Learning Communities

Irene D. Long, M.D., was the first African American female chief of the Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health Office at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and one of the highest-ranking professional women at the center. Long's career in aerospace medicine also included supporting the Johnson Space Center's collection of medical data on astronauts' conditions, such as the physiological effects of space and weightlessness.

Long attended Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed a residency in general surgery at Ohio’s General Clinic and Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland. She later earned a master’s degree in aerospace medicine from Wright State University School of Medicine. Joining NASA's Kennedy Space Center staff in Florida in 1982, Long became a member of the aerospace medical association and its Space Medicine Branch, as well as the Society of NASA Flight Surgeons. She was honored with the Society's Presidential Award in 1995 and elected as the second vice president in 1996, then served as the organization's president in 1998.

Michael Railey, M.D., held various roles during his time at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Before assuming the position of professor emeritus, he served as the associate dean in the Office of Multicultural and Student Affairs from 2010 to 2018. A native of St. Louis, Railey graduated from the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy in 1972 and obtained his M.D. from the University of Missouri at Columbia School of Medicine in 1976. Following this, he completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Florida and then returned to St. Louis to practice for over 40 years. Railey also served as the director of the third clerkship in family medicine for seven years. He received both local and national awards for his exceptional work in teaching medical students and community service. Currently, Railey holds the position of professor emeritus in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

James Swierkosz, Ph.D., studied concert piano at Syracuse University before pursuing his science degree at the State University of New York at Binghamton. He received his Ph.D. in immunology from Wayne State University School of Medicine. At SLU he was the assistant dean of student affairs and course director for the immunology and microbiology module. He was instrumental in the institution of the white coat ceremony at SLU and established the Gold Humanism Honor Society Chapter.

He was remembered for his microbiology exams, where each test question included a student's name in the scenario. These personalized vignettes were rewritten annually. A member of the pediatrics faculty recalls her question about an infection from a rose prick linked to her last name. He was deeply cherished by everyone.

Cindy Fairchild served as a beloved administrative assistant for over 15 years, welcoming students entering the Office of Curricular Affairs. Particularly during the initial weeks of school, she provided guidance to new medical students navigating unfamiliar territory. These learning communities aim to foster a sense of unity at SLUSOM, and prior to her passing, she played a significant role in shaping the school's communal identity. Known for her comforting presence, she offered words of reassurance to students before exams, and her unexpected death a few years ago profoundly impacted those who knew her. A residential house named in honor of Fairchild proudly embodies the core values of compassion, faith, and a profound love for the SLUSOM community.

William Sly, an internationally renowned physician and scientist, is an emeritus professor at SLU who dedicated most of his academic journey to St. Louis. Having earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Saint Louis University, Sly conducted research at various prestigious laboratories, including those at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, Paris, France, and Madison, Wisconsin. His career highlights include significant contributions across multiple research fields, notably leading the initial identification of a patient with Mucopolysaccharidosis VII, later recognized as "Sly syndrome." Sly has been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including induction into the National Academy of Sciences and the prestigious Passano Foundation Award.

Edward Doisy graduated from the University of Illinois and earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1920. Joining SLU School of Medicine in 1923 as a professor of biochemistry, he later assumed the role of director of the Department of Biochemistry in 1924. Throughout his career, Doisy focused extensively on the biochemistry of sex hormones, as well as vitamins K1 and K2. His most notable achievement was the successful isolation of Vitamin K and its analogs, leading to his recognition with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1943 for the groundbreaking work on the discovery and synthesis of Vitamin K. Furthermore, his research contributed significantly to the advancements in isolating and identifying insulin, understanding bile acid metabolism, and enhancing knowledge of antibiotics and blood buffering systems.