Norman Fleischer, M.D.: Celebrating Forty-Five Years at Einstein
On November 10, 2017, a special research symposium was held in the LeFrak Auditorium at the Price Center/Block Research Pavilion in honor of Dr. Norman Fleischer. The event celebrated his 45-year career at Einstein as a researcher, mentor, administrator, and clinician.
Norman Fleischer, M.D., with some of the endocrinology fellows in attendance at the symposium, whom he had mentored
An internationally recognized authority on diabetes treatment and research, Dr. Fleischer is the former Jeanne and Jacob Barkey Professor of Medicine, director of endocrinology, and co-director of the Diabetes Research Center at Montefiore and the College of Medicine. He helped to establish the research center in 1975, and it was among the first such centers in the nation to receive NIH support. Today, it is one of only two diabetes research centers in New York and one of just a dozen nationwide.
Colleagues, friends, and former trainees came from around the country to honor his many contributions to the field of endocrinology and study of diabetes.
An Illustrious Career
During his welcoming remarks, Dr. Harry Shamoon, associate dean for clinical and translational research, illuminated many of Dr. Fleischer’s accomplishments. He noted, “Along with promoting the achievements of his trainees, Dr. Fleischer built—almost from the ground up—three world-class programs here at Einstein: a nationally ranked division of endocrinology, a faculty practice and service clinic in diabetes, and one of the first diabetes research centers in the United States.”
Other Einstein colleagues—including Dr. Allen M. Spiegel, Einstein’s Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean; Dr. Yaron Tomer, professor and chair of medicine and the Anita and Jack Saltz Chair in Diabetes Research; and Dr. Nir Barzilai, professor of medicine, Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research, and director of Einstein’s Institute for Aging Research—then shared anecdotes commending Dr. Fleischer’s leadership, compassion, and scholarship during his five decades at the College of Medicine and Montefiore. Capping off these touching tributes, Dr. Steven Safyer, president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, announced plans to formally name the diabetes center in Dr. Fleischer’s honor.
The daylong event included two scientific sessions, chaired by Dr. Barzilai and by Dr. Meredith Hawkins, professor of medicine, Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Medicine, and director of Einstein’s Global Diabetes Institute. They featured nine researchers who were colleagues and/or mentees of Dr. Fleischer, and they shared findings from their diabetes and endocrinology research while also recounting personal anecdotes from their experiences with their former mentor.
Continued Enthusiasm for Service
The event concluded with words from Dr. Fleischer, who thanked the attendees and shared memories from his career. “I’ve enjoyed tremendously everything I’ve done here. It’s been a wonderful experience for me.”
In spite of his emeritus status, Dr. Fleischer plans to continue his involvement with the educational programs for students, residents, and especially, endocrine fellows at Einstein and Montefiore.
Dr. Fleischer earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Einstein’s Bronx neighbor Jacobi Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in endocrinology at Vanderbilt University.
Posted on: Friday, June 08, 2018