Class of 1976 recognizes alumni achievements and scholarship awardees during 50th reunion event

Attending alumni from the Class of 1976 come together for a group photo in celebration of their 50th reunion.
By UCLA Health Staff
3 min read

Pictured: Attending alumni from the Class of 1976 come together for a group photo in celebration of their 50th reunion (Photo by Todd Cheney)

On October 3, 2026, hundreds of alumni from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA came together for a festive afternoon celebrating their reunions during the school’s 75th anniversary. Later that evening, one class gathered in honor of yet another impressive milestone: 50 years as medical school graduates. 

The Class of 1976 has gone on to become practicing physicians, inventors, pioneers, CEOs, researchers and authors. At dinner, the former classmates mingled as they spoke with friends, greeted colleagues, and reconnected with those they’d lost touch with over the years. 

DGSOM Dean Steven Dubinett, MD, speaks to gathered alumni from the Class of 1976.
DGSOM Dean Steven Dubinett, MD, speaks to gathered alumni from the Class of 1976. Photo by Todd Cheney. 

Dean Steven Dubinett, MD, addressed the guests, emphasizing the important role they have played in the school of medicine’s long legacy. “What you have accomplished in the past five decades overlaps with a major part of the history of the David Geffen School of Medicine,” Dr. Dubinett said to the crowd. “Your contributions have enriched lives, strengthened our communities, and advanced health.”

The intimate program centered around two special moments: a presentation of an alumni scholarship for one DGSOM student, and the recognition of four notable alumni.

Giving back to today’s students

Nine DGSOM alumni classes, including the Class of 1976, have endowed scholarships for current medical students. Since the Class of 1976 began offering their scholarship in 2004, 14 students have received aid; some for multiple years. There are no required criteria or essays, making this scholarship widely available to students who may benefit most from the support.

Medical student and Class of 1976 scholarship recipient Arzoo Manandhar (’27) speaks at the Class of 1976 alumni dinner to share her gratitude.
Medical student and Class of 1976 scholarship recipient Arzoo Manandhar (’27) speaks at the Class of 1976 alumni dinner to share her gratitude. Photo by Todd Cheney.

Recent awardee Arzoo Manandhar (’27) joined alumni at the dinner to share her gratitude. Others throughout the years have written personal thank you notes to the class, sharing the profound impact this support has had on her medical school education. 

“Our Class of 1976 Scholarship is a wonderful testament to our legacy at UCLA and greatly benefits future generations of Bruin physicians and leaders,” said Vena Ricketts, MD, co-chair of the class reunion committee. “It is meaningful for us to help reduce the financial barriers of today's students and make sure they have the resources they need to thrive in medical school.”

Honoring their peers 

The Class of 1976’s enthusiasm for supporting DGSOM’s future medical leaders was matched only by its pride in fellow classmates who became pioneers in their fields. Among them, four were honored at their reunion dinner for their notable achievements.  

Astronaut, chemist and physician Anna Lee Fisher, MD, who became the first mother to fly to space. To her fellow alumni, she shared how her medical training was the hardest thing she’d ever done, and became the foundation for everything that came next in her career. If she could get through medical school, she reasoned, she could do anything. Dr. Fisher also underscored the value of the close connections she’s made both at DGSOM and beyond, sharing that it was a peer who first shared with her the application to become an astronaut.    

Alumna Anna Lee Fisher, MD stands with Steven Jobst, MD, the co-chair of the class reunion committee, to accept an honor from her class.
Alumna Anna Lee Fisher, MD stands with Steven Jobst, MD, the co-chair of the class reunion committee, to accept an honor from her class. Photo by Todd Cheney.
A medical school alumni speaks at a reunion
Honoree Ken Kizer, MD, gives remarks after receiving recognition from his class during their 50th reunion. Photo by Todd Cheney

Also recognized was Ken Kizer, MD, an internationally respected health care leader who is widely known for his expertise in health system management, including his time as under secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he led the transformation of the VA healthcare system.

The evening’s third honoree, Susan Reynolds, MD, was also connected to the nation’s capital as a former White House health care advisor. With many notable achievements as an emergency physician, medical center CEO and author, she now provides physician leadership development and coaching to hospital and medical society leaders.

Honoree and alumna Susan Reynolds, MD, stands with fellow alumnae at the Class of 1976’s reunion
Honoree and alumna Susan Reynolds, MD, stands with fellow alumnae at the Class of 1976’s reunion. Photo by Todd Cheney. 
Honoree and co-chair of the class reunion committee, Vena Ricketts, MD, stands with her fellow co-chair Steven Jobst, MD, at their class reunion.
Honoree and co-chair of the class reunion committee, Vena Ricketts, MD, stands with her fellow co-chair Steven Jobst, MD, at their class reunion. Photo by Todd Cheney.

Vena Ricketts, MD, the class leader who has helped organize reunions for her class every five years since they graduated, was the dinner’s fourth honoree. In addition to her service to the class itself, Dr. Ricketts is a retired emergency medicine physician, professor and medical missionary. 

Each honoree’s stories could fill pages; but together, they exemplify the character of the Class of 1976: driven, skilled, change-making, and proud of their medical school community. 

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For more about the class, including alumni scholarships, visit the 2026 reunion page.