The Origin of Stanford DCI
As a young medical resident in the early 1970s, Phil Pizzo observed older physicians who felt lost and obsolete at the end of their professional careers. Embarking on his own medical career, Pizzo realized this was a situation he didn’t want to experience himself.
After completing his term as Dean of the Stanford School of Medicine (2001-2012), Pizzo outlined a proposal for a university-based program that would seek to improve the life journey of individuals approaching traditional retirement age. Addressing the issue of extended lifespan, as well as improved healthspan, in older adults, Pizzo approached the program development from a scientific, medical and academic perspective
The initial goal of the DCI program was to assess whether a return to higher education in midlife and beyond could positively impact individuals, institutions and communities by providing opportunities for renewed purpose, social engagement and wellness. Pizzo and his team collaborated with colleagues at Stanford, who agreed to sponsor this innovative concept at the university and the Distinguished Careers Institute (DCI) was launched in 2014. In January 2015, the first cohort of 31 Fellows arrived on campus for a year of reflection, renewal, and learning.
The Stanford DCI program continues to grow and evolve. During its first decade, over 422 Fellows with diverse backgrounds and experiences have come to Stanford from across the globe to learn, explore, reflect, and connect as they prepare to contribute in their next chapters.
DCI's Inaugural Class of 2015
Stanford DCI Faculty Founder, Phil Pizzo (front, 2nd from right) and DCI Executive Director, Kathy Gillam (front, 3rd from left) pose with DCI’s Inaugural cohort, the Class of 2015.
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The Early Days of Stanford DCI
Founder Phil Pizzo, MD discusses the early days of DCI with John Hennessy (10th President of Stanford University and Co-founder and Inaugural Shriram Family Director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program) and Jonathan Berek, MD (DCI 2017).
READ:
Navigating Transitions, JAMA, April 25, 2017.
In this article, Phil Pizzo shares his thoughts on transitions.
From Stanford to the rabbinate: Phil Pizzo Moving On, Stanford Daily, April 11, 2022.
This in-depth article covers Pizzo’s background and his own post-DCI transition.