The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Catalyst for Excellence honorees exemplify powerful advocacy for success, achievement, and philanthropy for their respective schools while serving as visionaries for future progress. Exemplars of excellence and inspiration, they have accomplished meaningful progress in their lives and careers, in addition to devoting meaningful time, talent, and resources to numerous worthy causes. UMB, the city of Baltimore, and the state of Maryland are made much better through the impactful efforts of these extraordinary individuals.
SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
Karen J. Ivers, DDS ’88, may have taken a meandering route to her chosen profession, but upon finding it, she became its steadfast champion. She studied art at Alfred University in New York but chose instead to work and study as a dental hygienist. She earned her bachelor’s degree at night from University of Maryland University College before entering the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) at age 30. While practicing privately in Chevy Chase, Md., Ivers served as a Dean’s Faculty member. Now a resident of Naples, Fla., she donated $1.5 million last year to endow a UMSOD professorship supporting academic excellence and discovery-driven research.
FRANCIS KING CAREY SCHOOL OF LAW
Brian J. Gibbons, JD ’87, is chairman of the board and CEO of Greenberg Gibbons Commercial. He is a trustee on the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation Board and co-chair of UMB’s $750 million Catalyst Campaign. A proud alumnus, Gibbons is a major supporter of the Community Engagement Center and an early leader in the law school’s Business Fellowship Program. He uses his law degree to create positive impact in communities through strategic and innovative development projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Maurice N. Reid, MD ’99, an alumnus and Board of Visitors member, is a generous benefactor of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His philanthropic gifts for medical education include funding for renovation of the gross anatomy laboratory, creation of the Maurice N. Reid, MD Collaborative Learning Space, and innovative learning technology, namely a pilot cohort for point-of-care ultrasound training for medical students. He also supports the Dean Emeritus Donald E. Wilson Scholarship and the Maurice Reid Scholarship.
SCHOOL OF NURSING
Marjorie “Marge” Bergemann, CRNA, has had an impact on certified registered nurse anesthetists that spans nearly seven decades. She is a renowned leader in nurse anesthesia, serving as president of the Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists and a member the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) Board of Visitors since 2010. In 2019, she was named an honorary alumna of UMSON’s Alumni Association. For decades, she has advocated for diversity in nursing, mentored numerous students, and served on countless committees to enact change. A committed philanthropist, Bergemann created an endowed scholarship at UMSON and included the school in her estate plans. She also encourages others to invest in UMSON and is a true advocate for diversity and nursing education.
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
John Gregory, BSP ’76, continues to be an ardent and generous philanthropic supporter of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP). Most recently he made a commitment that established the Dean Natalie D. Eddington, PhD ’89 Health Care Innovation Fund, which provides $100,000 in startup funding to the winner of UMSOP’s annual business pitch competition in perpetuity. This startup funding surpasses the amount given by other renowned nationally ranked higher education institutions during their business competitions. This funding will provide students at UMSOP with the capital to start businesses that have the potential to change the way health care is delivered.
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
David Brainerd, MSW ’79, has demonstrated his dedication and generosity as a University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) alumnus through impactful volunteer and philanthropic endeavors. As former chair of the Alumni Board Recognition Committee, Brainerd created a process that has recognized dozens of alumni and students. He and his wife, Alice, created an endowed scholarship for students with a passion to work in child welfare and augmented the scholarship with a planned gift. Brainerd has become a legacy gift advocate for the school, and his spirit of service and philanthropy serves as a beacon to the UMSSW community.
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Albert Struck, PA-C, has trained close to 1,000 physician assistant (PA) students in Maryland as a full-time instructor, clinical preceptor, and now as a volunteer, dutifully teaching without pay, simply for his love of students and the University of Maryland, Baltimore PA Program. Exemplifying his talents and selfless contributions to the PA profession across the state of Maryland while continually demonstrating only the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, Struck received the Maryland Academy of Physician Assistants’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.