[mdphd] A follow-up from the MD/PhD Program: we're here for you

[Andrea Cifonelli]

please know as always to call me anytime 3158573746 - I took the day to stay home to process this news.


Jaclyn was an amazing human with one of the biggest hearts. We recruited her as an internal candidate when I first started here. There were some beautiful conversations had about her hopes and dreams that involved research and being a doctor and changing the world and adulting and cats and books and adventures and so much more. I was so happy when she decided to join us. I am so grateful to have known her.

Tomorrow I’ll be on campus with my door open all day, with coffee, tea, and comfort snacks. Take care of yourselves and reach out to me or each other or anyone you love when it feels lonely. We are here for each other.

Andrea

Get Outlook for iOS<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://aka.ms/o0ukef__;!!GobTDDpD7A!JbrGpqR2nESRkAIjGfkjOIb3k4LtrRvosNDf3H0qB9P-nHtmy_0_tv14k92_Opax6D41a6d5GhL49hvIFC8pPTxn0w$ >
________________________________
From: mdphd <mdphd-bounces at lists.upstate.edu> on behalf of Patricia M. Kane-Popp <KanePM at upstate.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, 30 June 2026 14:26:47
To: Adam Waickman <WaickmaA at upstate.edu>; mdphd at lists.upstate.edu <mdphd at lists.upstate.edu>
Subject: Re: [mdphd] A follow-up from the MD/PhD Program: we're here for you

I just want to second Adam's message.  Even though I am transitioning away from being MD/PhD director, I'd be very happy to meet anyone who would like to talk.  This is a very shocking and sad time.

Patty

Patricia M. Kane, Ph.D.
SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor
Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, NY 13210
________________________________
From: mdphd <mdphd-bounces at lists.upstate.edu> on behalf of Adam Waickman <WaickmaA at upstate.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 2:22 PM
To: mdphd at lists.upstate.edu <mdphd at lists.upstate.edu>
Subject: [mdphd] A follow-up from the MD/PhD Program: we're here for you

Dear MD/PhD students,

Following the messages you received from Dean Chin and Interim Dean Chan, I wanted to reach out to you directly. For anyone who may be reading this as the first they're hearing of it, I'm so sorry to be sharing such painful news this way: we lost Jaclyn Rittershaus last night in a motor vehicle accident.

There is no way to make sense of news like this, and no right way to be feeling right now. Shock, grief, numbness, anger; whatever you're carrying, it belongs here, and you don't have to carry it alone.

I want to be clear about one thing above all else: the entire MD/PhD team and I are here for you. That isn't a formality. If you need to talk, sit with someone, step away from your work, or just not be alone for a while, please reach out - to me, to any of us.

I will be physically here all day today, and every day this week. My door is open (WSK 2237a). If you'd rather talk by phone or just need to reach me, you can call my cell anytime at (518) 637-6485.

Upstate also has additional support available for anyone who needs it, and I'd encourage you to use it:


  *
Student Counseling Services: 315-464-3120
  *
Student Health Office: 315-464-4260
  *
Upstate's Spiritual Care Office: 315-464-4687
  *
Employee Mental Health and Support Services: 315-464-5760
  *
4KARE (24-hour support services): 315-464-5273

Please don't hesitate to use any of these. Leaning on support right now is a sign of strength, not weakness.

We will get through this together. Please take care of yourselves and of each other.

With care,

Adam T. Waickman, PhD
Director, MD/PhD Program
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
SUNY Upstate Medical University
766 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210

Phone: 315-464-7958
Email: waickmaa at upstate.edu<mailto:waickmaa at upstate.edu>
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