Marking a Stellar Career
On a sunny afternoon in May, members of the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology gathered by a tree along the walkway to the Leo Forchheimer Science Building as Dr. Mark Mehler, professor and chair of the department, and Dr. Solomon Moshé, director of child neurology, unveiled a plaque honoring Dr. Alfred Spiro and his 51 years of service on the Einstein faculty.
Dr. Spiro with his family and Einstein colleagues in the department of neurology
From 1980 to 1995, Dr. Spiro was director of child neurology and helped create one of the most outstanding divisions in the field, internationally recognized for its excellence and academic output. Many of his trainees have gone on to develop their own programs.
Dr. Spiro’s research focused on neuromuscular disorders, particularly muscle diseases. He described a series of muscle diseases (myopathies) using an imaging process known as immunohistochemistry to identify the specific patterns of disease associated with each.
“Many in the field would agree that although these diseases have acquired different names depending on the histochemical patterns that helped Dr. Spiro to describe them, they would be better remembered as ‘Spiropathies’, said Dr. Moshé, who also is professor and vice chair of neurology.
Dr. Spiro with his wife by the tree and plaque dedicated to his legacy at EinsteinAmong his leadership roles, Dr. Spiro established the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinic at Einstein in 1972. Because patients with neuromuscular disorders have a disease that can affect them throughout their lifespan, Dr. Spiro would treat patients from childhood through adulthood. And through his open style of communication and the longitudinal care he offered, Dr. Spiro was able to employ new methods to diagnose and treat these disorders, many of which were considered untreatable.
An outstanding teacher, Dr. Spiro received the department of neurology’s Mentor of the Year Award so many times that the division of child neurology renamed it the Alfred Spiro Award. He also served as an officer in several societies and has received numerous awards for his contributions to child neurology and academia.
“Al’s legacy at Einstein will continue forever,” noted Dr. Mehler as he unveiled the plaque. “This is a small symbol of our gratitude for all his outstanding service over a half-century.”
He added, “Although Al has officially retired, he will continue to be an advisor to Dr. Leslie Delfiner, the new director of the MDA Clinic, and other members of our department. We’re proud to have been his pupils, and we look forward to following his example and sharing his teachings with generations to come.”
Posted on: Monday, December 11, 2017