The Medical Alumni Association (MAA) at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine (Katz) is growing, and not just in numbers. This September, the MAA board welcomed 12 new members, including its first members from the Katz Physician Assistant (PA) and PhD programs. Following an open call for applicants launched in the spring, the new members will take part in their first meeting on Wednesday, November 19.
“Excellence runs through every program at Katz,” said Amy J. Goldberg, MD, FACS, the Marjorie Joy Katz Dean. Dean Goldberg, who completed her surgical residency at Temple, was the first resident alum to join the board in 2020. That move helped set the stage for this broader shift in membership. “Whether it’s clinical care, scientific discovery, or training future providers, our graduates lead in every area, and our alumni are one of the most valuable resources for our students.”
Representing Full Impact
By welcoming graduates of the PA, PhD, and residency programs, the MAA board is building a leadership network that fully represents the many ways that Katz alumni shape patient care, research and medical education.
“The MAA exists to bring alumni together, across generations and specialties, in support of our students and our school,” said Fred Liss, MD ’85, who has served as the MAA’s president since 2024. “That support is critical to fostering greater alumni involvement in forwarding the Katz’s mission.”
The MAA plays an active role in student life and growth at Katz, including support for activity funds, sponsoring events like Match Day, and offering mentoring connections across specialties and career paths. The organization also established the MAA Scholarship in 2021. With this expansion, the board is poised to engage more alumni with diverse experience and interests, and grow its programming, philanthropic support and impact even further.
Many Voices, One Mission
Jessica DiJulio, MA, MMS, PA-C ’18, Swaminathan Murugappan, MD, PhD ’06, and Justin Kistler, MD ’14 are among the new members joining the MAA board this fall. Representing the PA, PhD, and residency programs, they each bring a unique perspective on healthcare, the importance of supporting the next generation in their fields, and what it means to be Temple Made.
Jessica DiJulio, MA, MMS, PA-C ’18
Dermatology Physician Assistant, Dermatology Partners
PA Program, Katz Class of 2018
Jessica DiJulio graduated from the inaugural Physician Assistant program at Katz in 2018. As a student, she helped represent Katz’s growing PA identity through leadership roles such as the East Region Student Board Member of AAPA. Today, she practices dermatology in eastern Pennsylvania, mentors, and contributes to national medical education platforms as a freelance writer.
Why did you want to join the Medical Alumni Association?
I’m incredibly proud to be Temple Made, and proud to be part of the first cohort of PAs trained at Katz. This school shaped me, and I want to do the same for the next generation.
Why does expanding MAA Board representation matter to you?
The MAA Board expanding to include PA alumni is representative of Katz’s inclusivity. It shows that Temple recognizes the value of every role in medicine, and it helps us build connections across fields.
What makes the Katz alumni network unique?
What makes the alumni network at Katz so special is that it’s grounded in purpose. No matter where we practice, there’s a shared sense of grit, of service, of heart. The characteristics of what it means to be Temple Made.
Justin Kistler, MD ’14
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University / Rothman Orthopaedics
MD Class of 2014; Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, 2019
Justin Kistler completed both his medical degree and orthopaedic surgery residency at Temple. He now teaches and practices at Rothman Orthopaedics and Jefferson Health, where he specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery. His time at Temple, he says, was formative, and he’s ready to give back.
Why did you want to join the Medical Alumni Association?
Temple gave me an exceptional clinical education, and set the foundation that I needed to build my career. Being part of the MAA is one way I can give back.
What’s the value in expanding the board to include alumni from other programs?
This expansion of the MAA is so important. Including residents and alumni from other programs means the board reflects the reality of who Katz serves and trains. That representation matters for our alumni and for our students.
How would you describe the Temple medical alumni network?
The Temple alumni network is full of people who care and show up. Whether it’s through mentoring, donations, or just staying connected, alumni are always ready to support the next generation.
Swaminathan Murugappan, MD, PhD ‘06
President and Owner, Trident Bio Consulting Inc.
PhD, Physiology, Katz Class of 2006
Swaminathan Murugappan earned his PhD in Physiology at Katz in 2006 and went on to build a career in biotech leadership and oncology drug development. He credits his graduate education at Katz with laying the foundation for his success and wants to ensure future alumni feel the same support he did.
Why did you want to join the Medical Alumni Association?
Temple played a defining role in my journey, both academically, but personally. I came here from India and found a community that supported me and helped me grow. Joining the MAA is my way of giving back to the institution that opened so many doors.
Why is it important that the MAA board now includes alumni from your program?
Expanding the board to include alumni like me, from research and biotech backgrounds, sends a message that Katz values the full spectrum of medical education and leadership. It helps build a bridge between clinical practice and scientific discovery.
What stands out to you about the Katz alumni community?
The alumni network at Katz is powerful, and it’s only getting stronger. We have clinicians, scientists, public health leaders, and innovators, and it’s that diversity that makes it such a dynamic community to be part of.
Want to Get Involved?
To learn more about the Medical Alumni Association reach out to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement at [click-for-email]