Temple University School of Medicine - Skull Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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surely was solid as she continued to excel as a medical student. In 1980 Dr. Tedaldi received her Doctor of Medicine from SUNY-Buffalo, after being inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Being attracted by the challenge of Internal Medicine, Dr. Tedaldi served her medical residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was intrigued by the difference between the midwest and her home in Yonkers. Dr. Tedaldi stayed at Hennepin County as Chief Medical Resident where she refined many of the clinical and teaching skills which are so evident to us a Temple. During this time, she also developed another interest. Taking a six week vacation. Dr. Tedaldi went down under to Australia and discovered scuba diving, an activity which she continues to enjoy. She jokingly states that one day she will open a clinic in the Caribbean; the mornings for the patients of the land, and the afternoons for the creatures of the sea. The ability to manage a variety of medical conditions is what drew Dr. Tedaldi to remain in General Internal Medicine, however, the satisfaction of working with a diverse population is what drew her back to the East Coast. Returning to New York City, Dr. Tedaldi took a position as an Associate in Internal Medicine and Clinical Medicine at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Once again in the melting pot. Dr. Tcdaldi’s sense of social responsibility became evident. In 1986 she came to Temple University, and became an Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Section Chief of General Internal Medicine in 1991. These positions she holds today. In addition to her many administrative and patient care responsibilities. Dr. Tedaldi is admired by us all for her academic contributions to medical education at Temple. As an attending on the ward service, many of us have been able to experience first-hand her compassion towards the ill, her approach-ability as a teacher and her expert skills as a clinician. Dr. Tedaldi’s greatest impact on the Class of 1993, however, came at one of the most exciting — and intimidating — parts of our education: physical diagnosis. During the Introduction to Clinical Medicine, Dr. Tedaldi was instrumental in transforming us into clinicians by providing us with the skills necessary to perform a complete history and physical examination. Most of us felt at least some apprehension the first time we were to perform the exams, and some of our faces were as pale as the crisp new labcoats we wore (with pock full of every diagnostic instrument a' manual 8

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DEDICA TION Ellen Tedaldi, M.D. Associate Professor of Internal Medicine If you met Dr. Ellen Tedaldi on a street corner you might not guess that she is a physician. You probably wouldn’t realize that she is an expert on HIV disease. You may not even appreciate that she has volunteered as a physician in Central America or that she was AOA in medical school. What would strike you, however, about Dr. Tedaldi is that she is a warm, caring and energetic individual who will go out of her way to do whatever she can for you. These qualities have enabled her many accomplishments, and it is because of these qualities that the class of 1993 dedicates our yearbook. The Skull, to Dr. Ellen Tedaldi. Dr. Tedaldi was bom in Toledo, Ohio, and then moved to Japan with her father who was in the Navy. The oldest of seven children in an Italian-Irish household in Yonkers, New York, she developed a sense of responsibility, service and lead: ership at an early age. While in Japan, Dr. Tedaldi contracted polio and was confined to a body cast for the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Despite this setback, she went on to excel in high school, becoming president of her senior class. It was during this time that Dr. Tedaldi began to develop social awareness. In addition to holding part-time jobs since the age of fifteen. Dr. Tedaldi was also involved as a teenage mentor for inner-city youths of Harlem. Although her high school guidance counselor felt that a career in nursing would best suit Dr. Tedaldi and her family, she was determined to become a physician. Going on to college and majoring in Biology, Dr. Tedaldi continued to investigate the many opportunities available in the field of medicine. Taking time off during college, Dr. Tedaldi began to volunteer as an assistant in Clinical Research at a hospital in the South Bronx. Performing pulmonary function tests, radionuclide scanning and data collection provided her with insight into some of the aspects of medicine in an inner city. Dr. Tedaldi completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Cornell University in 1976. Having concentrated in anatomy and physiology and having served as a research assistant certainly prepared Dr. Tedaldi for the challenge of a medical education. yet she credits another experience with providing the best preparation for medical school. “Being a waitress. she recounts, “is probably the best preparation for medical school. It is a service oriented position, where you interact with all different types of people and must respond to a variety of individual needs.” Whatever foundation Dr. Tedaldi built her medical education on, it ELLEN TEDALDI, M.D. I 7

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known to medicine). Each one of us. however, got through this monumental time, and most of us can tribute Dr. Tedaldi with easing some of our anxieties and calming some of our fears. It was not only the facts about the H and P that Dr. Tedaldi provided us with. Her endless energy, her thoughtful teaching, and. most of all, her ability to treat us as peers made physical diagnosis a rewarding educational experience. The ability to perform an H and P is crucial to our education and will be critical in our medical careers, and we thank Dr. Tedaldi for providing us with such a solid foundation. To know Dr. Tedaldi is to know that she is dedicated to care for those suffering from AIDS, and has become widely known for her work. She is also a board members for the Philadelphia FIGHT (Field Initiating Group for HIV Trials) and is the Internist in the Family Care Clinic at St. Christopher’s where she cares for the HIV positive parents of pediatric patients. She has made multiple presentations about HIV disease on numerous occasions throughout Pennsylvania. Dr. Tedaldi participates in many other activities within the School of Medicine. She is a member of the Educational Advisory Committee, the Residents Admission Committee and the Committee on the Status of Women Faculty. In addition to having a medical practice crammed with caring for patients and teaching students. Dr. Tedaldi has recently become a wife and is soon to become a mother. Calling all of their friends together for a Halloween party. Dr. Tedaldi and her husband. Lonnie, surprised the costumed group by announcing that this would be their wedding reception. She and Lonnie were married at a small ceremony, and the costume party which followed provided for an unforgettable reception. Dr. Tedaldi expects that many aspects of her life will change as motherhood develops, and she is excited about the many rewards her new family will offer. Dr. Tedaldi has had a unique entrance into the medical field, and continued to develop her practice in a remarkable wav. She offers this advice to the Gass of 1993, “Don’t forget the reason why you have chosen medicine. If you remember that you arc part of a helping profession arid that you are there tor the patients, then everything involved with your careers will be much more worthwhile.” Thank you for these words Dr. Tedaldi, but most of all thank you for the countless actions which have made you an unparalleled role model for each of us. 9