Dr. Herbert Lepor, Department of Urology Chair, Is Honored

October 27, 2009

Robert I. Grossman, MD, dean and CEO of NYU Langone Medical Center, hosted the NYU Cancer Institute Autumn Ball on Monday, October 19, 2009, at the Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan. More than 430 people attended this year's gala, co-chaired by Sandra Meyer and Roberta Greenberg, board members of the Cancer Institute. The event honored Herbert Lepor, MD, the Martin Spatz Chairman of the Department of Urology at the Cancer Institute, for his superb research and patient care involving prostate cancer.

This year's gala raised $1.16 million. Funds raised will support the Cancer Institute's humanitarian agenda: to give cancer patients access to comprehensive care, removing socioeconomic barriers, and to ultimately eradicate cancer in every community.

Dr. Grossman said, "Dr. Lepor's abundant contributions to the field of urology helped to lay the groundwork for our Center of Excellence on Urologic Disease. The patient-centered care model builds on the high levels of success that Dr. Lepor, his colleagues, and the NYU Cancer Institute have already achieved in innovative research, education and patient care. Our achievements at the Cancer Institute reflect an institution-wide energy and determination to move NYU Langone forward."

Lori Fink, the new chair of the NYU Cancer Institute Board and trustee since 2003, said, "Our gala honoree, urologist Dr. Herbert Lepor, is a world-class physician. He exemplifies both the high quality of research and the excellence of care that make NYU Langone and its Cancer Institute a beacon of hope for patients and families living with cancer."  She continued, "Herb is also one of the kindest, most compassionate people you will ever meet. How lucky we are to count Herb as one of our own!"

The mission of the NYU Cancer Institute is to discover the origins of human cancer and to use that knowledge to eradicate the personal and societal burden of cancer in the community, the nation, and the world.

"The Cancer Institute is extending our reach into the community to understand the complex role of heredity and the environment in the initiation of cancer, as well as the critical social, economic, and cultural factors that have an impact on outcome," said William L. Carroll, MD, director of the Cancer Institute and the Julie and Edward J. Minskoff Professor of Pediatrics.  "Understanding cancer in all dimensions will lead to better prevention and treatment."

Dr. Lepor said, "I'd like to thank you all for your incredible support and this humbling honor.  No progress can be made in eradicating urological cancers without an amazing team of doctors, scientists, nurses, and the support of such generous donors that we have at the Cancer Institute.  I would like to thank Dr. Grossman, Dr. Carroll, our board of directors, and trustees, who are so dedicated to our efforts to be leaders in cancer research, education, and patient care."

Attendees included: Kenneth G. Langone, chair of the Board of Trustees, NYU Langone Medical Center; Lori Fink, chair of the NYU Cancer Institute Board of Directors, and her husband Laurence; Ed Meyer, Arnold Greenberg, June Newmark, Joel Smilow, Stanley Shopkorn and the following NYU Cancer Institute Board of Director members: Co-host chairs Sandy Meyer and Roberta Greenberg.

Media Inquiries:
Lisa Greiner
212-404-3532 | 646-592-3044 cell | lisa.greiner@nyumc.org