Coran family endows lectureship to honor pioneering legacy

In 1974, when the field of pediatric surgery was still emerging, Arnold Coran, M.D., professor emeritus of surgery, came to U-M to build a dedicated program from the ground up.

During his 32 years as section head, the Section of Pediatric Surgery evolved into a nationally renowned program that countless children and families have depended on for decades.

To honor her husband’s legacy, Susan Coran has made a gift to endow the Arnold and Susan Coran Lectureship in Pediatric Surgery. By bringing leading experts to U-M to share their knowledge and experience, the lectureship will provide outstanding learning opportunities for generations of future pediatric surgeons.

Early years of the program

The Section of Pediatric Surgery was established in the original C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, now known as “Old Mott.” Susan remembers the slow start of the program and the need to educate the medical and non-medical community of the importance of this new specialty. In the beginning, Coran and his associate saw about 10 to 15 patients in clinic and had a small office staff.

When one of the secretaries developed a polyp on her vocal cord and could not speak, Susan came in to help for two weeks but ended up staying for 30 years.

“The two secretaries were in the pediatric surgery office area and I was out at the front desk checking in patients and greeting all who walked by. In those days, it was a very mom and pop operation,” Susan says.

A growing legacy

Coran had a strong vision for the future of the department and quickly brought on additional surgeons, growing the section to house 12 faculty during his tenure.

Many medical students and surgical residents passed through the section for exposure to pediatric surgery, and the Corans encouraged those who were interested in specializing in pediatric surgery.

“Many people trained under Arnie,” Susan says. “He encouraged many students and residents to go into pediatric surgery, and we are still in touch with quite a few of them.”

She says that past trainees call regularly to see how “Dr. C.,” also known as “The Ace,” is doing and to share updates from their personal and professional lives.

Honoring excellence

In 2000, the Corans established their first endowed gift, the Arnold G. Coran Collegiate Professorship in Pediatric Surgery, to celebrate Coran’s 25th year as section head. Contributions came from the Section of Pediatric Surgery, the Corans, Medical School alumni, friends of the Corans, and parents of patients.

The idea for a lectureship was sparked in 2017, when Arnold was celebrating a milestone birthday.  

“Arnie was turning 80, and we already had the professorship in his name,” Susan says. “A lectureship seemed more personal and intimate, and it could be an educational tool with direct relevance to our section.”

The Arnold and Susan Coran Lectureship in Pediatric Surgery has hosted several lectures since its founding. Past speakers include:

• Marjorie Arca, M.D., Joseph M. Lobozzi II Professor in Pediatric Surgery, division chief, and surgeon-in-chief at Golisano Children’s Hospital of the University of Rochester Medical Center
• Charles Cox, Jr., M.D., a professor in the Division of General and Thoracic Pediatric Surgery at McGovern Medical School of UTHealth Houston
• Kurt Heiss, M.D., pediatric surgeon at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Health and medical director of surgical services at Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
• Saleem Islam, MBBS, MPH, a former U-M pediatric surgery fellow who is now chair of surgery at Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan

An upcoming lecture will feature Mindy Statter, M.D., a former U-M pediatric surgery fellow who is now a professor at Montefiore Einstein in New York City.

Erika Newman, M.D., MBA, emphasizes the importance of these learning opportunities, now and in the future.

“There is no greater gift to the future of pediatric surgery than the wisdom of those who shaped its past,” says Newman, who is the Michael W. Mulholland, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Surgery, section head, and associate professor of pediatric surgery. “The Coran Lectureship offers our trainees the invaluable opportunity to learn from the most experienced and visionary surgeons in our field, voices that challenge, inspire, and elevate their growth as clinicians and leaders. This generous gift ensures that Dr. Coran’s enduring legacy as a transformative educator and surgical pioneer continues to influence generations to come.”

A gift for the future

Susan’s most recent gift has endowed the lecture, meaning that it will continue in perpetuity.

She credits Maria Bertram, managing director of children’s and women’s health in Michigan Medicine’s Office of Development, with helping guide both Arnold and her to the most meaningful ways to honor his legacy.

“This gift is the perfect addition to Dr. and Mrs. Coran’s legacy in the Department of Surgery and will impact faculty and trainees for years to come,” says Bertram.

“The Arnold and Susan Coran Lectureship in Pediatric Surgery is an impactful and meaningful way to honor Arnold’s commitment to what he did best,” says Susan. “He loved going to work every day. It is so rewarding to see his legacy perpetuated.”

If you would like to support expert, compassionate surgical care for kids in Michigan and beyond, please visit giving page for the Section of Pediatric Surgery.

About the Look to Michigan campaign

This gift is part of the Look to Michigan fundraising campaign, which aims to create transformative answers to health care’s biggest challenges for the benefit of people in our state and beyond. Building on 175 years of leadership in medicine and as part of the University of Michigan’s Vision 2034 strategic framework for impact, we are breaking new ground in patient care, research, medical and graduate education, health equity, and health care facilities. Together, we can improve and save lives. For more information, visit michiganmedicine.org/giving/look-to-michigan.