Groundbreaking research, new therapies and transformative projects took center stage at the 2017 Alumni Day on the Health Sciences Campus.

The annual event held Nov. 3 drew Keck School of Medicine of USC alumni from across the country. They took in a series of lectures by Keck School faculty and were led on guided tours of Keck Medicine of USC facilities.

Tom Jackiewicz, MPH, senior vice president and CEO of Keck Medicine, and Raquel Arias, MD, MPH, clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology (clinician educator) and associate dean of admissions at the Keck School, addressed the crowd during a lunch at Pappas Quad.

Jackiewicz touched on the medical enterprise’s efforts to expand patient care across the southwest by recruiting world-class faculty, creating outstanding programs and building modern facilities.

“Keck Medicine has tremendous growth opportunity,” Jackiewicz said. “We are a leader in providing exceptional care to patients across Los Angeles. I am very excited about the future.”

Projects include a Sky Garden on the roof of Keck Hospital of USC for patients to relax, contemplate and heal; the January opening of the Norris Healthcare Center (HC3), a six-story, state-of-the-art ambulatory care center; and a proposed 11-acre biotech park north of Alcazar Street, across from Keck Hospital.

Raquel Arias speaks during the 2017 Alumni Day, held Nov. 3 on the Health Sciences Campus. (Photo/Ricardo Carrasco III)

Jackiewicz also discussed plans to build a new hospital at Keck Medical Center of USC, which could open in 2026.

“We want to have the most innovative hospital — not only in the U.S., but in the world,” he said. “Our future is bright.”

Arias, a Keck School faculty member since 1990, said the medical school aims to attract students who prioritize teamwork, compassion, adaptability, resilience and commitment to public service.

“The heartbeat of our medical center is our medical students,” she said, adding that the school receives 8,000 applications each year for about 186 spots.

“For more than 131 years we have provided care to patients, no matter the obstacle,” Arias said. “And no matter what tomorrow brings, we will be here educating tomorrow’s physicians and providing exceptional patient care.”

— Douglas Morino