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School of Medicine & Dentistry / Alumni / Alumni Awards / Wilder Award Recipients / 2012 - Marvin J. Hoffman and Nancy Yanes-Hoffman

 

Marvin J. Hoffman ’45, ’50M (Res) and Nancy Yanes-Hoffman ’50, ’68 (MA)

Marvin J Hoffman and Nancy Yanes-HoffmanDr. Marvin Hoffman is clinical professor emeritus of medicine at the School of Medicine and Dentistry and former senior medical director at Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rochester, where he played an integral role in establishing its first health maintenance organization, Blue Choice. Nancy Yanes-Hoffman, president of NYH HealthCare Communications Group, is a highly accomplished author, medical writer, and preventive health expert.

Dr. Hoffman received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester in 1945 and his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1947. After completing his internship and residency at Strong Memorial Hospital, he opened his medical practice in Rochester in 1951, when he was also named instructor of medicine at the School of Medicine and Dentistry. From 1953 to 1955, he served as chief medical officer of the U.S. Army Medical Battalion 24th division in Korea and then as chief of the U.S. Army base hospital in Otsu, Japan. Following his military service, Dr. Hoffman returned to Rochester to continue practicing and teaching medicine. In 1984, he was promoted to clinical professor and accepted a post as the first full-time physician at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, where he worked until his retirement in 2008.

Mrs. Hoffman earned her bachelor’s degree in 1950 and her master’s degree in 1968, both from the University of Rochester and with high distinction. Known professionally as “the writing doctor,” Mrs. Hoffman dedicated her career to improving physician-patient communication. She has lectured internationally and authored several books, including Change of Heart: The Bypass Experience. Among other accomplishments, she was a weekly book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times and senior medical writer for U.S. News & World Report.

The Hoffmans are passionate advocates of medical student education. The Nancy and Marvin Hoffman Medical Scholarship at the School of Medicine and Dentistry was established in 1972 by a grateful family who were patients of Dr. Hoffman. The fund, which continues to be supported by friends, former patients, and the Hoffmans, has assisted 48 Hoffman Scholars, many of whom have become prominent physicians. A separate fund at the Rochester Area Community Foundation, also started by former patients, underwrites the University of Rochester’s Dr. Marvin Hoffman Day, an annual event featuring clinical lectures by world-renowned speakers. Dr. and Mrs. Hoffman are members of the George Eastman Circle, the University’s leadership annual giving society.

Dr. Hoffman is a former vice chairman of the Rochester Area Community Foundation and still is chairman of their scholarship committee, which grants 475 scholarships with a total value of $650,000 yearly. In 2009, the Rochester Area Community Foun-dation gave Dr. and Mrs. Hoffman the foundation’s annual Philanthropic Award. Dr. Hoffman also served as vice chair of the First Federal Savings & Loan Association and chair of Valley Manor.

The Hoffmans live in Rochester and have three children, Holly, Jennifer, and William ’77M, and seven grandchildren, including Harry Hoffman Brookstein, who graduated from the University this spring.