TOWAMENCIN – North Penn welcomed a new face in their Alumni Hall of Fame on Saturday evening. Dr. Stephen G. Somkuti returned to his alma mater on Friday to give a presentation to students and the to receive his award and outstanding recognition at the Hall of Fame ceremony Saturday night.
“It’s great honor. I did not realize that this honor even existed and when I got the phone call I thought it was a practical joke and then it kind of sunk in, and I’m deeply honored to be able to come back to my high school and get to tell people what a great education I got here” explained the doctor.
Dr. Somkuti also noted “I think I could be a good spokesman for other folks and to help them realize that the education that you receive here will give you a firm foundation for success in the future.”
Dr. Somkuti is one of the few doctors in the nation who specializes in reproductive endocrinology. Graduating from North Penn in 1978, Somkuti later went on to graduate from Lehigh University with degrees in Biology and German, Duke University with a degree in Pharmacology, and University of Chapel Hill North Carolina Medical School.
The self proclaimed “geek”, also said, “It is a privilege, it’s not a job it’s an absolute privilege. And it’s a privilege to be able to help people and it’s a unique part of life to be able to help others in need.”
Along with being the director of InVitro Fertilization program at Abington Memorial Hospital, Somkuti is also an assistant professional of Thomas Jefferson University Medical School. Adding to the list, he is also the proud author of two books, Obstetrics & Gynecology Board Review: Pearls of Wisdom 3rd and 4th edition.
North Penn High School principal Mr. Burt Hynes also added his opinion on the Hall of Fame and Dr. Somkuti.
“The whole theme is a way of recognizing graduates who have become outstanding in their field. He is one of few, one out of three doctors in the entire country that takes care of this one type procedure so again, a North Penn graduate who has really achieved very well and has contributed to society and has made a great career for himself. I’m incredibly proud. I’m always grateful to hear the success stories and the paths that folks have taken to get to where they are. With Dr. Somkuti, he graduated from North Penn in ’78, but he didn’t finish all of his medical training until ’95. That’s a long time to be in school and it advocates that whole idea of being a lifelong learner but you can see where it has gotten him, he is at the forefront of his field.”
Dr. Somkuti is also an award recipient for the Philadelphia’s 2010 Top Doc and Castle Connolly’s 2012 Top Doctors.
