ALEXANDER H. GLASSMAN

GLASSMAN--Alexander H., MD. The faculty and staff of New York State Psychiatric Institute, the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, and the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital deeply mourn the passing of our beloved friend, admired teacher and distinguished colleague Alexander H. Glassman, M.D. Dr. Glassman was an internationally recognized clinical researcher whose innovative and scientifically rigorous contributions to our knowledge of serious mental illness changed the way we treat patients. Dr. Glassman was born in Chicago and received his M.D. degree from the University of Illinois. He joined the faculty of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and, after service in the United States Army, returned to New York and joined the faculty at Columbia in 1969, rising to the rank of Professor. Dr. Glassman was a prolific researcher with broad vision. His work was among the first to document that monitoring the blood concentration of antidepressant medication was an effective method of improving treatment success. He was a pioneer and recognized expert on the impact of psychiatric medication on the heart and the impact of depression on the development of heart disease. His studies were among the first to document that mood disturbance following myocardial infarction was associated with a substantial increase in later mortality, and in a seminal study he showed that treatment of depression in this vulnerable population may well increase survival. In recent years, Dr. Glassman established the links between smoking and psychiatric illness, and formulated a neurobiological model that led to new treatments for nicotine addiction. His work was at the core of a sophisticated revision of our understanding of the relationship between mind, brain and the body. He authored over 350 publications in every major journal in medicine. He received numerous awards and honors including the American Psychiatric Association's Prize for Research, New York State Research Award, the NARSAD Distinguished Investigators Award, and the Anna-Monika Foundation Prize. He lectured around the world and was an important contributor to scientific meetings for over four decades. As a member of the Columbia faculty for over 40 years, Dr. Glassman trained generations of psychiatrists and mentored young researchers, many of whom have gone on to leadership roles themselves. Dr. Glassman was also an extraordinary clinician. His extensive knowledge of psychiatric illness, professional integrity and exceptional devotion made him the most sought after consultant. His exacting attention to detail, his love of his work, along with his marvelous creativity endeared him to all of us. He cared for his patients with warmth, wisdom and humanity. With profound sadness for this irreparable loss, we extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Glassman's family.Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D.Chairman, Dept of Psychiatry Director, New York State Psychiatric Institute Lee Goldman, M.D.Executive Vice President and Dean Columbia University Medical CenterHerbert Pardes, M.D. President and CEO, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital