MDNews - Central New York

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ONONDAGA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY ++ + ++ + Becoming Physicians — A Family Tradition By Gerald N. Hoffman D ESPITE COMMENTS HEARD from some physicians that they would discourage their children from considering medicine as their profession, the May 2011 graduates of SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine included a number of physicians’ children. Among this year’s graduating class of 157 students (80 males and 77 females) were Katie Carlberg, Marisa Mendel and Tally Vercillo — all daughters of Syracuse area physicians. In writing this column, I had the pleasure of talking with each woman during individual telephone conversa- tions. It was quite a treat to visit with these three outstanding young medical school graduates. Katie Carlberg Both of Katie Carlberg’s parents, Marybeth Carlberg, M.D., and Jeffrey Carlberg, M.D., are family physicians in the same office in Skaneateles. The Carlberg family at one time lived in the basement of the parents’ medical practice. Katie says she has been told that, in her younger years, she would go upstairs and sit on the laps of patients. At the dinner table each night, she loved to listen to her mother and father talk about their work and patients. It is no accident that all three of the Carlberg children are headed down career paths in medicine. Katie left town in early June to begin her residency program in pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Joining her in Madison was her significant other, Ryan Thompson, who also graduated from SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine this year. Thompson, an Albany, NY, native, has also begun a residency program in Madison. This fall, Katie’s sister, Megan — who was her room- mate at SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine this past year — will start her second year of medical school. Her brother, Mark, has also been accepted to the SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine. When asked about her hobbies, Katie answers with “anything outdoors.” A few years ago, she and Mark went to Peru on a hiking trip. After her residency in pediatrics, she might do additional training in hematology and oncology to expand her knowledge. Pediatrics appeals to her as a specialty because “I am still a kid at heart,” she says with a laugh. Although she had previously ruled out coming home after completing her medical training, Katie admits that possibility is increasing. “You never realize how lucky you are until you live somewhere else for a while,” she says. Marisa Mendel Marisa Mendel, who has begun the four-year Harvard Longwood Psychiatry Residency Training Program in Boston, is a daughter of Herbert Mendel, M.D., a surgeon in Syracuse, NY. Marisa says that is it is hard to recall a time that she was not thinking of becoming a doctor — that is, after she dismissed early childhood dreams of being a dolphin trainer. During medical school rotations, she narrowed down her choice of specialties to urology or psychiatry. The rotation in psychiatry, which she did not want to end, made her decision easy. Her past involvement in counseling activities at various levels also pointed her in that direction. As a youngster, Marisa accompanied her father on hospital rounds before the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act made it impossible for children to accompany their parents on these rounds. Marisa says that on rounds, her father was always “so compassionate” in talking to patients. That compassion, she adds, was a tremendous infl uence on her ideas about medicine. The increasing role of govern- ment in medicine is not a great concern for her, but she hopes that it will not impede her future ability to practice medicine as she feels is best for her patients. In addition to the lure of the great psychiatry program in Boston, Marisa is very familiar with the area because her mother was raised there, and relatives live nearby. Tally Vercillo Tally Vercillo, daughter of Arthur P. Vercillo, M.D., surgeon and Regional President of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, was a tennis teammate of Marisa Mendel at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. Talley represents the third consecutive generation of physicians in the Vercillo family. Her paternal grandfather, retired surgeon Arthur A. Vercillo, M.D., was long-time chair of the department of surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Her pater- nal grandmother, Margaret S. Vercillo, M.D., who is also retired, practiced emer- gency medicine before becoming medical director of the Syracuse offi ce of Mutual of New York Life Insurance Company. Other physicians in the Vercillo family tree date back to the Civil War. Tally’s paternal grandfather, Lee Chaney, had a Doctor of Philosophy degree in organic chemistry. After working for Parke-Davis, he came to Syracuse in 1945 and was director of organic chemical research for Bristol Laboratories. His team developed synthetic penicillin and discovered cephalosporins. As a child, like Marisa Mendel, Tally accompanied her father when he made rounds. At home, she would play doctor and, under her father’s supervision, would See Page 22 MDNEWS.COM  MD NEWS Central New York | 5

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