Weill Cornell Medicine’s Celebration of Diversity honored leaders who go beyond their official roles, dedicating time, energy and empathy to build inclusive environments. The ceremony, part of the institution’s seventh annual Diversity Week, was held April 7 in Griffis Faculty Club.
“This is one of the most important evenings of the year at Weill Cornell Medicine,” said Dr. Robert A. Harrington, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine in opening remarks. “We are here to recognize the people who tirelessly throughout the year make sure that we are a community that has as one of its core values a real commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging.”
Left to right: Dr. Rache Simmons, Dr. Orli Etingin and Dr. Robert Harrington
A good example is Dr. Orli Etingin, the Lisa and Sanford B Ehrenkranz Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, who has been an advocate for women, a role model and a mentor. She received the Jessica M. and Natan Bibliowicz Award for Excellence in Mentoring Women Faculty. “Dr. Etingin stands out for her efforts to support faculty and students at all levels, from when they are starting their careers to helping senior faculty build robust pipelines of philanthropic funding,” said Dr. Rache Simmons, associate dean of diversity and professor of surgery. It’s not surprising that she measures her own success by the success of others. “What motivates me to mentor is the venerable tradition of mentoring that I was fortunate to receive in my career at Weill Cornell,” Dr. Etingin said.
The Louis Wade Sullivan, MD Award for Excellence in Public Health Advocacy was presented to Dr. Abdallah Tom, postdoctoral residency fellow in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and its Payne Whitney Clinic. His work spans clinical care, mentorship, research and policy with a focus on culturally responsive mental health services and dismantling of systemic barriers to care. Through his global perspective and local action, Dr. Tom exemplifies the values of public health advocacy that define this award, said Dr. Joy Howell, assistant dean of diversity and student life, professor of clinical pediatrics. “This is exciting but unexpected. There is an Arabic phrase that says, if you do something good with your right hand, your left hand shouldn't know about it—which means you're not doing good deeds for recognition but to help people,” he said. “So, I take my experiences from Weill Cornell and will continue showing up for the patients and communities who need it most.”
Dr. Anyanate Gwendolyne Jack, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and an endocrinologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, received the Bruce Laine Ballard, MD Award for Excellence in Mentorship. Dr. Jack creates a learning environment where students are truly supported to succeed through initiatives such as the Institute for Health and Advocacy Leaders (I-HEAL) and the Faculty Scholars in Health Equity Program; she elevates mentorship into institutional transformation. “Diversity isn’t just a word; it’s integral to our society. The fact that we're able to have this entire ceremony and recognize these leader, who are contributing to making a more equitable world is just so meaningful,” she said.
Dr. Deborah Scaler Silber
This year’s Dr. Marie Metoyer M.D. Award for Excellence in Community Service recognized Dr. Deborah Scaler Silber, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, who couldn’t attend the ceremony. She was honored to receive this special award and sent Dr. Jana Ivanidze, associate professor of radiology, to accept for her. In 2024, she co-founded the Jewish professional employee research groups in response to rising antisemitism, creating a space for connection, support and open dialogue. Her leadership extends beyond the campus, where she advocates for Jewish communities through national organizations.
The administrative staff here contribute behind-the-scenes support essential to elevating the efforts of all the students and faculty. Two people were honored this year for embodying the spirit of cultural diversity and service. José Romero, research coordinator in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, leads national efforts to increase racial and ethnic minority representation in clinical trials and has developed culturally sensitive strategies to engage underserved communities. “I have worked with vulnerable people who have no treatment for their chronic illnesses, and I'm that glimpse of hope for them,” he said. “But it is still a huge favor to ask someone to be a part of research. I’m happy that I was able to explain the process and make them comfortable.”
Dr. Roxana Mesias, assistant director in the office of student diversity at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, also received the administrative staff award. Dr. Mesias has led transformative programs, including the Weill Cornell Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program, which supports the success of historically underrepresented doctoral students. Her open-door policy, holistic student advocacy and commitment to professional development have made her a powerful partner across campus. “Among the many initiatives we have, supporting graduate students who are also parents, many of them from non-traditional backgrounds, has been particularly important to me. I remember what it was like when I became a parent in graduate school,” Dr. Mesias said.
The Diversity Awards, part of the Weill Cornell Medicine's seventh annual Diversity Week, brought together faculty, staff and students to celebrate leaders who are mentors, role models and change makers.
The Ida Sophia Scudder, MD Award for Excellence in Public Service recognized two students for their significant contributions through community service and care to the underserved. “Yoselin Paucar Iza, a doctoral candidate in immunology and microbial pathogenesis, is inspiring the next generation of scientists and doctors. Her commitment to increasing access and fostering belonging for underrepresented students, mirrors, Dr. Scudder’s legacy of service to be underserved,” said Dr. Susana Morales, head of diversity center of excellence and associate professor of clinical medicine. “I always tell students who I am working with and mentoring that I have learned from them as well. They have an impact on making me a better teacher, communicator and advocate as I build my career,” Paucar Iza said.
The second awardee was Marc-Anthony Rodriguez-Carr, a medical student graduating this year and starting residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. As president of the Black and Latino Men in Medicine group at Weill Cornell Medicine, he expanded a pathway program that supports underrepresented students to careers in medicine and science through mentorship and clinical exposure. “I've loved learning medicine and physiology, and I've loved being an educator and an advocate here at Weill Cornell Medicine,” he said. “That has made my experience here not only successful, but incredibly rewarding and fun.”