Soon, all MEETH alumni will have the MEETH history book in their hands. It is a moment to appreciate the amazing effort of the 2 authors, Rick Gibralter and Paul Orloff and also to relive the pleasure, and achievement of Ophthalmology training at MEETH. A large part of the Foundation's mission is to keep the training program alive in our memories and to let others, who were not so fortunate to be part of it, become aware or reminded that it existed and was special.
I know the foundation directors would love this site to be interactive and to engage our old friends and colleagues. A short professional and personal biography can be shared with the entire alumni group. We can see where that leads. I will start.
I completed my residency in 1991 as Chief Resident. I loved every minute of the 3 years. I spent 2 years at the Mass Eye and Ear, where I did a Retinal Fellowship. Although a wonderful institution, the camaraderie and clinical training were lacking by comparison.
After 25 years in private practice in Manhattan and Forest Hills, Queens I am now part of the full-time faculty at NYU Medical Center. It's a great opportunity to build an environment like MEETH: an active voluntary and full-time faculty educating an excellent group of resident and fellowship physicians. You can take me out of MEETH, but cannot take MEETH out of me!
In addition to my professional life, I have a lovely wife of 31+ years (we married the week between the end of my medical internship and start of MEETH residency training). I also have three great daughters - the first born during my second year of residency and the 2nd during my third year. Those were tough, impoverished, and sleepless times, but lovely.
I am now looking forward optimistically to the next chapter of my professional career and family life.