Class Notes: May – June 2019

Louis S. Snitkoff, MD’77 was elected President of the New York Chapter of the American College of Physicians.

John R. Gandionco, MD’ 92 is doing well in South Central Pennsylvania. He currently works for Wellspan Health and enjoys life with his wife and two children.

David Lederer, MD ’99 is the senior medical advisor for education and awareness at the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation(PFF). He was honored with the John W. Walsh PAR Award for Excellence on Sunday, May 19, at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference.

Justin Holder, MD’ 13 will be joining the Montefiore radiology department in July.

In Memoriam:*The Alumni Association recognizes in the “In Memoriam” section, not all alumni listed are recently deceased. As we become aware of the passing of our alumni we recognize them to provide their classmates with an update.

James M. Green, MD’ 46 has passed away.

Robert J. Lorello, MD’ 53 LORELLO, Robert John Dr. Robert John Lorello, beloved husband of Anita, formerly of Short Hills, NJ and Palm Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2019. Dr. Lorello was born on February 8, 1929 in Newark, NJ to Silvio and Jenny Lorello. He attended Seton Hall University and the State University of New York College of Medicine.

To view the complete obituary click here.

Noel H. Kleppel, MD’ 56 It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of our long-time faculty, friend and colleague Dr. Noel Kleppel, who succumbed to a brief and serious illness on Monday, June 17th, 2019. At the time of his passing he was comfortable and surrounded by his family. Dr. Kleppel had been affiliated with SUNY-Downstate since 1956, when he entered Medical School. Over the years, he rose through the academic ranks and was appointed Clinical Professor of Surgery by President Riley in 2018. Amongst his many academic and clinical achievements, I would like to highlight the following: Dr. Kleppel served as Captain in the United States Air Force Medical Corps and was awarded the USAF American Defense Medal. He served as Treasurer, Secretary and President of the SUNY-Downstate College of Medicine Alumni Association as well as the Brooklyn Surgical Society. Of note, he also served as the team physician to the Brooklyn Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Dr. Kleppel published his work on fecal feedings as therapy in Staphylococcal enterocolitis almost a half a century before ‘fecal transplantation’ was introduced into the modern clinical era. Dr. Kleppel is survived by his loving wife, Kim, his children and grand-children. Shiva is held at the home of Mr. Todd Richman at 73 IU Willets Road in Old Westbury until Friday, in case you would like to pay your respects.

The Department of Surgery is mourning one of its great faculty members! -Obituary submitted by Dr. Rainer Gruessner.

Richard J. Rizzuti, MD’ 68 Lynbrook – Richard J. Rizzuti passed away at the age of 76 on April 23, 2019 in Lynbrook, NY, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by 3 children, 4 grandchildren and a younger brother. Richard was born in Jersey City, NJ to Leonard and Esther (Mascitelli) Rizzuti on May 13, 1942. He was the oldest of the couple’s three children.

To view the complete obituary click here.

Michael P. DeMicco, MD’ 71 has passed away.

Michael J. Padalino, MD’ 77 Dr. Michael J. Padalino, 67, of Franklin, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon, February 7, 2019. Born in Buffalo, NY on November 3, 1951, he was the son of Phyllis Genova Padalino and the late Michael C. Padalino. A faithful member of St. Patrick Church in Franklin, Mike attended Catholic schools in his youth and graduated from Bishop Fallon High School in Buffalo.

To view the complete obituary click here.

Arthur Newmark, MD’ 89 has passed away.