Leslie Virginia Dunne
In September 2023, SGIM lost a pivotal member of the SGIM family, our beloved Leslie Dunne, who passed away after a two-month battle with multiple myeloma.
Leslie served on SGIM staff for more than 18 years and her dedication, leadership, and professionalism were unparalleled. Leslie joined SGIM in 2005 and most recently served as the Director of Finance and Administration, in which role she helped guide SGIM through the financial challenges of the COVID pandemic. Her profound understanding of SGIM’s financial intricacies and unwavering positivity made her invaluable.
Leslie’s life of service extended beyond SGIM. Her commitment to making a positive impact was evident through her work in the Peace Corps in Africa during the late 80s, mission work in Haiti, her 17 years of service with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, and her pursuit of a master’s in public administration.
Leslie is survived by her 16-year-old son, Evan, who was her pride and joy. Her passing leaves an immense void in our hearts, and her absence will be keenly felt by the SGIM family. Her legacy of dedication, kindness, and professionalism will forever be remembered.
Sarajane Garten
Sarajane Garten, a cherished former member of the SGIM family, passed away on August 15, 2023, at the age of 72, after a courageous battle against multiple myeloma.
Sarajane’s legacy at SGIM is profound. She served as the Director of Meetings, overseeing our Annual Meeting with extraordinary expertise for an impressive 18 years, until her well-deserved retirement in 2017. Under her leadership, the national meeting operations flourished, evolving from a modest endeavor into a highly professional enterprise. Her master’s degree in health education and vast experience in medical meeting planning and CME were invaluable in expanding the scale of our flagship meeting.
Beyond her professional achievements, Sarajane’s commitment to justice and equality and the LGBTQ community was unwavering. Sarajane’s memory will endure in SGIM’s heart. Her contributions, compassion, sense of humor and dedication will continue to inspire us. Our condolences to her wife Catherine, family, and friends. Sarajane Garten will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
