Physician Author Donates Book Proceeds to Genetics Program at University of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH, January 26, 2001 — A gift of $10,000 – representing proceeds from the sale of a book on the history of UPMC Montefiore – has been donated to the University of Pittsburgh’s Genetic Education and Counseling Program by the book’s co-author and publisher, Samuel Granowitz, M.D.
Dr. Granowitz, an orthopaedic surgeon who spent his entire career practicing medicine at Montefiore and other Pittsburgh hospitals, and who serves as assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, undertook the publishing venture in 1990 when the then-independent Montefiore Hospital was about to be sold to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His intent was to preserve the history of the hospital, which was founded in 1908 for Jewish patients and physicians.
To Good Health and Life: L’Chaim (A History of Montefiore Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1898-1990) was co-authored by Dr. Granowitz, Carol Stein Bleier and Lu Donnelly. In the three years since its publication, the book has sold approximately 1,000 copies. Dr. Granowitz has chosen to donate all proceeds to the Genetics Education and Counseling Program at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health.
“Genetic abnormalities are common in the Jewish population, as well as in other groups,” Dr. Granowitz said. “Therefore we felt it was appropriate to contribute the funds to a program that educates people about genetic diseases.”
The Genetics Education and Counseling Program, a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, is dedicated to providing up-to-date information about inherited conditions and related services for individuals, families, communities and health professionals. Through workshops and written materials, it provides information about familial cancers and inherited metabolic disorders. It also helps individuals secure referrals to clinical and testing services in genetics.
“We are very grateful for the generous gift from Dr. Granowitz,” said John Barranger, M.D., Ph.D., director of the university’s Genetics Education and Counseling Program. “The gift will enable us to conduct additional genetic disease education programs for physicians, counselors and members of the community.” Dr. Barranger also directs the Center for the Study and Treatment of Jewish Genetic Diseases, the Gaucher Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center and the Human Gene Therapy Applications Laboratory, and he is a professor in the university’s departments of molecular genetics and biochemistry, pediatrics and human genetics.
For more information about the Genetics Education and Counseling Program at the University of Pittsburgh, please call 1-800-640-GENE (4363).
To Good Health and Life: L’Chaim (A History of Montefiore Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1898-1990) is available at local bookstores, or by sending a check for $14.95 plus $3 for handling to Montefiore History Fund, c/o Montefiore Books, Suite 37, 1717 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. For more information call 412-605-3239.