On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics along with Emory School of Medicine colleagues, faculty, residents, and friends joined in celebrating the appointment of Alicia Smith, Ph.D. as the Diana and Bryan Blair Research Professor in Gynecology and Obstetrics.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2019, the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics along with Emory School of Medicine colleagues, faculty, residents, and friends joined in celebrating the appointment of Alicia Smith, Ph.D. as the Diana and Bryan Blair Research Professor in Gynecology and Obstetrics. Executive Associate Dean, Medical Education & Student Affairs, Emory University School of Medicine John Eley MD, MPH celebrated the extraordinary gift of Diana Blair and her family.
Dr. Eley welcomed attendees by sharing, “The aegis of this gift is the result of Dr. Ira Horowitz and his team’s extraordinary care of Ms. Blair, care that was based firmly in medical science. With her act of kindness, Ms. Blair has made this story even more extraordinary as her gift bestows one of the highest honors in academia to Dr. Smith. A gift which enables Dr. Smith to work even harder, facilitate more research, and save more lives.”
Penny Castellano, MD, Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs and Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine echoed these sentiments. “Dr. Smith brings to our department a focus on understanding how genetics can be used to personalize therapy in a way that really can create miracles for patients. Without the wonderful benefit of philanthropy, we cannot do the work Dr. Smith and her team do to support an academic department of women’s health.”
Emory Clinic Physician Group President, Emory Healthcare and Executive Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Professional Development Ira Horowitz, MD, SM welcomed Ms. Blair to the podium as he shared the story of the care Ms. Blair received. “When Diana was diagnosed with cancer, survival for her stage of cancer was 15 to 20%. Since then we have had many advancements, and fortunately, we don’t see these diagnoses as a death sentence, and that is only through the research we have been able to do in all the arenas in which we have been successful.” As was shared that evening, the Blair family and Dr. Horowitz have maintained a friendship that has spanned almost 22 years. However, with the passing of her husband Bryan, Diana was inspired to endow a professorship at Emory to advance cancer research. Her support will allow for other patients with similar cancer diagnoses to have the same access to innovation in women’s health as she did when she received care at Emory.
Diana Blair shared, “When I came to Emory, I had no idea what to expect, I met Dr. Horowitz, and my journey with Emory began. After major surgery, six rounds of chemotherapy, at 30-hours each and, another surgery, I came out the experience a much stronger person. How does one survive cancer? How do we cure cancer? With lots of research and dedicated people like Dr. Smith. I was part of a research study, and I am grateful that there were people ahead of me to do the research that saved my life. My husband Bryan would be so proud that we have established the Diana and Bryan Blair Research Professorship.”
Ms. Blair continued, “We already know that Emory recruits the best of the best and I am excited that we have gathered here today to honor Dr. Smith who is already doing great things with her research in gynecology and obstetrics.”
As the evening concluded, Dr. Alicia Smith, Vice Chair for Research and Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, thanked the Blair family for their ongoing support of women’s health research. “We are witnessing an unprecedented growth in women’s healthcare, and this is an exciting time to be a researcher. With the support made possible through the Diana and Bryan Blair Research Professorship, we are poised to take advantage of emerging opportunities to discover the causes of gynecologic disorders and develop new treatments that make a difference in the lives of women and their families.”
Dr. Eley welcomed attendees by sharing, “The aegis of this gift is the result of Dr. Ira Horowitz and his team’s extraordinary care of Ms. Blair, care that was based firmly in medical science. With her act of kindness, Ms. Blair has made this story even more extraordinary as her gift bestows one of the highest honors in academia to Dr. Smith. A gift which enables Dr. Smith to work even harder, facilitate more research, and save more lives.”
Penny Castellano, MD, Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs and Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine echoed these sentiments. “Dr. Smith brings to our department a focus on understanding how genetics can be used to personalize therapy in a way that really can create miracles for patients. Without the wonderful benefit of philanthropy, we cannot do the work Dr. Smith and her team do to support an academic department of women’s health.”
Emory Clinic Physician Group President, Emory Healthcare and Executive Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Professional Development Ira Horowitz, MD, SM welcomed Ms. Blair to the podium as he shared the story of the care Ms. Blair received. “When Diana was diagnosed with cancer, survival for her stage of cancer was 15 to 20%. Since then we have had many advancements, and fortunately, we don’t see these diagnoses as a death sentence, and that is only through the research we have been able to do in all the arenas in which we have been successful.” As was shared that evening, the Blair family and Dr. Horowitz have maintained a friendship that has spanned almost 22 years. However, with the passing of her husband Bryan, Diana was inspired to endow a professorship at Emory to advance cancer research. Her support will allow for other patients with similar cancer diagnoses to have the same access to innovation in women’s health as she did when she received care at Emory.
Diana Blair shared, “When I came to Emory, I had no idea what to expect, I met Dr. Horowitz, and my journey with Emory began. After major surgery, six rounds of chemotherapy, at 30-hours each and, another surgery, I came out the experience a much stronger person. How does one survive cancer? How do we cure cancer? With lots of research and dedicated people like Dr. Smith. I was part of a research study, and I am grateful that there were people ahead of me to do the research that saved my life. My husband Bryan would be so proud that we have established the Diana and Bryan Blair Research Professorship.”
Ms. Blair continued, “We already know that Emory recruits the best of the best and I am excited that we have gathered here today to honor Dr. Smith who is already doing great things with her research in gynecology and obstetrics.”
As the evening concluded, Dr. Alicia Smith, Vice Chair for Research and Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, thanked the Blair family for their ongoing support of women’s health research. “We are witnessing an unprecedented growth in women’s healthcare, and this is an exciting time to be a researcher. With the support made possible through the Diana and Bryan Blair Research Professorship, we are poised to take advantage of emerging opportunities to discover the causes of gynecologic disorders and develop new treatments that make a difference in the lives of women and their families.”