Mary Ann Payne M.D.

MARY ANN PAYNE, M.D.
ITHACA - Dr. Mary Ann Payne passed away on March 24, 2010 at the age of 96, at Kendal at Ithaca. She grew up in Braddock Heights, Maryland as an only child. She graduated from Hood College; the University of Wisconsin, MA and PhD. (Endocrinology); and the Cornell University Medical College, MD in 1945.
Dr. Payne had a long and distinguished career in medicine. She was a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Medical College and an attending physician at the New York Hospital. She also conducted research in collaboration with the Rockefeller Institute on primary cirrhosis.
Dr. Payne served in several leadership positions at the Cornell Medical College including President of the Alumni Association and as a member of the Board of Overseers. She also was a member of the Dean's Circle, in recognition of her outstanding alumni generosity. Additionally, she was President of Voluntary Staff at the New York Academy of Medicine. In 1994 the Alumni Association honored her with the Alumni Award of Distinction. Other awards include the Special Recognition Award from the American Society of Internal Medicine, the Award of Merit from the New York State Society of Internal Medicine and received the Distinguished Service Plaque from the New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. Payne's many contributions to medicine and the institutions where she worked and volunteered will be remembered for years to come.
Dr. Payne worked in public health at the Atlanta Communicable Disease Center which involved her practice among the Alaskan natives, specializing in tuberculosis and with the Navajos' and Hopis' specializing in hepatitis. She enjoyed traveling to Europe, Africa and South America. She loved taking photographs and observing nature. She volunteered with the Museum of Natural History and traveled to Patagonia to band penguins.
Dr. Payne moved from New York City to Kendal at Ithaca in 1998. She was very involved in a number of activities in the Kendal community and is fondly remembered by the many friends she made there.