Alumnus Raymond Demers, M.D. '72, visited his alma mater recently to talk to medical students about alcoholism and the impaired physician as part of the Wayne State University School of Medicine's annual Wellness Week Jan. 12-16.

Dr. Demers discussed how to identify and diagnose possible alcoholism in patients and colleagues, and shared treatment options. He also revealed during the presentation that he was a recovering alcoholic with three years of sobriety after seeking help from an addictionologist in 2011 following a nearly 40-year battle with the disease. He explained how the state of Michigan's Health Professionals Recovery Program works, and shared his story with the disease and how it negatively affected his life and family. He also implored the students to seek help for themselves or colleagues, if needed, before graduating, and provided his phone number and email for those who wished to contact him privately for information and help.

The occupational medicine specialist was invited to the school by Vice Dean for Medical Education Maryjean Schenk, M.D., M.P.H. '83. Dr. Demers was a mentor to Dr. Schenk during her fourth year of medical school.

His visit aligns with the mission of the Wellness Program, which is to encourage medical students to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle by balancing all aspects of their lives, and to provide the skills for students to achieve academic success and to become positive role models in teaching wellness to their patients. The Wellness Program is divided into five sections: physical, psychological, academic, social and community.

Wellness Week included daily wellness activities, seminars, free massages and more. The program also presents lectures on wellness topics monthly, with workshops planned based on student interest. The School of Medicine Co-Curricular Program also gives credit for health and wellness activities. Visit http://asp.med.wayne.edu/cocurricular-overview.php for information and to see what types of activities are available.