Broadening horizons and achieving dreams

Meet our new Philadelphia Network Leadership Council co-chair, Manish Vig ’91, 95M (MD)

Manish Vig ’91, 95M (MD)

What was your time like as a student?

I applied to the University of Rochester at the encouragement of my high school counselor based upon what I was looking for from a college. His daughter was attending Rochester at the time, and I was interested in studying and majoring in Genetics (only a few universities in the 1980s offered this as a major). I ended up also majoring in Political Science, as I was drawn to the amazing professors in their department, and their insights about the broader world and global connections. Most of my extracurricular time was spent with the Sigma Nu Fraternity and I was the chapter President my senior year. We were awarded the University’s fraternity of the year in 1990 and I was able to tap those high emotions going into my senior year to accomplish a lot of personal and chapter goals.  I was also involved with community service organizations in the area and intramural sports such as squash, basketball, and tennis. I have fond memories of hanging out with so many friends and late nights at the Distillery. I remain in touch with dozens of fraternity brothers to this day and even serve as the President of the Alumni Association for Sigma Nu-Rochester, as well as its Housing Board and Endowment Activities.

How did your experience at the University of Rochester influence your life? 

I entered the University as a shy seventeen-year-old from New York City and left as a 25-year-old physician in 1995 ready to tackle the challenges of the urban environment of Philadelphia.  My greatest moment at Rochester was being accepted to the Rochester Plan Early Selection Program at the Medical School in the summer of 1989. That one moment changed my life and allowed me the freedom to pursue a plethora of extracurricular activities while on River Campus. I was able to gain the flexibility of double majoring, participate in more fraternal activities, test my leadership skills, and gained the confidence to engage with my professors in different ways, including several years of bench research in Evolutionary Genetics with Dr. Werren. The University of Rochester allowed me to broaden my horizons and achieve my boyhood dream of becoming a physician.

What made you want to become part of the Philadelphia Network Leadership Council?

I have been attending alumni events in the region for as long as I can remember. I moved to Philadelphia in 1995 to start my residency in Emergency Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.  I have known Dr. Edward Fox ’91, ’95M (MD) since we were classmates in college and medical school and have supported all his activities with the Network Leadership Council. He asked me to be more involved about five years ago, and I was happy to do so as it meant designing events for alumni with the broader aim of outreach for the university and enhancing our brand recognition.

What’s the most rewarding part of staying connected with your alma mater?

It continually reminds me of my fond memories from my time as a young man and allows me to stay up to date with the University of Rochester’s activities.  Admittedly, I did not enjoy the rigorous days of being a third- and fourth-year medical student, but I was able to always find a social outlet by staying involved with River Campus college life and fraternity brothers in the area. I thoroughly enjoy attending alumni events in our region since it is very common to meet current students at these events and occasionally be entertained by their musical groups like the Wind Chamber or YellowJackets.  The leadership council for our region is also made up of some very accomplished people, and my time around them gives me energy to stay involved and learn of their experiences.

What are you looking forward to next?

Watching my son move onto his college career in Washington, D.C. and hoping he has a similar experience.  He wishes to pursue business in some capacity, and he has had the benefit of joining me for several alumni events and touring the University of Rochester campus. With respect to the Network Leadership Council, I will work hard to continue to see our membership grow and be even more engaged. I plan on connecting with other members from the northeast to learn some new ideas and would like to meet as many alumni as possible to know what they want from us.

What advice do you have for others looking to get involved?

There is always room for you and your ideas.  Your involvement is a reflection of your memories from Rochester, and attending alumni events is a great way to find a place to share those memories with folks that can relate. Be mindful of high school students looking for a similar experience from their college life and be eager to share your perspective and opinion with them. Philadelphia is a fantastic city, and I have seen it evolve since 1995 into a world-class destination. I would also encourage everyone to try to meet at least one or two new people at every network event. You will be surprised to see how much you have in common with each other besides attending the University of Rochester and living in the Delaware Valley. Please do not hesitate to approach me or share your ideas with me and the rest of the council.  Activities that we collectively value will help build some enduring and beneficial relationships that can only strengthen the reputation of the University of Rochester.