Elizabeth Garrett, the 13th president of Cornell University, heralded a future of greater collaboration at her Sept. 21 introduction to Weill Cornell Medical College.
President Garrett, who was inaugurated on Sept. 18, said to administrators, faculty and students at a reception at the Belfer Research Building, that she believes deeper relationships between Ithaca and New York City can bring "an unprecedented level of excellence."
"I see a special synergy between our programs in New York City and on our Ithaca campus," President Garrett said to a fervent crowd of 350. "Cornell is not only established in an amazing college town that facilitates reflection and discussion, but we have a substantial and growing footprint in this great international urban center, full of energy and global connections. This is a combination that no other American research university enjoys."
Among Weill Cornell's advancements lauded by President Garrett are its expansion of biomedical research, the medical college's new curriculum, and the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Science's master's degree programs in health informatics, and in health policy and economics. She also praised the Belfer Research Building, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in January 2014 that empowers scientists to translate groundbreaking discoveries into advanced patient care.
Weill Cornell Medical College hosted a reception on Sept. 21 to honor Cornell University President Elizabeth Garrett, who was inaugurated on Sept. 18. From left: Inauguration Steering Committee Co-Chair Joel Malina, Cornell Tech Dean and Vice Provost Dan Huttenlocher, President Garrett, Weill Cornell Dean Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher, and Inauguration Steering COmmittee Co-Chair Gretchen Ritter.
President Garrett pointed to the development of the innovative Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island as a major opportunity for partnership and collaboration, suggesting faculty may have joint appointments between the New York City and Ithaca campuses. Precision medicine is another field that may bridge the locations, she said.
Investigators at the Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine at Weill Cornell and their counterparts in Ithaca can advance knowledge of the molecular and genetic underpinnings of disease, while scientists at Cornell Tech analyze and synthesize big data and small data to contextualize and promote a greater understanding of this burgeoning field. Humanists and health policy and legal experts, who assess the ethics and logistics of precision medicine, also play an integral role in furthering this work.
"We cannot allow physical distance to keep us from integrating all that we do in New York City with the long-established campus in Ithaca, which will always represent the wellspring of the Cornell spirit," President Garrett said.
The event also marked an opportunity to celebrate President Garrett's appointment as Cornell's first female president, coming on the heels of the university's sesquicentennial. Dr. Laurie H. Glimcher, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell, who introduced Garrett to attendees, remarked that women — including herself and Weill Cornell Board of Overseers Chairman Jessica M. Bibliowicz — now form an important triumvirate in medical college and university leadership.
"Some people say we're witnessing history," Dr. Glimcher said. "I say it's about time."
President Garrett previously served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Southern California, overseeing its Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Keck School of Medicine; 16 professional schools; and other administrative departments.
Cornell Tech Dean and Vice Provost Dan Huttenlocher introduced Dr. Glimcher, and said he thinks Garrett "is a tremendous new president."