Class Notes: December 2019

Stratos G. Kantounis, MD’ 58 is no longer performing surgery. He is, however, still teaching medical students.

Leslie H. Sobin MD ’59 has retired after a dozen years with the World Health Organization in Kabul and Geneva, over 25 years with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, and 8 years at the NIH.

Michael S. Gold, MD’ 63 is in his fifth year of full retirement. He says ” it ain’t bad at all.” Dr. Gold also expressed gratitude to Board Member Constance Shames, MD’ 63 saying “many thanks to Constance Shames for all she has done.”

Mark Klein, MD’ 71 is the proud grandparent of a three-month-old and a 27-month-old via his older son. His middle son AJ has started his ID fellowship at GW in D.C.

Joel S. Levine, MD’ 71 was presented an honorary degree (ScD) at Downstate’s 2019 graduation ceremony.

Kenneth A Grossman, MD’ 77 writes that for some reason 2019 has been a year of honors and recognition. On a professional level, he was named by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as a Top Doctor for the fourteenth consecutive year. In April he received the Physician Recognition Award from Riverview Medical Center for service to the hospital and community, the only Dermatologist to ever receive this award. In September he was honored by the Parker Family Health Center, a clinic in Red Bank New Jersey that delivers free health care to the uninsured, for my financial and volunteering support. On a personal level, he is also the drummer in a rock band composed mostly of physicians called the Docs of Rock. They donate our services to various local charities and so far have helped to raise over two and a half million dollars for these charities through our free performances. As a result, the band was honored for our community service this year by three of those charities, Lunch Break, the Zilinski foundation, and the Parker Family Health Center. He is in my 36th year of solo private practice and so far has no plans to retire, either from practice or the band.

Laurence H. Zeitin, MD’ 78 has retired from GI medical practice as of 12/29/18. He is happily spending time with fellow classmate Dr. Eric Steckler who retired in 2017. Both were in practice together

Stephen G. Jones, MD’ 85 is residing in Connecticut with his wonderful family and serving in the role of Medical Director of Safety for the Yale New Haven Health System.

Jay Dubowsky, MD’ 93 was elected Governor for NYACC. He is also their treasurer.

In Memoriam:*The Alumni Association recognizes in the “In Memoriam” section, not all alumni listed are recently deceased. As we become aware of the passing of our alumni we recognize them to provide their classmates with an update.

Joseph Velasco, MD’ 57 has passed away.

Martin A. Silverman, MD’ 59 passed away in September 2019.