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Milestones

Research Milestones

The Division is responsible for a number of breakthroughs in hematology research, including:

  • discovery of the lupus factor by Dr. Peter Miescher

  • discovery by Dr. Marjorie Zucker of the inhibitory effect of aspirin on platelet aggregation and its mechanism of action

  • the first purification and utilization of streptokinase as fibrinolytic agent, by Dr. Alan Johnson

  • Dr. Alan Johnson's demonstration that AHF and vonWillebrand factor (vWF) are two distinct molecules

  • the first use of DNA topoisomerase inhibitors in the treatment of cancer and leukemia, by Dr. Robert Silber

  • the first demonstration that ITP is an autoimmune thrombocytopenic platelet disorder, the first description of HIV-1 associated immunologic thrombocytopenia, and the first demonstration of the role of thrombin as an activator of tumor cells, all by Dr. Simon Karpatkin

  • the first recognition of the AIDS epidemic, at Bellevue Hospital in 1982 following the description of Kaposi's sarcoma in a cohort of sexually active homosexual men by Dr. Kenneth B. Hymes

Division Milestones

  • The opening of dedicated Hematology/Oncology Units at Tisch Hospital in 2003 and at Bellevue Hospital Center in 2004. These facilities have enabled our faculty and staff to render state-of-the-art care to patients with hematological and oncological diseases and to enhance the training of fellows and house staff rotating through these units.

  • The establishment of the Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Unit at Tisch Hospital under the directorship of Dr. Perry Cook and of the Anticoagulation Management Service at Tisch Hospital under the directorship of Dr. David Green. The latter will serve to enhance patient safety with regard to anticoagulation needs and reduce hospital admissions and length of stay.

  • The recruitment in 2003 of Dr. Lawrence Gardner, who completed his residency and fellowship training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and of Dr. Jeffrey Ye in 2004 from Rockefeller University. Dr. Ye joined the Hematology Division faculty after completing his residency training at NYU, fellowship training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute and Rockefeller University, and Ph.D. at NYU's Department of Pharmacology.