Pictured above, Dr. Brodman, left, with “gardener-in-chief” Dr. Ascher-Walsh.
The rooftop of Klingenstein Pavilion is a bright and bounteous place, thanks to a team effort led by Michael Brodman, MD, Ellen and Howard C. Katz Chair and Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science; and Charles J. Ascher-Walsh, MD, Associate Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science. “Dr. Brodman built the original planters about six years ago,” Dr. Ascher-Walsh says. “We expand every year, and it just takes off when the summer comes.” Their garden grows (in alphabetical order) arugula, basil, chard, dahlias, eggplant, figs, gladiolus, kale, leeks, mint, onions, peppers, radishes, sunflowers, thyme, and zucchini. The faculty, fellows, and staff take the produce home, have it for lunch and communal dinners, and place cut flowers around the offices. They also brighten their workdays by holding meetings on the rooftop deck. Dr. Brodman adds, with tongue in cheek, “Let everyone know we also rent it out for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs!”