Dr. Benjamin H. Kean
Weill Cornell's Office of Alumni Relations hosted the Symposium on Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases on Monday, Oct. 20, in commemoration of the late Dr. Benjamin H. Kean (1912-1993), a beloved faculty member of the Medical College. The event gave the Weill Cornell community an opportunity to reflect upon the outstanding career of Dr. Kean and to remember him as a mentor, teacher, researcher and friend.
Dr. Kean, an internationally acclaimed expert in tropical medicine, discovered the causes of several diseases, including turista, also known as traveler's diarrhea, which he studied (in collaboration with Dr. Sherwood Gorbach of Tufts University), traveling with Cornell medical students visiting Mexico, many of whom were later inflicted with the illness. He was also an authority on amebiasis, malaria and toxoplasmosis, a disease that often affects people with AIDS.
Dr. Henry Murray,'72, Mrs. Collette Kean and Dr. Stephen Hoffman, '75, at the commemorative dinner.
Dr. Kean was associated with New York-Cornell for more than 40 years, having joined the staff in 1952 as assistant professor of clinical (tropical) medicine. He founded the Medical Center's Tropical Medicine Unit in 1963, serving as its director until 1978, and was instrumental in establishing Cornell's overseas research programs in Haiti, Brazil and Cuba. The Classes of 1964 and 1965 established the Dr. B.H. Kean International Fellowships in support of students doing research in developing countries. At the time of his death, he was clinical professor emeritus of tropical medicine and public health. In 1994, The Ben Kean M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by gifts from friends, patients and colleagues in recognition of Dr. Kean's most important concern—the welfare of our students. The income from this endowed fund is used for scholarship aid at the Medical College.
Dr. Kean was regarded by many as an "academic jewel." He was instrumental in helping many medical students and physicians-in-training attain careers in tropical medicine and international health. Dr. Kean was also a revered teacher who taught a popular course in tropical medicine, which the Medical College subsequently named in his honor.
From left: Alumni who continue Dr. Kean's work and keep his memory alive provided the presentations at the symposium: Dr. Timothy Flanigan '83; Dr. Martin Wolfe, '61; Dr. Stephen Hoffman '75; Dr. Frank Bia, '71; and Dr. Jean Pape '75.
During the event, Dr. Paul Miskovitz,'75, served as chair. Alumni, who continue Dr. Kean's work and strive to keep his memory alive, provided the presentations at the symposium: Dr. Martin Wolfe, '61, gave a talk on "The Present State of Health Protection for International Travelers"; Dr. Stephen Hoffman, '75, discussed "The Future of Malaria Vaccine Development"; Dr. Jean Pape, '75, presented his research on "Diagnosing and Treating Tuberculosis Infections in Aids Patients"; Dr. Timothy Flanigan, '83, lectured on "The Argument for Routine HIV Testing"; and Dr. Frank Bia, '71, discussed "The Present State of International Health Training, International Health Programs for Residents."
Immediately following the symposium, dinner was held in the Griffis Faculty Club, with Dr. Richard Cohen, '75, serving as the master of ceremonies. In addition, friends, colleagues and alumni who knew Dr. Kean well shared their treasured memories of him by contributing personal anecdotes.
Photos by Janet Charles.