The New York Academy of Medicine: News & Publications: Academy Raises Nearly $775,000 at Annual Black-Tie Gala

Academy Raises Nearly $775,000 at Annual Black-Tie Gala

More than 450 guests attend elegant affair; monies raised will support research into enhancing the health of the public nationwide

NEW YORK CITY, March 15 – More than 450 leaders in health, media, government, finance, and business attended the elegant and festive annual Gala of The New York Academy of Medicine last night at Cipriani 42nd Street, raising nearly $775,000 to support the Academy’s earnest efforts to improve public health of people across the nation and around the world.

Thomas Q. Morris, MD, Jeremiah A. Barondess, MD, Judith Rodin, PhD, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Ludwig

The Academy paid tribute to two extraordinary individuals who are making invaluable contributions to global health. Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman, President, and CEO of BD, a medical technology company dedicated to enhancing the health of millions of people worldwide, was honored for his keen sense of corporate and social responsibility and his commitment to transforming healthcare and advancing public health. Judith Rodin, PhD, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, was recognized for her wide-ranging accomplishments in women’s health, education, and community welfare, including her leadership of a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the lives of the poor and her past presidency of an Ivy League university, the first woman to serve in that capacity.

“The marvelous individuals we honor tonight lead organizations that have significantly affected the health and well being of millions,” Thomas Q. Morris, MD, the newly seated Chairman of the Academy Board of Trustees, told the crowd at the 12th annual black-tie affair. Academy President Dr. Jeremiah A. Barondess presented each honoree with an engraved crystal prism from Tiffany & Co.

Dr. Barondess, who is retiring later this year and presided over his final Gala as Academy President, welcomed the guests to the inspiring evening. “On behalf of the entire Academy family, deep thanks to each of you for your warm and generous support,” Barondess said. “We feel enormously fortunate to have your interest.”

A handsome crowd gathers at Cipriani 42nd Street for the Academy 2006 Gala to celebrate two leaders dedicated to improving healthcare worldwide.

The Gala is the Academy’s major annual fundraiser, providing critical support for programs involving health research, education, advocacy, policy, and prevention. It is also a beautiful and tasteful event, providing an opportunity for like-minded people to network and socialize while enjoying fine food and drink. A live orchestra played classical music throughout the evening, and the tables were adorned with flickering candles and pastel-toned floral arrangements. Guests mingled and dined in the grand space that is Cipriani’s, with its 65-foot ceilings, soaring marble columns, and bank teller windows still in place from its 1921 origin as the Bowery Savings Bank. An attention-grabbing slideshow played on a large screen during dinner highlighting the valuable local, national and international health initiatives of the Academy, BD, and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Dr. Morris explained to the crowd that like the two institutions honored last night, the Academy was founded with a local vision that evolved into a global mission. The Academy started off in 1847 as a voice for local medical professionals and immediately became involved in reform of both medical practice and public health. Becton Dickinson, now BD, was founded in 1897 and quickly changed medical practice by becoming the first manufacturer of needles and syringes in the United States. The Rockefeller Foundation, endowed in 1913, led the eradication of epidemic parasitic disease in the rural south in this country and established the first school of public health.

“Today, global health is everybody’s health,” Morris said. “The world has shrunk. Diseases move across it with incredible speed. There are no more local issues in health.”

Edward J. Ludwig, Chairman, President, and CEO of BD accepts his award from Academy President Jeremiah A. Barondess, MD

John W. Rowe, MD, Chairman and CEO of Aetna, introduced awardee Ed Ludwig, a longtime friend and colleague, and a member of the Aetna Board of Trustees. “We recognize Edward Ludwig tonight for the powerful impact his leadership is having on reducing suffering and death from disease in populations around the world, and, through his philanthropic efforts, for his contributions to the advancement of public health,” Rowe said. “He and BD are honored tonight for their commitment to healthier lives for millions of people, and for their demonstration of corporate social responsibility.”

BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products. Rowe highlighted some of BD’s most outstanding accomplishments, including the invention of the first all custom elastic (or ACE) bandage, the first insulin syringe, and the first disposable syringe, which allowed for widespread field vaccinations against polio. He also explained that Ludwig leads corporate caring initiatives that provide medical relief services to underserved populations and is active in many philanthropic efforts. BD is working with UNICEF to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, with the Red Cross to eradicate measles in Africa, and with the Catholic Medical Mission Board to help combat HIV/AIDS in Zambia.

“I accept this great honor from this great institution on behalf of our 25,000 associates around the world,” Ludwig said upon taking the stage. “The Academy’s work and BD’s work is very similar.”

Judith Rodin, PhD, President of The Rockefeller Foundation

Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts introduced honoree Judith Rodin, the former President of the University of Pennsylvania, and the presiding Director of Comcast’s Board of Trustees. Roberts explained that Rodin helped to save and then expand the university’s outstanding medical center, which had been financially struggling, and simultaneously contributed to revitalizing the troubled surrounding neighborhood. Rodin is also deeply involved in international programs, Roberts said, including initiatives to address massive health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa and pressing women’s health issues in Saudi Arabia and India. Prior to joining Penn, Rodin served on the faculty of Yale University, where she earned an international reputation as a pioneer in the health psychology movement and chaired a major international research study on health-promoting and health-damaging behaviors.

“It’s a special privilege to be recognized by this wonderful group,” said Rodin, upon accepting her award from the Academy. “I thank you for this great honor.”

This year’s dinner was a tremendous success in part because of the hard work of the seven Dinner Chairmen. They were: John K. Castle, Chairman of Castle Harlan, Inc.; John R. Considine, Executive Vice President and CFO of BD; Fred Hassan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Schering-Plough Corporation; Joseph M. Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Healthcare; David H. Koch, Executive Vice President of Koch Industries, Inc.; Morris W. Offit, Co-CEO of Offit Hall Capital Management LLC; Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation; and, John W. Rowe, MD, Chairman and CEO of Aetna Inc. Each of the Chairmen received a brass and wood mantle clock.

The New York Academy of Medicine, the country’s premier urban health policy and intervention center, focuses on enhancing the health of people living in cities through research, education, advocacy, and prevention.

To view and order photographs from the event, click here.
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Posted on 03/15/2006

Contact:
Malini Doddamani
Director of Communications
mdoddamani@nyam.org
212.822.7285

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