Dr. Alexander Aledo, associate professor of clinical pediatrics, was inducted into the Hunter College Hall of Fame for his work in pediatric oncology on April 23 at a ceremony held at Hunter College. The prestigious recognition selects alumni for their outstanding achievements in their fields. Dr. Aledo earned his bachelor's degree from Hunter College in 1980.
Rosemary Bakker, director of the Gerontologic Environmental Modifications program in the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, spoke at "Concepts of Care," the Alzheimer's Foundation of America annual conference on May 4, in New York City. Bakker gave a presentation on "Safeproofing Your Home."
Dr. Thomas Caputo, professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology, has been appointed a three-year position as cancer liaison physician for the Hospital Cancer Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The Cancer Liaison Physician Program is a part of the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Caputo will provide leadership and support to the CoC Approvals Program, and other CoC activities at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.
Dr. Kirk Deitsch, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, was honored with the 2002 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers at a ceremony at the White House on May 4. John H. Marburger III, science adviser to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, presented the prestigious award to 57 of the nation's most promising researchers who are still in the early stages of their career. Dr. Deitsch, nominated by the Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, is among 37 other recipients nominated by federal departments and agencies "whose work shows the greatest promise to benefit the nominating agency's mission." The award is supported by the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Joseph Fins, chief of the Division of Medical Ethics and professor of medicine, medicine in psychiatry, and public health, presented his lecture "More Than a State of Mind: Ethics and Severe Brain Injury" at the Thirteenth Annual Lyon Daughters Lecture on April 23 at the Rochester Academy of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y. The lecture series focuses on issues related to bioethics.
Dr. Fins was also recently elected to the Board of Trustees at Wesleyan University. Dr. Fins, who received his bachelor's degree with departmental honors in 1982 and is a recipient of the Wesleyan University Alumni Service Award, is one of three alumni elected to serve the three-year term as trustee. He will hold the position from 2004-2007.
Dr. Leonard Girardi (right) receives the "Hero with a Heart Award," presented by Dr. O. Wayne Isom (left), from the National Marfan Foundation.
Dr. Leonard Girardi, associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery, was honored at "HEARTWORKS," the 4th annual gala by the National Marfan Foundation on April 15 in New York. The "Hero with a Heart Award," presented by Dr. O. Wayne Isom, the Terry Allen Kramer Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, acknowledges Dr. Girardi's surgical expertise and care of patients with Marfan syndrome. The benefit also featured an auction of "one-of-a-kind" decorative hearts autographed by celebrities, athletes and artists. The event was hosted by Tony Award-winning choreographer and director Ann Reinking and Liz Claiborne Group president Karen Murray, and included among its guests Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Dr. Marcus Reidenberg, professor of pharmacology, public health, and medicine, gave expert testimony to the Department of Health and Human Services Task Force on Drug Importation on April 27. The session, held at the Food and Drug Administration headquarters in Rockville, MD, concerned the importation of drugs available at lower cost abroad but sold at higher prices in the United States. Dr. Reidenberg also spoke about counterfeit and substandard drug products as a risk of drug importation, and whether such risks were significant in prohibiting importation from countries that have high regulatory standards, such as Canada. Dr. Reidenberg has been a member of the World Health Organization Expert Panel on Drug Evaluation since 1989, and has served on six WHO Expert Committees and as a temporary advisor to several WHO programs concerned with medications. Dr. Reidenberg's testimony may be viewed at http://www.hhs.gov/importtaskforce/session4/presentations/Reidenbergfinal.doc.