Barry Stimmel Obituary
Dr. Stimmel served as the Katherine and Clifford Goldsmith Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and was a member of the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute at Mount Sinai.
For 50 years, Dr. Stimmel was a leader in medical education, patient care, and research in internal medicine, cardiology, and addiction medicine at Mount Sinai. He joined the Mount Sinai family after receiving his medical degree in 1964 from SUNY Downstate Medical Center. He completed his rotational internship, internal medicine residency, and residency in cardiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
Dr. Stimmel played a key role in developing our medical school curriculum. When he completed his residency, he was appointed Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs. He served as Dean of Graduate Medical Education from 1996 to 2008, and developed the Consortium for Graduate Medical Education at Mount Sinai, comprised of 11 institutions and more than 1,800 house staff-one of the largest associations of its kind in the United States.
In his role as Ombudsperson from 2008 to 2014, Dr. Stimmel offered a safe and confidential setting for members of the Icahn School of Medicine community to discuss academic, professional, and personal issues.
As a pioneer in the field of addictive medicine, Dr. Stimmel was internationally known for his treatment and research of heroin dependency. He established Mount Sinai's former Narcotics Rehabilitation Center in 1970, serving as Executive Director from 1975 to 2008. This was the first program in New York City to use methadone solely in an ambulatory care setting, and at its height treated more than 30,000 heroin users, serving as a multidisciplinary model treatment program for New York State. Dr. Stimmel also served on the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Committee of Physicians for National Drug Control Strategy.
In 1982, Dr. Stimmel was awarded the Jacobi Medallion, the highest honor that The Mount Sinai Alumni bestows upon an individual. In 2001, Dr. Stimmel was the first recipient of The Mount Sinai Alumni Award for Achievement in Medical Education. He was President of the Mount Sinai Alumni Association from 2005 to 2007. In 2008, he received the Mount Sinai Alumni Special Recognition Award which acknowledges and thanks individuals who have provided exceptional service to the Alumni Association.
Dr. Stimmel was founding editor of the Journal of Addictive Diseases, and the author of eight books, numerous book chapters, and more than 140 articles dealing with drug abuse, the effects of mood altering drugs on the heart, and pain control. In addition, he lectured extensively on issues in medical education, pain management, and substance abuse.
The Mount Sinai Alumni Association and the Alumni Advisory Council express our deepest condolences to Dr. Stimmel's family, friends, and colleagues.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jerome Zacks MD
November 28, 2024
Remembering moments with Barry always brings a smile.
Jerry Zacks MD, colleague
Mori Krantz MD
November 26, 2024
Thank you Barry for being so kind & supportive of me in my career. Your grace cut thru the politics which sadly infects science
Mori Krantz
November 26, 2022
Mori Krantz & Rollie Johnson in Rome presenting on cardiac safety & Methadone a passion of Barry´s!
Jerome S Zacks
November 26, 2022
Remembering Barry's kindness and smile is a blessing and a joy!
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Adrian R. Mullins
November 26, 2022
Just wanted to say thanks again for all of your work with addiction medicine. Your work has made it possible for me to be alive and play amazing music with your son and my friend, Alex. I´m sorry we never met but I´m sure we will someday. You have been blessed with a beautiful family to carry on your legacy and carry on shall.
Thoughts and prayers on this day.
-Adrian R. Mullins
Jerome Zacks MD
November 27, 2020
Just remembering Barry once again, especially a flight we once made to a national cardiology convention. Barry was working, during a flight, on the coding of EKG diagnoses...he was always the master teacher!
Mori Krantz MD
May 28, 2020
Barry was the first and greatest cardiologist-addictionologist. His kindness and love for patients, colleagues, and the research field are unparalleled. When I discovered the association between methadone and torsade de pointes, Barry supported me through challenging times and allowed us to formulate national guidelines to keep our patients safe. Barry I miss you and plan to dedicate scholarly publications to you and your incredible legacy!
Marci Mann
March 11, 2017
Prayers from the family of Jane Collentine, your ever grateful cardiology patient, for whom you did so much. With gratitude from Marci & Jon
Heidi Wittmann
March 17, 2016
Dearest Dr.Stimmel, I HAVE had the pleasure of meeting you. I was a patient at Beth Israel Methadone Maintenance program and was the patient advocate there at that time. I was asked to be 1 out of only 4 patients from all the clinics to speak at the 40th Anniversary of the first B.I.M.C. M.M.T.P. Clinic opening. I was among Doctors, Nurses, Counselors, Advocates, Professors and You Dr.Stimmel. I had to speak for a mere 3 minutes in front of you all but it felt like hours , I was so very nervous. When the conference was over and the mingling began I felt so out of place. Then a distinguished gentleman approaches me and tells me how wonderful my words were and what a success story I was. My Counselor, who was with me, then introduced me to You. I had heard your name and had heard how many lives you had saved or changed for the better, but nothing prepared me for meeting you. I hugged you and thanked you, as I thank you now...humbled, filled with gratitude and appreciation. The Methadone Maintenance itself may have saved my life, but it's amazing, pioneering people like you who saved my soul. Many condolences to your family, friends, colleagues and the other patients you are still saving from Opioid Addiction today. Especially your son Alex, who by mere chance I've also had the pleasure of meeting.
Shaun Mullins
March 16, 2016
Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Stimmel I know his son Alex. Belated condolences to the family, and deepest appreciation for the work he did to help those recovering from the devastation of heroin addiction. My family owes a great debt of gratitude for the Methodone program in New York. Your legacy lives forever, and you will be remembered.
Best,
Shaun M. Mullins
Adrian Mullins
March 15, 2016
Dr. Stimmel:,
Your work and compassion has the saved the life of myself, my partner, and thousands upon thousands of others: others that may otherwise have no hope. You are, to me, an inspiration that humanity is inherently good. You are a secular Saint.
From the bottom of my heart to the top of my soul: Thank You, Dr. Stimmel.
Jane Schneider
March 1, 2015
Dear family of Dr. Stimmel,
My husband Allan was a regular cardiology patient of Barry Stimmel's for more than 20 years and I was an occasional cardiology patient and often went with Allan to his appointments. We both adored Dr. Stimmel. He was a talented physician and attentive to our needs and recommended other health professionals with quietness and dignity and compassion. He oversaw 2 mitral valve repairs that my husband had and was always within phone or email reach. He was such a vital person that it is hard to believe that he is gone. We have friends who live in Ancramdale at Long Lake and always thought we might get to meet you there someday. Allan and I send our heartfelt sympathy to you.
Sincerely, Jane Schneider
Jerome Zacks
February 6, 2015
My colleague for so many years, Barry was always inquisitive, kind and calm. I'll never forget the many conversations we shared. Barry was truly a one-of-a-kind.
Joann Urquhart
January 26, 2015
Barry Stimmel was a great mentor and advisor to me. He mentored and supported so many students in a way that no other could. His death is a lose to the medical education field. My deepest sympathies to his family.
January 2, 2015
Dr. Stimmel was my father's cardiologist for many years. In the last few years I had more interactions with him. I was struck by his kindness and humanity both in my phone calls and email exchanges with him. He always followed through on doing what he said he would do, and always did his best to be helpful despite his busy schedule. My condolences. - Debra Cohen
James Zwiebel
December 6, 2014
I was very saddened to learn of this loss to your family and the medical community. Dr. Stimmel was Mount Sinai Med School Dean while I (MSSM '75) and my brother Paul (MSSM '78) were med students, and subsequently when I was a medical resident. Since then, my parents have hung a photo in their home of Dr. Stimmel smiling as I hooded my brother at his med school graduation. I remember his warmth, kindness and support throughout those years.
Michael Farkouh
December 5, 2014
Barry Stimmel was a great colleague and mentor to so many of us who trained in Cardiology at Mount Sinai. He was a humble man who always found time to share a few words of wisdom. His dedication to Mount Sinai was unmatched and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
arnold richards
December 5, 2014
Arlene and i were both very sad to hear about your loss I saw Barry three weeks ago when i was going to Sinai to see my doctor We had a brief conversation but he said he had to rush off to a meeting
My you not know any more sorrow
arnie and arlene richards
Martha D. Wagner
December 4, 2014
Thank you always for your kindness and help. My condolences
to your family. You are sorely missed.
Martha D. Wagner (Alan C. Wagner d. 2007)
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