The gift from the Chutorian-Semler Family Foundation will establish an endowed professorship in honor of Dr. Abe Chutorian, a professor of neurology in pediatrics, who served as director of the Division of Pediatric Neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine from 1990 to 2005 and held professorships in both the Department of Neurology and Department of Pediatrics. The professorship will support an outstanding faculty member in pediatric neurology who will embody the highest standards of patient care and biomedical research and uphold the division’s tradition of excellence. The holder will be known as the Abe M. Chutorian, MD Professor of Pediatric Neurology and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Neurology.
A gifted physician and educator lauded for his analytical skills, Dr. Chutorian – who is now retired from clinical practice – lectured widely and published extensively throughout his long career. Tracy Chutorian Semler, Dr. Chutorian’s daughter, describes her father’s dedication to pediatric neurology as a “calling”– and says that he continues to assist friends and relatives who seek out his expertise.
“Whether figuring out a complex case that stumped colleagues around the country or elsewhere in the world, training the next generation of pediatric neurologists, preparing for a lecture, working on a research paper, or leading the Division of Pediatric Neurology, he gave everything of himself – his intellectual powers, his creative thinking, his old-fashioned elbow grease – in pursuit of excellence,” she says. “My husband, Eric, and I hope our gift helps the chief of the division to further Weill Cornell Medicine’s lifesaving and life-enhancing work on behalf of patients who are burdened by the devastating impact of neurological diseases.”
Standing: Helen Chutorian, Tracy Chutorian Semler, Eric Semler.
Seated: Dr. Abe Chutorian
The field of pediatric neurology encompasses disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles of infants, children and adolescents.
After receiving his medical degree in 1957 from the University of Manitoba, and for the rest of his career, Dr. Chutorian worked to improve children’s lives, juggling research with teaching, while maintaining an active clinical practice.
His wife of more than 70 years – Helen Chutorian, a retired social worker – has been a vital partner throughout, says Ms. Chutorian Semler, prioritizing the family over her own career.
In 2017, Dr. Chutorian was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Child Neurology Society, in recognition of his longtime commitment to advancing the field of pediatric neurology.
“During his tenure as director of the division at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Chutorian worked tirelessly to expand the scope of our work, advancing new research, fellowships and clinical care programs that solidified our standing as a top academic medical center for pediatric neurology,’’ says Dr. Matthew Fink, chair of the Department of Neurology, and the Louis and Gertrude Feil Professor in Clinical Neurology. “Early in my career as a resident in neurology, Dr. Chutorian was one of my most revered mentors. His teaching was so enlightening that at one time, I wanted to become a child neurologist. It is with great pride that we welcome this generous gift in Dr. Chutorian’s honor.”
With its support of children’s health and brain health – priority areas within Weill Cornell Medicine’s We’re Changing Medicine campaign – the gift will further advance the institution’s research initiatives for children with neurological disorders, ultimately leading to better therapies, says Dr. Sallie Permar, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and the Nancy C. Paduano Professor in Pediatrics. “We are extremely grateful for this visionary philanthropy in honor of a true trailblazer in the field of pediatric neurology.”
“Excellence has always been a hallmark of my father’s career,’’ says Ms. Chutorian Semler. “Weill Cornell Medicine embodies the same ethos of excellence in patient care, and in the fundamental research that will move fields like pediatric neurology forward, helping tomorrow in ways we can’t even begin to envision today.”
