Courtesy of Just Sports Photography

By day, Robert A. Goodman, M.D., '99, is an anesthesiologist who works in the sterile, controlled atmosphere of an operating room. By night he's on ice, dealing with passionate players, irate coaches and raucous crowds as a linesman for the American Hockey League.

Dr. Goodman first strapped on ice skates at age eight, and by 15 was officiating squirts on outdoor rinks for in-house leagues, eventually moving to the junior level. He continued to play hockey, but reached a critical decision point in college when he realized that "I wasn't going to have a hockey career."

The year 2011 - marks the 40th anniversary of the first medical class to graduate from Penn State College of Medicine. To celebrate the milestone that has been four decades in the making, special activities are being planned to coincide with Alumni Weekend, slated for September 16-17, 2011.

One of the events that will take place will be a celebratory dinner on Friday, September 16 where alumni, faculty representatives from the past and present, and current students will come together for a memorable evening. It will be an occasion that you do not want to miss, so please mark your calendars.

During this special weekend, the classes of 1971 - the first class to reach the 40th reunion milestone - 1976, 1981 - Crescent Society inductees - 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006 will be gathering to recognize their respective reunion years. If you are a member of one of these classes, please consider getting involved with planning your reunion.

If you have any questions or you are willing to be a part of your reunion committee, please contact Alumni Relations at 717-531-7063 or alumnirelations@hmc.psu.edu.

You are invited to join fellow Penn State College of Medicine alumni, emeritus faculty members, and current medical students, on January 6, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. for Career Night. The event will take place in the University Conference Center on the Penn State Hershey Medical Center campus.

As you know, students face many choices as they approach graduation. Through Career Night, the College seeks to help students explore career options by interacting with alumni who have already lived the experience. During the dinner, students are seated with alumni and emeritus faculty members who have chosen a career path that interests them.

Following dinner, students have the opportunity to circulate to other tables for small roundtable discussions focused on specific medical specialties and professions. There are no formal presentations; just come prepared to discuss your career choices.

We anticipate more than 75 third-year medical students taking part in the evening, and your participation is vital to make this program a success.

Please contact Alumni Relations at alumnirelations@hmc.psu.edu or 717-531-6247 to volunteer to participate no later than Monday, January 3rd.