Winter/Spring 2011PDF Only

Winter/spring 2011

EinstThe Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Albert Einstein Collegee of Medicine ofin Yeshiva University

DE[LIVER]ANCE Researchers and Clinicians Team Up to Combat the Liver Disease Epidemic Meet Our Interactive Companion Magazine

Get ready for Einstein magazine’s “virtual” debut!

This interactive version of the magazine resides at www.einstein.yu.edu/epubs/einstein/winterspring2011 and adds voices and moving images to the text and pictures you now hold in your hands. You’ll be able to hear interviews with Einstein faculty members, see how Einstein and Montefiore researchers are working to defeat liver disease ... and more.

If you like the status quo, don’t worry: We’ll continue to publish Einstein magazine in print form. But do please give our alternative format a try as well. And let us know what you think about it by sending us a note at [email protected].

2 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

winter/spring 2011 in this issue

features

2 A Message from the Dean

22 De[liver]ance Scientists at Einstein and Montefiore are joining forces against the liver disease epidemic 22

30 Spotlight on: Phillip Frost, M.D., class of 1961 As the Einstein graduating class of 1961 prepares for its 50th Reunion, we focus on one of its most notable members

32 Serving Children and Adults At CERC Einstein’s Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center serves thousands of infants, children, adoles- 40 cents and adults each year

40 Renovating Van Etten Einstein’s new “Main Street” gets a makeover departments

3 Letters to the Editor on the cover 4 Upfront: Collegial Life Researchers and physicians from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, the 13 Upfront: Lab Dish University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Einstein, are working together to bring state-of-the-art 44 Passionate Pursuits therapies to liver disease patients. From left to right: Drs. Paul Gaglio, Allan Wolkoff, Sanjeev Gupta, Sarah 46 Our DNA: Bellemare, David Shafritz and Milan Kinkhabwala. Alumni News & Class Notes 61 Making a Difference

To enjoy our interactive version of 64 A Look Back Einstein magazine on your smartphone, download a mobile reader. We suggest visiting http://scan.mobi on your mobile device. EINSTEIN Winter/Spring 2011 The magazine for alumni, faculty, students, friends and supporters of Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University

Published by A Message from the Dean The Philip and Rita Rosen Department of Communications and Public Affairs Gordon Earle, Associate Dean his issue of Einstein Department of Institutional Advancement describes a process cru- Glenn Miller, Associate Dean cially important to the Ira Lipson, Director

College of Medicine: the Science and Publications Editor “makeover”T of the Van Etten build- Larry Katzenstein ing. The interior, exterior and—once Managing Editor a suitable donor is found—even Joan Lippert the building’s name will change Institutional Advancement Writer dramatically. Lora Friedman Einstein is unique among New Contributors Steve Ditlea York City medical schools in having Karen Gardner an actual campus. Our 2008 campus Gary Goldenberg Nelly Edmondson Gupta master plan allows us to capitalize Celia Vimont on this strategic advantage, and the Creative Director adaptive reuse of Van Etten is one of Peter Dama the plan’s main goals. This renovation, Art Director which is being carried out in a highly Lorene Tapellini cost-effective manner, will also enable Designer us to upgrade our teaching facilities in Jeneffer Gonçalves

ways that will improve the education Illustration of our medical students and provide represent a major and underappreci- Tatyana Starikova Harris

ideal space for a number of Einstein ated health problem. Digital Imaging research programs. The makeover of the Van Etten Donna Bruno

Van Etten will also be the new building is emblematic of a broader Photography home of our Children’s Evaluation theme that transcends facilities and Jason Torres Photography Victor Vanzo, East Coast Productions, Inc. and Rehabilitation Center (CERC). infrastructure. At Einstein, we are Another article in this issue highlights committed to constantly improving. Consultants the extraordinary services that CERC Only by doing so can we excel in car- Creative Direction offers to thousands of children and rying out our educational, clinical and Movement, Inc. families in our Bronx community and research missions. www.brandmovement.com

describes CERC’s newly established Editorial Oversight research program. Hayes Strategies www.hayesstrategies.com This month’s cover story describes

Einstein researchers and their clini- Address correspondence to: cal colleagues at Montefiore who are Editor, Einstein Magazine Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus teaming up to find better treatments Allen M. Spiegel, M.D. 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Belfer 905 for liver diseases, which collectively The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean Bronx, NY 10461

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.einstein.yu.edu

2 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 LETTERs | from our readers

Letters to the Editor

summer/fall 2010 sculptor and graphic artist when he annual juried art show including works became a founding Einstein faculty by all types of Einstein employees— EinstThe Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Albert Einstein CollegeE of Medicine ofin Yeshiva University member in 1955. custodians, secretaries and physicians My father believed that physicians alike. The art show culminated in a needed to cultivate outlets in the arts concert featuring Heinz Lippmann, to balance the pressures of their pro- Arthur Abramson and other musicians. fession and to perform their medical As a writer for The New York duties with empathy. Physician noted in an article on my So he instituted a lecture course father, “It was a unique and gratifying on art and medicine at Einstein to experience to learn that there is ONE Lighting Up Cells, Curing Diseases which he invited such celebrated art- Medical School (probably the only one ists as Salvador Dali, George Grosz in our hemisphere) in which the ARTS Summer/Fall 2010 and Jacques Lipchitz [see “A Look are not being neglected.” Back,” page 64]. The final lecture My cousin, Clemens Nathan, Remembering Helmuth Nathan always featured the sketching of a recently published Helmuth Nathan: What a thrill it was for me to open nude model—quite an eye-opener for An Appreciation. This biography of my your Summer/Fall 2010 issue of the serious medical students, whose father also contains images of many of Einstein magazine and see the write-up experience with the human body was his paintings, sculptures and sketches, on my father, Helmuth Nathan, M.D. largely limited to the locker room including sketches of Presidents I truly admire the caliber of your mag- and the cadavers they had dissected in Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. azine and your interest in promoting anatomy class. I have donated several copies to the the talents of past and present mem- My father realized that an institu- Einstein library. bers of the Einstein staff. tion such as Einstein contained a gold Ruth H. Norden As you noted, my father had already mine of talented individuals. So along Hartsdale, NY established his reputation as a painter, with a few colleagues, he instituted an

Social Media: Online at Einstein YouTube: Einstein’s YouTube which receives nearly 10,000 visits per Twitter, YouTube and other social media videos have been viewed 52,000 month. Visit www.einstein.yu.edu/video. allow for almost instantaneous contact times! Check out www.youtube. LinkedIn: Einstein maintains a and information exchange. “It’s all about com/user/EinsteinCollegeof Med. corporate profile on LinkedIn. building community,” says Paul Moniz, iTunes: From this platform, Visit www.linkedin.com/ Einstein’s director of communications you can stream and download companies/556031. and marketing. Einstein videos, lectures and RSS: “Really Simple Here’s how and where at Einstein: discussions to your computer or iPod/ Syndication” delivers Web Twitter: Einstein tweets iPad. Visit www.einstein.yu.edu/home/ content directly to your desktop multiple times every day (to mu_itunes.asp. or browser. To get started, visit www. 1,000 followers—and counting)! Einstein Multimedia Page: einstein.yu.edu/home/rssnews.xml. We also participate in Twitter chats. To See all of Einstein’s audiovisual Website: Updated daily, follow Einstein’s Twitter feed, visit content in one place on our easy-to-use website is http://twitter.com/EinsteinMed. Einstein’s dynamic multimedia page, www.einstein.yu.edu.

science at the heart of medicine 3 upfront | Collegial life

Home with a New Heart hile doing volunteer work in Haiti after the January W 2010 earthquake, Einstein’s © Victor Chu Mahalia Desruisseaux, M.D., met Lovely Ajuste. The newly homeless 15-year-old girl was coughing and having trouble breathing—symptoms she blamed on dust in the air. Dr. Desruisseaux wasn’t so sure and ordered a chest X-ray. The results showed an enlarged heart, and a cardiac specialist made the diagnosis: atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital malformation in which the wall separat- ing the atria, or upper heart chambers, is not completely closed. In the United States, most ASDs are children with congenital heart defects “Lovely’s life expectancy should now discovered and corrected early in life. In and similar conditions. The group is run be near normal,” says Dr. Weinstein, Haiti, few people are so lucky. by Rotary Clubs throughout the world. director of pediatric cardiothoracic “Without the needed surgical inter- In early January 2011, Lovely and surgery at Montefiore and associate vention, Lovely would have continued her mother boarded a plane headed for professor of clinical cardiovascular and to be severely limited in her day-to-day the States. And on January 12, 2011—a thoracic surgery at Einstein. activities and in her ability to function year to the day after the tragic Haiti In late January, Lovely—now 16— normally,” says Dr. Desruisseaux, assis- earthquake—Bronx surgeon Samuel returned to Haiti, where she and her tant professor of pathology and of medi- Weinstein, M.D., repaired the hole in mother will look for permanent housing. cine (infectious diseases). That’s why Dr. Lovely’s heart in a three-hour opera- Desruisseaux and her Einstein colleagues tion at Montefiore Medical Center, on the web contacted Gift of Life International, the the University Hospital and Academic To learn more about Lovely Ajuste, visit nonprofit group that arranges care for Medical Center for Einstein. www.einstein.yu.edu/lovely2011

Above, Einstein’s Mahalia Desruisseaux, M.D., left, with 15-year-old Lovely Ajuste, heart surgery patient from Haiti.

In photo at left, from left to right: Martine Bouzi, N.P., pediatric nurse practitioner at Montefiore Medical Center; Lovely Ajuste; Mahalia Desruisseaux, M.D.; Viola Bady, Lovely’s mother; Mark Dana, Rockaway Rotary Club, which sponsored Lovely’s travel and hospitality; and Sarah Chambers, M.D., the pediatric cardiologist responsible for Lovely’s post-surgery care.

4 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Recycle, Reclaim, Sustain

The Jack and Pearl Resnick campus has never been greener, and not just because of the emerging spring foliage.

In wooden planters east of the Van Etten building, about 40 Three years ago, Yeshiva University undergrads joined Einstein locavores are growing tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, Recyclemania, an international recycling contest; lettuce, strawberries and more—the Gardening Club’s effort to Einstein students entered a year later and are now reduce the amount of food that needs to be trucked in. After the official recylemaniacs. “Together, we did a great job,” harvest, dried plants and dead leaves go into the compost heap, says Mike Winkler, director of energy and sustainability to be recycled into the soil for next spring’s gardeners. programs at YU.

Biking to Einstein is one way to reduce Scientists and clinicians in developing The Einstein and YU dining services fuel emissions (and get a workout too). countries benefit from the Einstein spend one-third of their food budget On Sustainability Week’s Bike Day last chapter of Seeding Labs, which collects on organic and local products, including October, those who rode their bikes and donates “reclaimed” (used) lab milk, eggs and baked goods. And “the to campus got a free shower at the equipment such as microscopes, centri- new Einstein fryer filters and reuses Falk Recreation Center and an fuges and pH meters. To learn more or cooking oil,” says Walter Ronaghan, outdoor breakfast. volunteer, visit www.seedinglabs.org. senior director of supporting services.

In other green initiatives, some campus light- Carpooling reduces fuel emis- ing is being replaced with energy-efficient sions. Einstein’s GreenRide light-emitting-diode technology; elevators program makes it easier and cooling towers are being upgraded; and to find passenger-friendly Einstein and Yeshiva are using their baseline drivers going your way. Greenhouse Gases Inventory to track progress. To learn more, visit http:// einstein.greenride.com.

on the web The Sustainability and Energy Task Force welcomes new members. Visit www.yu.edu/sustainability/

science at the heart of medicine 5 upfront | Collegial life

Taking On Rare Diseases For more than 30 years, Steven U. also in the forefront of efforts to develop Walkley, D.V.M., Ph.D., professor in the therapies for LSDs. One such therapy Dominick P. Purpura Department of developed by his lab—the drug miglus- Neuroscience, has studied a group of tat—has now been approved in Europe inherited diseases called lysosomal for treating a type of Niemann-Pick storage disorders (LSDs). His commit- disease called Niemann-Pick Type C. ment to unraveling their mysteries is Miglustat works by lowering the amount strengthened every time he meets a of material requiring digestion in patient. Most are children; some have diseased cells. movement disorders and are wheelchair- In addition to his research on LSDs, bound; others are blind; and nearly all Dr. Walkley was recently named director are mentally impaired. named after physicians who described of Einstein’s Rose F. Kennedy Program Dr. Walkley directs the Sidney them in the early 1900s. of Distinction in Intellectual and Weisner Laboratory of Genetic LSDs occur when lipids, proteins Developmental Disabilities. Until a few Neurological Disease in the depart- or other compounds accumulate inside years ago, the program was funded by ment of neuroscience at Einstein’s Rose lysosomes—enzyme-filled, intracellular the National Institutes of Health; Dr. F. Kennedy Center. His interest in structures that normally break down Walkley’s mission is to regain this federal LSDs began during his early veterinary compounds. People with LSDs lack money to fund collaborations among training, when he learned about these key proteins vital for normal lysosomal Einstein’s basic scientists and clinicians. disorders in animals. While individually function. As a result, compounds build Dr. Walkley has received support rare in humans, LSDs collectively affect up in cells and eventually damage bone, from the NIH as well as from Dana’s 1 in 6,000 live births, making them one soft tissue and, most importantly, the Angels Research Trust, which funds the of the most common groups of genetic central nervous system. How this dam- research collaborative known as Support disease. Tay-Sachs is probably the best age occurs is largely unknown and is a Of Accelerated Research for NPC, known; others are Hurler, Niemann- key area of Dr. Walkley’s research. focused on developing a treatment for Pick, Gaucher and Batten diseases, all Dr. Walkley and his colleagues are Niemann-Pick Type C disease.

Lights, Camera, Van Etten The Van Etten building is under renovation and not yet fully occupied, but the fabulous new space is not lying fallow. Cinematographers in need of a clinical setting have been using the Ruth L. Gottesman Clinical Skills Center’s 23 examination rooms, classrooms and conference room. The New York Academy of Medicine recently filmed a video on managing difficult patients there, and a physician made a video for a grant application. To arrange a tour, call Felise Milan, M.D. ’88, director of the clinical skills center, at 718.862.1780.

6 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 School’s IN for Summer Medicine for Judges Lazy hazy days? Not at Einstein, which Hospitals in New York State spend over runs full-tilt through July and August. $1 billion annually on medical malprac- “Our summer programs boost your tice premiums, awards and fees. With the chances of getting into a residency pro- help of Einstein’s Todd R. Olson, Ph.D., gram if you’re a medical student, boost professor of anatomy and structural biol- your chances of getting into medical ogy, below left, and Irwin R. Merkatz, or graduate school if you’re a college M.D., the Chella and Moise Safra Chair student or boost your chances of getting in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s into college if you’re a high school stu- Health, below right, New York Supreme dent,” says Albert S. Kuperman, Ph.D., Court Justice Douglas McKeon, bottom associate professor in the department of left, is leading a program designed to molecular pharmacology and associate bring those costs down. dean for educational affairs. One way to sidestep expensive legal Medical students. For Einstein Students in the BxSHOP program learned wrangling is to settle out of court. The med students between their first and sec- how to handle medical emergencies. program calls for judges knowledgeable in ond years, the Medical Student Projects medicine to mediate these settlements— Program offers projects in four divisions: of Excellence. The program gives basic and clinical research; global health; 74 college students, mostly Latinos, community and population health; the opportunity to spend six weeks and ethics and humanism. “About 110 observing a physician, learning about students out of the class of 180 work on health disparities and preparing for the a summer project here or abroad,” says Medical College Admissions Test exams. Dr. Kuperman. The Minority Student Summer College students. The Summer Research Opportunity Program, over- Undergraduate Research Program seen by Nilda Soto, assistant dean, which is where (SURP) is made to order for a college is for undergraduate students from the two profes- student with a strong science back- groups historically underrepresented in sors come in. At ground and an interest in a biomedical medicine, including African Americans, a “Medicine for research career. SURP gives 50 such Native Americans and Latinos/ Judges” seminar students the chance to conduct origi- Hispanics. The program enables stu- series last fall at the nal research in an Einstein lab. “And dents to carry out nine weeks of research Judicial Institute this year we’ve added the Einstein- in an Einstein lab and learn about in White Plains, they spoke about issues Montefiore SURP, led by Montefiore’s opportunities in medicine and science. often at the heart of malpractice claims— Amy Fox, M.D., which gives five or six High school and middle school Dr. Merkatz on delivery complications, students a clinical research experience,” students. The Bronx Science and Dr. Olson on biomechanics. says Victoria H. Freedman, Ph.D., assis- Health Opportunities Partnership Justice McKeon’s initiative has been tant dean for graduate programs in the (BxSHOP) caters to economically and used in 20 to 25 percent of recent medi- biomedical sciences. SURP runs for nine educationally disadvantaged Bronx cal lawsuits in the Bronx and promoted weeks, with a poster session highlighting students from middle school through settlements in 95 percent—a clear verdict student research at the end. high school. BxSHOP offers seminars, in favor of judge-directed negotiations. Another option is the Summer internships and exam prep courses to Undergraduate Mentorship Program, help them pursue and succeed in health- on the web To learn more, visit sponsored by the Hispanic Center related academic programs. www.einstein.yu.edu/mckeon2011

science at the heart of medicine 7 upfront | Collegial life

Welcome!

Nikolaos G. Frangogiannis, M.D. Roman Fleysher, Ph.D. Yungtai Lo, Ph.D. Dr. Frangogiannis, the Edmond J. Safra/ Dr. Fleysher has joined the radiology Dr. Lo has joined the department of Republic National Bank of New York department as an MRI (magnetic reso- epidemiology & population health as Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine, comes nance imaging) physicist at the level of an associate professor. He will teach to us from Baylor College of Medicine in principal associate. He will work with biostatistics courses to fellows, residents Houston. He studies post–heart attack other MRI researchers in the Gruss and medical and graduate students. Dr. inflammation and the resulting scarring Magnetic Resonance Research Center Lo also will provide statistical support to that stiffens the heart and leads to heart under the leadership of Craig A. Branch, Einstein investigators needing help in failure. By examining heart-muscle Ph.D., to develop and use new, faster designing and analyzing clinical and tissue in animals, Dr. Frangogiannis and more efficient imaging techniques. translational research studies. He hopes to short-circuit damaging molecu- Dr. Fleysher was previously at New York comes to us from Mount Sinai School lar pathways so that hearts can heal University School of Medicine. of Medicine. without scarring—“the ultimate goal of cardiovascular research,” he says.

A Night for Literary Stars to Shine Is it an art gallery? A coffeehouse? A music venue? One night last December, the Lubin Dining Hall was all three, lit by the star power of Einstein’s artists, photographers, po- ets, creative writers and musicians. Sponsored by the students who publish Einstein’s literary magazine, Ad Libitum, the event allowed members of the Einstein community to celebrate the arts and showcase their talents. Boards that usually display academic posters became gallery walls for drawings, paintings and photos. Writers read their poems and prose. Einstein’s Jazz Ensemble, composed of students and faculty, provided live music. Members of the Einstein community are invited to submit their artworks, photographs, poems, stories and on the web essays to Ad Libitum for publication in the annual maga- For more on Ad Libitum, visit www.einstein.yu.edu/adlibitum zine, which comes out in the spring.

8 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Lab Chat Steven C. Almo, Ph.D., is a professor in the departments of biochemistry and of physiology & biophysics who specializes in X-ray crystallography. Last year, the NIH awarded him and his Einstein colleagues more than $40 million in grants. Those funds include a five-year, $30 million NIH grant aimed at finding the structure and function of hundreds of medically important proteins.

Could you briefly describe your research? “Proteins play roles in immunity and virtually all diseases. I identify the three-dimensional structure of proteins with X-ray crystallography and then, using that information, looking at three-dimensional structures my colleagues and I determine their of the inhibitor and enzyme. That’s function and how they interact with when I realized, ‘I want to be able to other proteins. Protein knowledge leads make these pictures.’” directly to new biological understanding and new therapies for conditions rang- When do you do your best thinking from autoimmune diseases such as ing? “In the shower in the morning. It’s type 1 diabetes to cancer.” quiet, you’re alone, you’ve had a good night’s sleep, your mind can wander.” Has a hobby or athletic pursuit ever inspired your work? “When I Your wife, Anne R. Bresnick, was two years old, I was really sick, and Ph.D., is also a professor here Dr. Almo’s laboratory uses X-ray crystallography to determine the structure my mom and dad bought a couple of at Einstein. Do you two ever bounce research ideas off each and function of biologically important guppies and put them in a pot next to proteins. my bed. The next thing I knew, I was other? “Constantly. We’re both in the taking them in for show-and-tell. That’s same department, biochemistry, so it’s what got me interested in science.” like being on the same team.” talk about what happened and try to figure out what’s going to happen.” When did you know that X-ray Who got here first? “I did. We met crystallography would be your as postdocs at Johns Hopkins about If you weren’t a scientist, what specialty? “At North Miami Beach two months after I’d accepted my job would you most like to be? “A Senior High, where I went to high at Einstein. I stayed an extra year at jazz guitar player. We just bought our school, there’s a program that places Hopkins, until I thought Einstein was 7-year-old twins a guitar, and they’re interested students in laboratories. I about to give my job away. We were having trouble ripping it away from me. wound up working at the University married and lived apart for about four Unfortunately, I still have no talent.” of Miami Medical School. The lab was years, until Anne joined me here.” trying to understand how an inhibitor on the web Do you ride in together in the To learn more about Dr. Almo’s work, visit interacts with an enzyme, and we kept morning? “Yes, we ride together. We www.einstein.yu.edu/almo2011

science at the heart of medicine 9 upfront | Collegial life

On Scrubs, Stethoscopes and White Coats

Each year, the Einstein Alumni Association gives medical students three gifts that are eminently useful and sym- bolize the students’ journey toward the M.D. degree. The White Coat Ceremony. In August, members of the Class of 2014 were “cloaked” with white coats by Einstein alumni. It was clear from the students’ expressions that they’ll be wearing their white coats with pride. The keynote speaker was Stephan L. Kamholz, M.D., chair of medicine at, and assistant dean for, the North Bronx Chair in Autoimmune Diseases, who Top left: After putting on their white coats Healthcare Network, and professor of initiated Scrubs Day, joined Todd R. for the first time, students in the Class of 2014 read an oath they had composed as medicine at Einstein. He reminded stu- Olson, Ph.D., professor of anatomy and a group to express their hopes, wishes dents that challenges are opportunities structural biology, and Allen M. Spiegel, and aspirations. and that faculty members are not “mere M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Top right: Members of the Class of 2013 professors who will lecture you from a Dean, in addressing the students. proudly display their new stethoscopes, distance but men and women who are The Stethoscope Ceremony. to be put to use in the physical diagnosis anxious for your welfare and will sym- In September, to mark the beginning portion of the Introduction to Clinical Medicine course. pathize with your difficulties.” of the physical diagnosis portion of Scrubs Day. Six weeks later, the the Introduction to Clinical Medicine Above: Students in the Class of 2014 will Class of 2014 received their bright- course, each Class of 2013 student wear blue scrubs this year for the Gross Anatomy course. blue scrubs, marking the start of the received a new stethoscope donated Gross Anatomy course. Several alumni, by an Einstein alum. Keynote speaker including Harris Goldstein, M.D. ’80, Martin Cohen, M.D., professor of professor of pediatrics (allergy and medicine (cardiology), delivered a on the web immunology) and of microbiology & For more about the White Coat history of the stethoscope and its uses Ceremony, visit www.einstein.yu.edu/ immunology, and the Charles Michael in diagnosing disease. whitecoat2010

10 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Einstein Overseer Arthur Hershaft Honored

t Yeshiva University’s annual Hanukkah Dinner, held last A December at New York’s Waldorf=Astoria, YU President Richard Joel conferred honorary degrees on six outstanding members of the University community. Among them was Einstein Benefactor and Overseer Arthur Hershaft. Mr. Hershaft chairs the Board’s Nominating Committee and also serves on the Executive, Budget and Finance, and Facilities and Planning Committees. He and his wife, Janet, are leading supporters of epigenomics research at Einstein. YU recognized Mr. Hershaft for his dedicated President Joel, far right, leads the applause after presenting Arthur Hershaft with his service with an honorary doctor of honorary doctorate. Joining them are, from left, Einstein Overseers Robert Belfer, Linda Altman and Roger Einiger. humane letters degree.

Career Speed Networking Recent Grads and Fourth-Year Students Enjoy “Spare” Time On Sunday, October 31, 2010, more On January 27, 2011, than 100 students and 50 Einstein more than 30 Einstein alumni gathered in the Lubin Dining alumni from the graduat- Hall to participate in this year’s Career ing years of 2000–2010 Speed Networking event, co-hosted by attended a Bowling Night the Einstein Alumni Association and the for Recent Graduates and Office of Student Affairs. Alumni were Fourth-Year Students at organized at tables by specialty while Bowlmor Lanes Times second- and third-year medical students Square in New York City. rotated around the room to speak with The alumni relations office the alumni about career paths and life planned the first-time event after medical school. This annual event to reconnect with young Snehal Amin, M.D. ’00, Dilip Madnani, M.D. ’01, Adam continues to be popular with both stu- alumni and give them the Wollowick, M.D. ’01, Sapana Shah, M.D. ’01, Christina dents and alumni, who enjoy the mean- opportunity to meet cur- Koizumi, M.D. ’00, and Jack Laroux at the Recent Graduates Bowling Night. ingful connections made that day. rent Einstein students. Alumni Association alumni. I hope more recent grads will President Stephen E. Goldstone, come out for future events and help M.D. ’79, greeted the attendees, who create a strong and vibrant recent- enjoyed talking with each other and graduates community.” having the chance to network in a Plans are under way for more relaxed, casual atmosphere. Snehal recent-grad events. For more informa- Amin, M.D. ’00, who helped plan the tion and to get involved, please contact event, remarked, “Bowling Night was a Stacey Apter, alumni relations coordina- lot of fun! It was great to see my old tor, at 718.430.3167 or stacey.apter@ Clare Fried, M.D. ’80, advises a student. friends and to meet other young einstein.yu.edu.

science at the heart of medicine 11 upfront | Collegial life

In Memoriam

Faculty inspirational leadership in the field 14, 2010. Along with her first husband, Robert J. Massad, M.D. of child and adolescent group psy- Harold, Mrs. Block was a longtime lead- Dr. Massad, professor emeritus of fam- chotherapy and for developing three ing supporter of Einstein. In 2003, she ily and social medicine, died on August prizewinning films on sex education made a gift of nearly $22 million that 10, 2010. A leading innovator in family and videotapes on child and adolescent was instrumental in advancing bio- medicine, Dr. Massad came to New group therapy. The New York State medical research at the medical school York in 1978 to found Montefiore Office of Mental Health awarded him a through the construction of the state- Medical Center’s department of fam- Certificate of Appreciation for his work of-the-art Harold and Muriel Block ily medicine. He oversaw the develop- on behalf of young people emotionally Research Pavilion. Mrs. Block previously ment of the Family Health Center and scarred by the September 11, 2001 established the position of the Muriel & the Ambulatory Care Network and the terrorist attack on the World Trade Harold Block Faculty Scholar in Mental expansion of Montefiore’s Bronx-based Center in New York. Illness. A prominent member of our practices. In 1984, Dr. Massad opened National Women’s Division, she served the Family Practice Inpatient Service Seymour Romney, M.D. on its national board and New York at Montefiore and was named found- Dr. Romney died on August 22, 2010, chapter executive board. In recognition ing chair of Einstein’s unified academic at the age of 93. He was an influen- of her vision and generosity, she was department of family medicine. Dr. tial figure in Einstein’s early develop- honored with the degree of doctor of Massad remained medically active even ment and served as chair of obstetrics humane letters by Yeshiva University in after retiring. and gynecology from 1957 to 1972. 2004. Mrs. Block will be remembered His leadership helped turn Einstein’s for her elegant and spirited presence. Saul Scheidlinger, Ph.D. ob-gyn program into a national model. Dr. Scheidlinger died on August 21, Respected widely by colleagues, friends Diane G. Millstein 2010, at Mount Sinai Hospital, New and students, he was named distin- On September 25, 2010, Einstein York. He was professor emeritus at guished university professor emeritus Benefactor Diane G. Millstein passed Einstein, adjunct professor of clini- upon his retirement. away after a prolonged illness. She cal psychology in psychiatry at Weill and her husband, Ira M. Millstein, Cornell Medical College, Life Fellow of Anne Botstein, M.D. chair emeritus of Einstein’s Board of the American Psychological Association Dr. Botstein, a longtime member of Overseers, have been longtime leading and of the American Orthopsychiatric the Einstein faculty and a pioneering supporters of the College of Medicine. Association and Distinguished Fellow pediatrician, died on October 17, 2010, Mrs. Millstein was a remarkable woman. of the American Group Psychotherapy at age 98. A leader in child development A collegiate fencing champion at NYU, Association. He was past president of and general pediatrics, Dr. Botstein also she went on to earn a master’s degree the American Group Psychotherapy headed pediatrics for the Montefiore in city planning from Columbia and Association and served as editor of Medical Group. Her late husband, became the city planner for Greenwich, the International Journal of Group Charles Botstein, M.D., was founding CT, as well as a highly successful real Psychotherapy. chair of radiation oncology at Einstein. estate developer in Westchester. Her Dr. Scheidlinger started teaching at courage, intelligence and passion for Einstein in 1962 as associate professor of Supporters life, as well as her many philanthropic psychiatry (child psychology) and Muriel L. Block endeavors, made her a role model became professor of psychiatry (child A distinguished Benefactor and cher- to many. psychology) in 1974. He was widely ished friend of the College of Medicine, recognized for his innovative and Muriel Block passed away on September

12 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 upfront | Lab Dish

Messenger RNA: The Language of the Genes Contrary to what researchers had assumed, genes that work with other genes to build protein structures do not act in a coordinated way but instead are turned on randomly—prompting Einstein researchers to dub them “clueless genes.” The mRNA molecules made by clusters of clueless genes exhibited no more coordination than the mRNA from totally unrelated genes did. The third paper, in the January 2011 issue of Nature Methods, describes a technique developed by Dr. Singer, co-director of the Gruss Lipper Biophotonics Center, and his colleagues

Dr. Singer receiving the Horwitz Prize for his RNA work on January 31. that, for the first time, imaged single molecules of naturally occurring mRNA ver a recent five-month the blueprints for how to build cellular being transcribed in living mammalian span, Robert Singer, Ph.D., proteins, messenger RNA molecules are cells. The technique will allow research- Opublished papers in three the guys who actually do the building,” ers to follow mRNA molecules over prestigious journals—Nature, Nature says Dr. Singer. Or as the sign in his time in a variety of cell types and dis- Structural and Molecular Biology and office says, “It’s an RNA world, we just cover where they are distributed within Nature Methods. The winning streak live in it.” the cell. This could be important for continued this January, when Dr. The first of Dr. Singer’s recent studying cancer, since the way mRNA Singer became the fourth recipient of trio of papers, published in Nature in molecules are localized within tumor Einstein’s Marshall S. Horwitz, M.D., September 2010, illuminates one of the cells correlates with the ability of these Faculty Prize for Research Excellence. most important “trips” in all of biol- cells to spread, or metastasize. Dr. Horwitz, who died in 2005, was a ogy: the journey of individual mRNA beloved member of Einstein’s faculty for molecules from the nucleus into the nearly 40 years. cytoplasm so that proteins can be made. Dr. Singer, professor and co-chair The research required inventing a new in the department of anatomy and type of microscopy, called super registra- structural biology, and professor of tion microscopy, capable of imaging two neuroscience and cell biology, has done components in a cell to a resolution 10 pioneering research on vitally important times greater than previously achieved. molecules known as messenger RNA “By understanding how mRNA mole- (mRNA). For cells to make proteins, cules exit the nucleus, we may be able to the instructions encoded in DNA must find treatments for many disorders, such first be transcribed, or copied, onto as myotonic dystrophy, in which mRNA mRNA molecules, which then travel out transport is blocked,” says Dr. Singer. of the nucleus and into the cytoplasm, The second paper, published last where amino acids are linked to form December in Nature Structural and Messenger RNA molecules (yellow struc- specific proteins. Molecular Biology, reports findings that tures) passing through the nuclear pore “If you think of DNA as containing Dr. Singer described as “astonishing”: (red) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

science at the heart of medicine 13 upfront | Lab dish

A Stem Cell “Partnership” Nanoparticles Increase Survival after Blood Loss In an advance that could improve battlefield and trauma care, Einstein researchers have used tiny particles called nanoparticles to improve survival after life-threatening blood loss. Nanoparticles containing nitric oxide (NO) were infused into the bloodstream of hamsters, where they helped main- tain blood circulation and protect vital A study headed by an Einstein organs. The research was reported in the potential for saving lives in those situa- researcher has revealed a unique “part- February 21, 2011, online edition of the tions. It’s lightweight and compact and nership” between two types of bone journal Resuscitation. doesn’t require refrigeration.” marrow stem cells, which could lead Massive blood loss can cause cardio- The new therapy counters blood lost to advances in regenerative medicine. vascular collapse—a potentially fatal by increasing levels of NO gas, which, The aim of regenerative medicine is condition best treated with infusions of among other physiological functions, to enable the body to repair, replace, refrigerated blood and other fluids. But relaxes blood vessels and regulates blood restore or regenerate damaged or dis- such treatments are limited to emer- pressure. The gas was encased in micro- eased cells, tissues and organs. gency rooms or trauma centers. scopic-sized particles specially designed The study was led by Paul Frenette, “It is highly impractical to pack by the Einstein team. The therapy was M.D., the new director of the Ruth L. these supplies for use in rural emer- created by adding the NO-containing and David S. Gottesman Institute for gencies, mass-casualty disasters or on nanoparticles to saline solution, which Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine the battlefield,” says study co-author was then infused into the animals. Once Research at Einstein, and was pub- Joel Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., profes- in the body, the nanoparticles gradually lished last August in Nature. sor of physiology & biophysics and of released a sustained dose of NO to tis- Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) medicine and the Young Men’s Division sues. The nanomedicine was successfully in the bone marrow perform the vital Chair in Physiology at Einstein. “Our tested in hamsters that had lost half their task of producing all blood cells in nanoparticle therapy may offer the blood volume. the human body. The new study has revealed that HSCs pair up in their Resveratrol Linked to Positive Impact niche with another type of stem cell, mesenchymal stem cells, which keep on Prediabetes hematopoietic stem cells alive and Einstein researchers have linked resveratrol, a chemical com- dividing. Researchers may be able to pound found in red wine, to improved health of patients with capitalize on this partnership to keep impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), also known as “prediabetes.” hematopoietic stem cells healthy for The promising results from the small pilot study were pre- use in regenerative medicine. They sented last June at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes could, for example, be made to func- Association. Among 10 patients with IGT given resveratrol tion as “factories” producing red blood supplements at concentrations higher than those normally found in cells for patients needing transfusions. wine, grapes or peanuts, all demonstrated lower postmeal glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity—an encouraging outcome with on the web potential implications for those with type 2 diabetes or at high risk for For an audio interview with Dr. Frenette about stem cells, visit the condition. The study was led by Jill Crandall, M.D., professor of www.einstein.yu.edu/frenette2011 clinical medicine and director of the Diabetes Clinical Trials Unit at Einstein.

14 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Brain Fitness May Help Frail Einstein Geneticist Wins Sloan Research Fellowship Elderly Walk Faster Ertug˘rul Özbudak, Ph.D., assistant “Ertug˘rul Computerized brain fitness programs professor of genetics at Einstein, is one of those are known to help seniors improve their has won a 2011 Sloan Research bright young memory and focus. Now, a study led by Fellowship. Dr. Özbudak was selected scientists who Einstein researchers has found prelimi- for his research into the genetic causes can single- nary evidence that such programs may of vertebral malformations that occur handedly move help frail seniors walk faster, potentially during embryonic development and a field forward, preventing disability and improving lead to debilitating childhood and sometimes in quality of life. Results were published in adult diseases, including scoliosis, dis- entirely unexpected directions,” says the July 19, 2010, online edition of the figurement, and back and neck pain. Jan Vijg, Ph.D., professor and chair Journal of Gerontology. The two-year, $50,000 fellowships of genetics and the Lola and Saul “This was a small study—we’re now are given to early-career scientists and Kramer Chair in Molecular Genetics. preparing to do a larger clinical trial— scholars in recognition of achieve- “He is a great choice as a Sloan Fellow but the results suggest that brain fitness ment and the potential to contribute and we expect a lot from him.” programs show promise for helping substantially to their fields. the frail elderly walk better,” says lead author Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., professor in the Saul R. Korey Department Link Between Autism, Difficulty Processing Information of Neurology and the Murray D. Gross Memorial Faculty Scholar in A study by Einstein researchers has Gerontology at Einstein. provided concrete evidence that children The findings, if duplicated in a larger with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) study, could have important implica- process sensory information such as tions, since the frail elderly are often in sound, touch and vision differently from poor health and unable to participate typically developing children. in exercises that build strength and The study, published last August in improve balance. Intervening through Autism Research, supports decades of brain fitness programs could provide a clinical and anecdotal observations that individuals with ASD have difficulty A young girl’s brain waves are recorded useful alternative. during a recent Einstein study. coping with multiple sources of sensory information. The Einstein researchers than the typically developing children. used brain-wave electroencephalogram “Our data make a compelling case recordings to assess multisensory inte- that there are differences in multisensory gration in children with autism spec- integration between the two groups,” trum disorders and a control group of says Sophie Molholm, Ph.D., associate typically developing children. professor of pediatrics and of Both groups of children were neuroscience. The findings offer new exposed to two forms of stimuli (sound insights into autism and could lead to and vibration) that were presented to objective measures for evaluating the them separately and then simultane- effectiveness of autism therapies. ously. By measuring brain activity, Joe Verghese, M.B.B.S., center, led the the researchers found that the ASD study in which elderly people benefited on the web from playing computer games that exer- children had significantly more For more about Dr. Molholm’s work, cised their brains. trouble integrating multisensory stimuli visit www.einstein.yu.edu/molholm2011

science at the heart of medicine 15 upfront | Lab dish

Help for Colorectal Cancer Patients A team of scientists that includes inhibitor that blocks the action of beta Einstein researchers has found a way glucuronidase without eliminating the to eliminate a debilitating side effect gut bacteria, which are important for associated with one of the main chemo- human health. therapy drugs used for treating colon Study co-author Sridhar Mani, cancer. The strategy used in its preclini- M.D., professor of medicine and of cal research—inhibiting an enzyme in genetics at Einstein, says the severe bacteria of the digestive tract—could diarrhea caused by CPT-11 can sharply allow patients to receive higher and Scanning electron micrograph of E. coli, limit the dosage that cancer patients more effective doses of the drug, known one of the most plentiful bacterial species can receive. “Our tests showed conclu- as CPT-11 or irinotecan. The study was in the gastrointestinal tract. Credit: Rocky sively that the inhibitor identified by Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH. published in the November 5, 2010, our UNC colleagues prevented diar- issue of Science. The primary cause of the diarrhea is rhea in mice that were also receiving While the chemotherapy agent believed to be beta glucuronidase, an CPT-11. We’re hopeful that clinical CPT-11 has proven useful in attack- enzyme found in bacteria that live in the trials will show that administering this ing colorectal tumors, it can also cause gastrointestinal tract. To overcome this inhibitor when patients start taking severe diarrhea—limiting the dosage crippling side effect, researchers at the CPT-11 allows for improvement in the that patients can tolerate and curb- University of North Carolina at Chapel drug’s antitumor effect in patients with ing the drug’s potential effectiveness. Hill searched for and found a chemical cancer.”

Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Allergies in Kids Low vitamin D levels are associated with allergies was observed in adults. But for an increased likelihood that children will children and adolescents, low vitamin D develop allergies, according to a study levels correlated with sensitivity to 11 of of more than 3,000 children that was the 17 allergens tested, including both © moodboard/Veer headed by Einstein scientists and pub- environmental allergens (e.g., ragweed, lished in the February 17, 2011, online oak, dog, cockroach) and food allergens edition of the Journal of Allergy and (e.g., peanut). For example, children Clinical Immunology. who had vitamin D deficiency (defined Researchers looked at the serum as less than 15 nanograms of vitamin D vitamin D levels in blood collected in per milliliter of blood) were 2.4 times 2005–6 from a nationally representa- as likely to have a peanut allergy as chil- tive sample of more than 3,100 children dren with sufficient levels of vitamin D and adolescents and 3,400 adults. One (more than 30 nanograms of vitamin D of the blood tests assessed sensitivity per milliliter of blood). to 17 different allergens by measuring The research shows only an associa- the study. Nevertheless, she says, chil- levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE), a tion and does not prove that vitamin dren should certainly consume adequate protein made when the immune system D deficiencycauses allergies in chil- amounts of the vitamin. “The latest responds to allergens. dren, cautions Michal Melamed, M.D., dietary recommendations calling for When the resulting data were ana- M.H.S., assistant professor of medicine children to take in 600 IU of vitamin D lyzed by Einstein researchers, no asso- and of epidemiology & population daily should keep them from becoming ciation between vitamin D levels and health at Einstein and senior author of vitamin D deficient,” she says.

16 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Postdocs Receive Dennis Shields Prizes Dr. Horwitz Honored for The Dennis Shields Postdoctoral Nature Methods in Cancer Research Research Prizes were awarded on December 2008. The American Association for November 4, honoring three Einstein That paper reports Cancer Research awarded Susan postdocs for their outstanding published on a novel tech- Band Horwitz, Ph.D., its eighth research. The awards are named for nique that allows Award for Lifetime Achievement Dennis Shields, Ph.D., a professor in scientists looking in Cancer Research on April 3. Dr. the department of developmental and through a “mam- Horwitz, the Rose C. Falkenstein molecular biology and the first direc- mary imaging win- Professor of Cancer Research at tor of the Belfer Institute for Advanced dow” to track the movement of single Einstein, carried out pioneering Biomedical Studies, who died in breast tumor cells in living mice over work that established the novel December 2008. the course of several days. By tagging mechanism of action by which At the awards presentation in tumor cells with fluorescent proteins Taxol—the anticancer drug origi- Robbins Auditorium, the honorees gave that change from one color to another nally derived from the bark of the 15-minute presentations describing after activation by a particular wave- Pacific yew tree—stops cancer cells their work. This year’s recipients were length of light, Dr. Gligorijevic was able from dividing. This finding accel- all research fellows in the department of to observe tumor cells as they became erated Taxol’s development as an anatomy and structural biology. metastatic and invaded the surrounding important therapy for several types Jeffrey A. Chao, microenvironment, including nearby of cancer, including breast, lung and Ph.D. (in the labo- blood vessels. ovarian cancer. Dr. Horwitz is also a ratory of Robert Fedor Subach, distinguished professor and co-chair Singer, Ph.D.), Ph.D. (in the labo- of the department of molecular was honored for ratory of Vladislav pharmacology and associate direc- his January 2010 Verkhusha, Ph.D., tor for therapeutics at the Albert paper in Genes associate professor Einstein Cancer Center. & Development. of anatomy and In that paper, Dr. Chao proposes a structural biology), mechanism by which an RNA-binding was honored for a protein called ZBP 1 (zipcode-binding series of research papers on fluorescent odd Buchanan protein 1) latches onto messenger RNA proteins, one of which was published molecules after their transcription in the in Nature Methods in February 2009. nucleus and entry into the cytoplasm. The article describes a novel photoacti-

He found that this binding induces a vatable red fluorescent protein that Dr. Copyright 2011 AAC R / T “looping” in mRNA molecules that Subach developed and discusses its pos- may create binding sites for additional sible uses in microscopy. The protein, proteins that regulate the stability of known as PAmCherry, is initially dark mRNA molecules and steer them into but turns fluorescent red after being position for translation into proteins. irradiated with violet light. PAmCherry Bojana Gligorijevic, Ph.D. (in the can be used in a new technique called laboratory of John S. Condeelis, Ph.D., PALM (photoactivated localization professor and co-chair in the depart- microscopy), in which photoactivatable ment of anatomy and structural biology fluorescent proteins help resolve images and the Judith and Burton P. Resnick that are only 10 to 20 nanometers apart. Chair in Translational Research), was This makes PALM ideal for distinguish- honored for research published in ing proteins that cluster together in cells.

science at the heart of medicine 17 upfront | Lab dish

New Major Grants at Einstein Research at the College of Medicine is being fueled by an impressive number of recent grants.

New Strategy of the airways), where it lingers in a pre- (mice exposed to inhaled tobacco for Treating malignant state. carcinogens). Using these mice, the Lung Cancer The research project involves inhal- researchers will determine the minimal ing a drug called 5-azacytidine that will effective dose as well as the lung toxic- Just as inhaling cigarette smoke causes target the bronchial epithelium. This ity of inhaled 5-azacytidine—work that lung cancer, inhaled medication may be drug is a demethylating agent, mean- will lead to the starting dose likely to able to treat or even prevent the disease. ing it strips off methyl groups that have be safe and effective in humans. Two Einstein researchers have bound to genes and rendered them In years three through five, the received a five-year, $2.5 million grant inactive. Gene silencing has been impli- researchers will conduct a Phase I “fea- from the National Institutes of Health cated in many types of cancer, usually sibility and proof of principle” study (NIH) to develop a more effective because the silenced genes are tumor- in which patients with advanced non– therapy for lung cancer and bronchial suppressor genes that help keep cell small cell lung cancer (the most com- premalignancy. The grant was awarded division under control. (Such revers- mon type) and who haven’t responded to Roman Perez-Soler, M.D., professor ible changes to genes are referred to as to standard therapy will inhale 5- in the department of medicine, chief of “epigenetic,” in contrast to irreversible azacytidine. But the ultimate aim the department’s oncology division and genetic mutations.) Since removing of the research is to intervene with associate director of clinical research at methyl groups from silenced tumor- inhaled 5-azacytidine at an earlier, the Albert Einstein Cancer Center; and suppressor genes may reactivate those premalignant stage when vital genes Yiyu Zou, Ph.D., associate professor in genes, drugs such as 5-azacytidine can have been epigenetically silenced but the department of medicine. potentially treat a number of different cancer has not yet developed. Lung cancer is the leading cause cancers. By reversing those epigenetic of cancer mortality among men and Studies have already shown that changes, use of the therapy might women in the United States, responsible 5-azacytidine is clinically effective in actually prevent lung cancer from for about 150,000 deaths each year. By treating the preleukemia condition developing in the large population of the time lung cancer is detected, it has known as myelodysplasia. In prelimi- cigarette smokers at risk for lung can- usually spread from the lungs to other nary studies, the Einstein researchers cer. According to the U.S. Centers for organs in the body—the main reason have administered inhaled 5-azacytidine Disease Control and Prevention, there the disease is so lethal. Drs. Perez-Soler to a mouse model of human lung are about 46 million adult smokers in and Zou will take advantage of the fact cancer and found the drug both safe the United States. that lung cancer doesn’t occur overnight. and effective. For many years the disease is confined to The first two years of the federally the bronchial epithelium (surface cells funded study will focus on a mouse model of premalignant lung cancer

18 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Genetic Strategy These phages will then be used to knock older for baseline and annual follow-ups to Combat out every gene present in three differ- over the five-year study period.” Tuberculosis ent MTB strains, including the newly The participants will undergo clini- evolved extensively drug-resistant strain. cal, neuropsychological and structured Last October, William R. Jacobs, “TB strains that resist some, most mobility exams as well as state-of- Jr., Ph.D., professor of microbiol- or even all current chemotherapies are the-art cognitive and neuroimaging ogy & immunology and of genetics becoming increasingly common,” says assessments. Functional near-infrared at Einstein, who is also a Howard Dr. Jacobs. “We hope that our system- spectroscopy technology, developed by Hughes Medical Institute investigator, atic evaluation of the entire TB genome the optical engineering group at Drexel was awarded a three-year, $4 million will reveal genetic vulnerabilities that we University, will be used to assess changes grant from the NIH to develop a novel can target with new and more effective in brain function during various walking genetic strategy for combating tuber- treatments and vaccines.” conditions. “Ideally, these assessments culosis (TB). TB causes almost two will reveal specific cognitive abilities million deaths each year, making it the and brain structures and functions that world’s most deadly bacterial infection. Helping Older correlate with mobility problems or In this ambitious project, Dr. People Stay that predict their occurrence,” says Dr. Jacobs and colleagues will “knock out” Mobile Holtzer. “Then we want to see whether every gene of Mycobacterium tubercu- efforts to modify those factors can help losis (MTB), the bacterium that causes The NIH has awarded Einstein and in preventing mobility decline and dis- TB. By knocking out or deleting a Yeshiva University’s Ferkauf Graduate ability in these individuals.” gene, researchers can determine the School of Psychology a five-year, $3.4 The project, which began in March gene’s function by observing how loss million grant to identify cognitive fac- 2011, is an interdisciplinary collabora- of that gene affects the organism. It is tors that influence mobility in older tion involving Einstein’s neurology and already known that certain MTB genes people—in particular, those that could epidemiology & population health are crucial for the bacterium’s sur- be modified to help older people remain departments and its Gruss Magnetic vival—helping it resist antibiotics, for active. Resonance Research Center; Yeshiva example, and enabling it to ward off “Mobility limitations and disability University’s Ferkauf Graduate School the immune system of the host. in aging are major public health con- of Psychology; and the optical engineer- The researchers will use a tech- cerns,” says Roee Holtzer, Ph.D., prin- ing group at Drexel University in nique called specialized transduc- cipal investigator for the study, associate Philadelphia. tion (developed in the Jacobs lab) to professor in the department of neurol- generate approximately 4,500 special- ogy and associate professor at Ferkauf. ized viruses called transducing phages. “We will recruit 450 people age 70 and

science at the heart of medicine 19 upfront | Lab dish

New Major Grants at Einstein (continued)

Delving Into Other mechanisms leading to loss latent infections. But each year approx- T Cells of naïve T cells are also known. For imately eight million new cases of example, when a naïve T cell’s receptor active TB arise and up to three million So-called naïve T cells encounters a self-antigen (i.e., one of deaths are attributed to the disease. are circulating white blood cells that an individual’s own proteins), the con- The prognosis is especially bleak for haven’t yet participated in an immune tact triggers a signal that destroys the the many people in sub-Saharan Africa response. The immune system must T cells, thereby preventing an autoim- co-infected with TB and HIV/AIDS. have adequate numbers of naïve T mune response. But under conditions M. tuberculosis was discovered more cells so it can respond continuously of normal health, our bodies can some- than a century ago, but there is still no to unfamiliar pathogens. Andrew J. how continually replenish these cells vaccine that offers long-term protective Yates, Ph.D., assistant professor in the so that they are available when needed. immunity against it. This is due mainly departments of systems & computa- The ultimate object of Dr. Yates’ study to the microbe’s remarkable proficiency tional biology and of microbiology & is to better understand how the body in blocking effective host immunity. immunology, has received a five-year, maintains a constant level of naïve T Steven Porcelli, M.D., professor of $1.8 million NIH grant to study naïve cells over long periods of time. microbiology & immunology and of T cells and how their numbers are “Radiation therapy, HIV infection medicine, has received a five-year, $2 regulated. and other conditions deplete the body’s million NIH grant to discover the As with all blood cells, white cells supply of naïve T cells,” says Dr. Yates. mechanisms by which the bacterium form in the bone marrow; some of “Learning how the body regulates interferes with the immune response, them travel to the thymus gland levels of these cells can help us develop with the ultimate goal of creating (hence the name “T” cells), where treatments for restoring T cells that are strains of M. tuberculosis to use as live they develop into the immune system’s lost.” vaccines. attack cells. Throughout a person’s Previous research has identified lifetime, naïve T cells are renewed and genes that help M. tuberculosis escape maintained at remarkably constant Developing host immunity. For the immune sys- levels. Better TB tem to recognize intracellular patho- “This constant level of naïve T Vaccines gens such as M. tuberculosis, infected cells persists despite the fact that the host cells must self-destruct through thymus gland processes fewer of them Approximately one-third of all a process of programmed cell death over time, and many naïve T cells are people on earth are infected with known as apoptosis. This leads to the lost through their differentiation into Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bac- release of bacterial antigens and their memory T cells following their expo- terium that causes tuberculosis. Most recognition by certain immune cells, sure to pathogens,” says Dr. Yates. infected people have clinically silent, priming them to mount an immune

20 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 response. But several M. tuberculo- Steven Almo, Ph.D., professor of Nanoparticles vs. sis genes work to block apoptosis, biochemistry and of physiology & Pancreatic Cancer enabling the TB bacteria to evade biophysics at Einstein. “Using this detection. knowledge, we can begin to learn how A major grant from “A major goal of this research is to proteins can be modified to create new, the National Cancer Institute will construct safe, attenuated strains of M. highly targeted therapies for disease.” take advantage of specialized expertise tuberculosis in which specific immune The Einstein research is part of the developed by scientists at Einstein and evasion genes have been deleted,” says NIGMS’s Protein Structure Initiative, Montefiore. The five-year, $16 million Dr. Porcelli, who is also the Murray a decade-long federal, university and research project—carried out by five and Evelyne Weinstock Chair in industry effort aimed at dramatically research groups, including Einstein and Microbiology & Immunology. “This reducing the costs and lessening the Montefiore, that make up the Texas should help create effective vac- time it takes to determine a three- Center for Cancer Nanomedicine— cines that are capable of priming the dimensional protein structure from its could lead to novel ways to diagnose immune system so that people who DNA sequence. and treat pancreatic and ovarian cancer become infected with M. tuberculosis Earlier in the year, Dr. Almo and using nanoparticles. can fight off the infection.” Einstein colleagues Ronald Seidel, Nanoparticles are engineered materi- Ph.D., and Jeff Bonanno, Ph.D., als that are 100 nanometers or less in received $11 million as part of a pres- size. (A nanometer is one billionth of a Researching tigious NIH “Glue Grant” to develop meter.) Nanoparticles impregnated with Protein Structure a strategy for discovering the structure drugs are called nanomedicines. and Function and function of unknown enzymes “We will be investigating nano- identified in genome-sequencing proj- medicines for both imaging and treating Last September, the National Institute ects. Glue Grants, which also are issued pancreatic tumors,” says Einstein- of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) by the NIGMS, provide resources to Montefiore principal investigator Steven awarded Einstein a five-year, $30 mil- tackle complex problems that are of Libutti, M.D., professor and vice chair lion grant to study the structure and central importance to biomedical sci- of surgery at Einstein and Montefiore, function of thousands of biomedically ence and beyond the means of any one director of the Montefiore Einstein important proteins. research group. Center for Cancer Care and associate “Determining the structures of director for clinical services of the Albert proteins is the first step toward under- Einstein Cancer Center. “Our part of standing their role in normal bio- the consortium is developing nanopar- logical processes as well as in disease ticles that will specifically target unique pathways,” says principal investigator aspects of the blood vessels found in pancreatic adenocarcinomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.”

science at the heart of medicine 21 Allan Wolkoff, M.D. ‘72, chief of the division of gastroenterology and liver diseases, helped to create the first comprehensive treatment program for Bronx patients with liver disease.

22 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

DE[LIVER]ANCE

researchers and Physicians at Einstein and Montefiore are joining forces against the liver disease epidemic.

BY GARY GOLDENBERG

arly-morning phone calls For the next year, his liver did a (and still only) liver transplant pro- rarely bring good news. passable job of filtering toxins from his gram in the Bronx and one of only six But this one—from the blood and performing other essential in New York State. So far, the program Montefiore Einstein Center functions (see sidebar, page 29). But has successfully bestowed new livers on Efor Transplantation to Bronx resident by early 2010, his liver had shriveled to 37 patients—gifts of life that, unfortu- Ventura Rodriguez—was that rare almost nothing, leaving him nauseated, nately, are notoriously hard to come by. exception. “We have a liver for you,” malnourished, listless and bloated. Then But as fate would have it, a young said the caller. “Come here as soon his kidneys began to fail. man died in a traffic accident some- as possible.” “Without a transplant, he had only where in the New York area in the It was June 12, 2010, and Mr. weeks to live,” recalls Mr. Rodriguez’ predawn hours of June 12. In the cold Rodriguez, a 51-year-old father of two doctor, Paul Gaglio, M.D., professor of calculus of organ transplantation, teenage girls, had just about given up clinical medicine at Einstein and medi- that young man’s loss was Ventura hoping that this day would arrive. “I was cal director of the Montefiore-Einstein Rodriguez’ gain. He would receive his in constant pain,” he recalls. “I couldn’t liver transplant program. “We were transplant at the Montefiore Einstein eat or sleep. I was so ill that I didn’t care concerned that he was getting too sick Center for Transplantation after anymore whether I lived or died.” for a transplant.” 18 long months of waiting for one. Mr. Rodriguez was in the final throes The Montefiore-Einstein program Mr. Rodriguez’ ordeal was far from of liver failure, the result of a decades- won state approval to carry out liver over, however. His liver, and the cavity long infection with hepatitis C. For most transplants in 2008, becoming the first surrounding it, had shrunk so much of that time he’d had no symptoms, as is often the case with this stealthy viral infection. But three years earlier, suffering from stomachaches, fluid in his abdomen, cramping and gas, he’d gone to the doctor, only to get the shocking news that his liver was irreversibly scarred and that he would eventually need a transplant. Early in 2009 he was placed on a liver transplant waiting list.

Ventura Rodriguez’s young daughter Victoria, 14, pours her father a fruit smoothie in the kitchen of their home on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx.

science at the heart of medicine 23 A New Era in Hepatitis C Therapy? The standard therapy for hepatitis C combines the oral medication ribavirin with weekly injections of interferon-alpha—typically a yearlong regimen that can cause grueling side effects (e.g., flu-like symptoms and joint pain) but usually suppresses viral replication. In fact, large-scale clinical trials have found that the two-drug combo cures about 40 percent of hepatitis C patients. (A cure is defined as no sign of the hepatitis C virus six months after the last dose is administered.) But results with patients seen in everyday urban clinical practice appear to fall far short of that cure rate. In a study by Drs. Gaglio, Wolkoff and other Einstein and Montefiore liver experts, 250 mostly minority outpatients were put on the standard two-drug regimen. The results, reported in April 2010 in Hepatology, showed that only 14 percent of those patients were cured by the two-drug regimen, prompting the physicians to call for new strategies for treating urban patients. Treatment regimens now under study may offer some hope for these and other patients. Several recent studies report cure rates of up to 75 percent when either of two protease inhibitors were added to the standard two-drug regimen. (Protease inhibitors directly block viruses from replicating and are mainstays for treating HIV/AIDS.) Moreover, the three-drug combination allowed some hepatitis C patients to cut their treatment time in half, significantly reducing the time spent dealing with nasty side effects.

that the surgeons could barely fit the Listen to an audio apartment building in the Bronx— donor organ in place. Further compli- interview with a demanding job for anyone, let alone cating matters, his abdominal wall was Milan Kinkhabwala, M.D., a recent transplant recipient. riddled with hernias, making it impos- chief of transplantation at the Montefiore Odds are he’ll be able to enjoy his Einstein Center for Transplantation sible to close the surgical wounds. Like newfound health for years to come. The a seasoned jazz musician, lead surgeon www.einstein.yu.edu/kinkhabwala2011 five-year survival rate for liver trans- Sarah Bellemare, M.D., assistant profes- plant recipients is about 75 percent, and sor of surgery, improvised a solution, the surgical team temporarily sealed the those who reach the critical six-month fortifying Mr. Rodriguez’ abdomen wound using a vacuum-assisted tech- milestone—as Mr. Rodriguez did in with biomaterial derived from the small nique in which the surgical area is cov- December—have an excellent chance of intestine of pigs. ered with a high-tech dressing and air is long-term success. Throughout the operation, Mr. then sucked out to create negative pres- Unfortunately, Mr. Rodriguez is far Rodriguez bled profusely—decreased sure on the wound to promote healing. from alone in his battle with liver dis- platelets, a common problem in liver Mr. Rodriguez started improv- ease and his need for a liver transplant. failure, increase the risk of bleeding— ing immediately but remained in the In the Bronx and beyond, the demand and he needed near-continuous trans- hospital for another three weeks, until for liver transplants is soaring, fueled fusions. Of all the transplants that the his wounds could be sewn shut. Five by cases of hepatitis C infection and by surgical team had performed, this one months later, he reported back to fatty liver disease—and by liver cancer was among the toughest. Afterward, work as superintendent of a 122-unit caused by both conditions.

24 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

The Liver infected will eventually develop chronic as tattoos, IV drug use and receiving a liver disease, either cirrhosis (irreversible blood transfusion before 1992—that Disease Epidemic scarring of liver tissue) or liver cancer. should prompt them to order hepati- The blood-borne pathogen hepatitis Unlike its viral cousins hepatitis A tis C tests for patients. “Even a small C may be the most important virus and B, no vaccine yet exists for hepatitis increase in physicians talking with their that most people have never heard of. C. On the positive side, drug treatment patients about hepatitis C could make a It probably emerged in the 1960s and and lifestyle changes such as giving up big difference,” he says. then spread widely and silently (symp- alcohol can help prevent hepatitis C’s toms typically don’t appear until 20 devastating complications, and therapies Treatment Closer to Home or 30 years after infection), primarily now in clinical trials may be able to cure In 2007, Dr. Wolkoff and his colleagues among injection drug users and people most people infected with hepatitis C banded together to create the Bronx’s receiving blood transfusions. A test (see sidebar, facing page). But for now, first comprehensive treatment program developed in 1992 now protects the experts say, the big challenge is getting for patients with liver disease. blood supply from hepatitis C contami- people tested for the virus. “Bronx residents weren’t getting nation. This advance sharply reduced “Before you can treat a disease, the care that they needed,” says Dr. new infections but they still occur, you need to know you have it,” says Wolkoff. “Many of our patients don’t largely among intravenous-drug abusers. Dr. Wolkoff, who also serves as chair have the money to take a taxi ride into Meanwhile, old infections persist. of the board of the American Liver Manhattan, and taking a subway when “We see many patients who con- Foundation. “The problem is that you’re quite ill is difficult. We felt it was tracted hepatitis C years ago, perhaps nearly half of people with hepatitis C important to develop a treatment program close to home.” Today, the treatment program Ten percent of the U.S. population, follows more than 5,000 people with or about 30 million people, are hepatitis C—and 1,000 more with affected by liver disease. another serious liver disease that goes by the abbreviation NAFLD. – American Liver Foundation Along with heart disease, type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer, non- through a blood transfusion, by getting don’t know they’re infected.” alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) a tattoo or by experimenting with drugs Why aren’t more people tested for belongs on the long list of serious, with a needle—even just once in their hepatitis C? Physicians deserve some of chronic health problems associated teenage years,” says Allan W. Wolkoff, the blame, says Dr. Wolkoff, since many with obesity. In people with NAFLD, M.D. ’72, professor of medicine and are unaware of the risk factors—such fat molecules called lipids congregate of anatomy and structural biology at Einstein and chief of the division of gastroenterology and liver diseases at Montefiore and Einstein. The Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 3.9 million Americans—more than 1 percent of the population—now harbor the hepatitis C virus. About two-thirds of those

Milan Kinkhabwala, M.D., center, and colleagues meet with a patient following surgery. Dr. Kinkhabwala is chief of transplantation at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation and professor of surgery at Einstein.

science at the heart of medicine 25 within hepatocytes (liver cells), causing injury and inflammation that leads to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. (The “nonalcoholic” in NAFLD dif- ferentiates it from a less-common form of fatty liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption.) Liver specialists find themselves

diagnosing NAFLD in increasingly atyana Harris Albert E instein College of Medicine younger patients—a worrisome trend.

“Until recently, the typical patient with © 2011 T fatty liver disease was an adult who gained weight in middle age,” says Dr. Gaglio, Mr. Rodriguez’ physician. “But now, we’re seeing the disease in 10- and 15-year-olds.” There are no treatments yet for NAFLD, although controlling obesity and diabetes can be helpful. Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., and colleagues are studying cell therapy for treating acute liver “When you add them all up—the failure. Their strategy involves infusing adult, fetal or stem-cell–derived liver cells into the hepatitis, the liver cancer, the fatty liver abdominal cavity. Besides supporting liver function, transplanted cells secrete soluble disease—the degree of illness in our molecules that promote the organ’s regeneration. community is just dramatic,” says Dr. Gaglio, who notes that a significant number of NAFLD patients will even- Organ scarcit y is just one of tually require liver transplants. several reasons that liver trans- Even now, the transplant system plants—while often lifesaving—are is overwhelmed. In 2009, only 6,320 an imperfect solution to chronic organs became available for the 16,300 Americans on waiting lists for donor liver disease. livers. And in the Bronx—which has one of the highest rates of liver disease in the country and the highest rate in develop metabolic syndrome (char- transplants, including liver trans- New York State—the chances of getting acterized by obesity, hypertension, plants for people with hepatitis C. a transplant are even slimmer. In 2007, insulin resistance and elevated choles- • Finally, the liver transplantation the year before the Montefiore-Einstein terol), significantly raising their risk of process is grueling and long, notes liver transplant program began, some diabetes and heart disease. Ventura Rodriguez, who waited 18 50 local residents had to go outside the • Liver transplants are expensive: more months for his liver. Though he borough to seek liver transplants. than half a million dollars per trans- acknowledges that it saved his life—“I Organ scarcity is just one of several plant, including the cost for the eat, I sleep, I feel fantastic,” he says— reasons that liver transplants—while operation and the first year of care—a he insists with an emphatic shake of often lifesaving—are an imperfect solu- price tag drawing increasing scrutiny his head that he wouldn’t want to go tion to chronic liver disease: from public and private insurers. The through it again. • Transplants do not necessarily cure need for lifelong immunosuppressant “Every generation looks back and the underlying disease. Hepatitis C therapy and frequent checkups adds says, ‘I can’t believe that physicians infection, for example, almost always to the price tag. A few months ago, once did this or that,’” says Dr. Gaglio. recurs after a transplant. Arizona’s Medicaid program made “I’m scared when I think about what • Israeli researchers recently found that national news by announcing that it our successors will say about liver half of all liver transplant patients would no longer cover several types of transplantation and hopeful that

26 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

technology will improve what we can offer patients in the future.” New and better ways of treating liver disease are urgently needed, Seeking New and Einstein researchers have taken Therapies up the challenge. New and better ways of treating liver disease are urgently needed, and researchers in Einstein’s Marion Bessin The Promise of Cell Therapies For the better part of two decades, Liver Research Center have taken up Unique among the major organs, the Dr. Shafritz and his Einstein colleagues the challenge. The Bessin center’s cre- liver can regenerate itself. Remove a in the Bessin center have sought ways ation in 1974 marked the beginning of large portion of the liver and it starts to to improve upon the liver’s natural the modern era of liver research in the regrow—lobes, bile ducts, blood ves- recuperative powers. Working with United States. sels—and in a couple of months is back animal models of liver disease, they have In the early 1970s Irwin Arias, M.D., to its normal size. But there are limits to developed several promising therapies in then the director of the division of gas- the liver’s resiliency. which cells, rather than whole organs, troenterology at Einstein, proposed a “In chronic liver disease, the organ would be transplanted into patients to new model for liver research that would suffers repeated injury, so that each time treat chronic liver disease, acute liver bring liver specialists together with it regenerates, it lays down a little scar failure and genetic diseases. Cell types investigators from other disciplines and tissue,” explains David Shafritz, M.D., under study include adult liver cells, with physician-scientists. Dr. Arias’ idea who directs the Marion Bessin Liver fetal liver cells and cells derived from soon won support from the National Research Center, is professor of medi- embryonic or adult stem cells. In most Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and cine, of cell biology and of pathology at instances, therapeutic cells are delivered Kidney Diseases and led to the nation’s Einstein and holds the Herman Lopata into the liver with the goal of having first multidisciplinary liver research Chair in Liver Disease Research. “Over them implant, multiply and provide the center. Other institutions were quick to time, this can lead to fibrosis [the devel- liver with healthy tissue. follow the Einstein model. opment of excess fibrous connective One such cell therapy—for an Today, the Bessin center supports 38 tissue] and then to cirrhosis.” inherited liver disorder called Wilson’s principal investigators in 12 academic departments. The center’s wide-ranging research projects include cell therapies to treat liver disease, developing a blood test to detect liver cancer in patients with hepatitis C and finding a treatment for NAFLD.

David Shafritz, M.D., director of the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, at work in his laboratory in the Ullmann Building.

science at the heart of medicine 27 Cell therapy research by Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., is aimed at developing better treatments for both chronic and acute liver disease.

disease—has shown promise in preclini- cal studies. In Wilson’s disease, hepatocytes lack a gene needed for removing excess copper from the body, resulting in toxic buildup of copper in organs, including the brain and the liver itself. “Our therapy for Wilson’s disease involves isolating hepatocytes from a healthy liver and then infusing those cells,” says Sanjeev Gupta, M.D., professor of medicine and of pathology and the Eleazar and Feige Reicher Chair in Translational Medicine. “We’ve shown in an animal model of Wilson’s disease that the new cells not only remove may need only a temporary assist,” says stage in that 5 percent of hepatitis the excess copper, but reverse the liver Dr. Gupta, who has successfully tested C patients who will develop it?” Dr. damage. The fibrosis once thought to this approach in an animal model of Wolkoff asks. be permanent disappears completely. acute liver failure. The only option now is regular CT These results indicate that cell therapy Dr. Gupta hopes that human tri- and ultrasound scans, alternating at may also help against chronic hepati- als of one or more of Einstein’s cell six-month intervals—a regimen that tis, where equipping cells with genes to therapies can begin in another year or is costly, inefficient and inconvenient. block viruses is now being examined.” so. “Thanks to our collaboration with “Many hepatitis C patients don’t coop- Similarly, Dr. Gupta and colleagues the liver transplant program, we can erate,” says Dr. Wolkoff. “It would be have shown in an animal model that now move our animal findings into the much better if we just had a blood test.” transplanting healthy liver endothe- clinic at a much faster rate,” says Dr. So far, scientists have been unable to lial cells can correct hemophilia A—an Gupta. “It’s a great example of how the find a unique blood protein, or collec- exciting finding that has energized inter- strengthened ties between the two insti- tion of proteins, that reliably reveals est in cell therapy for hemophilia, a con- tutions are helping patients benefit from early liver cancer. But Dr. Wolkoff dition in which blood does not clot. Einstein research.” believes that the collective expertise at Cells under study for treating acute Einstein and Montefiore could make liver failure—due to drugs, toxins, preg- The Search for a Liver Cancer a difference. So he and Ruth Hogue nancy-related complications or other Biomarker Angeletti, Ph.D., professor of develop- causes—are administered differently. In About 5 percent of people with hepati- mental and molecular biology and of this case, Dr. Gupta and his colleagues tis C infection will eventually develop biochemistry, have begun to assemble infuse adult, fetal or stem-cell–derived liver cancer. “Our surgeons can cure it a team of specialists in proteomics, cells into the abdominal cavity. From by cutting it out—if we catch it early, bioinformatics, biostatistics and clinical their position in the abdomen, trans- which is a big ‘if,’” says Dr. Wolkoff. hematology to discover a blood bio- planted cells carry out some of the liver’s As with other liver diseases, liver marker for early liver cancer. functions and send signals to the liver cancer doesn’t usually announce itself, The technology at the heart of this that help it regenerate. in terms of signs or symptoms, until it’s enterprise is quantitative mass spectrom- “The liver in those circumstances far advanced. “So the question is, how etry–based proteomics, which can detect often retains its ability to recuperate and do you find cancer at an early, treatable minute quantities of peptides (small

28 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

proteins) in a biological sample. “We know that the presence of “If we’re successful, our work cancer in a tissue can change the balance could lead to a test for early-stage of substances in the blood,” says Dr. Angeletti, who is scientific director liver cancer that would truly be of the laboratory for macromolecular lifesaving.” – Ruth Hogue Angeletti, Ph.D. analysis and proteomics. “Those substances may not be very abundant, so you need various ways of fractionating Czaja already has some answers, thanks The researchers are now working on and enriching the samples to be to his research using in vitro and in vivo strategies to keep liver cells healthy able to detect these small molecules. models of hepatocyte injury. In 2009, by preventing macroautophagy from We’ll be analyzing blood samples and he published a study indicating that breaking down. looking for a peptide ‘fingerprint’— overactivity of a cell-signaling pathway Thanks to the work of researchers at particular peptides present in certain called JNK1 not only causes steatosis Einstein and Montefiore, there is reason concentrations—that is unique for liver but promotes its progression to NASH. to hope for breakthroughs in treating cancer. If we’re successful, our work With this discovery, researchers finally chronic liver disease and preventing could lead to a test for early-stage liver had a potential therapeutic target for its occurrence. cancer that would truly be lifesaving.” stopping or at least slowing the disease. “We’ve since shown in a mouse Fighting Fatty Livers model of NAFLD that if we block the Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease JNK1 pathway, we can prevent NAFLD (NAFLD) wasn’t even described until from progressing, and even reverse exist- 1980, yet it now ranks as the most com- ing disease,” reports Dr. Czaja. “We’re mon liver disease in the United States— eager to take these findings to the next and probably the least understood. It level, that is, to clinical trials.” begins with steatosis, a usually benign JNK1 signaling may be just one part condition in which abnormal amounts of the NAFLD story. Dr. Czaja suspects of lipids (fat) collect in liver cells. that a glitch in autophagy—the crucial Although many normal-weight peo- process by which cells digest and recycle ple develop NAFLD, being overweight their worn-out proteins and other com- “If the beating heart is pure theater, a is clearly a risk factor; and for morbidly ponents—also plays a role in NAFLD. playful, moody, extroverted organ obese people, “the risk of developing Autophagy was once thought to cavorting in the chest, then the liver, NAFLD is essentially 100 percent,” ignore lipids completely. But in a sitting under the diaphragm, is a notes Mark Czaja, M.D., a professor research collaboration with autophagy figurative painting, stolid and silent. of medicine at Einstein and an expert expert Ana Maria Cuervo, M.D., Ph.D., The liver produces bile, without on NAFLD. professor of developmental and molecu- which fats are not digested, and the One-third of all Americans have lar biology, of anatomy and structural liver stores excess glucose in the form NAFLD that usually remains limited biology and of medicine at Einstein, Dr. of glycogen. In silence and without to benign steatosis. But in two to five Czaja has shown that a form of autoph- outward signs, it detoxifies drugs and percent of NAFLD cases, this steatosis agy called macroautophagy does recycle chemicals, it manufactures proteins goes rogue: The fatty deposits damage stored lipids, breaking them down and for clotting and for transport, and it cells and inflame the liver, causing it to thereby making energy available for clears the body of ammonia, a waste become fibrotic and then cirrhotic—a the cell. Furthermore, the researchers product of metabolism.” process that can proceed without symp- found that macroautophagy becomes — Abraham Verghese toms over many years and is termed less efficient as lipids accumulate within Cutting from Stone nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). hepatocytes, creating a vicious cycle in Why does steatosis sometimes go out which lipids overwhelm hepatocytes, of control and progress to NASH? Dr. damaging and ultimately killing them.

science at the heart of medicine 29 Spotlight On Phillip Frost, M.D., Class of 1961

As the Albert Einstein College of Medicine graduating class of 1961 prepares for its 50th Reunion this spring, it seems appropriate to focus on one of the most notable members of this or any other class that Einstein has produced: Phillip Frost, M.D. ’61, philanthropist and physician-entrepreneur extraordinaire.

he palm tree–lined esplanade from the University of Pennsylvania, epidermal cell turnover led to a rational of Biscayne Boulevard in where a teacher sparked his interest in treatment schedule of psoriasis with Miami is a far cry from dermatology. methotrexate and a new classification of the streets of Morris Park Dr. Frost enrolled in Einstein’s third the Ichthyosiform dermatoses. TAvenue in the Bronx. From his Miami medical school class in 1957 and later But even as he was seeing patients office, Dr. Frost carries out his executive did his dermatology residency at the as part of his academic responsibilities, responsibilities as chair of Israel-based University of Pennsylvania and the Dr. Frost was launching his business Teva Pharmaceuticals, the world’s largest National Cancer Institute. In 1965, career. With a partner, Dr. Frost formed maker of generic drugs; chair and CEO he joined the faculty of dermatology Transmedics, Inc., to market medical of OPKO Health, Inc., a specialty at the University of Miami School devices he had invented, including a skin pharmaceutical company that develops of Medicine. Five years later, he biopsy punch, and then acquired the drugs and medical devices; and director founded the dermatology department nearly bankrupt Key Pharmaceuticals of several other corporations. at Mount Sinai Medical Center in in 1971. As chairman, Dr. Frost guided The man at the center of so much Miami Beach, which he chaired Key toward developing and marketing activity developed a strong work ethic until 1990. He was also professor new drug-delivery systems, and the while growing up in Philadelphia, of dermatology at the University of company pioneered the use of skin where he worked in his dad’s shoe store Miami School of Medicine. While at patches to deliver medicines such as and his brother’s hardware store. He the National Institutes of Health and nitroglycerine. After losing $65,000 in then earned a B.A. in French literature then in Miami, Dr. Frost’s studies of his first year of ownership, Key quickly

30 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

became successful and was posting “If we dream a little bit, In January, OPKO Health grabbed more than $20 million in annual profits headlines when it announced a simple by 1984. The partners sold Key to we can envision the blood test that accurately detects Schering-Plough Corporation for $826 elimination of death Alzheimer’s disease at an early stage. million in 1986. from cancer.” The research effort, described in the The following year, Dr. Frost journal Cell, used a novel technology launched IVAX Corporation. This adopted hometown of Miami. The that uncovered two antibodies unique company developed generic versions of couple funded the expansion of what to patients with Alzheimer’s disease. drugs that had already attained FDA is now the Phillip and Patricia Frost That technology may also be able to approval, and used cash generated School of Music of the University of find antibody biomarkers for early-stage by their sales to buy promising Miami in Coral Gables, FL, and were cancers and other diseases. experimental drugs that seemed likely a driving force behind construction of OPKO jointly owns patent to receive marketing approval. Sales the new 46,000-square-foot Patricia and applications covering the technology and from those drugs funded efforts by Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida holds an exclusive license to it. A team of IVAX scientists to develop new drugs International University in Miami. OPKO scientists is now developing early- internally, and by 1994, IVAX was Named “Miami’s Best Museum” by stage tests for pancreatic cancer, lung firmly ensconced in the Fortune 500. South Florida’s New Times newspaper, cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s In the 1990s, Dr. Frost focused “The Frost” was designed to serve the disease, as well as Alzheimer’s. on expanding into Europe and the broadest possible audience and is free to “If the concept works and provides emerging markets of Latin America the public. early detection of many diseases, this and Central and Eastern Europe. A former member of the Board of could possibly change the way we IVAX reached $1.2 billion in sales by Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, practice medicine,” Dr. Frost was quoted 2001, and Dr. Frost’s business acumen Dr. Frost is currently a member of the as saying in the Miami Herald. “If we was recognized when he received the Board of Trustees of the University of dream a little bit, we can envision the National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Miami and the Board of Trustees of The elimination of death from cancer.” of the Year award. Scripps Research Institute. In 2006, Dr. Frost agreed to sell IVAX to Teva Pharmaceuticals, the giant Israeli generic-drug company, for $7.4 billion—the second major pharmaceutical company that he had built and sold. Dr. Frost was named vice chair of Teva’s board of directors, and then became chair in 2010. He has formed a team of trusted business partners who have invested in more than a dozen enterprises, including several medical start-ups such as OPKO Health, Inc., and PROLOR Biotech. He serves as a director of several major companies and was co-vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Stock Exchange. Dr. Frost and his wife, Patricia, Phillip Frost, far left, pictured in the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Class of 1961 yearbook with classmates, from left to right: Ernest Atlas, Leonard Rosendorf, Alan have been extremely generous to the Greenberg, Frederic Coppola, Joshua Miller, George Teebor, Byron Eliashof and arts and education, especially in their Morton Axelrod.

science at the heart of medicine 31 ore than once, say the experts who work there, the road to CERC has begun on a bus in the MBronx. A mother and child will board, and the child will behave unusually— perhaps flapping his hands or rocking back and forth. Another mother will lean over and say, “My child used to do that,” and she will recommend taking the child to CERC for an evaluation. CERC opened in 1956 and now serves more than 7,000 infants, children, adolescents and adults each year. These patients have a wide range of developmental disabilities—autism and many others, including ADHD, Down syndrome, spina bifida and mental retardation. CERC is the clinical arm of Einstein’s Rose F. Kennedy University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. The diverse CERC staff of Serving Children and more than 150 healthcare professionals includes developmental pediatricians; Adults at CERC by Celia Vimont pediatric neurologists; rehabilitation medicine specialists; psychiatrists; speech, occupational and physical therapists; a nutritionist; nurses; dentists; and In just a decade, autism has emerged from specialists in learning disabilities. As the services it provides have obscurity to become America’s most highly publicized increased over the years, CERC has and intensively studied developmental disorder. Once scattered among several different sites— considered rare, autism now affects one in every 110 presenting major logistical problems both for patients and for staff. “Right children, according to the latest federal survey. The now, patients may have to go to separate rise in autism cases has been attributed to numerous sites for occupational therapy, audiology causes, from an increase in gene mutations to better testing and other services,” says Robert diagnosis to environmental factors such as air pollution. W. Marion, M.D., director of CERC and the Ruth L. Gottesman Professor in Whatever the cause, Einstein’s Children’s Evaluation Developmental Pediatrics. “It makes it and Rehabilitation Center (CERC)—one of the nation’s difficult for patients to navigate, and for premier facilities for serving children with autism and staff to communicate.” Fortunately, help is on the way. other developmental disabilities—is ideally positioned Einstein’s campus master plan calls for to handle the surge in kids needing help. CERC’s consolidation within the Van Etten building on Morris Park Avenue in the next several years. (See the related story on Van Etten on page 40.)

32 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

“The new site will allow us to provide autism?’ long before anyone else was, “Many parents isolate themselves due to truly multidisciplinary care for each and our staff had been trained to use their child’s disability,” says Ms. Fried. patient,” says Dr. Marion. gold-standard instruments for diagnos- “They benefit from a place where they ing autism,” says Dr. Shulman. “So can meet other parents going through Addressing the when the autism epidemic hit, we similar experiences and share the strate- Autism Epidemic were ready.” gies they use to cope.” Einstein clinicians were helping autistic Detecting autism when children are children long before “autism” became a young can make a tremendous differ- Learning Social Skills household word. Isabelle Rapin, M.D., ence. “When children are diagnosed Children with autism spectrum dis- professor of neurology and of pediat- early, the services we provide have a orders have difficulty interacting with rics and a member of Einstein’s origi- much better chance of improving com- others and need help in learning socially nal faculty, began studying autism in munication skills and correcting aber- appropriate behaviors. “These children the 1970s and published several major rant behaviors,” says Dr. Shulman. often can’t understand how other people papers showing that children with As it does for all its patients, CERC might feel,” says Deborah Meringolo, autism underwent a regression in lan- offers children with autism a range M.A., M.S., associate director of the guage and other skills. of services, including occupational Infant and Toddler Team and the While autism can vary widely in and physical therapy as well as help RELATE program. “They can misinter- severity, the increasing number of kids with behavioral and learning issues, pret something as simple as the reason who are diagnosed as being “on the speech problems, social skills and someone pulls away from a conversa- feeding problems. Families of children tion. That person might need to go “Now, between one- with autism, for example, are offered somewhere else, but the child might support groups and help in accessing assume the person doesn’t like them. We fourth and one-third of government programs that provide teach people with autism spectrum dis- all the children we see services. “A diagnosis of autism here is orders how to think more flexibly about the beginning of the relationship, not others’ behavior.” have autism.” the end,” Dr. Shulman says. Children with autism and other – Lisa H. Shulman, M.D. Tammy Fried, LCSW, is a social disabilities learn social rules by partici- worker who runs support groups for pating in skills-based social thinking autism spectrum” generally have prob- parents of children with autism. There groups. “We teach them that in every lems with social interaction; trouble is also a support group for Spanish- situation there are expected and unex- with verbal and nonverbal communica- speaking parents of children with autism pected behaviors,” says Nancy Tarshis, tion; and restricted and repetitive pat- and other developmental disabilities. M.A., M.S., supervisor of speech and terns of behavior. “In years past, about one-fifth of all the children we saw had autism, and now it’s between one-fourth and one- third,” says Lisa H. Shulman, M.D., associate clinical professor in the department of pediatrics and director of the CERC Infant and Toddler Team, which is part of the RELATE (Rehabilitation, Evaluation and Learning for Autistic Infants and Toddlers at Einstein) program. Increasingly, Dr. Shulman and her colleagues are diagnosing autism at very young ages—2 or under in many cases.

“We at CERC were asking, ‘How Nancy Tarshis, M.A., M.S., supervisor of speech and language services, and two of her early can you make a valid diagnosis of young clients.

science at the heart of medicine 33 “Learning disabilities can make life very difficult, yet they are often overlooked or misdiagnosed...it was very important to me that adults be included in the program.” – Emily Fisher Landau

language services at CERC. “The children learn that they will get good feedback if they behave in an expected way and that they will usually get negative feedback if they behave in an unexpected way.” Parents are able to view the social skills sessions in an adjacent observation office so they can learn the techniques and use the same vocabu- lary at home with their children. Beyond teaching social skills, CERC staffers consult with the children’s schools and refer their patients for other services, such as behavior therapy or reading intervention, as needed. “We make sure their needs are being met all around,” Ms. Tarshis says. Emily Fisher Landau Advocating for Adults with Learning Disabilities Outreach to Adults Amid all the publicity over children mily Fisher Landau’s intro- than she did, she established the Fisher with autism, it’s easy to overlook that duction to Einstein came Landau Center for the Treatment of autistic kids grow up to be autistic E through her friend, the late Learning Disabilities at Einstein 1997, adults. CERC has recognized this Judy Rosenberg, a longtime Einstein with Ruth Gottesman, Ed.D, as found- problem and is nationally noted for its Overseer and one of the original group ing director. The two have developed programs serving not just children but of women who came together in the a lasting friendship, in part a result of people of all ages who have autism as 1950s to raise money for the new their shared passion for helping people well as other developmental disabilities. College of Medicine. “I wanted to with learning difficulties. Those efforts to provide continuing join because I knew that accomplished “Emily Fisher Landau is one of the care are centered in the Fisher Landau Jewish students were finding it most extraordinary people I’ve ever Center for the Treatment of Learning difficult to get into medical school,” met,” says Dr. Gottesman, who is now Disabilities, which coordinates all of Mrs. Fisher Landau recalls. “I wanted chair of the Einstein Board of Overseers. CERC’s activities for treating learning to support them in their endeavors.” “She has been a great friend to me problems in children, teens and adults. Mrs. Fisher Landau’s interest in and to Einstein. I was proud to be the The Fisher Landau Center was Einstein became more specific when founding director of the Fisher Landau established in 1997 with a generous she was diagnosed with dyslexia in her Center when it was established by Emily gift from Honorary Einstein 50s. Making it her mission to see that over a decade ago. Einstein couldn’t Overseer Emily Fisher Landau. others had more resources for help ask for a better partner in its work with

34 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

1 2

1. Bambi Felberbaum presents Emily Fisher Landau with Woman of the Millennium Award, May 2000.

2. Mrs. Fisher Landau with Ruth L. Gottesman, Ed.D., left, and Einstein Overseer Renée Belfer, May 2000.

3. Dr. Gottesman visits with Mrs. Fisher Landau in Florida, March 2011.

4. Mrs. Fisher Landau and daughter Candia Fisher host Women’s Division tour of Fisher Landau Center for Art, November 2007. 4 3

people with learning disabilities.” College of Medicine, Yeshiva University the Fisher Landau Center for Art in Today the center offers educational, awarded her an honorary doctorate in a former parachute harness factory in psychological, social, medical and voca- humane letters in 1998. Long Island City, Queens, in 1991, and tional help to learning-disabled people “From my first meeting with Emily in 2010, she pledged 367 works to the of all ages, from preschool children Fisher Landau, at a lunch in Palm Whitney Museum of American Art, to adults. It was important to her to Beach with Dr. Gottesman, I found where she has long been a trustee. The have adults included in the program her completely charming and a fasci- gift included works by nearly 100 major because—as she knew from her own nating conversationalist, and someone American artists, including Jasper Johns, painful experience—learning disabili- with a deep concern for people with Ed Ruscha and Andy Warhol, and in ties can go undiagnosed until late in learning disabilities,” says Dean Allen her honor, the Whitney has released life. Currently based in the Louis E. M. Spiegel, M.D. “We are honored by a book titled Legacy: The Emily Fisher and Dora Rousso building, the program this remarkable woman’s involvement Landau Collection, featuring a selection will soon move to the renovated, more with the College of Medicine. She has of works from her donation and tracing spacious Van Etten building, along with shown tremendous courage in recogniz- ideas that have preoccupied American the rest of the Children’s Evaluation and ing, understanding and overcoming her artists since the 1960s. Rehabilitation Center. own learning difficulties, and we greatly In 2000, the Einstein Women’s Mrs. Fisher Landau’s deep commit- appreciate her very generous support Division named Mrs. Fisher Landau ment to Einstein has included a decade for our efforts to improve the lives of “Woman of the Millennium” for her of service on the College of Medicine’s others—both children and adults—who devotion to Einstein’s mission, her Board of Overseers, from 1999 to 2009; face similar problems.” efforts on behalf of those in need and she now holds the position of Honorary Mrs. Fisher Landau’s other great her impact on cultural life. “Never stop Overseer. A pioneering member of passion is art. In the 1960s she started learning, never stop looking,” she says. Einstein’s National Women’s Division, buying modern masters such as Picasso, Mrs. Fisher Landau is the widow she currently serves on the division’s Léger and Dubuffet, and by the early of Martin Fisher, a principal in the board of directors and on the New York 1980s she had become a champion of real estate firm Fisher Brothers, chapter’s executive committee. In recog- contemporary American artists. To help and of Sheldon Landau, a clothing nition of her distinguished service to the display her large collection, she opened manufacturer.

science at the heart of medicine 35 Ruth L. Gottesman, Ed.D., a professor “People who have trouble of pediatrics at the College of Medicine who initiated the Adult Literacy reading have underlying Program at CERC in 1991, was named problems in processing founding director. Over the years, the information. To learn center has received wide recognition for the excellence of its comprehensive and to read they need to innovative services. learn techniques to Mrs. Fisher Landau’s interest in learning disabilities stems from personal compensate for those experience. She learned she had dyslexia processing problems, when she was an adult, after many years of struggle. “Learning disabilities can which is not so easy make life very difficult, yet they are to do.” – Mary S. Kelly, Ph.D. often overlooked or misdiagnosed,” says Mrs. Fisher Landau, who recently text. They also learn to access recorded turned 90. “As someone who was books. Although this may be a differ- diagnosed later in life, it was very ent road to literacy, most clients find important to me that adults be enormous satisfaction in their increased included in the program.” ability to handle many issues that were Mary S. Kelly, Ph.D., is director of the On a visit to the center in 2010, Mrs. previously a source of frustration, and Fisher Landau Center and the Adult Literacy Program. Fisher Landau met several parents whose also to enjoy the world of literature. children’s lives had been turned around thanks to the center. “Three mothers told her how their children were failing CERC’s New Research Focus in school and were on the verge of drop- ping out, with the prospect of life on Thanks in part to support from speaker’s face helps you figure out the streets and perhaps even prison,” Dr. Einstein’s National Women’s what he or she is saying—a process Marion says. “Those kids found their Division, CERC now has its first full- combining sight and sound known as time director of clinical research: multisensory integration. But in chil- way to the Fisher Landau Center, were John J. Foxe, Ph.D., professor in the dren with autism, visual signals don’t evaluated, received the academic and department of pediatrics and in the help them recognize spoken words social support they needed and started Dominick P. Purpura Department of nearly as well, and lacking this ability to excel. Now they are headed toward a Neuroscience, who was recruited can pose major challenges.” life that includes college and the pros- from the City University of New Drs. Molholm and Foxe are study- pect of a good job.” York. Shortly before starting at ing how the brain integrates different Dr. Gottesman, who is now chair CERC in January 2010, Dr. Foxe inputs such as visual cues, sounds and of Einstein’s Board of Overseers and and his research partner, Sophie vibrations. “We found that multisen- professor emerita of pediatrics, retired in Molholm, Ph.D., were awarded a sory integration comes online later 2001 from her posts as founding direc- $2.8 million grant by the National in autistic children than in typically tor of the Fisher Landau Center and Institutes of Health to study why developing children—their brains director of the Adult Literacy Program. autistic people have trouble pro- are putting things together, but the “Most adults with learning disabilities cessing sounds and other sensory sensory inputs are out of sync, so inputs. it makes it difficult to manage the need to understand that they aren’t “If you’re at a loud party, it can world,” she says. “We hope to show the problem—they have a problem,” be hard to make out what peo- where the deficits in sensory inte- explains Dr. Gottesman. Clients in the ple are saying,” according to Dr. gration lie, so we can target specific Adult Literacy Program are taught how Molholm, who is also an associate treatments to each individual.” to take advantage of an ever-increasing professor of pediatrics and of neuro- CERC has expanded its autism number of technological programs that science at Einstein. “Looking at the research by forming collaborations change text into speech and speech into

36 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

The Adult Literacy Program offered by the Fisher Landau Center is the only program in New York City that provides one-to-one help for adults with learning and reading disabilities. It also teaches self-advocacy skills to help adults live independently. “Learning disabilities are lifelong,” says Mary S. Kelly, Ph.D., who suc- ceeded Dr. Gottesman as director of the Fisher Landau Center and the Adult Literacy Program. “People who have trouble reading have underlying problems in processing information. To learn to read they need to learn techniques to compensate for those processing problems, which is not so easy to do,” she adds. The Adult Literacy Program continues to grow in popularity. “We’re known Up to three million adults in New York City need literacy services, but fewer than 60,000 in the community, and we also get receive them. The Fisher Landau Center’s Adult Literacy Program is the only literacy referrals from mental health clinics and program in the city that provides the individualized coaching that is essential for teaching grownups to read.

with basic scientists at Einstein The lab of Drs. Foxe and Molhom is they might benefit from preventive and Montefiore. Much of this new also working to identify schizophrenia treatment before having a major research activity focuses on the in children as young as 10 or 11. “We psychotic episode.” molecular basis of autism. Projects are looking at children with a family include collaborations with John history of schizophrenia, who are at Greally, M.B., B.Ch., Ph.D., at the higher-than-normal risk of develop- John Foxe, Ph.D., and Sophie Molholm, Ph.D., stand behind a young man Einstein Center for Epigenomics (he ing schizophrenia themselves,” says wearing a cap containing numerous is associate professor of genetics Dr. Foxe. “If we can identify children electrodes that record brain wave and medicine and Einstein’s Faculty who will go on to develop the disease, activity. Scholar for Epigenomics, an endowed academic position established by Dr. Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman); Bernice Morrow, Ph.D., director of the division of Translational Genetics in the department of genetics (she is professor of genetics, of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s health, and of pediatrics and the Sidney L. and Miriam K. Olson Professor in Cardiology); and Brett Abrahams, Ph.D., assistant professor, department of genetics, who recently joined Einstein from UCLA and is looking into the genetic basis of autism.

science at the heart of medicine 37 literacy programs,” Dr. Kelly says. The program is usually helping 50 to 60 people at any one time and per- forms 500 new evaluations a year.

Making Dental Visits Manageable Few people like going to the dentist. But for Lloyd Vener, a recent dental visit made him scream, throw himself on the floor and try desperately to escape. “He’s very strong,” says his mother, Anna Mae Vener, “and his instinct is to resist.” Lloyd is 44 years old and severely developmentally disabled. Luckily, People with autism and other developmental disorders often have difficulty sitting still CERC’s Special Care Dentistry Unit and cooperating while receiving dental care. The Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation can deal with Lloyd’s terror and pro- Center is the only facility in New York City that offers conscious sedation, in which vide the care he needs. In fact, Lloyd patients are awake yet anesthetized against pain. has been going to CERC’s dentistry unit since he was three years old. in which patients are awake and respon- want to sit in a chair for a long time, it’s Receiving dental care is an espe- sive while anesthetized against pain. The very difficult to get dental services,” says cially troublesome problem for people unit attracts patients from far and near Dr. Marion. “As a result, many people with developmental disabilities. who can’t be treated at conventional who are developmentally disabled have CERC’s dental unit is the only dental dental offices. poor dental hygiene. The conscious facility in New York City that offers “If you have autism and don’t want sedation we provide is not just for dental them conscious sedation, a condition someone to touch you, or you don’t care but also allows other specialists, such as ophthalmologists or ear, nose and throat specialists, to provide care during the same session.”

Looking to the Future Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D., oversees CERC in his role as chair of Einstein’s department of pediatrics. “For 55 years, CERC has done a fantastic job of serving the needs of developmentally disabled children,” says Dr. Ozuah, who is also a professor in the departments of pediatrics and of family and social medicine. “Once CERC becomes consoli- dated on the first and second floors of the Van Etten building, I know we’ll be able to do an even better job of helping these kids.”

on the web Janine Santos, 17, a patient in CERC’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit, has known pediatric More about CERC: physiatrist “Dr. Rani”—Dona Rani C. Kathirithamby, M.B.B.S.—since age 6 months, when www.einstein.yu.edu/cerc she started therapy for cerebral palsy. Dr. Kathirithamby directs the unit.

38 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

Study Public Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Earn a Master of Public Health while working... The 42-credit program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to addressing behavioral and social determinants of health. The curriculum focuses on prevention of chronic conditions and health disparities, both locally and globally, through community-based research.

Take classes with professionals from a variety of fields and disciplines and work with community organizations on applied research projects.

Or earn an 11-credit Public Health Certificate that can be completed over the summer and fall.

Visit our website: www.einstein.yu.edu/centers/public-health-sciences

Cheryl Merzel, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., Director Public Health Education Programs Phone: 718.430.3236 Email: [email protected]

All classes are held on the Einstein Resnick campus in the northeast Bronx, NY Albert Einstein College of Medicine OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Science at the heart of medicine Renovating Van Etten

Revitalizing an Architectural Classic The Van Etten Hospital opened in September 1954 as an airy 360,000-square-foot, 500-bed sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. It was named in honor of Nathan B. Van Etten, M.D., a Bronx physician well known for caring for the poor and a past president of the American Medical Association. Since it came into being at the height of the Cold War, Van Etten was solidly constructed so that it could double as an evacuation center—and its sub-basements serve as fallout shelters— in case of nuclear attack. EE &K | Van Etten never housed evacuees, and thanks to improved drug treatments, it was never even used as a TB sanatorium. Instead, Van Etten eventually became an adjunct of Jacobi/Bronx Municipal

Courtesy of P erkins E astman Medical Center, housing chronic and ambulatory care facilities and earning Einstein’s New “Main Street” the utilitarian designation Building #5. In 2007, when Jacobi leased Einstein Gets a Makeover by Steve Ditlea the land for constructing the new Michael F. Price Center for Genetic t wasn’t even part of Einstein’s Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus and Translational Medicine/Harold and two years ago, but today the Van Etten building—a classic Muriel Block Research Pavilion, Van example of white-brick 1950s New York public architecture, Etten, which sits on the southeast end of originally built to serve as a municipal hospital—is seen as one the parcel, was tossed into the package Iof the key elements of Einstein’s future growth. As funding becomes almost as an afterthought. available, “Van Etten,” as it is known on campus, will house more Van Etten played into Einstein’s com- clinical, educational and computer facilities that are now scattered prehensive master plan for developing among several other locations—and these strategic moves will, in the Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus per- turn, free up vitally needed lab space. fectly. “The beauty of Van Etten,” says For many in the Einstein community—from a child needing eval- Salvatore P. Ciampo, director of facilities uation for a disability to a newly recruited researcher—the Van Etten management, “is that we can fill it with renovation will make a world of difference. In addition, the rooms, offices and other ‘dry’ lab endeavors at a floors and wings of Van Etten—and even the building itself—offer low cost per square foot, allowing us to naming opportunities to donors wishing to contribute to this major set aside more expensive wet-lab space campus addition. in other buildings for researchers who need it.”

40 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

Left, students hone their clinical skills. Above and below, two views of Van Etten. Facing page, the Van Etten building as envisioned in the campus master plan.

Completion of the clinical skills center—referred to as “phase zero” of the Van Etten renovation—showed clearly that the building could be transformed in a cost-effective manner. Attention has now turned to phase one, in which the priority is relocat- ing Einstein’s Children’s Evaluation and Clinical Skills Rehabilitation Center to Van Etten’s Leads the Way first and second floors. The initial piece Einstein’s initial move in renovating we plastered over soundproof glazed is now in place: John Foxe, Ph.D., Van Etten involved construction of the block walls rather than replace them CERC’s first research director, recently state-of-the-art Ruth L. Gottesman with sheetrock you can hear through. opened his Cognitive Neurophysiology Clinical Skills Center, which opened on We had the wooden doors relaminated Laboratory on Van Etten’s first floor. the second floor in fall 2009. Funded on City Island, which cost us $200 each Dr. Foxe and his staff—including by a generous donation from Ruth L. instead of $500 apiece for new ones.” two other principal investigators, four Gottesman, Ed.D., chair of the Einstein “Sal and his team did a terrific job postdocs, 14 grad students and eight Board of Overseers, the 23,000-square- of transforming this space into a truly interns—will use their impressive lab foot facility provides comfortable state-of-the-art learning environment space to study autism, addiction, schizo- classrooms and realistic exam rooms for for our students and faculty,” says Dr. phrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity clinical instruction of first- and second- Gottesman, who also is professor emer- disorder (ADHD) and other disorders. year medical students. ita of pediatrics. “In this challenging Once CERC’s far-flung clinical pro- “We used the concept of adaptive economic time, their expert approach to grams join up with the neurophysiol- reuse for the clinical skills center,” Mr. repurposing buildings such as Van Etten ogy lab in Van Etten, CERC can finally Ciampo explains. “We didn’t knock will enable us to stretch our dollars as realize its potential as a clinical research down walls and gut everything. Instead, the medical school continues to grow.” center.

science at the heart of medicine 41 This stacking diagram shows the current plan for allocating floor space in the renovated Van Etten building. The adjacent building is the Price Center/ Block Research Pavilion.

Today, a child needing CERC’s full range Educational Space of services must travel from one locale to Rental Space another—at risk of missing an appointment or missing out on essential care. Flexible Space (for research, offices or otherE instein needs) When CERC is centralized in Van

Courtesy of Perkins Eastman | EE&K Etten, all its services will be available under one roof, and it will have 20 per- Centralizing Children’s CERC was originally housed on cent more space. “We’ll be better able Services the first two floors of Einstein’s Rose to achieve our goal of improving the “CERC is a victim of its own success,” F. Kennedy Center, but an increas- lives of people with disabilities and their says its director, Robert W. Marion, ing patient load forced it to expand families,” says Dr. Marion. M.D. Each year, CERC’s skilled into four additional sites: the Fisher Consolidating CERC in Van Etten staff of more than 150—physicians, Landau Center for the Treatment of will cost $9 million, of which about $6 psychologists, speech therapists and Learning Disabilities in the Rousso million has been obtained so far through other specialists—treat 7,000 children building on Morris Park Avenue; the public and private commitments. As and adolescents and some adults Early Childhood Center on Seminole additional funds are raised, CERC’s with problems that include physical, Avenue; the Center for Babies, Toddlers total relocation to Van Etten will developmental, language and learning and Families on Jarrett Place; and the move forward. disabilities. Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.

Finishing Phase One In addition to the relocation of CERC, Todd R. Olson, Ph.D., professor in the center founded in 2002. Moving from the $19 million initial phase of Van department of anatomy and structural the Rousso building to larger quarters Etten’s renovation will include new biology and director of the Clinical in Van Etten will help the institute to lab space. & Developmental Anatomy course. recruit more researchers. All Einstein first-year med stu- “Unfortunately, over the years, support Also needing more workspace is the dents take Clinical & Developmental services needed to keep the dissection ever-expanding department of systems Anatomy, a basic course in medical lab functioning have lost crucial space to & computational biology, established education. But facilities on the sixth other departments.” in 2008 in the Price Center. “We floor of the Leo Forchheimer Medical The move to Van Etten will provide are constantly recruiting,” says Aviv Science Building have been upgraded medical students with the space they Bergman, Ph.D., founding professor and only once since Einstein was founded. In need. The cost of building the anatomy chair of the department and professor in fact, the dissection lab is one of the very facilities on Van Etten’s ground floor is the Dominick P. Purpura Department of few entities in the College of Medicine budgeted at more than $6 million. Neuroscience. A planned $2.2 million that occupies the space originally Another $2.5 million will go to open- makeover of a wing on Van Etten’s assigned to it when the medical school ing up new space on Van Etten’s third ground floor will quickly be occupied was built. “A dissection lab and morgue floor for Einstein’s Institute for Aging by researchers in computational biology are essential to medical training,” says Research, the interdisciplinary research and genetics.

42 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—July 28, 2011 6:50 PM

Q&A with Allen M. Spiegel, M.D. The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean

A Fundraising Priorit y Q: Are there elements of the Van Etten phase-one “The Van Etten renovation is high on renovation that you consider particularly urgent? our fundraising priority list,” says Glenn A: Consolidation of CERC from its current scattered locations is crucial because some of these locations are Miller, associate dean for institutional substandard, and at least one, which houses the Center for advancement, in charge of fundraising Babies, Toddlers and Families, is leased and will no longer be available to us. and alumni and donor relations for the We also urgently need the additional wet-lab space that will be generated by College of Medicine. “In an era of fis- the space created when programs move into Van Etten. Finally, creating that ad- cal restraint, this is a pragmatic project ditional lab space is key to implementing some of the research programs called that we can complete in increments as for in our strategic research plan. donations are made available. Our plans Q: How important is the role of fundraising for achieving the College of allow for construction to progress with- Medicine’s vision for the Van Etten renovation? A: Absolutely essential, because there are no possible NIH grants that would out disrupting what’s already there. It’s a support it. Fortunately, Einstein’s supporters understand the importance of the project we’ll be working on for the next Van Etten renovation to the research, educational and service missions of the three to five years.” college, and I have been encouraged by their generous response. Mr. Miller notes that preserving and Q: What position does the project occupy with respect to fulfilling the renovating Van Etten is an economical Einstein campus master plan? solution to Einstein’s pressing expan- A: It is an integral step. In developing the plan, we carefully analyzed Van Etten sion needs. “Estimates for the cost of and saw that despite its shabby exterior, the building offered a tremendous tearing Van Etten down and creating a opportunity for Einstein to satisfy several needs, and in a highly cost-effective way. At about 350,000 square feet, the building is large and structurally sound. new building with a similar amount of And as we learned from renovating two wings of the second floor to create the space could have reached $500 million,” Ruth L. Gottesman Clinical Skills Center, it’s quite capable of being converted he explains. “By contrast, we expect that to highly attractive and functional space. the total cost of renovating will be less Q: Did the building’s location affect its value to Einstein? than a third of that amount.” A: Van Etten is ideally located—close to the Price Center/Block Research Aside from the Ruth L. Gottesman Pavilion, the Kennedy Center and the rest of our campus. That will help us real- Clinical Skills Center on the second ize a key goal of the campus master plan, namely, to create a compact, readily floor, Van Etten presents donors with a walkable campus. We envision Van Etten becoming a nexus for our clinical, educational, research and treatment efforts at Einstein—sort of a new campus “Main wide variety of naming opportunities. Street.” It will make Einstein more attractive to incoming students and help our “Under the terms of our 99-year renew- researchers feel more a part of the Einstein community. able lease, we have the right to name Q: Are you on target for reaching your goal of $19 million for completing every room in the building,” says Mr. the first phase of the Van Etten renovation? Miller, “and people have already asked A: We have made an excellent start but will definitely need further assistance if if we can rename the building itself— we are to realize our goal. and the answer is yes. The process has Q: What other renovation phases are envisioned for Van Etten? already started for naming rooms and A: We are clearly committed to completing phase one. Beyond that, we have floors and wings.” several options, including renovating upper floors of the building to wet-lab The first $2 million of the $19 mil- space if this is warranted. Eventually, designated wings of the structure may be converted to on-campus housing for medical and doctoral students. But at lion phase-one fundraising goal was this point, we don’t want to lock ourselves into definitive uses of the remaining secured with a $1 million grant from the space. I should point out that the exteriors of several floors of two wings of the New York City Council and a matching building have been rather inexpensively refurbished, and those who’ve seen the amount from a bequest Einstein received result have been pleasantly surprised. Whether we move forward with the rest last year. Announcements of additional of the exterior in this cost-effective way or do something more elaborate will be donations are expected soon. determined by our progress in fundraising; a donor interested in naming the building would of course help in this regard.

science at the heart of medicine 43 Passionate pursuits | Einstein faculty, students, staff

Melancholia: Phototransfer on glass slides. 35 cm x 30 cm. 2007.

Science as Art, Art as Science In a variety of media, Jeffrey Wyckoff explores the interface between two cultures

n his “Two Cultures” lecture a half-century ago, C. P. Snow famously said that the arts and sciences have little in common. But Jeffrey Wyckoff, M.F.A., B.S., principal associate in anatomy and structural biology, begs to differ. IA scientist and an artist, he inhabits a world in which the two cultures constantly interact. Microscope slides help reveal cellular secrets but can also function as multiple miniature platforms for a series of landscape photographs. Petri dishes grow bacteria but can also act as canvases for living “bio-portraits.” By imaginatively intermingling the micro- and the mac- Double Portrait Series: Lab Techs: roscopic, the internal and external, this scientist-artist subverts our usual Phototransfer on Petri dishes, agar, perceptions of reality by leading us to hidden patterns, unexpected connec- bacteria. 6 cm x 7.5 cm diameter. 1999. tions and new meanings.

44 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 No Two Are the Same: Chalk and pastel, Separation Identity: Chalk and pastel, chalkboard paint on paper. 87.5 cm x 68.75 cm. chalkboard paint on paper. 68.75 cm x 2005. 87.5 cm. 2005.

Mr. Wyckoff by day is known as an excellence in intravital imaging. innovative imaging technologist. Mr. Wyckoff’s artwork begins with Working with colleagues in the Gruss the germ of an idea, which then takes on Lipper Biophotonics Center at Einstein, concrete form as he finds the motiva- he has developed new kinds of micro- tion, materials and methods to realize scopes for use in intravital imaging, his vision. If necessary, he’ll develop capturing, in three dimensions and high his own technical processes, such as his resolution, the behavior of individual proprietary technique for transferring cells deep within living tissues. photos onto glass. A native of California, Mr. Wyckoff “I always have ideas for new pieces, majored in biology and started his sci- and when the time and desire strike me, entific career as a lab technician at the I do them,” he says. “At Pratt, the joke University of California, Los Angeles. around campus was that my solo show All the while, he nurtured his skills in was going to be me sitting on a stool in drawing and photography, eventually the back of the gallery, drinking vodka returning to school to earn two degrees and telling people what I would have in art, including a master of fine arts done if I’d bothered to get around to it.” degree in photography from Brooklyn’s An overview of Mr. Wyckoff’s vast Modern Anatomy: Frog: Dry brush water- Pratt Institute. oeuvre uncovers no discernible pattern color on paper. 90 cm x 180 cm. 1999. While at Pratt, in the mid-1990s, to his creations, which veer from kinetic Mr. Wyckoff applied for a job with John sculptures to dry-brush Chinese water- been noticed. Over the years, galleries in Condeelis, Ph.D., now co-chair of the colors to “tapestries” of Polaroid pho- the United States and Europe have fea- department of anatomy and structural tos. “That’s probably one reason why tured Mr. Wyckoff’s creations, including biology at Einstein and co-director I’ve never become a famous artist,” he in two solo shows in New York. of the Biophotonics Center. The two acknowledges. “People want consistency If C. P. Snow were still alive, he might have collaborated on dozens of papers in what they are collecting.” well be collecting Mr. Wyckoff’s artwork and have helped set the standard of He may not be famous, but he has —and correcting that old lecture of his.

science at the heart of medicine 45 our dna | alumni news

Reunion 2011 Einstein Gears Up to 50th Anniversary Reunion for the Class of 1961 Celebrate Reunion 2011 And reunions for the classes of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, uring the first week in June, 1991, 1996 and 2001 alumni from Einstein classes ending in 1s and 6s will return Wednesday, June 1 D to campus to reconnect with classmates, Einstein Commencement take part in Commencement and mar- 3 p.m. Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center vel at the changes that have occurred at their alma mater since their medical Welcome Dinner for the school days. Class of 1961 Leading the celebrations will be this 7 p.m. year’s 50th Anniversary Class of 1961— Yeshiva University Museum at the the third group of Einstein graduates. Center for Jewish History These distinguished alumni will be Ken Schiffer, M.D. ’61, and Thursday, June 2 recognized by the Einstein commu- Paul Wachter, M.D. ’61. Gala Reunion Dinner nity for their personal and professional 6 p.m. accomplishments since graduating from Alumni from all reunion classes will be Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City Einstein and for their unique role in the joined by Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., the annals of Einstein history. Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean, and Friday, June 3 Alumni Day on Campus “I am honored to be co-chairing our other Einstein deans and faculty. 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. 50th Anniversary Reunion along with Alumni Day on Campus, Friday, Einstein’s Jack and Pearl my friend and classmate Ken Schiffer,” June 3, will feature an educational sym- Resnick Campus says Paul Wachter, M.D. ’61. “Our posium at the Michael F. Price Center committee has been planning reunion for Genetic and Translational Medicine/ For more information or to volunteer for activities for several months, and our Harold and Muriel Block Research your class reunion committee, please contact the office of alumni relations at classmates are very excited to return to Pavilion, followed by lunch and a special 718.430.2013 or [email protected]. campus for this milestone celebration.” campus tour. The festivities will start on Jack Stern, Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at 3 p.m., M.D. ’74, Ph.D. with Einstein’s Commencement ’73, president- Exercises in Avery Fisher Hall at elect of the Lincoln Center; all alumni are invited Einstein Alumni to march. The Class of 1961 will be Association, will honored along with the recipients of celebrate his the 2011 Einstein Alumni Awards. That 40th Anniversary evening, the Class of 1961 Welcome Reunion with the class he began his Dinner will take place at the Yeshiva Einstein education with, and is a University Museum at the Center for member of the Class of 1971 Reunion Jewish History in New York City. Committee. “As a member of the On Thursday, June 2, a Gala Einstein Alumni Board, I have the Reunion Dinner will be held at the opportunity to return to campus from Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City. time to time, to see how the college has developed and to meet new faculty,” Left, some members of the Class of 1961 says Dr. Stern. “But there is nothing during their medical school days. 46 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 like being back on campus with my Einstein classmates!” “Reunions are special,” notes Ken Congratulations! Schiffer, M.D. ’61. “They give us a 2011Einstein Alumni Award Recipients chance to see classmates and honor Dominick P. Purpura Honorary Alumnus Award the College of Medicine that helped Distinguished Alumnus Award Lawrence J. Brandt, M.D. launch our careers. It’s thrilling for Mark A. Hardy, M.D. ’62 Professor, Departments of my class to be celebrating our 50th Medicine (Gastroenterology & Anniversary Reunion,” he adds, “but I Distinguished Ph.D. Liver Diseases) and of Surgery also encourage all reunion-year alumni Alumnus Award to return to Einstein this spring and Charles S. Peskin, Ph.D. ’72 Lifetime Service Award share our unique bond.” Kenneth Schiffer, M.D. ’61 For more information about Lifetime Achievement Award Einstein’s 2011 Reunion celebration Louis Aledort, M.D. ’59 Lifetime Service Award for and how you can get involved, please Marvin Kirschner, M.D. ’59 Non-Alumnus contact Emily Snyder, director of Stephen Lazar, Ed.D. alumni relations, at 718.430.2922 or [email protected].

Class Notes

1959 and 1960s Marion Zucker Goldstein, M.S., Howard J. Schwartz, M.D. ’60, has psychiatry. All of this has been a source M.D. ’59, is a professor in the depart- been appointed as a visiting scholar of a great deal of intellectual stimula- ment of psychiatry at the State in the Center for Judaic Studies at the tion, pleasure and pride. I have three University of New York (SUNY), University of Arizona, Tucson. married daughters and am proud grand- Buffalo, and is the division and pro- father to eight grandchildren. My wife, gram director of geriatric psychiatry. Robert Chalfin, M.D. ’61, is senior Leita, and I are working on our 53rd Dr. Goldstein reports that she currently psychiatrist for dynamic psychotherapy year of marriage. I look forward to my recruits for geriatric psychiatry fellows. at the Zucker Hillside Hospital of the 50th class reunion and seeing my class- “Applicants from the Einstein psychiatry North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health mates there. I have always valued and residency and of course all other psy- System. He writes, “I have been there been proud of my Einstein education.” chiatry residencies in the country as well for over 40 years in various educational as other physicians are most welcome!” and teaching capacities. I am the recipi- Philip Stein, M.D. ’61, is currently in she says. Dr. Goldstein remembers her ent of teaching awards from the hos- the late stages of Parkinson’s disease, 50th Reunion two years ago fondly, and pital, the health system, the American reports his wife, Bonnie. Dr. Stein is proud to announce that her oldest Psychiatric Association and the retired in 2005 after a long career in daughter, Lillian R. Schapiro, M.D. ’91, American Psychoanalytical Association. psychiatry. Bonnie writes that “Phil is an ob/gyn in Atlanta. Lillian and her I also teach at the New York University remains in good spirits and still evi- husband have “three blooming, lovely, School of Medicine residency pro- dences his wonderful sense of humor,” bright, beautiful daughters, ages 14, 14, gram and its associated Psychoanalytic and is an inspiration and role model and 8. Life is rich and beautiful indeed Institute. In addition, I have faculty for his children, including son Andrew . . . three granddaughters!” appointments at Einstein and NYU, Stein, M.D. ’85, about how to conduct where I am an adjunct professor of themselves through life’s challenges.

science at the heart of medicine 47 our dna | Class Notes

The Steins hope to be able to join Phil’s and Galatea as a granddaughters, Dani, age 12, and classmates at the 50th Anniversary catalyst, Dr. Sander Kiwi, age 9, who also live with their Reunion for the Class of 1961, in June. brought together parents in Eugene.” 21st-century sci- Joyce H. Lowinson, M.D. ’62, is proud entists, educators, Judith Shapiro Adamson, M.D. ’64, to announce that New York University clinicians and histo- recently moved with her husband to recently established the Joyce H. rians to contribute Chevy Chase, MD, from Durham, NC, Lowinson, M.D., Professorship in Pain essays on the human desire to repro- “closer to the center of the universe, Medicine and Palliative Care. Michel duce ourselves both psychologically although we enjoyed our ten-year stay Dubois, M.D., a preeminent leader in and physically in art, and possibly, in in Durham very much. We are closer the field of pain medicine, has been the not-too-distant future, via biogene- to family and public transportation, named the first Lowinson Professor. tic engineering. Contributors include both important in our advancing age. Carolyn Williams, chair of the English I would be glad to meet any alumni Jon Ostrow, M.D. ’62, writes, “I’m department at Rutgers; art historian and am also interested in a part-time now semi-retired, summering in our Tom Freudenheim; Lee Silver, profes- volunteer job. In Durham, I worked at former home, Seattle, and wintering sor of molecular biology and ethics at the Durham Veterans Medical Center. I in Tucson. After retiring from private Princeton; Bill McKibben, resident continue to be gratified by the excel- practice in 2001, I have been doing scholar at Middlebury College; and oth- lence of my medical education and the locum tenens work up on the Navajo ers, including Dr. Sander, who provides reputation of Einstein.” Reservation, in northern Arizona his own commentary. and New Mexico. We go up there Joseph Berke, M.D. ’64, has lived about three times yearly, and I have Steve Weissman, M.D. ’63, recently and worked in London, England, done about 20 short-term jobs in places wrote a psycho-biography of Charlie since 1965. In 1970 he and Morton like Pinon, Pine Hill, Ganado, Peach Chaplin, Chaplin: A Life (Arcade, Schatzman, M.D. ’62, founded the Springs and Parker. My wife, Ellyn, 2008), which has been translated and Arbours Association, a nonprofit that who has been suffering my habits since published in Germany, Portugal, Russia provides shelter and psychotherapy for medical school, is a good sport, and and Brazil and was named a film book people in emotional distress. In 1973, we’ve learned to live a rural life, inter- of the year by the London Standard in Dr. Berke founded the Arbours Crisis mittently. I also cover a solo internal 2009. Dr. Weissman is “still practicing Centre, and he retired as its director medicine practice for vacation relief psychiatry (and thoroughly enjoying it). in 2009. He has written many books in Seattle. The rest of our lives revolve At 73, it’s great fun to still have ‘skin in and articles, including Centers of Power: around hiking, bridge, travel, photogra- the game.’” He notes, “Working keeps The Convergence of Psychoanalysis and phy and, of course, our two grandkids in me feeling young and socially use- Kabbalah, with co-author Stanley Berkeley. We celebrated grandson Sam ful. My wife, Carole Horn, M.D., also Schneider (Jason Aronson USA, 2008), Essex’s bar mitzvah there in January. We continues to practice internal medicine and Malice Through the Looking Glass: haven’t seen many former Einstein grads full time.” The couple lives and works Reflections and Refractions of Envy, Greed recently but are expecting a visit from in Washington, DC. Their daughter and Jealousy (Teva Publications, 2nd Leon Redler, M.D. ’62, this spring. We Annie is a second-year medical stu- revised ed., 2009). are hoping to make it back east for our dent at the University of Pennsylvania, 50th reunion in 2012.” where she received a full-tuition Gamble Barbara Previte, M.D. ’64, lives in Scholarship. Phoenix, AZ. She is sad to report that Fred Sander, M.D. ’63, is editor of the her husband passed away in 2005, collection Created in Our Own Images. David White, M.D. ’63, is retired and but she enjoys spending time with her com. Using Victorian author W. S. living in Eugene, OR, with Lina, his daughter, also a resident of Phoenix, Gilbert’s 19th-century play Pygmalion wife of 46 years. “We enjoy our two and her son, who lives in San Jose, CA.

48 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Arnold Bresky, M.D. ’65, started a nonprofit organization, Hands of Widening the Einstein Circle Kindness, with the mission of helping patients with memory disorders. He writes, “In order to give the senior n order to more effectively serve country are being encouraged to join the today’s Einstein students, the Alumni Alumni Career Network to connect with citizen meaning and purpose in life and Association Board of Governors is students seeking career advice. achieve social interaction, I have these I broadening its reach and connecting Also at the top of the priority list: patients shut off the TV and knit small with alumni throughout the country. reaching out to recent Einstein gradu- caps for premature babies, larger caps With a dual mission of providing sup- ates and developing activities to for people receiving chemotherapy and port and assistance for Einstein and its fortify their connection with their alma small blankets for abandoned children. students and strengthening the connec- mater. Building on the momentum of tion between alumni and the College last year’s events bringing together For more information, please visit www. of Medicine, the alumni board is intent recent grads and fourth-year students, handsofkindness.org.” on involving alumni nationwide. Its the alumni relations office hosted its goals are threefold: to better reflect the first Bowling Night in New York City in Harriette R. Mogul, school’s diversity; enhance the board’s January for these two groups, with more M.D. ’65, M.P.H., ability to con- than 30 alumni is the author nect students “Having a board that represents attending (see with alumni in page 11). Plans of Syndrome W: A the full reach of Einstein’s different states are under way for alumni base will help us reach Woman’s Guide to for career future programs Reversing Midlife mentoring and our goals.” to engage the Weight Gain (M. networking; – Stephen E. Goldstone, M.D. ’79 recent-graduate Evans, 2010), a completely revised and improve community. edition of Dr. Mogul’s earlier book on outreach to prospective students wher- Dr. Goldstone and Jack Stern, M.D. ever they live. ’74, Ph.D. ’73, president-elect of the the same subject. All profits from sale The impetus for this new approach: alumni board and chair of the nomination of the book will support Syndrome W a retreat held in early 2010, where committee, are also committed to bring- research, including the EMPOWIR Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., the Marilyn ing new alumni leaders onto the board, study that Dr. Mogul is conducting with and Stanley M. Katz Dean, presented regardless of where they live. “Having Ruth Freeman, M.D. ’60, professor of a new vision for alumni interactions to a board that represents the full reach of obstetrics & gynecology and women’s the alumni board’s executive commit- Einstein’s alumni base will help us reach tee. The dean noted that, building on our goals,” Dr. Goldstone said. health and of medicine at Einstein. the board’s many past successes, an “The board’s proud record of achieve- enhanced nationwide alumni network ment has strengthened the College of Ira Steinman, M.D. ’65, lives in San could provide connections for residency Medicine throughout its history,” Dean Francisco and is a practicing psychiatrist. programs, networking and mentoring; Spiegel remarked. “With its new focus He recently published a book, Treating foster the careers of recent graduates; on helping alumni, regardless of their the ‘Untreatable’: Healing in the Realms and help raise the overall profile of the geographic location, to feel a stronger medical school. sense of belonging to the Einstein com- of Madness, which describes the ben- Inspired by the dean’s message, munity, the board will play a pivotal role eficial and—at times—curative results Stephen E. Goldstone, M.D. ’79, presi- in expanding the range of opportunities of intensive outpatient psychotherapy dent of the Alumni Association Board for all our students and graduates.” for schizophrenia and delusional states. of Governors, was eager to initiate For more information about the He notes that the book “has been very opportunities to engage alumni nation- Alumni Association Board of Governors positively reviewed in a recent issue of ally. The alumni relations office held and how you can get involved, please events in Boston and Washington, DC, contact Emily Snyder, director of the Psychoanalytic Quarterly.” For more last fall and in South Florida in March of alumni relations and annual giving, at information, please visit Dr. Steinman’s this year; more programs are planned 718.430.2922 or emily.snyder@einstein. website, www.irasteinman.com. for Northern and Southern California yu.edu. in June. In addition, alumni across the

science at the heart of medicine 49 our dna | Class Notes

fellows who have gone on to become Einstein’s Extended Community: Boston and DC leaders in their field, “Peter directly has had more responsibility for gyn care in the United States than anyone else,” reports YOGS.

Barbara Barlow, M.D. ’67, retired as director of surgery at Columbia usan Young P hotography © S usan Young University’s Harlem Hospital in July 2010, and has been appointed professor emerita of surgery in epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Barlow continues as executive director and founder of the Injury-Free Coalition for Kids, which includes 43 pediatric trauma centers Executive Dean Edward Burns, M.D. ’76, left, with Sidney Levitsky, M.D. ’60, and Lynne Levitsky, M.D., at the Levitskys’ home in Boston. in all 10 federal trauma districts. Dr. n October 10, 2010, Sidney Lynne Levitsky graciously hosted a Barlow encourages all alumni to visit Levitsky, M.D. ’60, and his wife, lovely brunch on our behalf and made the website www.injuryfree.org and to OLynne Levitsky, M.D., hosted a the many alumni who attended feel as e-mail her at [email protected] if brunch for Einstein alumni, parents and at home as they used to feel when they there is a site in your city and you would friends in their Boston home. A group were back at Einstein.” like to get involved. of 25 alumni and guests gathered to On November 7, 2010, the alumni see old friends, make new ones and relations office held a special recep- hear the latest Einstein news. “It’s a tion for alumni, faculty and friends in Robert Zimmerman, M.D. ’68, writes real pleasure to connect with Einstein Washington, DC, at the annual meeting that he is honored to serve on the fol- alumni and update them on the exciting of the Association of American Medical lowing national boards and commit- things happening at the College of Colleges. More than 40 Einstein tees: the American Board of Radiology, Medicine,” said speaker Edward Burns, graduates, faculty members and guests of which he is a trustee; the Residency M.D. ’76, executive dean. “Sidney and turned out for the event. Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Jerry Winkelstein, M.D. ’65, retired Peter E. Schwartz, M.D. ’66, will be Education; and the Brain Trauma five years ago after 40 years at Johns honored this year by the Yale Ob-Gyn Foundation. Hopkins University. Dr. Winkelstein Society (YOGS), a “very formal” group and his wife, Marilyn, have two chil- of everyone who has been affiliated with David H. Abramson, M.D. ’69, has dren: “One is a practicing pediatri- the department over the years: residents, received tenure at Memorial Sloan- cian in Baltimore, and the other a fellows, attendings, researchers, etc. At Kettering Cancer Center, where he is faculty member of the University of the annual gathering, Dr. Schwartz will the first chief of the ophthalmic oncol- Pennsylvania in biomedical engineering. be recognized for the important role he ogy service. At the recent American We have a second home on Mt. Desert has played in the department, begin- Academy of Ophthalmology Meeting, Island, ME, and spend four months a ning with his days as a resident and his his innovative direct intra-arterial year there enjoying hiking, gardening, junior attending years, and as leader chemotherapy treatment (ophthalmic reading and woodworking. We had a of both the gyn-oncology section and artery) for retinoblastoma in children special treat this summer when Michael the department as a whole, including was hailed as one of the most important J. Reichgott, M.D. ’65, Ph.D., and his his role as acting chair. Having trained discoveries in retina research in the past wife, Lynn, stopped by for a visit!” several generations of Yale residents and year. In addition, Dr. Abramson reports

50 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 that his neurology instructor while at Hospital since 1978. His wife, guest editor of The Proceedings of this Einstein, the noted physician and author Naomi, is a program administrator. Congress, published serially in Diabetes Oliver Sacks, M.D., has dedicated his Dr. Schimmer served for 14 years on & Metabolism/Research & Reviews; the newest book, The Mind’s Eye, to Dr. the American Board of International first part appeared in the November Abramson. In the book is a chapter Medicine (ABIM) rheumatology sub- 2010 issue. Dr. Grajower notes that about Dr. Sacks’ experience as a patient specialty board and has been a member the editor-in-chief of the journal is of Dr. Abramson. of the Internal Medicine Test Writing fellow Einstein alumnus Jesse Roth, Committee of the ABIM and the M.D. ’59. Lewis Cantor, M.D. ’69, retired from Rheumatology SEP Review Committee. full-time practice as of September 30, His older daughter, Alexandra, is chief Dan Mayer, M.D. ’73, practices emer- 2010. Dr. Cantor writes, “I continue to deputy solicitor general for the state of gency medicine and teaches evidence- work one day per week in our prac- Ohio; her husband is a history pro- based healthcare at Albany Medical tice office, and as a consultant for the fessor at Denison University. They College in Albany, NY. Dr. Mayer and San Andreas Regional Center, caring have a 14-month-old son, Jonah. Dr. his wife, Julia Eddy, have “three wonder- for patients with mental retardation, Schimmer’s younger daughter, Rebecca, ful children and eight grandchildren.” autism, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.” is senior development associate for the Dr. Mayer recently published two Jewish Federation in Philadelphia, and books: Essential Evidence-Based Medicine 1970s her husband, Ben, has an Internet search (2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Douglas A. engine marketing company in New York 2010); and Case Studies in Emergency Drossman, City. They have a 14-month-old daugh- Medicine, with Rebecca Jeanmonod, M.D. ’70, ter, Sydney. M.D., and Michelle Tomassi, M.D. received (Cambridge University Press, 2010). Dr. his Doctor Joseph Citron, M.D. ’71, J.D., pre- Mayer notes, “It was wonderful reunit- Honoris sented a paper this past November at the ing with Stuart Z. Shapiro, M.D. ’77, Causa joint American-Israeli Toxicology meet- at the AAMC meeting in Washington, (honorary ing at the Rambam Medical Center in DC, in November.” degree) from the National University in Haifa, Israel. Cluj, Romania, where he was acknowl- Mark T. Birns, M.D. edged for his work in promoting bio- Nathan Litman, M.D. ’71, was recently ’74, had the joy and psychosocial research and education in appointed vice chair for clinical affairs honor of hooding mind-body interactions in Romania and in the department of pediatrics at the his son Michael E. Eastern Europe. Dr. Drossman is a gas- Children’s Hospital at Montefiore; he is Birns, M.D. ’10, troenterologist and professor of medi- also the division chief of pediatric infec- at Commencement cine and psychiatry at the University tious diseases and professor of pediatrics in June. Michael is of North Carolina, and president of at Einstein. now an orthopedic resident at Lenox the Rome Foundation, a multinational Hill Hospital in New York City. Mark nonprofit academic organization that Martin Grajower, M.D. ’73, F.A.C.P., is a gastroenterologist in Rockville, supports research and education in func- F.A.C.E., was recently appointed to the MD, and the founder of a successful tional gastrointestinal disorders. editorial board of Endocrine Practice, private practice and of two ambula- the journal of the American College tory surgical (endoscopy) centers. He Barry M. Schimmer, M.D. ’70, is a of Endocrinology. In December 2009, has achieved the repeated distinc- clinical professor of medicine at the Dr. Grajower co-chaired the first tion of being named among the “Top University of Pennsylvania School of International Congress of the Bildirici Doctors” in Washingtonian Magazine’s Medicine. He has been chief of the Diabetes Center of Laniado Hospital, yearly survey. He is a clinical associate rheumatology section at Pennsylvania in Netanya, Israel. He is currently professor of medicine at Georgetown

science at the heart of medicine 51 Einstein-Cardozo Master of Science in BioEthics Earn a Master of Science in Bioethics Bioethics is the study of ethically and emotionally charged issues at the crossroads of medicine, law and public policy. Our program is an innovative collaboration between Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center and Cardozo Law School, bringing together a broad range of expertise to address bioethics issues.

If you enroll in the MSB, you will... • Examine how moral, ethical and religious values affect medical decisions and healthcare policy. • Master all aspects of bioethics consultation, including ethics analysis, mediation and communication skills. Receive extensive supervision and feedback from experts with vast bioethics consultation experience. • Study crucial bioethics issues including medical choices at the end of life, the allocation of scarce healthcare resources, protections for human research subjects, the privacy of medical information, and the role of race, class and ethnicity in health outcomes and access to care.

Visit our website for more information: www.einstein.yu.edu/masters-in-bioethics

Tia Powell, M.D., Director Phone: 718.920.4630 Email: [email protected] University Medical Center, continues to interesting and challenging roles.” Dr. Nison H. Shleifer, M.D. ’74, has lecture regionally and serves in mul- Markowitz married Polly Bijur, Ph.D., become a national medical director for tiple capacities on numerous boards and his medical school sweetheart and future Anthem Blue Cross, responsible for case committees, as well as on an advisory academic colleague, collaborator and management and disease management panel for the development of endoscopic in-house (literally) statistician. They for the eastern United States, having simulators. Mark has also been active have three children and one grandchild, closed his internal medicine practice with the Israel Bonds Organization, “a delightful 19-month-old who lives after 32 years. serving as synagogue division chair of far away but is as close as a laptop with the Washington, DC, area over the webcam, through which she tries to feed Howard J. Winter, M.D. ’74, F.A.C.S., past decade. He and his wife of 34 me.” He also still plays basketball “2-3 is beginning his third term as chair of years, Ann, a speech pathologist, have times a week, often with guys my age. the department of surgery of the Virtua two other children: Samantha Birns None of us can bend all the way over to Health System, a multihospital system Hirschberg of Princeton, NJ, who works pick the ball up off the floor anymore, based in Voorhees, NJ. in advertising in New York City, and but it’s still fun!” Kevin, a senior majoring in business at Indiana University. Making Connections: Morri E. Markowitz, M.D. ’74, is Alumni Association Phone-a-thon completing his 40th year at Einstein, a relationship that began in 1970, when o reconnect with alumni and secure gifts for the annual fund, the alumni he arrived for medical school. He writes, relations office held its yearly student-driven phone-a-thon on several nights “I’ve had an enjoyable time in the T in November 2010. Each evening, 10 to 15 students representing the M.D., M.S.T.P. and Ph.D. student communities, as well as representatives from the Alumni department of pediatrics, always based Board of Governors, made outreach and fundraising calls to alumni who have sup- at Montefiore and now at the Children’s ported Einstein as well as those who haven’t contributed previously. Hospital at Montefiore. I’ve worn many “The students and alumni board representatives were enthusiastic and excited to hats: as a resident, then chief resident, connect with alumni, to express their gratitude for their support and to share the latest then as the first pediatrician fellow news from campus,” says Emily Snyder, director of alumni relations and annual giving. in the Montefiore Clinical Research This year’s fall phone-a-thon raised more than $53,000. “The phone-a-thon has proven to be an effective way to connect with alumni and raise critical support for the annual Center; as an attending at the Einstein fund,” she says. hospitals; rising to become a professor of pediatrics at the medical school; as a clinical director of pediatric environmental sciences and interim chief of the division of pediatric endocrinology; as a teacher of medical students, residents and fellows; as an NIH-funded clinical researcher in the fields of lead and cal- cium disorders; and as a clinician who at various times was the rounding attending on the wards and pediatric ICU, an ED moonlighter, and mostly, as a care- giver for children and pregnant women with lead poisoning and kids with bone mineral disorders. All have been

science at the heart of medicine 53 our dna | class notes

Harvey Karp, M.D. ’75, was recently student at Einstein and the proud father has sold more than 80,000 copies since named Alumnus of the Year by SUNY of two little boys.” its publication in 2001; a documen- Buffalo and one of Los Angeles’ 100 tary based on the book was released in Most Interesting People by LA Weekly Walter G. Wasser, November 2010. He is now working on Magazine. M.D. ’76, is a a book that attempts to relate Hebrew nephrologist and biblical prophetic states with endoge- Steven Mandel, M.D. ’75, is cur- attending physi- nous hallucinogens. Tentatively entitled rently professor of neurology at Jefferson cian at Hadassah The Soul of Prophecy, it is scheduled for Medical College, where he was given a University Hospital release in late 2011. After 30 years of secondary appointment in March 2010 in Jerusalem, Israel. psychiatric practice and research, Rick is as professor of anesthesiology. He is He practiced medicine for 24 years in enjoying full-time writing. He is also a also adjunct clinical professor at Temple New York City, where he was chief of clinical associate professor of psychiatry University School of Podiatric Medicine the divisions of nephrology at Cabrini at the University of New Mexico School and adjunct clinical professor of psy- Medical Center and North General of Medicine. chology at Widener University. Hospital and medical director of a Davita dialysis facility. Since 2006, he Eric Fishman, M.D. ’78, no longer Simcha Ben-David, M.D. ’76, would has been affiliated with the Laboratory practices medicine and is now concen- like to let his class know that he has of Molecular Medicine at the Rappaport trating on the electronic health record been happily practicing ophthalmol- Institute-Technion, Haifa, Israel. During industry after 25 years as a practicing ogy in Borough Park, Brooklyn, for the this time, he has clinically characterized orthopedist. He is the founder and past 30 years and continues to enjoy his end-stage renal disease patients and con- managing member of EHR Scope, LLC, practice in medicine and surgery. trols in New York, which provided the and founder and president of 1450, Inc. basis for the recently described APOL1 Among his most interesting activities is David A. Gorelick, M.D., Ph.D. ’76, genetic variation. This locus on chro- conducting interviews for EHR Scope, and his wife, Naomi, are proud to mosome 22 has been associated with available online at www.EHRtv.com. announce that both of their daughters various nondiabetic kidney diseases in “have given birth to their own daugh- patients of African continental heritage Nina Yoshpe, M.D. ’78, and Andre ters,” giving them a total of 11 grand- and was described in an article from the Maginot, M.D. ’77, have been mar- children. Their newest grandchildren are laboratory of Professor Karl Skorecki ried for 31 years and are both in private Nava Bayla VanderWalde, born April 5, that appeared in Human Genetics group practices. Dr. Yoshpe practices 2010, to Sarah and Noam in Baltimore (September 2010). Dr. Wasser lives in vascular and general surgery in Long (now residing in Durham, NC); and Jerusalem with his wife and children. Beach, CA; Dr. Maginot practices Nesya Rosenbloom, born November 21, pediatric and general otolaryngology in 2010, to Judith and Joshua in Yau Chi-hi, M.D. ’77, passed away Huntington Beach. Dr. Yoshpe and her Boston, MA. unexpectedly on January 18, 2010, in business partner, Ayal Willner, M.D. Toronto, Ontario, after a brief illness. ’88, have developed a new over-the- Miriam Gutmann, M.D. ’76, has an Dr. Chi-hi had an internal medicine counter ear drop, Comfort Earx™, that active private practice in Chicago, in practice in Toronto and is survived by was recently released on the market. Dr. adult, child and adolescent psychiatry as his wife, Matilda, an oncologist practic- Yoshpe and Dr. Maginot write, “We well as family therapy. She writes, “My ing in Toronto, his daughter, Andrea, have been blessed with many children: daughter lives nearby and is expect- and his son, Kevin. Zarah is a medical malpractice defense ing her fourth child. My middle child attorney in California; Tammy is get- recently married and is on his way to Rick Strassman, M.D. ’77, still lives in ting a Ph.D. in health psychology at a Ph.D. in clinical psychology in New northern New Mexico, outside Taos. His Alliant University in San Diego; Jeremy York, and my youngest is a first-year first book,DMT—The Spirit Molecule, is in the Coast Guard in Portland, OR,

54 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 and working on an M.B.A. at Norwich Ronald A. DePinho, M.D. ’81, is John O’Reilly, a software developer. She University; Lisa and Jonathan are cadets director of the Belfer Institute for writes, “My three beautiful stepdaugh- at West Point, and Lisa is interested in Applied Cancer Science and professor ters are all grown and out of the house attending medical school; Becca and of medicine and genetics at the Dana- now. I am continuing my practice as a Shaina, our two teenagers, are still at Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard plaintiff’s medical malpractice lawyer home and interested in dentistry and Medical School. This past year, AVEO, here in western Pennsylvania, after fin- neurosurgery, respectively.” a cancer biotech company founded by ishing law school at Pitt in 1995. After Dr. DePinho, became a NASDAQ- a two-week trial in Erie, PA, my client 1980s listed company, and AVEO’s president was awarded $3,549,000 by the jury, Alan Brody, M.D. ’80, is a pediatric and CEO, Tuan Ha-Ngoc, was invited the second-largest in Erie history! The radiologist at the Cincinnati Children’s to sound the NASDAQ closing bell excellent medical training I received Hospital and Medical Center. His pri- on behalf of AVEO. In his labora- at Einstein and then during my inter- mary radiology interests are cystic fibro- tory, which also focuses on aging, Dr. nal medicine residency at Cornell have sis and diffuse lung disease in children. DePinho led a team of researchers who served and continue to serve me well.” He lives in Cincinnati, OH, with his discovered that the aging process could wife, Marsha, and three teenage sons, be reversed in mice. The results of Richard K. and is a classic car enthusiast. Dr. Brody their study were published in Nature in Bernstein, M.D. welcomes any news and visits from November 2010 and received extensive ’83, F.A.C.N., classmates. worldwide media coverage. F.A.C.E., remains active as the direc- Frederick M. Barken, M.D. ’81, writes, Ellen Weinberg, M.D. ’81, writes, “I’m tor emeritus of the “I left the private practice of general working as a psychiatrist in a clinic and Peripheral Vascular internal medicine in 2007 to research in the psychiatric emergency room. I’m Disease Clinic of Albert Einstein and write about the challenges facing also pursuing my interest in stand-up College of Medicine at Jacobi Medical practitioners of adult primary care in comedy, acting and playwriting: you can Center. The fourth edition of his book an era of declining resources, insuffi- see some of the results on my alter-ego Diabetes Solution will be published by cient numbers of primary care doctors website, www.ellenorchid.com. Click Little, Brown in November 2011; his and a burgeoning population of geri- on ‘media’ to view some performances, seventh book, Dr. Bernstein’s Questions atric baby boomers. Topics include the including my role on The Sopranos as a and Answers, was published elec- complex social issues that are an integral psychiatrist interviewing Uncle Junior. tronically in early 2011. Dr. Bernstein part of primary care: polypharmacy, our That was so much fun.” advocates a low-carbohydrate diet for tendency to excessive use of specialty everyone, and in November 2010 he referrals, the challenge of dealing with Paul Blanc, M.D. ’82, is professor of addressed the American Society of a growing population of older patients medicine and chief of the division of Bariatric Physicians on the use of incre- with mild cognitive impairment, the occupational and environmental medi- tin mimetic agents to curb overeating malaise of malpractice liability, physician cine at the University of California San and carbohydrate craving. shortages, physician payment reform and Francisco. He writes a blog, Household the challenge of providing care to elderly Hazards—How Everyday Products Make Stuart H. Kaplan, patients with dysfunctional families that Us Sick, hosted by Psychology Today M.D. ’83, completed fail to provide adequate emotional sup- magazine at www.psychologytoday.com/ his dermatology port. The book, Out of Practice: Fighting blog/household-hazards. residency at UCLA for Primary Care Medicine in America, is and is in solo der- not all gloom and doom, however; I offer Deborah S. Maliver, M.D. ’82, is liv- matology practice in some proposals for satisfying the needs of ing and working in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Beverly Hills, doing both patients and their doctors.” Maliver has been married for 11 years to 50 percent cosmetic (Botox, lasers,

science at the heart of medicine 55 our dna | alumni news

fillers) and 50 percent medical (skin seeing and reminiscing with were Drs. the department of ophthalmology and cancer, Mohs surgery, general dermatol- Russell Cohen, Alec Pruchnicki, Marc visual sciences at UH and Case Western ogy). He writes, “After waiting a long Napp, Norma Villanueva, Audrey Reserve University (CWRU) in 1993. In time, I met a most fantastic lady, whom Walker, Marie-Ange Tardieu and Celia 2004, Dr. Huang received the Philip F. I married four years ago. I do not have Shmukler. Dr. Borowsky sends “apolo- and Elizabeth G. Searle–Suber Huang, any children … yet. In addition, I am gies to anyone who I might have forgot- M.D. Professorship in Ophthalmology extremely blessed, as on May 30, 2011, ten (something I sadly do a lot of these from CWRU. my parents will be celebrating their 65th days). I am very much looking forward wedding anniversary. I have only fond to our next get-together.” Shahin Rafii, M.D. ’86, is the Arthur memories of my time and classmates at Belfer Professor of Genetic Medicine Einstein. I appreciate everything I Jessica Furer, M.D. ’85, writes, “Sad and a Howard Hughes Medical worked for, and everything the school news for the class notes: My brother Institute investigator at Weill-Cornell gave me.” Andrew Furer, Ph.D., passed away Medical College in New York City. October 31, 2010, after a long and A hematologist-oncologist by training, Joshua Lamm, M.D. ’83, has a private arduous battle with colorectal cancer. I Dr. Rafii is currently working in stem practice in psychiatry in both Queens don’t know how many of my classmates cell and cancer research. and New York City. He is director of met or remember my brother, but he the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation was a wonderful person and my best Sharon M. Weinstein, M.D. ’86, (TMS) Center of Queens. His wife, friend, and I miss him very much.” F.A.A.H.P.M., was awarded a Sojourns Rivkie, is a clinical social worker in Award by the Regence Foundation private practice in Queens. One of his Suber S. Huang, M.D. ’85, M.B.A., in June 2010, for her leadership in sons is a U.S. Marine lance corporal who has been installed as president of the advancing palliative care in Utah. Dr. served a one-year tour in Iraq. American Society of Retina Specialists Weinstein is the founder and cur- (ASRS), the preeminent international rent director of the Pain Medicine and David Heisler, M.D. ’84, is happy to association for doctors who specialize Palliative Care Program at the University own and operate the Jamaica House in the medical and surgical care of the of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute, B&B (www.jamaica-house.com) in retina and other areas near the back of established in 1998. She also opened the Jamaica, VT. Dr. Heisler has retired from the eye. He also will serve as chair of affiliated program at the V.A. Salt Lake medicine and misses his old friends. He ASRS’ American Retina Foundation City Health Care System and consults at and his wife, Valerie, had a great fall (ARF), and is the first person simulta- Primary Children’s Medical Center. Dr. foliage season and a busy ski season in neously to hold both positions. “I am Weinstein completed the first certifi- 2010, and they hope you can visit proud to serve as the ASRS president cation exam offered by the American this year! and ARF chair, and I look forward to Board of Medical Specialties in 2008, promoting the fundamental goals of and is one of Utah’s first board-certified Mark Borowsky, M.D. ’85, writes, our organizations: education, training physicians in Hospice and Palliative “It was a great experience to be able to and research,” writes Dr. Huang. “My Medicine. In 2009, Dr. Weinstein attend my 25th reunion in May 2010. focus will be to ensure that our patients was named a fellow of the American Others who came were Drs. Suber are reaping the benefits of the recent Academy of Hospice and Palliative Huang and Cindy Paradies, now major scientific advances and therapeu- Medicine. husband and wife. Cindy may well tic improvements in macular degenera- have been the first of my classmates I tion, diabetes and other blinding retinal Lewis Berman, M.D. ’87, has been ever met, way back in August 1981, diseases.” He is currently vice chair appointed chair of medicine at Norwalk after I had just arrived on campus to and director of the Center for Retina Hospital in Norwalk, CT, a Yale move into my apartment in Low.” and Macular Disease at the University University School of Medicine affiliate. Other classmates Dr. Borowsky enjoyed Hospitals (UH) Eye Institute. He joined Prior to becoming chair of medicine,

56 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 he was director of critical care and chief and living in Birmingham, AL. Dr. he was most recently an associate profes- medical information officer. Robin is a professor in the department sor of cardiothoracic surgery. of genetics, following in Bob Marion’s Barbara McGovern, M.D. ’88, is footsteps at the University of Alabama at Mark I. Loebenberg, M.D. ’92, is liv- deputy editor for infectious diseases Birmingham. Dr. Marzullo is a pediatric ing in Raanana, Israel. He was appointed at UpToDate and associate editor of emergency medicine physician. They chief of the Shoulder and Elbow Medical Clinical Infectious Diseases. She is also on have three sons: Joseph, a freshman at Service at the Rabin Medical Center the Hepatitis C Guideline Committee Princeton, where he is a defensive end in Israel, effective January 1, 2010. for the Centers for Disease Control and on the football team; Timothy, a sopho- Dr. Loebenberg was previously at the is a member of the Antiviral Advisory more in high school; and Alex, a seventh Herzliya Medical Center, until the end Committee for the Food and Drug grader. They write, “Alabama is a LONG of December 2009. Administration. Dr. McGovern writes way from the Bronx, figuratively and lit- that she and her husband, Bill, are erally, but we really like it, both profes- Lawrence S. “proud parents of two wonderful girls, sionally and personally. The South is a Kirschner, M.D., Kiri, 21, and Emily, 19.” fun place to live.” Ph.D. ’93, has been promoted to tenured L. Jane MacDonnell, M.D. ’89, has 1990s professor of medicine been appointed director of geriatric Raja M. Flores, and human genet- psychiatry and associate professor at M.D. ’92, was named ics at the Ohio State Mercer University School of Medicine chief of thoracic University (OSU), where he has been a in Macon, GA. surgery at the Mount faculty member since 2002. At OSU, Sinai Medical Center Dr. Kirschner has expanded his studies Lane S. Palmer, M.D. ’89, is a clinical in New York City on genetic factors leading to develop- professor of urology at Einstein. After and director of the ment of pituitary and adrenal tumors, graduation, he completed a urology Thoracic Surgical Oncology Program at and has developed an animal model for residency at Montefiore and then held a Mount Sinai Cancer Center in August studying thyroid cancer. He has pub- two-year fellowship in pediatric urol- 2010. An expert in lung cancer, esopha- lished more than 65 scientific papers to ogy at Children’s Memorial Medical geal and pleural mesothelioma, Dr. date, and heads the university’s M.D.- Center of Northwestern University Flores conducted a landmark study that Ph.D. program for young scientists. He School of Medicine in Chicago. He is has been one of the most frequently is an expert in the treatment of adrenal chief of pediatric urology at the Cohen cited studies from the Journal of Thoracic cancer and a member of the multina- Children’s Medical Center of the North and Cardiovascular Surgery in the past tional consortium to treat this disease. Shore–Long Island Jewish Health two years and has changed the surgical He presently serves on a review panel for System and program director of the management of the disease. Dr. Flores the American Cancer Society and is also Pediatric Urology Fellowship Program. helped pioneer the use of intraoperative active in teaching clinical medicine and He is a senior partner of Pediatric chemotherapy for mesothelioma. He endocrinology. Dr. Kirschner is mar- Urology Associates, the largest group of has also established VATS lobectomy, a ried to the former Evelyn Mills. They pediatric urologists in the United States, minimally invasive procedure for lung have three children: Jessica, a junior at and has written more than 100 papers cancer, as a gold standard in thoracic Brown University; Matthew, a freshman and book chapters. He is married to surgery. He is widely published and a at Princeton; and Peter, a sophomore at Lisa Menasse-Palmer, M.D. ’89, and frequent lecturer, and has participated Bexley High School. has three children. in and led a number of major studies including clinical trials. He joined Richard Nockowitz, M.D. ’93, founded Nathaniel H. Robin, M.D. ’89, and Mount Sinai after working at Memorial and runs a telemedicine company, Laurie Marzullo, M.D. ’92, are married Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where My Psychiatric Partner, which uses

science at the heart of medicine 57 our dna | alumni news

videoconferencing to meet the need for is fellow Einstein alumnus Jon C. Chicago. In spring 2009, I was featured quality psychiatric care in the primary Gaudio, M.D. ’95. Julia sends best in the SJ Magazine ‘Top Docs for Kids’ care setting. His fellow alumni can wishes to all her classmates. edition. On a personal note, I was mar- learn more about the company at www. ried to Robert Biron in 2007, and we mypsychiatricpartner.com. Marcia Rashelle Palace, M.D. ’97, is have twin daughters, Ellie and Arielle.” proud to announce the birth of her son Michael J. Everoski, M.D. ’95, became Daniel, younger brother of Andrew and 2000s owner of a private pediatric practice in Ethan. Dr. Palace is chief of endocrinol- Snehal Amin, M.D. ’00, and Westbury, Long Island, NY, in April ogy at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Pari Amin, M.D. ’00, are married and 2009, after practicing pediatric and and an assistant professor of medicine at living in Manhattan with their two boys. adolescent medicine in Westbury for the Einstein. Pari is practicing radiology, and Snehal past ten years. is starting a multispecialty practice Danelle Fisher, M.D. ’98, was married with Dilip Madnani, M.D. ’01, in Benjamin J. Freedman, M.D. ’95, to Marshall Naiman in Los Angeles in Manhattan, called Manhattan has been elected president of Radiology July 2010. Einstein alumni from the Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Associates of Hollywood, a 58-physician class of ’98 who attended included (www.mdcsnyc.com). Dr. Amin hopes subspecialized practice in Hollywood, Drs. Allegra Cummings, Katie you will visit him and Dr. Madnani FL. Dr. Freedman also serves as chief of Nguyen, Sonali Wadhwa and in Midtown. radiology for the Memorial Healthcare Elyse Olshen Kharbanda. System, one of Florida’s leading health- Kevin Jovanovic, M.D. ’00, care institutions and the fifth-largest Andrew Gutwein, F.A.C.O.G., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.C.S., is a public healthcare system in the nation. M.D. ’98, F.A.C.P., fellow of the American College of Ob/ Ben lives in Boca Raton, FL, with his was appointed Gyn, the American College of Surgeons wife, Cara; the couple’s three children, program director and the American Academy of Cosmetic Sydney (8), Jacob (6), and Rebecca (3); of the internal Surgery. He is an assistant professor and their dog, Spencer (10). medicine residency of ob/gyn at Lenox Hill Hospital in at Jacobi Medical New York City and recently became Justin Greisberg, M.D. ’95, is “brac- Center in July 2009. chair-elect of the American Society of ing for another cold winter in New York Liposuction Surgery, the largest and City with the wife, kids, dogs, parrot, Karen B. Zur, M.D. ’98, lives in Center oldest professional membership group fish and hamster. I am currently associ- City, Philadelphia, PA. She writes, “I am of liposuction surgeons in the ate professor of orthopaedic surgery the director of the Pediatric Voice Clinic United States. at Columbia University/New York and associate director of the Center for Presbyterian, but if anyone in a warmer Pediatric Airway Disorders at Children’s Damon Soeiro, M.D. ’00, and climate has a job, give me a call (mostly Hospital of Philadelphia. I specialize Rebecca Tenney-Soeiro, M.D. ’01, kidding)! Once in a while, I get to cross in airway reconstruction and pediatric announce the arrival of Landon Oliver paths with another doctor from our voice disorders, with a special interest on November 10, 2010. He joins big class, which is always a good time.” in the management of unilateral vocal brothers Jamison and Devon and big cord paralysis in children. I have been sister Lea. Damon is a radiologist at Julia Chase-Brand, M.D. ’96, has involved with the American Academy Southeast Radiology, and Rebecca is a moved away from the New York of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck pediatrician at Children’s Hospital area and is working at Lawrence and Surgery and will be the program chair of Philadelphia. Memorial Hospital in New London, for the upcoming American Broncho- CT, where she was born. Her colleague Esophagological Association meeting in

58 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Help Us Transform the Future of Medicine… Give to the Einstein Alumni Association Annual Fund

A scholarship can empower a gifted Einstein student to become:

a caring and curing physician

a world-class investigator working to unravel

the mysteries of human health and disease

A well-designed student life program can enhance that student’s educational experience. “The Alumni Scholarship The Einstein Alumni Association Annual Fund provides has been life-changing. both scholarships and student life programs. And your support makes it all possible! It’s given me the freedom Please consider making your gift today. You’ll find a to pursue the things I return envelope in the center of this magazine. Or, to feel passionate about, make a contribution online, go to www.einstein.yu.edu/ to consider social equity alumni, click “support Einstein,” then click “online giving.” Designate your gift or pledge to Albert Einstein College and altruism in my of Medicine. You don’t have to be an Einstein graduate career, and to seek out to contribute. and respond to need in the world.” – Eric Tanenbaum, Alumni Scholar Class of 2014

For more information, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 718.430.2013 or [email protected]. our dna | alumni news

Keep Einstein updated with your news! Miriam Sheinbein, M.D. ’08, is finish- Please tell us what you are up to so your classmates can read about it ing her residency in family medicine in Einstein magazine. To be included in the next issue, e-mail your news at the University of California, San to [email protected]. Francisco, and applying for a fellowship in family planning. She writes, “We plan to stay in San Francisco, as my Maggie Jones, M.D. ’01, is working second-year hematology/oncology husband, Yaron Milgrom, opened a in primary care at San Quentin State fellow at UCLA. restaurant, Local Mission Eatery, in Prison, CA. She lives in San Francisco March 2010. Yaron, Cruv and I are with her partner, Anne Rosenthal, her Joyce Varughese, M.D. ’06, and excited about the arrival of #2, our 5-year-old son, Lucas, and her 2-year- Robin Raju were married on August daughter, Rimon, born on November old daughter, Sora. 28, 2010, in an Indian/Orthodox 23, 2010.” Christian wedding ceremony in the Dilip Madnani, M.D. ’01, writes, bride’s hometown on Staten Island, “I have recently moved back to New NY. Einstein alumni in attendance York City with my wife and 2-year- were Shefali Pathy, M.D. ’01, Sanjeev In Memoriam old daughter, after four years in private Ponnappan, M.D. ’06, Manan Shah, We sadly acknowledge the passing practice in New Mexico. I am starting a M.D. ’05, Abhishek Sharma, of the following Einstein alumni. practice with Snehal Amin, M.D. ’00, M.D. ’06, and Tara Vijayan, M.D. ’07. We honor their memories and called Manhattan Dermatology and The couple honeymooned in Santorini, extend our deepest condolences to Cosmetic Surgery. We would love to get Greece. Joyce and Robin now live in their families and friends. in touch with classmates in the area and Connecticut, where Joyce is a fellow in Yau Chi-hi, M.D. ’77 can be reached at www.mdcsnyc.com.” gynecologic oncology at the Yale School Stuart Feder, M.D. ’75 of Medicine and Robin is a project Lawrence Feinman, M.D. ’61 Sonya VanPatten, Ph.D. ’03, is a post- manager at TnT Expense Management. doctoral research fellow at the Feinstein Edwin Jallah, M.D. ’61 Institute for Medical Research at the Christina Gagliardo, M.D. ’07, has Diana Oquendo, M.D. ’80 North Shore University Hospital of the completed her pediatric residency at Joseph Zipparo, M.D. ’64 North Shore–Long Island Jewish Health Cornell and is currently a first-year System in Manhassett, NY. pediatric infectious disease fellow at Columbia University, in New York David Chesler, M.D. ’06, is complet- City. ing an NIH-funded neuro-oncology research fellowship at Johns Hopkins Elliot Jerud, M.D. ’07, completed University studying glioma stem cells his residency at the University of and possible new adjuvant treatments to Pennsylvania in 2010, and is now work- target this cell population. Dr. Chesler ing as a hospitalist at the University of and his wife, Brooke, are proud parents Washington. of their first child, Hayden Zachary, born July 9, 2010. Mirvat El-Sibai, Ph.D. ’07, is an assistant professor in natural sciences at Shahrooz Eshagian, M.D. ’06, com- the Lebanese American University in pleted his internal medicine resi- Beirut, Lebanon, and wishes to share dency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center her website with her fellow Einstein in California in 2009 and is now a alumni: www.mirvatelsibai.com.

60 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 making a difference | Notable gifts

Arnold Penner and Madaleine Berley Support CERC Consolidation

s a teenager growing up in the Bronx in the 1950s, A Einstein Overseer Arnold Penner worked two jobs so he could have his own “spending money.” “I would take the Eastchester Road bus to work,” he recalls, “and it went past the Albert Einstein medical school. I literally saw the original building being built, but I never really thought about it.” Years later, his good friends Rickey Rackow and the late Michael Wolff reintroduced him to Arnold Penner and Madaleine Berley with Dean Allen M. Spiegel, M.D. the College of Medicine through its Men’s Division. Mr. Penner was elected to the Board they so desperately need.’” Reflecting on his present-day role of Overseers in 1998. A leading “Arnold and Madaleine have been as an Einstein Board member and member of the Einstein Men’s Division devoted friends and supporters of major donor, Mr. Penner asks and a dedicated member of its executive the College of Medicine for more rhetorically, “How could I have been board, he was the division’s honoree than 30 years,” says Dean Allen M. so close to this place, never really and received the Albert Einstein Spiegel. “The Penners’ support will knowing what it was all about, and Humanitarian Award in 1992. In help provide an attractive, state-of- then, all these years later, be brought recognition of his distinguished service the-art therapeutic setting to benefit back to it? There is a word for it in to Einstein, he received an honorary the children and families served by Yiddish, ‘beshert,’ or ‘meant to be.’” doctorate of humane letters from CERC, and at the same time will Mr. Penner and his wife, Yeshiva University in 2006. help the College advance important Madaleine Berley, are Benefactors of Ms. Berley is a former board member translational research studies that the College of Medicine. They have of Yeshiva’s Wurzweiler School of Social may lead to better treatments for generously funded student scholar- Work. One of the couple’s seven autism and other severe develop- ships and international health children, Nancy Berley, M.D., is a 2002 mental disorders.” fellowships as well as biomedical Einstein graduate. “Einstein is not just a medical research and capital projects. “CERC cares for 7,000 developmen- school, it’s a God-sent facility,” says Their most recent commitment is tally challenged children every year,” Mr. Penner. “It’s amazing to me that a $1 million pledge to support the notes Mr. Penner. “Nobody should have I can play a small part in contribut- consolidation of Einstein’s Children’s to run from place to place for medical ing to the medical advances that go Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center care. So Madaleine and I thought, ‘If we on in this incredible place. We do (CERC) in soon-to-be renovated help this wonderful program move into wonderful work for the people of the space in the Van Etten building. (For one building, it will be easier for the Bronx and beyond. We take care of details, see pages 40-43.) kids and their parents to get the services them. We change lives.”

science at the heart of medicine 61 Making a difference | Einstein in Florida

Einstein in Florida 2011 arlier this year, Einstein friends “Heart Disease & Cancer: Trans- for an evening reception hosted by and supporters in Florida learned forming Care through Innovation” was Ronald Ross, M.D. ’60, and his wife, E about the latest developments in the topic on March 8. Guest speakers Helen, on March 10. Dean Spiegel and aging, cancer, diabetes and heart disease were Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., the Dr. Libutti addressed the topic “Cancer, research at the College of Medicine from Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean; Alzheimer’s Disease & Diabetes: some of our leading experts. Steven Libutti, M.D., associate director Challenges, Trends & Progress.” Einstein Overseers Marilyn and of clinical services at the Albert Einstein Einstein in Florida committee Stanley M. Katz hosted two luncheons Cancer Center and vice chair, depart- members are Overseer Linda Altman at Palm Beach Country Club. The first, ment of surgery; and Robert Michler, and Earle Altman, Overseer Diane held on January 26, had “Aging Well” M.D., surgeon in chief, professor and Belfer, Roni and Stuart Doppelt, as its theme. The speakers were Nir chair of the departments of surgery and Honorary Overseer Joan Eigen, Bambi Barzilai, M.D., director of Einstein’s of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Felberbaum, Barbara Frankel, Overseer Institute for Aging and the Ingeborg Einstein and Montefiore and the Samuel Sue-ann Friedman, Overseer Arthur and Ira Leon Rennert Professor of Aging Belkin Professor at Einstein. Hershaft and Janet Hershaft, Overseers Research, and Sylvia Wassertheil- That evening, Dean Spiegel and Drs. Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz, Penny Smoller, Ph.D., professor of epidemiol- Libutti and Michler spoke at a reception and David J. Klein, Overseer Sylvia ogy & population health and the co-hosted by new Einstein Overseers Olnick, Helen and Ronald J. Ross, Dorothy and William Manealoff Karen Mandelbaum and Sue-ann M.D. ’60, and Marsha Seslowe. Foundation & Molly Rosen Chair Friedman in Jupiter, FL. in Social Medicine. Polo Club Boca Raton was the setting

Making a difference | Notable gifts (continued)

Russell W. Cohen, M.D. ’85: Supporting Clinical Skills Education

Russell W. that are the hallmark of Einstein. The at South Nassau Communities Hospital Cohen, M.D. Cohens are the first alumni family in Oceanside. ’85, F.A.A.D., to name an examination room in the “I’m thrilled to reconnect with my and his center. (For details on the Van Etten alma mater, which has made such a wife, Tracy, building’s past, present and future, see difference in my life and career,” said have made a pages 40-43.) Dr. Cohen. “Tracy and I have been commitment to Dr. Cohen, a dermatologist in private extremely impressed with the new support the Ruth L. Gottesman Clinical practice in Oceanside, Long Island, developments at Einstein. I can’t think Skills Center at Einstein. In recognition NY, devotes his time to both general of a more meaningful way to show of the couple’s generosity, an dermatology and dermatologic/cosmetic my gratitude than to support the new examination room in the new training surgery. His special interests are hair clinical skills center that will help train center will be named in their honor. restoration surgery, laser therapy, future Einstein physicians.” The Dr. Russell and Tracy Cohen psoriasis treatment and treatment of The Cohens have three children: sons Family Examination Room will aging skin. He also serves as an assistant Austin (22) and Ari (16), and daughter provide a setting that will help Einstein attending dermatologist at St. Luke’s– Skyler (19). students learn to work with patients Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York while upholding the humanistic values City and as an attending dermatologist

62 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 Women’s & Men’s Division

The Einstein Women’s Division: A Thriving Tradition of Philanthropy A force in philanthropy at Einstein for nearly 60 years, the National Women’s Division is conducting a fundraising initiative to support research in women’s health and cancers at the Albert Einstein Cancer Center. Save the Date! Sunday, August 21 22nd Annual Family Day 1 2 in the Hamptons Ross School, Bridgehampton, NY For more information please contact Janis Brooks, director of the Women’s Division, at 718.430.2818 or [email protected].

on the web To read more about the Women’s Division: www.einstein.yu.edu/home/donors/ WomensDivision.asp

3 4 Einstein’s Men's Division: A Philanthropic Band of Brothers Since 1961, the Men’s Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine has provided volunteer leadership to encourage the growth and development of the College of Medicine. Its current fundraising initiative is the Men’s Division Research Scholars Program. Save the Date! Monday, June 13 Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament and Dinner Wykagyl Country Club, 5 New Rochelle, NY For more information, please contact Einstein in Florida 2011 Sam Young, director of the Men’s 1 Ronald Ross, M.D. ’60, with Dean Allen M. Spiegel, M.D. Division, at 718.430.2795 or 2 Ruth Merns, left, with Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, Ph.D. [email protected]. 3 From left, Roni Doppelt, Nir Barzilai, M.D., and Einstein Overseer Diane Belfer. on the web 4 Einstein Overseer Sylvia Olnick, left, and Phyllis Gurwin. To read more about the Men’s Division: www.einstein.yu.edu/home/donors/ 5 Einstein Overseers Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz, center, with Steven Libutti, M.D., left, MensDivision.asp and Robert Michler, M.D.

science at the heart of medicine 63 A look back | einstein in history

Back in the day, the phrase “art of medicine” took on a whole new meaning at Einstein. At the invitation of Helmuth Nathan, M.D., professor of surgery and founding faculty member, Einstein audiences received lectures from world-famous artists including George Grosz, Jacques Lipchitz and Salvador Dali—to whom the female attendees in this photo seemed especially attentive. The idea of Dali visiting Einstein is not so surreal. Some critics believe that Dali’s famous “soft watches,” which first appeared in the painting The Persistence of Memory, were influenced by Einstein’s contention that time is relative.

64 einstein : Winter/spring 2 011 EinsteinMagazineWinterSpringFINAL5_17_11—August 2, 2011 11:16 AM

Help us transform human health. Be part of the Einstein Legacy.

Your bequest will help Einstein continue to provide outstanding medical education and research that holds the key to lifesaving treatments and potential cures for disease.

And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you helped Einstein build a healthier future for generations to come.

To learn more about making a bequest in your will and the advantages of other tax-favored legacy gifts to Einstein, please contact:

Glenn Miller Science at the heart of medicine Associate Dean for Institutional Advancement 718.430.2411 or [email protected]

Henry Rubin, J.D. Senior Director of Planned Giving 917.326.4959 or [email protected] science at the heart of medicine 65 Non Profit Org US Postage Paid New Brunswick, NJ Permit #1 Science at the heart of medicine

Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus 1300 Morris Park Avenue Bronx, NY 10461 www.einstein.yu.edu

Winter/Spring 2011

FPOMixed Sources

Congratulations! Lubin Dining Hall buzzed with excitement on Match Day in March as Einstein’s seniors got the good news about their futures. Of 187 students who matched to residencies, 80 will enter primary care—internal medicine, pediatrics or family medicine. Next came diagnostic radiology (18) and emergency medicine (17), followed by obstetrics and gynecology, anesthesiology, surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics and psychiatry. Some students will travel as far as Hawaii; others will practice here in the Bronx. For more coverage of Match Day 2011, watch for the next issue of Einstein magazine or visit us on the web at www.einstein.yu.edu.

To enjoy our interactive version of Einstein magazine on your smartphone, download a mobile reader. We suggest visiting http://scan.mobi on your mobile device.