Vows Commitment to Innovation in Specialty Medical Care, Research and Community Partnerships 

New York City, NY - November 27, 2007  -- Steven M. Safyer, MD, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM).  The appointment was announced today by David A. Tanner, chairman of Montefiore's Board of Trustees.  An accomplished physician leader and highly respected healthcare executive, Dr. Safyer, 58, succeeds retiring President Spencer Foreman, MD, to the top medical center post effective January 7, 2008.

Throughout his 25-year career at Montefiore, Dr. Safyer has held increasingly senior leadership positions.  As senior vice president and chief medical officer since 1998, he has directed all clinical operations of Montefiore's integrated delivery system and provided oversight of the faculty, academic programs and clinical information systems.  Dr. Safyer is a professor of medicine and professor of epidemiology and population health at AECOM.

"After a rigorous, eight-month, national search, the Search Committee determined that Dr. Safyer is the best person to lead Montefiore into the future, particularly because he has played such a key role in making Montefiore the successful, innovative health system it is today," said Tanner.  "Steve Safyer is the right person at the right time for Montefiore.  He has proven himself to be an extraordinary leader with the experience, vision and drive for excellence needed in these challenging times for healthcare providers." 

"I am honored by the opportunity to lead an institution known for its innovation in medicine and health services," said Dr. Safyer.  "I look forward to working with my colleagues at Montefiore, AECOM and with our local healthcare partners.  Together, we will advance a coordinated, comprehensive agenda to transform the health of this region and create a national model for healthcare reform.

"A more integrated, strategic alignment with AECOM will exponentially strengthen our commitment to being the best in academics and both translational and clinical research," said Dr. Safyer.  "Montefiore will become a hospital of choice for patients seeking excellence and innovation in specialty care and will achieve national recognition as a top tier academic medical center."

"I am delighted with Steve Safyer's appointment to the presidency," said Spencer Foreman, MD, a healthcare industry statesman who is retiring after nearly 22 years as Montefiore president.  "Steve is thoroughly familiar with every important institutional issue, and he has the maturity, judgment and experience to lead Montefiore to new levels of achievement.  I wish him the very best and pledge my assistance in any way I can be of help."

"Steve Safyer is the ideal choice, given his deep knowledge of the institution and his passionate commitment to its social mission.  I am confident we can work together to develop a more effective partnership between Montefiore and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, to bring both institutions to new heights of excellence," said Allen M. Spiegel, MD, The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

"Steve Safyer is an immensely talented leader whose passion and intelligence are matched only by his experience," said Kenneth E. Raske, president, Greater New York Hospital Association.  "Having known and worked with Dr. Safyer for more than 20 years, I can say with certainty that Montefiore is moving forward in extremely capable hands."

"Dr. Safyer is an instrumental part of Montefiore's success and we look forward to working with him for universal healthcare," said Dennis Rivera, chairman, SEIU Healthcare. "We are fortunate to have worked side by side with our inspiring friend Dr. Foreman and his team and we know we will enjoy a continued partnership with Montefiore under Dr. Safyer' s leadership."

"The appointment of Dr. Safyer represents a commitment to a Labor Management Partnership that is a model for the nation, " said George Gresham, president of local 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. "Dr. Safyer has played a critical role in fostering an atmosphere of respect and collegiality that recognizes the significant contribution our members make to Montefiore's excellence. We look forward to working with him."

Dr. Safyer received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  He is board-certified in internal medicine and is a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine.  In 2006, Dr. Safyer was named founding chairman of the Bronx Regional Health Information Organization, an independent not-for-profit community-based organization formed to build a technology-based regional health information exchange.

Dr. Safyer has been an appointed member of numerous panels and committees for regional and national organizations including the Hospital Association of New York State, The Greater New York Hospital Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges.  He has been a long-standing advocate for underserved populations, including those incarcerated and affected by substance use, HIV infection and tuberculosis.

Dr. Safyer is married to Paula Marcus, MD, and they have two daughters.

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