After more than five decades at the College of Medicine, Dr. Burns is retiring. In this interview with Dean Yaron Tomer, he reflects on Einstein’s history and his place in it
A beautiful March afternoon in Palm Beach set the stage for the annual Montefiore Einstein in Florida Luncheon, where Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz were celebrated for their long-standing commitment to the College of Medicine. Einstein Board Chair Ruth L. Gottesman, Ed.D., Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Montefiore Einstein, and Yaron Tomer, M.D., Einstein’s Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean and chief academic officer at Montefiore Einstein, recognized the Katzes’ unwavering support, which has played a crucial role in advancing Einstein’s mission.
Over the course of the past seven decades together, the two have not only witnessed the founding of Einstein but also had the opportunity to aid the school’s development in myriad ways, supporting programs in Alzheimer’s research, cardiology, pediatrics, and gerontology, as well as holding leadership positions and hosting many memorable events, such as the annual Palm Beach gathering.
During the luncheon, Einstein’s executive dean, Marla Keller, M.D., hosted a dynamic panel discussion about the latest research taking place at Montefiore Einstein on longevity and aging. The conversation included insights from Derek Huffman, Ph.D., professor of molecular pharmacology and of medicine and the Lotti and Bernard Benson Faculty Scholar in Alzheimer’s Disease at Einstein, and Sofiya Milman, M.D., M.S., professor of medicine and of genetics at Einstein, who highlighted groundbreaking work being done regarding age-related diseases and the genetic factors that influence longevity.
It was an afternoon of celebration and inspiration, reinforcing the commitment to revolutionizing healthcare and medical education through innovation and collaboration.