DONALD ASHKENASE

ASHKENASE--Donald L. Montefiore Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine are deeply saddened by the death of Donald L. Ashkenase. Over the course of his long career, Don was both a brilliant leader in health care delivery, an expert in healthcare finances, a beloved mentor and a generous philanthropist. Mr. Ashkenase joined Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1987. He was proud to be a part of Montefiore's mission- based care network and deeply fulfilled by his work to improve access to medical care for the people of the Bronx. Mr. Ashkenase was born in Brooklyn in 1943. After college, he served as a hospital administrator for four years in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain. After leaving the Air Force, he went to work for what is today the NYC Health + Hospital, becoming its Chief Financial Officer before departing in 1977 to fill the same role at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Mr. Ashkenase became the Chief Financial Officer of Montefiore Medical Center in 1987, later serving for twenty-two years as its Executive Vice President--Corporate, and then for seven years as a Special Advisor to Montefiore's President. After briefly returning to New York City Health and Hospitals, Mr. Ashkenase most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of the Nassau University Medical Center. As someone who devoted his life to teaching others and serving as a mentor, it is not surprising that Mr. Ashkenase was the longest serving school board trustee in the Great Neck Union Free School District's history. Mr. Ashkenase was an active faculty member of the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University for over thirty-five years. He served on the board of a number of healthcare organizations, including having served as chairman of Healthfirst, a provider-owned not-for-profit insurance company founded with the goal of providing low-cost health insurance in the New York City area for almost twenty years, and the Primary Care Development Corporation. Above all, Mr. Ashkenase was deeply committed to his family and community. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Karen, their three children, Jeff, Debbie and Andrew and his twelve grandchildren. Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D.; President and CEO, Montefiore Medicine & Daniel R. Tishman, Chair, Montefiore Medicine Board of Trustees