Jeffrey Greenberg, chairman of the NewYork Weill Cornell Council, praised Council members for their advocacy on behalf of the Hospital to the community.
"The Council acts as ambassadors, educating the community about our cutting-edge research, patient care and medical education," he said. "It is a priceless resource."
Trustees Eleanor Elliott and Stephen Weiss were both honored with the Council Annual Walter B. Wriston Leadership Award, named for the former Citibank chairman and CEO who passed away earlier this year.
"Every institution needs someone to represent its soul, and there's no one who does this to a greater degree than Ellie and Steve," said Dr. Antonio Gotto, dean of the Medical College. "It's delightful to be able to honor them tonight."
"I'm so proud and pleased to receive this honor," said Ms. Elliott, remembering Wriston. She also praised her co-winner. "Stephen Weiss gives so much of himself to improve the Medical College."
Dr. Herbert Pardes celebrates with Council Members Ethel Allen and Collette Kean.
"Serving the Medical Center for 30 years has been one of the greatest privileges and experiences of my life," said Mr. Weiss.
"Eleanor Elliott is unflagging in her dedication," he added. "She has exhibited wisdom, patience and common sense invaluable to the Medical College and Hospital.
In a Medical Center Update, Dean Gotto highlighted the Starr Foundation's $50 million grant to support stem cell research, with the Ansary Center working cooperatively with Weill Cornell's in vitro program, the largest in the world, to nurture a thriving community of investigators.
Dean Gotto noted the recruitment of seven new department chiefs, including Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi, the Lewis Atterbury Stimson Professor of Surgery, chairman of the Department of Surgery and surgeon-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.Mr. Weiss, who has undergone 16 operations at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, can personally vouch for its surgical strengths. "I do owe my life to the doctors here," he said. "Dr. Michelassi is a shining example of a distinguished leader in his field bringing us to new levels of excellence in surgery."
Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi delivered the keynote speech.
Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, thanked Jeffrey Greenberg and the Council. "This council has truly thrived," he said, acknowledging its vital role in the Hospital's success. "We want to promise you all the very best across the board, in all areas of medical treatment," he said.
Dr. Michelassi, who became chief of surgery last July, reviewed the challenges, opportunities and goals of the surgical department in each area of the Medical Center's tripartite missions: education, research and clinical care. "Like any successful endeavor, a thriving surgery department rests on equity, accountability, the recruitment and retention of superior employees, appreciation, respect and a shared vision for the future," Dr. Michelassi said.
"The surgery of the future is, at Weill Cornell, the surgery of the present," he noted, emphasizing the increase in minimally-invasive surgery in breast, intestinal, endocrine, and vascular realms.
Priorities include the development of infrastructure to support clinical, translational, and basic science research; allocation of resources on a thematic and programmatic basis, rather than an individual basis; and fostering synergy among different investigators within and between Weill Medical College, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Rockefeller University, Cornell's Ithaca campus, The Methodist Hospital, and the Medical College's Qatar campus.
Dr. Michelassi assigned high priority to restructuring the vascular surgery resource unit to build on Dr. Shahin Rafii's accomplishments in the field.
"The Department of Surgery is poised to do great things," Dr. Michelassi said. "With the help of the Hospital and Council, we'll be successful."