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Remembering Donald H. Gemson, MD, MPH ’85
We are deeply saddened by the passing in June of Donald H. Gemson, MD, MPH '85, beloved Mailman School associate clinical professor of Sociomedical Sciences and former co-director of the School's Harlem Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Dr. Gemson was a national expert in preventive medicine and a major advocate for public health. In addition to his faculty appointment at the Mailman School, he also served as medical director for Merrill Lynch.
One of Dr. Gemson's most important contributions to public health was his role in preparing future generations of leaders in the field. He was an extraordinary teacher and mentor, as evidenced by the student accolades he received over the years. Dr. Gemson cherished being able to work side-by-side with his friend and mentor Jack Elinson, PhD, a special lecturer in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences. Last year, Drs. Gemson and Elinson marked 22 years of teaching the course Preventive Health Behavior and 20 years teaching Preventative Medicine and Public Health.
Dr. Gemson was a member of the New York State tobacco control program advisory board and also a 20-year volunteer for the American Cancer Society, where his influence was felt throughout the organization. In addition to serving as chief medical officer there, he was recently awarded the prestigious St. George National Award for his extraordinary efforts to further the American Cancer Society mission.
Through his involvement with the American Cancer Society, Dr. Gemson served as chair of the NYC Coalition for a Smokefree City. While there, he counted the passage of the Smoke Free Air Act as a highlight of his work in preventive medicine. His many honors included being named one of the Top Preventive Medicine Physicians in the New York metropolitan area for four consecutive years by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. in its annual reference guidebook of Top Doctors. Additionally, he received a citation from the American College of Preventive Medicine for his medical leadership in responding to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
The School is delighted that one of Dr. Gemson's friends initiated the Donald H. Gemson Scholarship Fund, based at the School to ensure his legacy as a master teacher and mentor. This fund will provide support for generations of doctoral students in the central area of his expertise, health promotion and disease prevention.
Dr. Gemson never hesitated to give his time to students and colleagues, whether it was to provide feedback, edit their work, or serve as a sounding board. His Mailman School colleagues say he was genuinely respected and admired, a true role model and dedicated mentor. Most of all he was a devoted husband and father. Please join us in extending our deepest condolences to Dr. Gemson's wife, Lesley Field, and their children, Edward and Maya.
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