Philanthropist Endows Chair in C-L Psychiatry

A $5 million gift from Sidney E. Frank, founder and chair of the Sidney Frank Importing Company, will endow a new distinguished professorship in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at New York Medical College.

The Sidney Frank Distinguished Professorship in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences has been filled by Michael Blumenfield, M.D., who is a professor of psychiatry, medicine, and surgery at the college.

“It is my desire that this gift reflect my commitment to and my admiration for New York Medical College,” said Frank in a statement.“ It is a vote of confidence in Dr. Blumenfield and the entire psychiatry department. I am proud to have my name aligned with their good works, and I look forward to the outcomes of the Sidney Frank Distinguished Professorship program.”

Former APA President Joseph T. English, M.D., who is professor and chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at New York Medical College, told Psychiatric News that the donation will support a variety of new educational programs for psychiatry residents and medical students, particularly in the area of consultation-liaison psychiatry.

“One of Mr. Frank's objectives is that patients in general hospital services who have psychiatric disorders receive excellent care,” English said. “Dr. Blumenfield is responsible for our consultation-liaison programs and will have his teaching and clinical activities greatly enhanced by virtue of the gift. But most of all, Mr. Frank's appreciation of what psychiatry has to offer patients will lead others to support good care, teaching, and research by virtue of his extraordinary generosity.”

Among the programs that will be supported by the donation are a fellowship program in psychosomatic medicine, a summer internship program in the department for students completing their first year of medical school, a visiting professorship exchange program between New York Medical College and outstanding international medical universities, a research fund to encourage young investigators within the department of psychiatry to explore important areas of their research, and another fund to support underinsured patients so they can receive proper diagnostic services and short-term psychotherapy.

The Sidney Frank Importing Co. Inc. is the creator of Grey Goose Vodka and an importer of a number of popular brands of liquor including Jägermeister Liqueur, Corazón Tequila, and Gekkeikan Saké.

According to the company's Web site, Frank was born in Norwich, Conn., and attended Brown University before heading to Asia, where he represented Pratt and Whitney Motors during World War II. Upon his return to the United States in 1945, Frank found work with Schenley Distillers, where he was responsible for the success of such brands as Dewar's White Label and Ancient Age.

Today Frank, an avid golfer and art collector, lives in New Rochelle, N.Y., with his wife, Marian. He has two children and five grandchildren.

He is chair of the board of the Sidney and Louise Frank Foundation and is active in a variety of professional, cultural, and charitable organizations. He has donated money to Brown University, the American Heart Association, and the White Plains Hospital Center, among other institutions.

A press release about Sidney Frank's donation is posted online at<www.nymc.edu/depthome/pr/NR2005/03-04-05.asp>.▪