From left: Dr. Antonio Gotto; Corinne Greenberg; Maurice Greenberg; and Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the dedication ceremony.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell on Feb. 2, the Division of Cardiology at Weill Cornell Medical College was officially named for generous and longtime benefactors Maurice and Corinne Greenberg.
The new name—the Maurice R. and Corinne P. Greenberg Division of Cardiology at Weill Cornell Medical College—became effective on Dec. 1, 2003, and represents the Greenbergs' ongoing commitment in many areas, including cardiovascular research and patient care.
"The Greenberg family and the Starr Foundation have continually demonstrated their steadfast leadership in support of cardiology," said Dr. Antonio Gotto, dean of the Medical College. "Without their forward-thinking and generosity, the scope and success of our cardiology program would not have been possible."
In the last five years, the Weill Cornell cardiology program has earned a place of international importance in the research and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Home to one of the nation's most productive and academically respected cardiac catheterization, cardiac arrhythmia and echocardiography laboratories, the program also has an outstanding group of molecular cardiologists performing cutting-edge research.
Among many milestones made possible through the vision and leadership of the Greenberg family, the Division of Cardiology has recruited physician-scientists of the highest caliber; acquired a supercomputer that made possible the world's only three-dimensional computer model of atrial fibrillation; and is now in the process of upgrading many of its facilities, including laboratory space dedicated to innovative research initiatives such as genomic phenotyping.
Sanford Weill, chairman of Weill Cornell's Board of Overseers, delivers opening remarks.
The Greenberg family and the Starr Foundation have donated generously in support of cardiology. Last year, they made generous contributions for cardiology initiatives as part of the "Advancing the Clinical Mission" capital campaign, and to support research in molecular cardiology. Additionally, the Starr Foundation established clinical scholar endowments in honor of Dr. Bruce Lerman, the Hilda Altschul Master Professor of Medicine and chief of the Division of Cardiology, and Dr. James P. Smith, clinical professor of medicine. The Starr Foundation also gave generously in 2000 to help fund the Atrial Fibrillation Basic Research Program.
Maurice Greenberg is a member of the Medical College's Board of Overseers, as well as chairman emeritus and trustee of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's Board of Trustees. Additionally, he serves as chairman and CEO of American International Group (AIG), a leading global insurance and financial services organization, and chairman of the Starr Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the U.S.