Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons continues to benefit from generous contributions from individuals as well as philanthropic organizations. The college received gifts totaling $122 million during fiscal year 2006. The unique, close relationship that P&S shares with its greater community of friends and supporters allows it to fortify resources across a broad spectrum of disciplines. We have listed, in alphabetical order, a few of the many significant commitments that have advanced the college’s mission of treating disease, understanding the causes of illness, and educating future generations of physicians and scientists.      The generosity of our donors is helping P&S make great strides in defining the future of medicine.
     P. Roy Vagelos (P&S’54), chairman of our Defining the Future capital campaign, has provided not only inspirational financial support, but also an extraordinary amount of time and energy in working with volunteers and faculty to secure record levels of philanthropic funding.
     The Dr. Robert C. Atkins Foundation has established the Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Professorship for Obesity Research to support research into the causes of obesity in the hopes of developing new techniques for prevention and treatment.
     The Avon Foundation has been a dedicated supporter of research and treatment of breast cancer at Columbia. This year, we celebrated the opening of Columbia University’s Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Laboratory that will support innovative research in the field.
     Under the leadership of Angelica Berrie, the Russell Berrie Foundation continues to be a steadfast supporter of CUMC, contributing generously to the Russell Berrie Foundation Program in Cellular Therapy for Diabetes, the Berrie Family Diabetic Retinopathy Program, and the Naomi Berrie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diabetes Research.
     Charles Brunie has provided support for the field of stem cell research; part of his philanthropy supports the Brunie Scholars Program, which sponsors young scientists working in the field. This promises to pave the way for significant developments in therapy for diseases of and injuries to the central nervous system.

     Loren Eng and Dinakar Singh, whose contributions enabled the creation of the Motor Neuron Center at CUMC, continue their support of research with a special emphasis on discovering new therapies for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
     Through a generous bequest, the estate of Thelma Ewig (below) has established the Ewig Clinical Education Endowed Fund in the Department of Medicine, recognizing our best clinical educators and providing them with financial support for the portion of their time devoted to teaching activities.
     The Gatsby Charitable Foundation has provided a multi-year philanthropic grant relating to neural circuitry. This year, the foundation’s support helped initiate international collaboration in this endeavor with universities in Great Britain.
     Once again, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Irving (above) have expanded their extraordinary support of CUMC with a munificent pledge for the Irving Clinical Research Center and the work of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, whose mission is to combat cancer through the development of better therapies and a search for a cure.
     The Kavli Foundation continues to support the Kavli Institute for Brain Science at Columbia under the leadership of Nobel laureate Eric Kandel, M.D., University Professor of Psychiatry, Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics. The Kavli Institute focuses on the development of novel experimental and computational strategies for analyzing complex neural networks.
     Mr. and Mrs. Martin S. Kimmel established the Helen and Martin Kimmel Assistant Professorship in the Department of Ophthalmology to help the holder develop a career in basic science or clinical vision research.
     Columbia Trustee Gerry Lenfest (Law’58) and his wife, Marguerite, have provided significant support for financial aid for students. P&S strives to offer the most talented students admission, regardless of financial status.
     Longtime friends of CUMC, Stephen and Constance Lieber continue to generously support the Lieber Center for Schizophrenia Research. The Liebers have made numerous gifts to CUMC, including the establishment of the Lieber Professorship, currently held by Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry (below center).
     Under the leadership of Robert Bendheim, the Leon Lowenstein Foundation has provided generous support to the Robert and John M. Bendheim Clinic for Movement Disorders. The clinic offers care for patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. The Lowenstein Foundation made numerous gifts in several areas, including neurology, psychiatry, and medicine.
     Through the Katz Foundation, Lewis Katz has established the Katz Prizes for Cardiovascular Research (above left), which recognizes the academic excellence of cardiologists both nationally and at Columbia.
     The Mallah Family Foundation made an outstanding pledge to support cardiovascular care and research in honor of Drs. Allan Schwartz and Mehmet Oz, whose pioneering work in the fields of cardiology and cardiac surgery targets some of our most urgent health care challenges.

     Marianne and Allen Mebane made a generous pledge to advance patient care, research, and education in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases. The Mebanes also supported research fellowships in ophthalmology and urology.
     Joseph and JoAnn M. Murphy extended their support of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center with a generous pledge to fund the Christopher J. Murphy Professorship for Diabetes Research in memory of their son. In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy committed to a leadership gift providing much-needed unrestricted support for clinical care and research in the Berrie Center.
     Edward S. Reiner established the Reiner Center for Behavioral and Psychosomatic Medicine. The Reiner Center promotes excellence in exploring the influence of psychiatric, psychological, behavioral, and genetic factors in illness. It also supports the Nathaniel Wharton Professor of Behavioral and Psychosomatic Medicine, the Herbert H. and Ruth S. Reiner Fellowship Fund, and the Edward S. Reiner Fund.
     Mr. and Mrs. Michael Schneeweiss created the Schneeweiss Research Fund in the Department of Ophthalmology, a current use fund to conduct research on retinal disorders, through genetic therapy and retinal stem cells.
     Charlotte Schwarz endowed the Sanford and Charlotte V. Schwarz Professorship in Psychiatry, to be held by a nationally respected expert in psychosomatic psychiatry. The professorship supports teaching and research that enhances the ability of health care professionals and students to understand the emotional reactions of patients and families to illness and to improve communication between caregivers and patients.
     Frank Sica has made a generous contribution to the medical center in support of the Pancreas Center. Under the leadership of Dr. John Chabot, the Pancreas Center fosters a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer and sponsors basic and clinical research to investigate the biology of the disease.
     Henry and Marilyn Taub continue to offer outstanding support to the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain. The institute is generating important insights into the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and various related cognitive disorders.
     Leonard (above right) and Claire Tow generously established the Claire Tow Professorship. The chair is occupied by Thomas Jessell, Ph.D., an internationally renowned neuroscientist, whose motor neuron research focuses on ALS.

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