Upon arriving at the crowded cocktail hour in the Manhattan Penthouse high above the New York City skyline in October, Sandra Blethen Chasalow, M.D. ’75, felt as many people do at reunions: “I don’t recognize anyone,” she said. But soon she, like others, had read name tags, had found classmates, and was deep in conversation. Attendees from the Class of 1975—celebrating their landmark 50th anniversary reunion—processed into the ballroom, which was full of fellow Einstein alumni who were celebrating their own milestone anniversaries.
From left, Richard Frankenstein, M.D. ’74; Hill Gregoire, M.D./Ph.D. candidate; Einstein Dean Yaron Tomer, M.D.; and Harvey Bennett, M.D. ’75, who traveled from Jerusalem to attend the 50th reunion.
The evening’s speakers evoked nostalgia for their years at Einstein, appreciation for the moment, and hope for the future. Richard Frankenstein, M.D. ’74, master of ceremonies and president of the Alumni Association, offered a warm welcome: “I hope everyone is enjoying this evening, rekindling old friendships, and just enjoying the magic you remember that is Einstein.”
He announced the long-distance winner, Harvey Bennett, M.D. ’75, who had flown in from Jerusalem. And he presented a few statistics: The Class of 1975 was among the top three classes in total dollars raised, and tied with the Class of 1990 for the most Dean’s Society members.
Medical Scientist Training Program student Hill Gregoire, Class of 2026, kicked off the rest of the program. She spoke about the value of an Einstein education and underscored the impact that alumni support has on Einstein students.
Reunion speaker Steven Rosenberg, M.D. ’75, at right, with his daughter, Miranda Rosenberg, M.D.
Steven Rosenberg, M.D. ’75, the 50th reunion speaker, remembered the “high-tech” tools used during his internship—large beepers “the size of sonogram machines”—and marveled at the new anatomy lab and the sophisticated equipment to which Einstein students now have access.
In his remarks, Yaron Tomer, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean, said that “the campus, while still embodying the spirit and mission that you know so well, has blossomed and adapted to meet the challenges of modern medicine.”
To commemorate the significant milestone, the class came together with a common goal to give back to its alma mater, establishing the Class of 1975 Endowed Academic Enrichment Fund, which will provide support for expenses related to participating in professional conferences, research symposiums, and other academic meetings. With an initial goal of $50,000, the fund will remain open for members of the class to make their contributions through the end of 2025.
Members of the Class of 1975 shared some of their fondest memories of their days at Einstein via the 1975 Einstein Oral History Project. (Learn more about the Einstein Alumni Association’s Oral History Project here.)
