Laurie G. Jacobs, MD
The Department of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Laurie Jacobs as Interim Chair of the Department at Einstein and Montefiore, effective August 1, 2014. A graduate of Columbia University, Dr. Jacobs is Professor of Clinical Medicine and a well known, highly regarded member of Einstein and Montefiore.
Dr. Jacobs completed the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program and the Geriatrics Fellowship Program at Montefiore Einstein. She joined the faculty at Einstein and served as Division Chief of Geriatrics from 1995 to 2009. During her tenure as Division Chief, Dr. Jacobs developed and expanded clinical programs for the frail elderly, including interdisciplinary house call and office practices, nursing home medical services, a Geriatrics Hospitalist service, and an elder abuse evaluation and assessment program. Additionally, she directed geriatrics training programs for physicians at every level, from medical students to attending physicians.
In 2009, Dr. Jacobs was named Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine in 2009. In this role, she actively participated in program development, medical education, and supervision of the Department's 350 full-time physicians. Additionally, she contributed to creating hospitalist, chronic kidney disease, asthma, and other programs, which have improved care of chronic disease.
Dr. Jacobs has published extensively in the field of geriatrics and has secured a number of highly visible education grants in the field. Her research focuses on anticoagulant use in older adults — examining benefits, risks, and quality of care. She has authored many publications and speaks nationally regarding these topics as well as geriatric medicine.
Dr. Jacobs succeeds Dr. Victor Schuster, who served as Chair of the Department for over a decade. Dr. Schuster has assumed the position of Senior Vice Dean at Einstein and is devoting more time to his laboratory-based research in nephrology.
"We wish Dr. Jacobs the best of luck as she steps in to lead the Department of Medicine during this important transition period," said Drs. Allen Spiegel, Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein, and Steven Safyer, President and CEO of Montefiore Health System.