Abstract of Recording

In this interview, Dr. Newman discusses his recruitment to Beth Israel by his predecessor Ray Trussell, MD; his relationship with the Board of Trustees; BI’s role in the AIDS crisis and addiction treatment; the acquisition of Doctors Hospital and Kings Highway Hospital; the establishment of a Japanese-language medical practice; the affiliation with St. Luke’s-Roosevelt and creation of Continuum Health Partners. Individuals discussed include: Ray Trussell, MD; Charles Silver; Harold Fierman; Milton Petrie; Donna Mildvan; Harold Trigg, MD; Vincent Dole, MD and Marie Nyswander, PhD; Morton Hyman.

Transcript of Robert Newman interview (INT 0200)

Sound Recording of Robert Newman interview (INT 0200)

Biographical Sketch

Robert Newman, MD, MPH (1937-2018) was an internationally renowned expert on addiction treatment who served as President of Beth Israel Medical Center from 1979 to 1997 and as CEO of Continuum Health Partners from 1997 to 2000. Dr. Newman was born in the Netherlands in 1937; in 1939, his family fled Europe for the United States and he was raised in New York. He earned a bachelor's degree from NYU, a medical degree from the University of Rochester and an MPH from UC-Berkeley. Prior to joining Beth Israel, he served as Assistant Health Commissioner to the City of New York, where he was responsible for the city’s methadone treatment program. He was recruited by Beth Israel Director Ray Trussell, MD to become his replacement, joining BI in the 1970s and becoming Director (the title was later changed to President) in 1979. During his tenure at Beth Israel he oversaw numerous expansion projects, including the acquisition of two additional hospital facilities. In 1997, with the merger of Beth Israel and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt, he became the founding CEO of Continuum Health Partners, a position he held until his retirement in 2000. Dr. Newman died in 2018.