ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 
MINUTES OF SENATE COUNCIL MEETING 

WED SEP 1, 2021

FINAL

PRESENT: Drs. Gordon Tomaselli, Ed Burns; Ms. Shelly Motzkin

VIA ZOOM: Drs. Julia Arnsten, Jonathan Lai, Jacqueline Achkar, Jonathan Alpert, Teresa DiLorenzo, Matthew Gamble, Nadine Katz, Marla Keller, Victor Schuster, Simone Sidoli, Sylvia Suadicani, Kalyani Dhusia; Mr. Ryan Graff; Mr. Emilio Merheb; Ms. Lindsay Pattison

EXCUSED: Ms. Lindsay Pattison

ABSENT: Drs. Chandan Guha, Carmen Isasi, Susan Klugman, Pamela Stanley, Nerys Benfield

1. Meeting minutes from the July 7, 2021 were approved.
2. Dean Tomaselli updated the Council on plans for departmental reorganization, including redistribution of faculty in Anatomy & Structural Biology, and Physiology & Biophysics to other existing departments. Administrative activities for these two departments will be winding down by Jan 1, 2022.
3. Dr. Sidoli led a discussion about creation of a museum at Einstein for older lab equipment. Potentially this could provide historical scientific perspective as well as provide a showcase for potential donors.
4. Dean Tomaselli updated the Council on the Strategic Montefiore 2030 planning process. The five major components to the plan are: (1) Doubling down on the Bronx; (2) Winning in Westchester; (3) Driving Excellence at Einstein; (4) Branding; and (5) Unlocking Power (philanthropy).
5. Deans Tomaselli and Burns highlighted the accomplishments and life of Dr. Paul Frenette. Dr. Burns outlined the process for support of Dr. Frenette’s family and research group, as well as transitionary plans for Dr. Frenette’s research group and grants, and the Stem Cell Institute Directorship.
6. The Council discussed the updated guidelines for masking, in response to the rise in SARSCoV2 Delta variant cases. Vaccinations for flu as well as COVID19 boosters (for eligible individuals) will be rolled out soon.
7. Drs. Achkar, Gamble, and Sidoli updated the Council on development of a Task Force for Big Data and research computing. A meeting with several faculty was held and there was universal agreement on the need for improved “large data” resources. Specific recommendations included: improving intranet website, aggregation of available resources, creation of a centralized consulting board, building up analysis training, and learning from other institutions. A Task Force will be assembled to formally examine these issues. 

The meeting adjourned at 4:01 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, 
Jonathan Lai, Ph.D. 
Vice Speaker, Einstein Senate