A recent gathering at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building celebrated the generosity of the University of Colorado Department of Anesthesiology and honored Susan Ingram, PhD, as the inaugural recipient of the Richard Traystman, PhD, Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology.
Hosted by John J. Reilly Jr., MD, Richard D. Krugman endowed chair, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the CU School of Medicine, the event recognized the impact of Traystman and the generosity of his family, friends and colleagues, as well as the CU Department of Anesthesiology. Special guests included Suzann Lupton, wife of the late Traystman; Roderick Nairn, PhD, executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at CU Anschutz; and Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic, MD, PhD, chair of the anesthesiology department and CU Medicine endowed professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology.
From left to right: Susan Ingram, PhD; Suzann Lupton, wife of the late Richard Traystman, PhD; and Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic, MD, PhD, are photographed at the reception. |
Traystman was an accomplished scientist, prolific author and thoughtful administrator who spent 35 years researching brain blood vessels, cardiac arrest and stroke. He served as the vice chancellor for research at the University of Colorado Denver and Anschutz Medical Campus, as well as vice chair of research in the Department of Anesthesiology. A professor in the departments of anesthesiology, emergency medicine, neurology and pharmacology, this chair was established to honor his many contributions to the field of medicine and the CU campus.
“It’s clear that Richard led a life of influence,” said Jevtovic-Todorovic. “His legacy lives on through the many people he touched and through the establishment of this endowed chair.”
$2 million gift
The chair was made possible by a $2 million gift funded by the Department of Anesthesiology to provide flexible resources to bolster innovation, research and training in the field. Ingram serves as the inaugural chair holder and vice chair of research. As a renowned pain and addiction expert, she brings a wealth of knowledge and research to CU Anschutz.
“I am honored and grateful for the establishment of the Richard Traystman, PhD, Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology,” said Ingram. “Thank you for this incredible investment in anesthesiology-related research. Because of this support, we can continue the department’s rigorous pursuit of research to inform clinical practice and therapeutics.”
As Reilly noted in his remarks, endowed chairs are vitally important to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus; they make it possible for the institution to attract and retain incredible talent like Ingram. “Research-oriented chairs like this help bolster innovation, exploration and training in the anesthesiology field, laying a solid foundation of excellence,” Reilly said. “Giving to endowed chairs fuels progress in medical research, allowing us to invest in innovative ideas.”
At the close of the event, Jevtovic-Todorovic and Ingram were honored with medallions to symbolize the investment in the future strength and success of the Department of Anesthesiology and the impact of holding an endowed chair.
Photo at top: From left, John J. Reilly Jr., MD, dean of the CU School of Medicine and vice chancellor for health affairs; Susan Ingram, PhD, inaugural recipient of the Richard Traystman, PhD, Endowed Chair in the Department of Anesthesiology; and Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic, MD, PhD, chair of the anesthesiology department and CU Medicine endowed professor of anesthesiology and pharmacology.
Guest contributor: Danielle Davis, Office of Advancement.
April 23, 2024