Leading Pathologist to Head College 's Key Medical Practice Organization
NEW YORK (August 10, 2005) — Dr. Daniel M. Knowles -- an internationally recognized hematopathologist and Chairman of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University has been named Chief Medical Officer of the Weill Cornell Physician Organization. Dr. Knowles is succeeding Dr. E. Darracott Vaughan Jr. in this important leadership role at the Medical College.
Dr. Vaughan, Weill Cornell's Chief Medical Officer since 1989, has been named Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at Weill Cornell Medical College.
The Weill Cornell Physician Organization (PO) is the group medical practice organization established by Cornell University for the management of the faculty's clinical practices. It is dedicated to the advancement of medical science and education and the delivery of excellent patient care. Weill Cornell PO members provide professional medical services to more than a million patients annually in inpatient, ambulatory care, and diagnostic and treatment settings at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Weill Cornell's chief clinical affiliate.
Reporting to the Dean of the Medical College, the Chief Medical Officer is responsible for the overall operation of the Physician Organization. The Chief Medical Officer chairs the Physician Organization 's governing forums for the faculty group practice, supervises the Physician Organization 's management team, and is a major spokesperson for the clinical mission of the Medical College.
"We are so pleased to name Dr. Knowles as the Chief Medical Officer of our Physician Organization," said Dr. Antonio M. Gotto Jr., M.D., Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College. "This position is key to the smooth operation of our clinical practices, lending critical support to our faculty and therefore our community. Dr. Knowles' steadfast involvement in the Medical College renders him ideally suited to build upon the legacy of Dr. Vaughan and carry our Physician Organization to great success in this new era of medicine. His leadership will bolster our commitment and capabilities to deliver superior care to over a million patients per year."
Dr. Vaughan, who is the former Chairman of Weill Cornell's Department of Urology and the James J. Colt Professor of Urology, oversaw the growth of clinical practices at the Medical College from 350 clinical faculty members in 1989 to the current membership of 700 physicians. The Physician Organization was formed in 1996; it evolved from the earlier Faculty Practice Plan to respond to changes in clinical practice management and the arrival of managed care plans as a dominant source of payment for physician services.
"Dr. Knowles is an excellent choice," said Dr. Vaughan. "He is a member of the PO Operating Board, an active member of the Finance Committee, and was recently elected to the new PO Executive Committee. With this experience, he is an ideal choice to carry the organization forward."
Dr. Daniel M. Knowles will continue his position as the David D. Thompson Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and Pathologist-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/WeillCornell Medical Center. Dr. Knowles received his M.D. in 1973 from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and completed his residency in pathology at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and postdoctoral training in cellular immunology under the tutelage of Dr. Henry Kunkel at The Rockefeller University. Dr. Knowles served as Professor of Pathology and Chief of Surgical Pathology at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons until 1994.
Dr. Knowles is particularly known for his original contributions concerning the immunopathologic and molecular pathologic characterization of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders, especially those associated with immune deficiency. He has published more than 275 scientific papers, and has been the recipient of several research awards from the National Institutes of Health and the American Cancer Society. He is a member of the prestigious International Lymphoma Study Group, editor of the leading hematopathology textbook, and member of the Editorial Board of more than 15 medical and scientific journals. He has been named one of the world's "Most Highly Cited Scientists."
Dr. Knowles recently summarized his thoughts concerning his new role: "The vision and leadership of Dean Gotto; his and Dr. Herbert Pardes' [President and CEO of the Hospital] strong commitment to supporting the clinical enterprise; and the extraordinarily successful Weill Cornell Medical College and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital fundraising campaigns are rapidly propelling our Medical Center forward. I am grateful to be afforded the opportunity to lead the Physician Organization at such an exciting time. I am looking forward to working with the PO management team assembled by Dr. Vaughan and with all the Clinical Department Chairs to facilitate our clinical mission."
Leslie Greenberg
leg2003@med.cornell.edu