Dr. John Savarese Honored at Annual Greenberg Award Dinner in Silver Anniversary

At the 25th annual Maurice R. Greenberg Distinguished Service Award dinner, the Weill Cornell family gave heartfelt accolades to Dr. John Savarese, chairman of anesthesiology and the Joseph F. Artusio, Jr. Professor of Anesthesiology at the Medical College, and anesthesiologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

On May 5, over 450 hospital faculty and supporters celebrated Dr. Savarese's achievement with dinner and dancing at the Pierre Hotel. Bernadette Castro, dinner co-chair and New York State Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, was the first of many to fete the physician. "Dr. Savarese, the night belongs to you," she said, echoing the sentiments of many others, both at the event and in a video tribute to the doctor's accomplishments. Dr. Peter Guida, associate professor of surgery, introduced Mr. Greenberg and Arthur Mahon, vice chairman of the Board of Overseers and co-chair of the event, who presented the award to Dr. Savarese.

"This may be the first time you hear an anesthesiologist say more than a word or two, and you'll even stay awake as I talk to you!" Dr. Savarese joked. He commended the Hospital for its evolution from a "very good community hospital with some academic aspirations" to "a truly academic medical center."

Each year, the Greenberg Award honors a senior member of the medical staff at Weill Cornell for exceptional and longstanding service. As the highest honor bestowed to a member of the medical staff at Weill Cornell, the award was established in 1980 by Mr. Greenberg, one of the Medical Center's most generous benefactors, and by Dr. Guida, who has been affiliated with the Medical Center for over 50 years. The honor was conceived as a way to identify and celebrate in perpetuity those who make NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College cornerstones of academic medicine in New York City and beyond.

As a physician, scientist, educator, and administrator, Dr. Savarese has helped to advance the fields of anesthesiology and neuromuscular pharmacology over his 30-year career. Since he joined New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in 1989, Dr. Savarese has raised the level of anesthesia care, assembling a department of more than 50 highly skilled anesthesiologists with expertise in providing anesthesia for specific types of surgery, including cardiac, thoracic, vascular, neurological, obstetric, and pediatric surgery. An expert in neuromuscular blocking drugs, he has earned recognition for groundbreaking research and works with a team of scientists who are focused on the development of safer and more specific anesthetic agents and relaxants.

In a special presentation, Dean Antonio Gotto and Dr. Pardes honored Mr. Greenberg and his wife, Corinne, for their dedication to the Medical College.

"Hank Greenberg inspires us to new heights and encourages us to do a better job," said Dr. Gotto. "Thank you for your unwavering support."

Mr. and Mrs. Greenberg received several standing ovations, and a doctor's lab coat as a gift.

Photos by Marie Wallace.