Father John (Jake) Foglio, D.Min., professor emeritus in the College of Human Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine and Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences, passed away October 5, 2020. His profound legacy was the development of a culture of humanism in medical education at MSU College of Human Medicine.
A keystone in the college for decades, one of Father Jake’s greatest contribution to our college was through his work on spirituality in medicine through the Center for Ethics and Humanities in the Life Sciences. He was instrumental in the college’s spirituality course work and virtues curriculum.
“Father Jake was a valued mentor and colleague for so many of us,” said Aron Sousa, MD, interim dean, College of Human Medicine. “I have had the benefit of his friendship, teaching, and mentoring since I first met him as a medicine resident in 1997. We will all miss him dearly.”
A Catholic priest, Father Jake was active in ministry for more than 50 years. He obtained a Master of Divinity degree from St. John’s Provincial seminary in 1981 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Mary’s University in 1985.
Father Jake served as an assistant professor in Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s Department of Family Medicine from 1986 until his retirement. In 2015, Father Jake received the Lester J. Evans, MD, College of Human Medicine Distinguished Service Award.
In addition, the Foglio Conference on Spirituality and Medicine was named in honor of Father Jake for his commitment to social justice, a compassionate and intense concern for the personal and spiritual well-being of students and colleagues, and a scholarly background in both theology and communication sciences. This conference institutionalizes the educational initiatives begun by Father Jake Foglio.
A true Spartan, Father Jake graduated from Michigan State University in 1951 with a degree in communications and worked at the MSU radio station WKAR. After serving with the Marines in Korea, he attended seminary and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1961. He has been with St. John’s Student Paris since 1970.
Originally posted on College of Human Medicine