From left: Martin J. Blaser, MD, Larry Chinitz, MD, Leon H. Charney, Edward A Fisher, MD, PhD, Glenn I. Fishman, MD, Silvia G. Priori, MD, PhD

NYU Langone Medical Center paid tribute to Mr. Leon H. Charney on March 18, 2009, presenting him with the Inaugural Leon H. Charney Leadership Award in Cardiac and Vascular Health. A graduate of Yeshiva University and Brooklyn Law School, Mr. Charney is best known for his active participation in the Camp David agreement between Israel and Egypt. In addition to serving as special counsel to President Jimmy Carter, Mr. Charney has served as legal and political advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli President Ezer Weizman, United States Senator Vance Hartke, New York Governors Mario Cuomo and George Pataki, and New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. For 21 years he has produced and moderated the internationally televised, award-winning public affairs program, “The Leon Charney Report.”

In 2002, the Division of Cardiology at NYU School of Medicine was renamed the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, reflecting a remarkable gift to NYU Langone Medical Center in support of cardiovascular program development. The generosity of this gift has enabled the Division of Cardisology to grow dramatically over the past seven years, including the creation of several extraordinary new initiatives and key recruitments that will keep NYU Langone Medical Center at the forefront in cardiovascular research, patient care and education.