Dr. David Abramson, clinical professor of ophthalmology and director of the Robert M. Ellsworth Ophthalmic Oncology Center at NewYork Weill Cornell, was senior author of an article that was recognized by the Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics as the best scientific paper in 2001. The paper was "The Measurement of Three-Dimensional Dose Distribution of a Rheuthenium-106 Ophthalmological Applicator Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging of BANG Polymer Gels." Co-authors from MSKCC's Department of Medical Physics were Dr. Maria Chan (lead author), Dr. Albert Fung, Yu-Chi Hu, Dr. Chen-Shou Chui, Dr. Howard Amols and Dr. Marco Zaider.
Dr. Olaf Andersen, director of the Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, has been named president-elect of the M.D./Ph.D. Directors Association, a component of the Association of American Medical Colleges. He will become president of the association in July 2003 and serve a two-year term. He is currently serving as vice president of the association.
Dr. Jean Pape wearing his Legion d' Honneur medal.
Dr. John Carucci, assistant professor of dermatology, was honored by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) with a presidential citation at the academy's annual meeting in February. Dr. Carucci was cited for his work with the AAD's Bioterrorism Task Force, which produced the Algorithm for Diagnosis and Management of Cutaneous Anthrax that has been adopted by the CDC and other medical institutions.
Dr. John Daly, the Lewis Atterbury Stimson Professor and chairman of the Department of Surgery, was installed as president of the Society of Surgical Oncology at the society's 55th annual cancer symposium held in Denver in March.
Eleanor Elliott, a Life Overseer, received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Duke University at the university's May 12 commencement ceremonies. Mrs. Elliott was cited for her significant contributions to education and social and civic causes. In addition to serving on Weill Cornell's Board of Overseers, Mrs. Elliott is a Life Trustee of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. She has served on the board of Barnard College for more than 40 years and as board chair during the period 1973-1976.
Dr. Richard Friedman, clinical professor of psychiatry, is co-author of a newly published book, "Sexual Orientation and Psychoanalysis: Sexual Science and Clinical Practice" (Columbia University Press), which brings sexuality back to the center of psychoanalysis. Dr. Friedman and his co-author, Dr. Jennifer Downey of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, present a new perspective on male and female development, emphasizing the ways in which both sexual orientation and homophobia begin early in life.
Dr. Marc Goldstein, professor of urology, professor of reproductive medicine, and executive director of the Men's Service Center of Weill Cornell's Institute for Reproductive Medicine, received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the Alumni Association of the College of Medicine at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. At the award presentation in April, Dr. Goldstein was cited for his major contributions to urology and surgical management of male infertility. Dr. Goldstein is also the 2002 recipient of the John Kingsley Lattimer Award in Urology presented by the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America at its annual awards banquet on May 16 in New York. He was recognized for his outstanding contributions in the area of reproductive medicine and microsurgery.
Dr. Claudia Henschke, professor of radiology and chief of the Division of Chest Imaging, presented congressional testimony on April 16 concerning a proposal of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct a randomized trial for assessment of CT screening for lung cancer. Testifying at a public hearing of the Subcommittee on Health of the House Ways and Means Committee, Dr. Henschke criticized the design of the proposed NCI study. A leading authority on CT screening for lung cancer, Dr. Henschke is principal investigator of the New York Early Lung Cancer Action Project, which has been studying CT screening for lung cancer in non-randomized trials.
Dr. Mark Kramer, adjunct assistant professor of audiology and director of hearing and speech service in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, was honored by the New York City Speech, Hearing and Language Association (NYCSHLA) at its annual awards dinner on May 8. He received the association's Public Service Award in recognition of the expert assistance that he gave as a consultant to the New York City Police and Fire Departments in assessing noise conditions affecting workers at ground zero following Sept. 11.
Dr. Robert Leahy, clinical associate professor of psychology in psychiatry, is co-editor of a newly published book, "Clinical Advances in Cognitive Psychotherapy: Theory and Application" (Springer Publishing, February 2002, co-edited by Dr. E. Thomas Dowd). Dr. Leahy, who is editor of the Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, is president-elect of the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy. He has been named chairperson of the marketing and development committee of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy and was also named to the scientific advisory committee of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. He is also co-author of the book "Biopolar Disorder: A Cognitive Therapy Approach," which was published last year by the American Psychological Assocation Press (co-authors Newman, Leahy, Beck, Reilly-Harrington, and Gyulai).
Dr. Charles Mack, assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery, addressed the medical directors of the United Nations on April 24 on the topic "Recent Advances in Cardiovascular Surgery." Dr. Mack discussed the current status of robotic cardiac surgery and recent advances in the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. His presentation was part of a series of medical topics presented to U.N. medical directors.
Dr. Maria New, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, organized and chaired a special international conference on Hormonal & Genetic Basis of Sexual Differentiation Disorders, which was held in Tempe, Ariz., May 16-18. The highly acclaimed conference, the first of its kind, brought together eminent molecular reseachers, clinicians, psychiatrists, ethicists and patient advocates to discuss current research and management principles in the treatment of intersex disorders. Among the registered participants were the director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the chief of endocrinology in the NICHD's Nutrition and Growth Branch. The proceedings of the conference are to be published in an upcoming supplement to The Endocrinologist.
Dr. Sunil Panchal, assistant professor of medicine and director of the Division of Pain Medicine, is currently serving as secretary/treasurer of the Association of Pain Program Directors, a 100-member organization of the directors of accredited pain-fellowship programs.
Dr. Jean Pape, professor of medicine, received the Legion d' Honneur, the highest honor given by the government of France, for his "contribution to the improvement of the health of the Haitian people and that of people in the world." The award, which recognized Dr. Pape's major international role in the fight against HIV/AIDS, was presented by French President Jacques Chirac on April 25 at the residence of the French Ambassador.
Dr. Ellinor Peerschke, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine and chief of Clinical Hematology Laboratory Services at NewYork Weill Cornell, served as local host of the annual meeting of the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists, held June 6-8 in New York City. Weill Cornell faculty who participated in the meeting sessions at the Grand Hyatt Hotel included Dr. Desmond Burke, Dr. Ethel Cesarman, Dr. Davise Larone, Dr. Richard Lent and Dr. Peerschke. Weill Cornell hosted the academy's reception and awards banquet in the Griffis Faculty Club on June 7.
Simone Porter and Michael Young, both third-year medical students, have received Macy Scholarships to support their studies for the M.P.H. degree at Columbia Unversity's Mailman School of Public Health. After a year at Columbia, both students will return to Weill Cornell to complete their fourth year. The Macy Scholarships are awarded by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, which is providing a total of 12 scholarships to medical students from New York City.
Dr. Rock Positano (right) emceeing the 3rd annual Joe DiMaggio Award Gala, at which former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (center) received the 2002 Joe DiMaggio Award. Henry Kissinger (left) was the first recipient of the Joe DiMaggio Award, presented in 2000.
Dr. Rock Positano, adjunct clinical assistant professor of podiatry in medicine, was chairman of the 3rd annual Joe DiMaggio Award Gala benefiting Xaverian High School in Brooklyn. At the gala held on June 24, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was honored as the recipient of the school's 2002 Joe DiMaggio Award. Other notable guests in attendance included Henry Kissinger, a former recipient of the award; former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent; and former St. John's basketball coach Lou Carneseca. Dr. Positano, an Xaverian alumnus and member of the school's board, was a close friend of the late Joe DiMaggio. After the ballplayer's death in 1999, the school created an award in his name to memorialize DiMaggio's commitment to the health, education and well-being of America's youth.
Dr. Marcus Reidenberg, professor of pharmacology and medicine and head of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the Medical College, was a member of the World Health Organization Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines that met in Geneva from April 15-19.
Dr. Stephen Rosen, clinical associate professor of medicine, was honored by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for his longtime commitment to diabetes care and his service as president of the ADA's Eastern Region.
Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, the Ida and Theo Rossi Distinguished Professor of Clinical Medicine, received the degree of Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa from Tel Aviv University (TAU) at a presentation held at the university in March. The award presentation cited Dr. Rosenfeld for his "important contribution to medical science as a leading cardiologist; his role as a prominent physician dedicated to the clinical, research, educational and public health aspects of his field; his advocacy for the advancement of medical science in Israel; his longstanding collaboration with (TAU) and his contributions as trustee of the Sackler School of Medicine and member of the (TAU) Board of Governors." In addition, he was cited for "his vision linking medicine, humanitarianism and a commitment to cross-cultural understanding."
Dr. Lila Wallis, clinical professor of medicine, was honored by her alma mater, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, which presented her with the Virginia Kneeland Frantz '22 Distinguished Women in Medicine Award at the Dean's Day Ceremonies held in May. Dr. Wallis, a pioneering woman physician and advocate for women's health and women's medical education, was cited for her commitment to her patients and her leadership in medical education, especially in the development of the Teaching Associates Program for teaching competent, painless and sensitive breast and pelvic examinations.
Joan Weill, co-chairman of NewYork Weill Cornell's Women's Health Symposium and a member of the executive committee of the Lying-In Hospital (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology), accepted the 2001 National Medal of the Arts awarded to the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, which was presented by President George Bush at a ceremony held on April 22 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Weill, a longtime supporter of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, serves as chairman of the foundation. Also receiving a 2001 National Medal of the Arts was noted Alvin Ailey dancer, teacher, choreographer and artistic director Judith Jamison. On May 7, Mrs. Weill received the Vision Award presented by the New York Women's Foundation in recognition of her philanthropic contributions benefiting women and children.
Jonathan Zippin, a fourth-year MD-PhD student, was selected to represent the Medical College at the 21st Annual Associated Medical Schools of New York Medical Student Research Awards Program, which was held on May 2 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Mr. Zippin was chosen as one of the three top winners and received a $200 prize for his topic, "Compartmentalization of cAMP Signaling Cascades: cAMP-Mediated Gene Expression by Nuclear Bicarbonate-Sensitive Adenylyl Cyclase."