Nearly 200 students will receive their degrees from Albert Einstein College of Medicine at their graduation ceremony this May in New York City. They will leave as superbly trained scientists and compassionate and knowledgeable physicians, equipped to provide the finest healthcare to communities here in the Bronx and all over the world.

This fall a new group of medical students, the Class of 2028, will begin their studies at Einstein—the first cohort to be completely free of the burden of tuition. I am very thankful to my late husband, David “Sandy” Gottesman, for leaving a portfolio of stock in my care that has made this gift to current and future Einstein students possible. l feel blessed to be given the great privilege of funding such a worthy cause.

But there is still more to do. Einstein is distinguished by a tradition of deep humanism and lifesaving innovation. Together with Montefiore, we’ve earned our place as an education and research powerhouse, and gifts from alumni and friends help make that possible. Two stories in this new issue of Einstein magazine make that clear:

• “When the Emergency Department Is Not Enough” focuses on a new inpatient pediatric facility to help children and teens in the Bronx who are experiencing psychiatric emergencies. Construction of this 21-bed facility for children ages 5 to 17 was aided by a gift from longtime Montefiore trustee David B. Keidan, who joined the institution’s board two decades ago because he was attracted to the hospital’s mission of service. He says it aligns with the Jewish concept of tikkun olam—taking action to repair and heal the world.
• “Giving Voice to a Silent Disease” describes an innovative Bronx institute that combats lupus, an autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects young women of color. A gift from fellow Einstein trustee Linda Altman enables the Montefiore Einstein Institute for Lupus Care and Research to bring on its first full-time basic-science researcher devoted to lupus research. Mrs. Altman says that she hopes her gift will serve to attract other donors to help the lupus institute succeed.

In this issue you’ll also learn about the recent work of our Board of Trustees. The Board recently recognized the accomplishments of Einstein’s faculty by approving several endowed chair and faculty scholar appointments.

Finally, and on a sadder note, the magazine pays tribute to a valued member of the Einstein family whom we lost in recent months: longtime fellow trustee Ira Millstein, who served the College of Medicine for more than four decades, including terms as Board chair and secretary.  He and other members of our community listed in the “In Memoriam” section will be greatly missed.

Please take a few moments to read this new digital edition of Einstein magazine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Ruth L. Gottesman, Ed.D.
Chair, Board of Trustees
Professor Emerita of Pediatrics
Albert Einstein College of Medicine