Maurice Greenberg (left) and Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld
More than 450 pre-eminent physicians and government, business and community leaders gathered on May 4 to honor Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell's highest honor, the Maurice R. Greenberg Distinguished Service Award, at a dinner at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.
Following a video presentation featuring luminaries from a variety of fields including the late actor Walter Matthau (Dr. Rosenfeld has acted in several movies, including "A Beautiful Mind" and "Man on the Moon") and former Ambassador Hushang Ansary, opening remarks were given by Dr. Peter Guida, recently retired associate professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College and associate attending surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital; Maurice Greenberg, chairman emeritus of the Board of Trustees at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and a member of the Weill Cornell Medical College Board of Overseers for whom the award is named; and Arthur Mahon, vice chairman of the Board of Overseers and a trustee of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
"When we see the talent this man has, it's enormous," said Mr. Greenberg. "Not only in caring for patients, but in outreach and for this institution."
From left: Maurice Greenberg, Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld, Dr. Peter Guida and Arthur Mahon.
Arthur Mahon, who co-chaired the dinner with his wife, Myra, and Dr. Peter Guida and Bernadette Castro, spoke of Dr. Rosenfeld's unique ability to inject humor into the practice of saving lives. "It's such a privilege to be on this stage," he said. "Dr. Rosenfeld always speaks with grace and humor, and performs on so many levels."
Dr. Rosenfeld—or "Issie" as he is known for short—displayed that characteristic sense of humor to full effect during his acceptance speech, opening with a bit of sarcasm—"Can I talk now?"—to widespread laughter.
Noting that the award had been presented posthumously several times previously, Dr. Rosenfeld was happy to receive the award while he was still alive. "I want you to know that I'm very grateful to be honored while I'm alive, it's so much... more meaningful. And fun."
From left: Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld and his wife, Camilla, and Mrs. Anita Gotto and Dr. Antonio Gotto.
Dr. Rosenfeld also dedicated a few lines roasting Dr. Antonio Gotto, dean of Weill Cornell Medical College, whom Dr. Rosenfeld has known for decades.
They first met during a presentation of Dr. Gotto's groundbreaking research into the cardiovascular effects of cholesterol. Impressed by his work, Dr. Rosenfeld invited Dr. Gotto to breakfast—during which Dr. Gotto ordered eggs, bacon and buttered toast.
"Here was a major researcher in the field, eating with gusto the very foods that would kill him," Dr. Rosenfeld said. "That takes guts."
A highlight of Dr. Rosenfeld's acceptance speech was a story—which he repeatedly insisted was true—about a banker friend whose life Dr. Rosenfeld had saved. The patient was the head of a consortium of European banks and he hoped to repay Dr. Rosenfeld by creating three new buildings in Dr. Rosenfeld's name.
After seemingly endless meetings and correspondence, in which the financial pledge trickled from $1 billion down to $200 million and finally to zero, it became clear there was no European consortium of banks. And that the story was untrue.
Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld and his wife, Camilla.
While Dr. Rosenfeld had never treated a patient who made a $1 billion pledge, his story rang with a much more personal truth.
Speaking directly to Mr. Greenberg, Dr. Rosenfeld said, "I want to thank you and let you know that this award means more to me than all the buildings in the world."
The event also honored the retirement of Dr. Peter Guida, who in addition to more than five decades of research and surgical care also helped establish the Maurice R. Greenberg Distinguished Service Award and has co-chaired the award dinner since its inception.
During a special presentation, Dr. Gotto announced the creation of the Greenberg-Starr University Professorship in honor of Dr. Guida.
The newly created Greenberg-Starr University Professorship was announced in honor of Dr. Peter Guida (left).
"Over many years, he has been a great guy and a great asset to this institution," said Mr. Greenberg.
"This is a surprise," Dr. Guida said upon receiving the honor. "I am overwhelmed and humbled. No words can describe the gratitude I feel. This honor is beyond anything I can imagine. This institution has been my life; it has supported and challenged me. I can never thank you all enough."
Photos by Marie Wallace.