JOEL DELFINER

DELFINER--Joel S., M.D. Joel S. Delfiner, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, passed away on August 29, 2024, at the age of 72. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Delfiner was an extraordinary neurologist, mentor, and educator whose work shaped the field of neurology and deeply touched the lives of his colleagues and patients. Dr. Delfiner earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his Neurology residency and a Clinical Neuromuscular Disease fellowship at the Neurological Institute of New York at Columbia University. From 1985 to 2003, Dr. Delfiner served as the Chief of the Division of Neuromuscular Diseases at Nassau University Medical Center, becoming the Chairman of the department in 1998. From 1995 to 2000 he also served as the Neurology Residency Program Director at Nassau University Medical Center. In 2003, he moved to St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where he later became Chair of the Department of Neurology. After the merger with the Mount Sinai Health System in 2013, he held several positions, including Director of Adult Neurology and Vice Chair of Neurology at Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside. Dr. Delfiner was a respected member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Metro Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and made significant contributions to the field of neuromuscular diseases through numerous publications and invited presentations. In 2000, Dr. Delfiner received the Humanitarian Award from The Muscular Dystrophy Association, and in 2004 he was named Physician of the Year by the Myasthenia Foundation of America, Metro Chapter. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Delfiner's commitment to his patients, personal concern for colleagues, and unwavering dedication to his family were inspiring. He was known for his integrity, dignity, and warmth, often seen with a coffee mug in hand, ready to share his wisdom or simply check in on a friend. His enthusiasm for solving complex clinical cases and his sense of humor brought joy to those who had the privilege of working with him. Dr. Delfiner is survived by his mother, Bernice; his beloved wife, Madeline Ginzburg; their children, Leslie, Matthew, and Alexandra; his siblings, Renee Segal and Mark Delfiner; and five cherished grandchildren. Barbara G. Vickrey, MD, MPH System Chair, Department of Neurology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Shanna K. Patterson, MD, MS Site Chair, Department of Neurology Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West