2017, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Medical Association, Section on Radiology and Radiation Oncology.
Alumni Achievement Award
Joel Boyd, MD '84
Joel Boyd, MD ’84, is a trailblazer in the fields of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He currently holds the title of associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School as well as operating his primary practice at the TRIA Orthopedic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Upon graduation from Temple University School of Medicine in 1984, Boyd continued his education with a groundbreaking residency at the Cleveland Clinic, as its first Black resident in orthopedic surgery. His passion for sports led him to specialize in orthopedic sports medicine, completing a fellowship at the University of Western Ontario. During fellowship, he cared for athletes from junior ice hockey players to Olympic contenders, solidifying his expertise in the field.
Dr. Boyd became the first Black physician in the NHL when the Minnesota Wild was established in 2000, and has been involved with USA Hockey, the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves, WNBA Minnesota Lynx and the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Football Team.
An advocate for diversity in the fields of sports and medicine, he has championed initiatives like Hockey is for Everyone, the NHL’s diversity task force, promoting inclusivity in sports. Dr. Boyd continues to inspire and educate as an active mentor, collaborating with organizations like Nth Dimensions to empower underrepresented students in orthopedic surgery. He is a member of the AAOS fellow status, American College of Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Association and J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society. He also serves as the Chairman of the DEI committee for AOSSM.
His clinical interests include sports medicine, specializing in arthroscopy, ACL injuries, multiple ligament injuries and revision ACL reconstructions.
Phil Thuma, MD 74
Alumni Achievement Award
Phil Thuma, MD ’74, has dedicated his life to combating infectious disease in rural Zambia. Initially focused on malaria, Dr. Thuma expanded his research efforts and has made enormous contributions in the reduction of pediatric tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and more recently, influenza and COVID-19.
Born and raised in Zambia, he developed a deep connection to the region from an early age, thanks to his father’s missionary work founding the Macha Mission Hospital. After completing his high school education in Zambia, Dr. Thuma pursued his passion for science by earning an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Messiah University, Pennsylvania, followed by a medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine.
After graduation, he initially did a rotating internship and then worked as a general practitioner in southern Ohio, but his heart remained in Zambia, where he returned with his wife Elaine, a nurse, in 1976 to serve the community at Macha Mission Hospital. Witnessing the devastating impact of malaria, malnutrition and other preventable diseases on children, Dr. Thuma’s commitment to public health led him to undertake a pediatric residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital whereupon he returned to Zambia and embarked on a mission to improve healthcare infrastructure and research in the region.
In 2003, he collaborated with Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute to establish the Macha Research Trust (MRT), formerly known as the Malaria Institute at Macha (MIAM). This partnership facilitated groundbreaking research on malaria drug resistance and mosquito insecticide resistance, significantly impacting global efforts against the disease. Dr. Thuma’s tireless dedication earned him numerous awards and accolades, including the Donald Mackay Medal for Outstanding Work in Tropical Health.
Even after retiring from his official role with MRT in 2020, Dr. Thuma continues to volunteer at Macha Mission Hospital, underscoring his lifelong commitment to pioneering research, compassionate medicine and improving healthcare outcomes.
Alumni Service Award
Gene Zachary Salkind, MD ’79
Gene Zachary Salkind, MD ’79, is a distinguished figure in the field of neurosurgery, with more than 35 years of dedicated practice in greater Philadelphia. After graduating from Temple University School of Medicine in 1979, he continued his education with a residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, shaping his expertise in neurosurgical care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Salkind has held a number of prominent positions that have been instrumental in advancing neurological care in the region. Until 2022, he served as chief of neurosurgery at Holy Redeemer Hospital. Prior to that he was chief of neurosurgery at Albert Einstein Medical Center and Jeanes Hospital (now Temple University Hospital – Jeanes Campus).
Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Salkind is a dedicated educator, shaping future physicians in our area at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and Allegheny Health Education and Research Foundations. He is currently an adjunct assistant professor of neurosurgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
Dr. Salkind continues to contribute to the medical community through his involvement in corporate boards, advising on advancements in biotechnology and wellness technology. He is also a prominent investor in the pharmaceutical arena. Companies he invested in were later acquired by AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson. His multidimensional contributions underscore his commitment to improving healthcare delivery and innovation.
Alongside his professional achievements, Dr. Salkind is an emeritus member of the Medical Alumni Association. He and his wife Cathy, a registered nurse, are longtime supporters of medical education and research at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine. His son Julian Salkind, MD ’23, is a fellow Katz alumnus.
Emerging Leader Award
Amy Brown, MD ‘03, MBE
Amy Brown (Ost), MD ’09, MBE, is a distinguished physician, educator and advocate, renowned for her expertise in pediatric pulmonology and children’s environmental health.
While pursuing her medical degree at Temple in 2009, Dr. Brown played a pivotal role in establishing the Center for Urban Bioethics and the Humanities, reflecting her dedication to addressing complex healthcare challenges within diverse communities. She honed her clinical skills through pediatric residency and pediatric pulmonology fellowship at Columbia University – New York Presbyterian, and also holds a master’s degree in bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania.
She practices with Boston Children’s Health Physicians and is an attending physician in pediatric pulmonology at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. She is an assistant professor of pediatrics at New York Medical College School of Medicine and an adjunct associate professor of public health at the School of Health Sciences and Practice.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Brown is a director of the New York Medical College Area of Concentration in Children’s Environmental Health and a director of the Summer Student Career Exposure Program in pediatric pulmonology. She is a lead physician for the Children’s Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley and serves on the executive Board of Project ADAM NY, a local organization that promotes cardiac preparedness and heart safety in schools and youth sports. Dr. Brown has given numerous lectures locally and nationally on pediatric asthma, environmentally triggered respiratory diseases, vaping and preventative pediatric pulmonology.
Dr. Brown currently lives in Irvington outside of New York City with her family. She enjoys being active and is always filled with joy when she sees a fellow Temple alum who resides in the nearby area.
Honored Professor Award
Jacob W. Ufberg, MD ’96
Jacob W. Ufberg, MD ’96, is a distinguished figure in emergency medicine and medical education, currently serving as the associate dean for admissions at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine and professor of emergency medicine. He obtained his BA with magna cum laude honors from the University of Pennsylvania before earning his medical degree from the Temple University School of Medicine in 1996. Dr. Ufberg completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Medical College of Pennsylvania before joining the faculty at Temple University Hospital in 1999. He became residency program director in 2004.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ufberg has been recognized for his exemplary teaching and leadership, receiving multiple teaching awards from students, residents and colleagues, including the prestigious American Academy of Emergency Medicine Program Director of the Year Award in 2014. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine and has led multiple national committees related to emergency medicine education and training. Dr. Ufberg has published extensively in emergency medicine peer-reviewed literature, has served on editorial boards as an associate editor or section editor for several leading emergency medicine journals and has been named a Top 10 Reviewer by the Journal of Emergency Medicine twelve times. He has written multiple textbook chapters and co-edited two textbooks.
Working closely with the Student Diversity Committee, Dr. Ufberg helped lead a groundbreaking initiative to incorporate community perspectives into the admissions process. By involving North Philadelphia community members in the interview process for prospective medical students, the school fosters a deeper understanding of the local community’s needs and challenges for future physicians. This innovative approach not only enhances the medical school’s commitment to community-based care but also strengthens ties with the surrounding community.