Think Showcase

From Ideas to Impact: How Research Becomes Human-Centered Medicine

Wednesday, February 25, 2026
5:30–7:30 p.m

Hosted by: Peter Weinberger, Esq. (LAW ’75), Chairman, Cancer Council, School of Medicine; and Laurie Weinberger.

Join President Eric W. Kaler, PhD and Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH (CWR’77; MED’81) Chair of the CWRU Board of Trustees, for an engaging discussion that explores how discoveries in the lab evolve into compassionate, real-world care. Faculty panelists Paul Tesar, PhD;  Dean Ronald L. Hickman, Jr., PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN, FADLN, FNAP (CWR’00; NUR’06, ‘13; GRS’08); Mark Griswold, PhD; and Laura E. McNally, JD will share how interdisciplinary collaboration drives innovation by bridging science, policy, and human connection to shape the future of modern medicine.

Naples Grande Beach Resort
475 Seagate Drive
Naples, Florida 34103

Complimentary Valet Parking
Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres

		Moderated by Julie Gerberding, MD (CWR'77; MED'81) CWRU board chair and CEO of the Foundation for the NIH and former CDC Director, Dr. Gerberding is a leader in translational medicine, public health, and healthcare innovation. With experience spanning clinical care, policy, and industry, she brings a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective to moderating this panel on moving scientific discovery into modern, humanistic, and impactful healthcare.
		Paul Tesar, PhD Dr. Tesar holds the title of Dr. Donald and Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he directs the Institute for Glial Sciences. He has pioneered research in stem cell and glial biology and co-founded a biotechnology company to bring lab discoveries toward therapies. His career exemplifies the “bench to bedside” path—transforming basic neurobiology into potential treatments for neurological disorders—making him especially qualified for this panel.
		Dean Ron Hickman, Jr., PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FAAN, FADLN, FNAP (CWR'00; NUR'06; GRS'08) Dr. Hickman is Dean of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University and a nationally-recognized nurse scientist focused on technology-based solutions for chronic disease self‐management and end-of-life care. With experience both in direct patient care (as an acute care nurse practitioner) and in research translation, his perspective brings the nursing and patient-care dimension to the journey from research discovery into human-centered clinical practice.
		Laura E. McNally, JD Professor McNally is Associate Dean for Experiential Education and Director of the Milton and Charlotte Kramer Law Clinic at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Her work focuses on health law, disability rights, children’s rights, and interdisciplinary collaborations between law, medicine and community health. Her expertise in legal and ethical frameworks around healthcare innovation makes her an essential voice in a panel addressing how research moves into human-centered medicine—bridging not just science and care, but policy, patient rights and legal context.
		Mark Griswold, PhD Dr. Griswold is Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, and is internationally recognized for his work in biomedical imaging—most notably the development of magnetic resonance fingerprinting, which enables early detection of disease. His experience in developing advanced imaging technologies that translate into clinical diagnostics positions him well to discuss how technological discovery becomes real-world medicine.