CMS Distinguished Alumni

2008

Dr. Heather Johnston, M.D., was awarded the 2008 Countryside Distinguished Alumnus Award. Heather was presented with the gift of a trinomial cube during graduation ceremonies in June. She was accompanied by her husband, Matt and her parents, Louie and Anne. She has two children, and is a pediatrician at the University of Chicago Hospitals where she specializes in adolescent medicine.

Heather attended Countryside from 1972-1977. At her address to graduation students, parents, guests, and other alumni, Heather exhibited a remarkable recollection of her year's at Countryside. She spoke about cooking, botany work, collaboration with others. When reminded of her interest in the human skeleton, she volunteered that it was kept in a pink folder (as it is today). She even brought a photo album she made as a student here, and said she has kept it all these years because of her fond memories of those years. She even caught up with fellow CMS alum, Dr. Lisa Neale Raspanti, whose children now attend Countryside.

Anne Johnston credits Countryside with the strength Heather needed to fight and conquer a serious illness she experienced many years after leaving Countryside.

2006

Dr. Grant S. Hamilton III M.D. was awarded the 2006 Distinguished Alumnus Award and presented the trinomial cube, which he remembers as one of his favorite math activities. He was accompanied by his Mom, Kathy. He is married with two daughters who attend a Montessori school in Iowa.

At his address at graduation he spoke of learning to do math in his head while sitting on the fence in the playground. When he questioned his Montessori teacher about his "discoveries", she affirmed him. When he left Montessori to go to public school, he remembers his teachers reaction when he told her he knew how to do multiplication. She said it was impossible and that if he did it was wrong. He knew then, that he was different in a special way and he attributed that to Countryside.

When he decided to leave a career in Industrial Engineering to enter medical school, he never doubted his decision or his ability to be successful.

Grant attended Countryside from 1973-1976. He earned a degree in Industrial Engineering before going on to medical school. Grant currently serves as Assistant Professor-Facial Plastic Surgeon, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.