“Ask questions. Do not assume anything.”

This was the advice of Keck School of Medicine of USC Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, at a Dec. 11 discussion featuring leading experts in patient care.

The panel, which was part of the USC Alumni Board of Governors quarterly meeting, discussed many aspects of medicine and treatment and highlighted that patients should be proactive and get involved in their own care. The panel consisted of Seth C. Gamradt, MD, director of orthopaedic surgery residency program; Stephen B. Gruber, MD, PhD, MPH, director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center; Ray V. Matthews, MD, division chief of cardiovascular medicine; Andrew A. Moshfeghi, MD, MBA, associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the USC Eye Institute; Daniel Oakes, MD, director of the USC Joint Replacement Program; and Sharon Orrange, MD, MPH, assistant professor of clinical medicine.

The Board of Governors is a volunteer organization that is an integral part of the development and implementation of programs and services of the USC Alumni Association. Members represent each of the alumni association constituency groups as well as all of the major academic areas of the university.

— Amanda Busick