Dr. J. Lester Gabrilove, the Florence and Theodore Baumritter Professor of Medicine Emeritus, was considered one of the fathers of modern endocrinology, His considerable research, especially in the area of adrenal tumors, greatly advanced the study of endocrinology over the last half century and included more than 170 papers in national and international journals.
His passion for endocrinology impacted generations of faculty and trainees. He was a role model who inspired numerous endocrine fellows and faculty who regarded him as a master clinician-educator. Dr. Gabrilove served as Chief of the Endocrine Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital for 20 years, and was instrumental in founding the Clinic as well as the Division of Endocrinology, where he also served as Acting Chief. In 2007, the division was renamed the Hilda and J. Lester Gabrilove Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease in honor of Dr. Gabrilove and his wife. In 1987, the Icahn School of Medicine established the J. Lester Gabrilove, MD Award, which annually honors those physicians who display excellence in clinical or basic research. In 1995, in recognition of his lifelong contributions, he received the inaugural Distinguished Endocrinologist Award by the American College of Endocrinology.
Dr. Gabrilove had served, among many appointments, on the National Institutes of Health Special Committee on Research Centers in Diabetes, Metabolism and Endocrinology, and had shared his vast knowledge as a visiting professor in many universities and hospitals around the world.