LOUIS GERSTNER

GERSTNER--Louis. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons celebrates the life and mourns the passing of Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., whose extraordinary generosity has been indispensable in helping generations of physician- scientists succeed at the very highest levels of science and medicine. With his establishment of the Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Scholars Program, Mr. Gerstner provided the opportunity for exceptional early-career investigators to pursue pioneering research that promises to bring new and more effective treatments to patients. Since its establishment in 2008, the Gerstner Scholars Program has supported 72 faculty members across our institution and has helped us make progress in our understanding and treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, cardiology, autism, and many other diseases. The program has been fundamental to faculty development, laying the foundation to enhance our biomedical research pipeline. Mr. Gerstner was also a staunch supporter of our Department of Ophthalmology, where the Louis V. Gerstner, Jr. Clinical Research Center in Vision is a cornerstone of our investigative work. His generosity was also crucial in establishing our clinical facility at Lincoln Center, allowing us to extend the outstanding ophthalmological care his philanthropy made possible to even more members of our community. We will miss his intelligence, compassion, friendship, and thoughtfulness, and offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Robin; his daughter, Elizabeth VP&S '02, who served as Mr. Gerstner's inspiration for the scholars program; the Gerstner family; and all who were fortunate enough to know him. Katrina Armstrong, MD Executive Vice President of Health and Biomedical Sciences and Dean of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University