Dr. Lazar is Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System, and is also a practicing cardiologist at NewYork Weill Cornell Medical Center.  He is currently associate clinical professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Dr. Lazar is also Associate Dean, Healthcare System, at NewYork Weill Cornell Medical Center.  Dr. Lazar received his M.D. degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University, graduating cum laude.  He also earned an M.B.A. degree from New York University.

In his keynote address, Dr. Lazar told the students they were “beginning a fantastic voyage, a transition from one who watches to one who does.”  He urged the students to treat each patient “as if he or she were a member of your own family.”  He referred to the day of the White Coat ceremony as a “wondrous day” in the students’ careers, and outlined some of the principles that, in his estimation, should guide the members of the Class of 2013 in their transition from student to practitioner.  Finally, he urged the students to remember that they had family and friends, and should not neglect the personal side of their own lives.      

Louis L. Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, opened the ceremony by greeting the students and telling them that they were now truly beginning their journey on the path to joining the ranks of podiatric medicine.  He added that NYCPM was already well along in planning for its Centennial Celebration in 2011, and said the Class of 2013 would be an integral part of that celebration.

Stanley S. Mandel, Chairman of the NYCPM Board of Trustees, said the health care system was being overwhelmed, and the country was coming up short on health care, but he said the new students were in the right place at the right time, and would be able to make a strong contribution helping to sustain health care delivery in the U.S.   

NYCPM Student Association president E. Giannin Perez, Class of 2011, offered her greetings, and congratulated the students and their parents.  She advised the students to lean on their fellow classmates for support during their years at NYCPM.

Following Dr. Lazar’s keynote speech, beaming family members watched as each member of the NYCPM Class of 2013 in turn strode across the stage and was helped into his or her white coat by members of the NYCPM Admissions Committee.  When all the students had returned to their seats, Michael J. Trepal, D.P.M., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, spoke briefly, urging the students to wear their white coats with pride and honor, maintain their humility, and reflect on the relief of suffering and the amount of good they would do in the course of their careers.  He then asked the students to rise and recite the Hippocratic Oath with him.

Some Facts about the NYCPM Class of 2013

Of the 92 students in the Class of 2013, 43, or 47 percent, are female and 49, or 53 percent, are male.  The average age is twenty-five.  The students come from fifteen states and two foreign countries, including one podiatrist from England.  Eleven percent of the class has an advanced degree.  NYCPM awarded members of the class $638,000 in incoming scholarships (across four years).   

New York College of Podiatric Medicine and Foot Clinics of New York

The New York College of Podiatric Medicine, established in 1911, is the first and largest of the U.S. schools of podiatric medicine.  Its clinical affiliate – Foot Center of New York – is the world’s largest foot health center, recording nearly 25,000 patient visits a year.  NYCPM has graduated more than 25% of all practicing podiatrists in the nation, and is at the forefront of podiatric care in terms of education, public awareness, government legislation and professional advancement.  Visit the College’s website at www.nycpm.edu and the website of Foot Clinics at www.footclinic.org for more information.