NEW YORK – This year’s honorees at the NYU Langone Musculoskeletal Ball, Dr. Christopher Kyriakides and Dr. Jonathan H. Whiteson, are trailblazers in musculoskeletal medicine.
The event, held on November 1 at the American Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, celebrated the recent accomplishments in research, education, and care at NYU Langone while building additional momentum in support of the faculty’s pioneering work, raising critical funds to help them move their field forward. Attended by 425 guests, the event raised $1.2 million and all support will directly enhance programs at Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, and NYU Langone Orthopedic Center.
With roots in Pontus and Nisyros, Dr. Kyriakides is a distinguished member of NYU Langone Health’s medical staff, founder and medical director of New York Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, and co-founder and medical director of Health East Medical Alliance, a multi-specialty practice and ambulatory surgery center. Beyond his clinical work, he has spearheaded ventures in academia, serving as chief executive officer of a publicly-traded biotechnology company.
During his tenure as CEO, Dr. Kyriakides successfully collaborated with the National Institute of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) to develop a patient-specific immunotherapeutic vaccine for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma. He was able to include NYU in this endeavor which became crucial in their recertification as a comprehensive cancer center with the NCI. He currently serves as managing director for two other biotechnology companies involved in drug discovery; Anaplasi Pharmaceuticals and Trixogenesis.
Dr. Kyriakides completed his undergraduate education at NYU, medical education at NYCOM, and is a proud graduate of NYU Rusk Institute for his residency training. He remains dedicated to medical education, mentorship, and patient care.
Dr. Kyriakides spoke with The National Herald about the honor at the event, noting that “for me, for any doctor, it’s an extraordinary honor because of what NYU represents and is such an extraordinary institution that is so forward-thinking and is pro-active and always puts patient care first. It’s an honor for a Greek like me, a boy from Astoria, and a great thing recognizing that we have similar ways that we think and believe and of course, our mantra being putting the patient first.”
When asked about the future of health care, he told TNH, “In this world of medicine, it’s obvious to see that health care is the big issue, it was in the elections, and it’s still an issue. What we see is hospitals closing, more than 100 hospitals have closed in the last few years, and I could name off the top of my head six or seven that closed in New York City, let alone in rural America, so it’s important for institutions like NYU to be able to provide medical services and care as an outreach, although they’re in New York City, people have to understand that now they’re spreading out into Astoria, Brooklyn, Queens and beyond that, spreading but keeping the same quality, that’s the whole idea we’re promoting, keeping the same, high-quality patient care even though we’re expanding.”
When asked about his family, Dr Kyriakides noted that he and wife Anna have four children, Peter, Christopher, Kalliope, and Alex, two are doctors and a third is becoming a doctor, and one is still in college.
Dr. Thomas Scilaris, an orthopedic surgeon, a dear friend of Dr. Kyriakides and his koumbaro, told TNH that he has known him for 17 years, and the honor is well deserved. “He’s a colleague and a great man,” Dr. Scilaris said.
“Dr. Kyriakides is helping Rusk become the country’s leading engine for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation education, reaching all rehabilitation disciplines nationwide through a powerful learning management system,” said Dr. Steven R. Flanagan, the Howard A. Rusk Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine and chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. “It gives me the greatest pleasure to award you this well-deserved honor.”
Honoree Dr. Jonathan H. Whiteson is an associate professor in NYU Langone Health’s Departments of Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine. A highly respected leader within the institution, Dr. Whiteson serves as vice chair of clinical operations at Rusk Rehabilitation and director of the Joan & Joel Smilow Cardiac Rehabilitation & Prevention Center. As an investigator, he has spearheaded research into the rehabilitation of patients with advanced heart and lung disease and congenital heart disease; examined patient outcomes following Left Ventricular Assist Device implantation and trans-catheter aortic valve replacement; and studied methods for promoting heart-healthy lifestyles in outpatients and for preventing the re-hospitalization of individuals with congestive heart failure.
Dr. Whiteson earned his medical degree at University of London, and he completed his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as a fellowship in cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation at NYU Langone. He has published and lectured widely on cardiac and pulmonary health, rehabilitation, and physical medicine.
“Dr. Whiteson aims to address a pressing need for services that help cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients establish long-term wellness habits,” said Dr. Joseph D. Zuckerman, the Walter A.L. Thompson Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. “Simple interventions like his can generate extraordinary benefits for our patients. We can help make those changes lasting ones, and prevent future medical episodes.”
Those who attended the Ball included: Joe Adams; Julia and Rouven Bergmann, PhD; Jodi and Tom Cangemi; Gary Cohn; Judith and Stewart Colton; Joanna Darling; Glen de Vries; Mindy Nam Dehnert;; Carol Feinberg; Sarah and David Fiszel; Alyse Levin and Mark Jacobson; Stephanie Blau Kramer and Ronald Kramer; Thomas A. Lee; Ilse Melamid; Clelia Parisi; Joshua Resnick; Tarek A. Sherif; Beryl Snyder and Steven Trost; and Ranjan Tandon.
In addition to Dean Grossman, physician co-chairs for the evening included Dr. Steven Abramson, the Frederick H. King Professor of Internal Medicine, chair of the Department of Medicine, professor in the Department of Pathology, and senior vice president and vice dean for education, faculty, and academic affairs; Dr. Jill P. Buyon, the Lady Va and Sir Deryck Maughan Professor of Rheumatology and director of the Division of Rheumatology; Dr. Flanagan; Dr. Andrew D. Rosenberg, the Dorothy Reaves Spatz, MD, Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, and professor in the departments of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, and Orthopedic Surgery; and Dr. Zuckerman.
An established leader in musculoskeletal healthcare, NYU Langone is ranked among the nation’s top 10 for its rehabilitation, rheumatology, and orthopedics programs.
More information is available online: nyulangone.org.
The post Dr. Christopher Kyriakides Honored at NYU Langone Musculoskeletal Ball appeared first on The National Herald.