Jefferson Alum Helps Preserve Jefferson’s Past

In 2024, Jefferson commemorated its bicentennial, celebrating its rich history—a history that includes notable firsts and trailblazing paths in medicine, education, and research.

A generous gift from Robert M. Stein, MD ’68, will help preserve that history by establishing the Robert M. Stein, MD ’68, FACC, FAHA Archivist position at Thomas Jefferson University.

The first position of its kind at Jefferson, the Stein Archivist will be responsible for leading the Marion J. Siegman, PhD, FAPS, Archives of Thomas Jefferson University, and will oversee the efforts to acquire, preserve, and make available for research official University records, personal papers, memorabilia, and other materials of enduring historical value to Jefferson.

“Thomas Jefferson University is home to one of the nation’s oldest medical colleges. The art and artifacts preserved in our archives not only tell the story of our university, but of modern medicine as a whole,” says University President Susan C. Aldridge, PhD. “We are so grateful to Dr. Stein for this gift that will help us preserve our history and make it available for future generations.”

Jefferson has selected the current University Archivist and Head of Historic Collections and Teaching Associate F. Michael Angelo, MA, as the inaugural holder of the endowed archivist position.

Angelo, who has served in his position since 2001, is Jefferson’s resident expert in preparing historical exhibits, cataloging alumni papers and departmental records, and preparing the content on the University Archives website.

“Dr. Stein’s generous gift to endow the archivist position couldn’t have come at a better time. It is the capstone that completes Jefferson’s momentous 200th anniversary year,” Angelo says. “More significantly, it will ensure that the operational responsibility in the handsome new Siegman Archives will continue long into our future.”

Stein, an Escondido, California, cardiologist and avid history buff says he decided to create the position because “it’s important to know your past… history can be remarkably inspirational.”

In 2024, the archives found a spacious new home in the Scott Memorial Library thanks to a gift from long-time Jefferson professor and researcher Marion J. Siegeman, PhD.

The new space opened in April 2024, and features an expanded storage vault with state-of-the-art environmental controls, a commercial grade digitization station, an expanded exhibition gallery with display cases, and a dedicated lecture room.

The Siegman Archives holds institutional records dating to its origins in 1824. It consists of 20,000 photographs, thousands of biographical files, museum artifacts, and 8,000 rare medical books with the earliest printed in the 1400s.

Said Ibrahim, MD, the Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, calls the gift a fitting way to close out Jefferson’s bicentennial.

“We thank Dr. Stein for endowing this position and helping us to preserve the proud history of our institution and its two centuries of innovation,” he adds.