Nachman wins national mentorship award
Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, interim dean of Weill Cornell Medicine, with Ralph Nachman, M.D.
Dr. Ralph Nachman, a professor emeritus of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, has won a 2016 Mentor Award from the American Society of Hematology for his commitment to training and mentoring early-career hematologists.
The society presents the annual award to two hematologists who have provided exemplary guidance and career support to their mentees, whose nurturing has later advanced research and patient care in the field. Dr. Nachman will receive his award on Dec. 4 at the society’s 58th annual meeting and exposition in San Diego.
“For me, this is a particularly meaningful award,” Dr. Nachman said. “I have always taken great pride and satisfaction in helping to nurture and develop potential leaders in American medicine, either as first-rate clinicians, teachers or scientists. Creating an environment that allows young physicians to reach their full potential with a gentle push has been both a great privilege and a rewarding experience.”
As a physician, scientist and educator, Dr. Nachman has pioneered discoveries in hematology and medical oncology that have furthered the development of new clinical solutions to blood and vascular disorders. Dr. Nachman’s career with Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian spans more than 50 years, beginning as director of laboratories for clinical pathology, followed by 25 years as chief of the division of hematology and oncology and 17 years as chairman of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and physician-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
In his roles as division chief and chairman of medicine, Dr. Nachman interacted with hundreds of residents and fellows over the years that he helped mentor in career development. “Sometimes gentle advice and sometimes more direct refocusing made a difference,” he said. “In all cases, mutual respect characterized the mentoring process.”
Dr. Nachman is also a member of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Federation for Clinical Research, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Biological Chemists. He has received numerous awards, including the American Society for Hematology’s Henry M. Stratton Medal; Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian’s Maurice R. Greenberg Distinguished Service Award; and the Robert H. Williams, MD Distinguished Chair of Medicine Award from the Association of Professors of Medicine.
