In Memoriam

Two Hospital Presidents/CEOs: William Speck and Herb Pardes

William T. Speck, MD, who died March 30, 2024, was president and CEO of Presbyterian Hospital from 1992 until the merger of Presbyterian Hospital and New York Hospital, which took effect Jan. 1, 1998. He also served on the VP&S pediatrics faculty. As CEO of Presbyterian Hospital he advocated for a freestanding children’s hospital, a dream realized with the opening of NYP’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. He lobbied for the merger with New York Hospital, which created one of the largest health care institutions in the United States. After leaving hospital leadership positions, he spent six years as director of the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, before returning to the pediatrics faculty at Columbia to participate in residency training. The William T. Speck MD Professorship of Pediatrics was created in his honor.

Herbert Pardes, MD, who was president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian from Jan. 1, 2000, until 2011, died April 30, 2024. He joined Columbia as professor and chair of psychiatry in 1984, also serving as director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He joined Columbia after serving six years as director of the National Institute of Mental Health. He was named dean of the medical school and vice president of Columbia’s four health sciences schools in 1989. He served in those roles until being named president and CEO of NYP. He later served as executive vice chair of the hospital’s board. As dean of the medical school and vice president for Columbia’s health sciences schools, Dr. Pardes was a successful fund-raiser: Endowment and research resources nearly tripled, and he exceeded his goal of endowing 100 chairs and pushing the endowment toward $1 billion. He initiated a $300 million capital refurbishment program, recruited leadership in almost every department, and gained for the Health Sciences Division more autonomy within Columbia University. He was a national figure in academic medicine who advocated for education, health care reimbursement reform, and biomedical research. He also was a national figure in psychiatry, serving as president of the American Psychiatric Association.

Other Faculty Deaths

Eric Collins, MD, associate clinical professor of psychiatry, died May 28, 2024. Read more below in Alumni In Memoriam (Class of 1990).

Julian D. Pamm, MBChB, former assistant professor of anesthesiology, died April 8, 2024.

Sylvia Griffiths, MD, professor emeritus of clinical pediatrics, died July 3, 2024.

Alumni

1946

William Muir Manger, an internist and retired VP&S professor, died Feb. 28, 2024, at his home in New York. He was 103. A U.S. Navy officer from 1942 to 1949, Dr. Manger pursued further studies at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he earned his PhD. Settling in Southampton in 1958, he became affiliated with Southampton Hospital. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Manger was involved in business and advocacy. He served as vice chairman of the Manger hotel chain until its sale in 1973. In 1977 he founded the National Hypertension Association, serving as its chairman until 1997. Dr. Manger’s achievements include research on salt-induced hypertension and pheochromocytoma. He received the VP&S Alumni Association’s Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Lynn, four children, and three grandchildren.

1952

David Benninghoff, a radiation oncologist, died April 23, 2024, in Lloyd Harbor, New York. He was 97. He served in the Navy during World War II before graduating from Yale University. After his medical residency at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, he practiced in Cleveland, Ohio, and at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn and Huntington Hospital in Suffolk County, New York. Dr. Benninghoff published extensively on cancer treatment. In the 1980s, he co-founded North Shore Medical Group in Commack. Retiring at 92 in 2019, he enjoyed golf and was a devoted New York Mets fan. He is survived by two children and three grandchildren.

1953

Arthur “Art” O. Phinney Jr., a Hartford-area cardiologist for over 30 years, died in his sleep in Farmington, Connecticut, on Dec. 9, 2023. He was 97. He grew up in Massachusetts, served in the U.S. Navy, was stationed as a radar technician in the Philippines, and was honorably discharged in 1946 before graduating from Harvard College in 1950. He completed his residency at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston and a cardiology fellowship at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in London. Dr. Phinney, who was active at UCONN Medical Center from its start, helped design its intensive care unit. An avid swimmer into his early 90s and a skilled carpenter, he enjoyed hobbies including tennis and sailing and was a former senior warden at St. James Episcopal Church in Farmington. He was on the Board of Amref Health Africa (“The Flying Doctors”). He is survived by three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Russell “Russ” E. Randall, a nephrologist, wrestling coach, and referee, died April 27, 2024, in Mechanicsville, Virginia, at age 95. He attended Princeton University, where he was a standout wrestler, and served as a major in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service, stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California and the 1605th USAF Hospital in the Azores. He was the youngest full professor of medicine at the Medical College of Virginia, directed the renal division and NIH training program in nephrology there, and discovered a disease that was named after him when he and his research fellows identified Randall-type monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease. He established the first ambulatory dialysis center in Richmond, Virginia. Beyond medicine, Dr. Randall was involved in wrestling, coaching champion teams, and instilling invaluable life lessons in his athletes. He was a self-taught artist with a restless spirit. Dr. Randall’s body was donated to the Virginia Anatomical Society for medical study. He is survived by five children.

1958

H. Robert Crago, a proud “small town” surgeon, died March 22, 2024, in Statesboro, Georgia, at age 92. He graduated from Princeton University and began private practice in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1967. He served as chief of surgery at Sharon Regional Medical Center until his retirement in 2002. He enjoyed a fulfilling retirement with his family, focusing on bridge, golf, travel, and volunteer work. He is survived by his second wife, Linda, three children, and seven grandchildren.

Jerome “Jerry” Wayne Dougan died March 23, 2024. He was 92. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, he graduated from Yale University and served as a medical officer in the U.S. Air Force in France from 1960 to 1962. He later specialized in rheumatology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and established one of the first private rheumatology practices in Minneapolis. He was affiliated with Abbott Northwestern Hospital for 40 years and lectured at the University of Minnesota medical school. Beyond medicine, he was a connoisseur of wine, literature, musical theater, and jazz. He was an avid supporter of cultural institutions, including the Guthrie Theater and the Minnesota Orchestra. He was an active member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. He is survived by his wife, Debby, three sons, a sister, and six grandchildren.

Paul A. Kantrowitz, a gastroenterologist, died in Brookline, Massachusetts, on March 26, 2024, at age 90. He attended Swarthmore College and spent two years as a physician in the U.S. Army before moving to Brooklyn in the early 1960s. He founded the gastroenterology department at Mount Auburn Hospital in 1967 and practiced there and at the MIT clinic until 2015. Active in national professional organizations, he found great fulfillment in patient care, even after retirement, teaching interviewing and communication skills to Harvard medical students. Dr. Kantrowitz shared his love of food and travel with his family, exploring cities worldwide. He is survived by his wife, Judy, two children, two grandchildren, and a sister.

A. Stephen Passloff, an internist, died April 17, 2024. He was 91. Born in Manhattan, he attended Columbia University as an undergraduate before medical school. He was known for his sense of humor, kindness, and compassion. Dr. Passloff is survived by his wife, Marina, two children, and four grandchildren.

1959

Alfred “Al” Anthony Moscarella, a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, died Feb. 19, 2024, in Turley Hill, New Mexico. He was 89. He studied at Colgate University and served as a surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, including commanding a hospital at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts. After training in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Columbia, he founded and led Rockland Thoracic and Vascular Associates until retiring in 1988. He also completed a stint as chief of thoracic surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital. Settling in Taos in the 1970s, he enjoyed skiing and became a ski instructor. In retirement, he embraced travel, tennis, and motorcycle riding. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, and connecting with friends. He is survived by his second wife, Joanne, and two children.

1961

Donald Marcuse, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who practiced until the age of 86, died Dec. 28, 2023, at his Manhattan home. He was 87. He attended Harvard University and completed residencies in adult and child psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he later became an associate clinical professor. Serving in the U.S. Public Health Service at the NIH from 1966 to 1968, he helped to pioneer the community mental health movement. Returning to New York City, he graduated from the New York Psychoanalytic Institute and practiced privately for 54 years. He was known for his zest for life and passions for art, music, travel, and food. He is survived by his wife, Julie, five children, and 11 grandchildren.

1962

H. Glenn Bell Jr., a diagnostic radiologist and resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, died Jan. 25, 2024. He was 87. He attended Stanford University and served as a doctor in the U.S. Army in Augsburg, Germany, where he met his wife, Carol, who was working as a school teacher on the same base. He trained in radiology at the University of Washington before joining Kaiser Permanente in California, where he worked for nearly 30 years. Dr. Bell enjoyed dogs, global travel, Lake Tahoe, and Stanford football. He said that if he weren’t a doctor, he would have been a chef. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, two grandchildren, and a sister.

Marc E. Weksler, a prominent figure in geriatrics and immunology and former chief of the geriatrics division at Weill Cornell Medical College, died March 11, 2024, in Tenafly, New Jersey. He was 86. Born in Brooklyn, he graduated from Swarthmore College, completed his residency at Bronx Municipal Hospital, was a researcher at the NIH, and completed a fellowship in nephrology at Georgetown University Hospital. He won a U.S. Public Health Service fellowship in transplant immunology at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, England. Armed with the first award made to Cornell from the new National Institute on Aging, he began studying how the immune system changes in aging, winning continuous NIH funding for more than 40 years. He was elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Association of American Physicians, and the Interurban Clinical Club and served as president of the American Federation for Aging Research. With a colleague, he set up a workplace and senior center-based treatment program for hypertension in New York City. He was an avid tennis player, a passionate collector and donor of art and books, and a dedicated patron of classical music. He learned French late in life so that he could lecture in it. He is survived by his wife, Babette Weksler’63, two children, and two grandchildren.

1963

Sandra “Sandy” Grant Burgess, a psychiatrist, died Oct. 30, 2023, at age 86. She attended Bryn Mawr College and completed her residency at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, eventually becoming unit chief of the psychiatric ward. She moved to Marin County, California, where she practiced psychiatry for more than 35 years. Dr. Burgess loved dogs and was an avid sailor, enjoying both small boats in the Northeast and larger vessels on the Bay, even sailing abroad in the South Pacific and the Mediterranean with her husband, Dr. Earl Burgess. Her other passions included cooking, gardening, skiing, and attending cultural events. Dr. Burgess is survived by her husband, daughter, three step-children, and a brother.

Dudley Alfred Ferrari, an orthopedic surgeon, died Jan. 15, 2024, in Cary, North Carolina, at age 87. During a summer job at a power company, he was nearly electrocuted in an accident. He overcame the injuries and, against the odds, returned to playing football and baseball. He served in the U.S. Air Force as chief of surgery at Laredo Air Force Base in Texas and completed his residency and fellowship at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Ferrari practiced in Manchester, Connecticut, and Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was chief of sports medicine at UMass Memorial Medical Center until his retirement in 2002. He was known for his dedication to teaching and mentorship and received the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to athletics at Clark University. He authored “Reflections and Conclusions about the Problem Knee.” Retiring to Naples, Florida, he enjoyed playing golf (recording two holes in one) and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by three children, including a son who followed in his footsteps as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, and six grandchildren.

Thomas W. Parks, an orthopedic surgeon and longtime resident of San Jose, California, died Feb. 1, 2024, at age 89. Born in New York City, he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in economics before serving in the Navy as lieutenant junior grade for three years. He completed his residency at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York before relocating to California in 1969. He established a successful private practice at Alexian Brothers Hospital (now Regional) for 15 years before transitioning into commercial real estate and investment. An avid traveler, Dr. Parks explored various cuisines and cultures worldwide with his wife, Eileen, whom he met on a blind date. He was also passionate about sailing, a hobby he enjoyed throughout his life. Dr. Parks is survived by his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren.

1965

Sanford (Sandy) Ratzan, an orthopedic surgeon who earned a Bronze Star for his actions in Vietnam, died Feb. 29, 2024, at age 83. He graduated from Hamilton College and served as a captain and surgeon in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Amy, two children, and six grandchildren.

1966

David Borkenhagen, a cardiologist and philosopher of cosmology, died March 6, 2024, in Wayne, New Jersey. He was 86. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he graduated from Harvard College and, between 1956 and 1966, undertook interim leaves of absence from Harvard and Columbia for travel abroad, circumnavigating the Earth by air from 1963 to 1964. He completed his medical training at the University of Colorado and Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. After 1971, he was a research fellow at the NIH at the Shields Warren Cine-Angiography Laboratory of Harvard Medical School and held teaching positions at Harvard, where he made significant contributions to the study of mitral valve insufficiency. He was involved in organizations such as Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Union of Concerned Scientists. He advocated for liberal policies, such as a federal individual income tax deduction of $50,000 per capita per annum, and conducted theoretical research that challenged established theories in cosmology. His text “The New Cosmology,” which he considered the magnum opus of his life’s work, refuted the Big Bang theory of astronomy and astrophysics.

1967

Ronald Allison, a urologist who left a legacy of service to others, died Feb 18, 2024. He was 82. Born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, he attended Yale University and completed medical training at various institutions, including Stanford, UC Davis, University of Vermont, and Vanderbilt. He served in the U.S. Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, before practicing urology in Stockton for over four decades. In addition to his medical career, he pursued a legal education, graduating from Humphreys University and passing the bar in 1997. He remained active in law until his illness in 2024. Dr. Allison was deeply involved in various organizations, including Rotary, Toastmasters, and Freemasons. One of his favorite sayings was, “Health is a function of participation.” He was an accomplished runner, completing numerous marathons and earning recognition for his achievements in the Western States 100. A passionate traveler, he visited nearly every continent and enjoyed performing with the Yale Alumni Chorus in various countries. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, two sons, and five grandchildren.

Kate Killebrew, a diagnostic radiologist, died Dec. 4, 2023, as the result of a COVID-19 infection. She was 83. She entered Swarthmore College at 16 and went to Radcliffe College for a master’s degree in art history before medical school. She trained in internal medicine at the University of Washington and radiology at UCSF. She served on the staff of the San Francisco VA and UCSF hospitals. In 1973, she worked as a diagnostic radiologist for the U.S. Army at Fort Carson near Colorado Springs. She also joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked at a private hospital in Atlanta. After leaving Atlanta and moving to Albuquerque, she worked part time at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, New Mexico, for over a decade. She enjoyed genealogy (tracing her likely history back to two Irish lady pirates), British mysteries, theater, and travel. She is survived by her husband, John, two children, two grandchildren, three dogs, and two cats.

1969

Virginia LiVolsi, an NIH-funded physician-scientist with global recognition for expertise in thyroid pathology, died suddenly at her home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, March 7, 2024. She was 80. She worked for eight years at Yale University before joining the University of Pennsylvania, where she served as director of surgical pathology and later chief of anatomical pathology. Dr. LiVolsi specialized in endocrine and head and neck pathology, authoring more than 450 articles, reviews, chapters, and books in these fields. Known for her mentorship and inspired by her mother, who was an elementary school teacher in New York City, Dr. LiVolsi guided numerous young pathologists who now hold academic positions worldwide. She was a member and past president of various pathology and endocrinology organizations, serving as the USA representative to the pathology panel of the Chernobyl Tumor Bank. She was a funded NCI/NIH investigator for more than 35 years. Beyond her professional life, she was a church choir singer, needlepoint enthusiast, and dedicated cat lover.

1970

Paul F. Gustavson Jr., a family physician who served Rockingham County and the New Hampshire seacoast region for decades, died Jan. 6, 2024. Known for his devout Christian faith, he was an active member of Epping Community Church. Despite battling Parkinson’s disease for more than 25 years, he remained hopeful and founded a Parkinson’s support group. Dr. Gustavson was a talented musician who participated in over 50 musicals, including his favorite role as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof,” and sang hymns at church with his rich tenor voice. He also was an avid gardener, contributing to the community garden that served a local food pantry. He is survived by his wife, Elisabeth, children, and grandchildren.

1971

John H. Newman, a physician scientist who made numerous contributions to the knowledge of pulmonary vascular disease, died Feb. 20, 2024, at age 78. Dr. Newman’s discoveries spanned four decades, during which he continuously received funding from the NIH. He played a significant role in discovering that mutations in the BMPR2 gene underlie most heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension and ushered in a new way of thinking about the molecular etiology of pulmonary vascular disease. He was also instrumental in finding the genes for brisket disease in cattle and for IgG4-related disease. A faculty member at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, he directed its first-year physiology course and the pulmonary-critical care fellowship until his retirement in 2022. He served as chief of pulmonary medicine at both Vanderbilt’s training affiliate, Saint Thomas Hospital, and the Nashville VA Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, two children, and three grandchildren.

1972

Joan Walls Barkin, a pediatrician and lifelong advocate for women’s rights and STEM education, died Jan. 20, 2024, at Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 78. Her husband and medical school classmate, Neil Barkin, wrote: “From the moment a blood vessel in her brain ruptured there was no prospect of her regaining consciousness. It is ironic that this brilliant, accomplished, charming, genius of a woman should have the one organ that made her the wonderful being that she was be the cause of her demise.” Joan Barkin practiced in Massachusetts and then in Potomac, Maryland, for over 35 years, earning consistent recognition as a top doctor by Washingtonian Magazine. Known for her compassionate care and comprehensive explanations, she inspired many former patients to pursue careers in medicine and science. Beyond medicine, she had a passion for gardening and was a lifelong student of history. She served on the board of Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern. After retiring to Cape Cod in 2019, she remained active in volunteer work, which included driving seniors to health visits via the Mashpee Senior Center and supporting conservation efforts for the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge. She is survived by her husband, two children, and four grandchildren.

Jonathan Lynn Evans, an internal medicine, radiology, and pulmonology specialist, died Feb. 1, 2024, in Lexington, North Carolina. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he attended Grove City College. He was known for his strong Christian faith, playful nature, and quick wit. He volunteered at Seneca Hills Bible Camp, Community Alliance Church, and Butler Hospital, supporting various causes and individuals. An avid outdoorsman, he loved dogs and enjoyed skiing and scuba diving. He was a skilled craftsman who hand carved furniture. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, children, and grandchildren.

1974

Robert Fischel, a psychiatrist and teacher, died Dec. 8, 2023. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and uncle.

1987

Sidney Jay Adler, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Henderson, Nevada, died Feb. 24, 2024, from a rare and severe case of necrotizing fasciitis. He was 62. Born in Brooklyn, Dr. Adler attended the University of Pennsylvania and completed his residency at Johns Hopkins. His career included private practice in Boca Raton, Florida; Sterling, Colorado; and several health care organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada, including Avenir/Hera Women’s Health. He was a dedicated father and favorite uncle. He will be remembered for his vibrant wit, captivating (but long) storytelling, love for NFL football, appreciation of cigars, and wealth of knowledge. He is survived by his wife, Cassandra, two children, two stepsons, mother, and siblings.

1990

Eric Collins, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry (in anesthesiology) at VP&S and former medical director of addiction services at Columbia, died May 28, 2024, in Greenwich, Connecticut. He was 62. As an undergraduate at Yale, he co-founded the acapella group Mixed Company. Dr. Collins completed his residency and fellowship training at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Board-certified in psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and addiction medicine, he also served during his career as physician-in-chief of Silver Hill Hospital and medical director of the New York Center for Living. He served as president of the New York Society of Addiction Medicine. In 2005, he published landmark research comparing heroin detoxification methods, including detoxification under general anesthesia. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, and New York Rangers. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and four children.

2000

Christopher B. Geary, an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in sports medicine, died unexpectedly at home in Quincy, Massachusetts, on Feb. 4, 2024. He was 54. He was affiliated with Signature Healthcare in Brockton and formerly Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Geary received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University. He was a sports enthusiast, regularly attending games for the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, and Boston Celtics. He played semi-professional rugby with the Mystic River Rugby Club and maintained an active lifestyle, frequently working out at Peter Welch Gym in South Boston. He is survived by his wife, Leigh, son, stepson, parents, brother, and sister.