Julius H. Jacobson II, MD, left, with Michael L. Marin, MD
Mount Sinai surgeons, staff, and guests recently celebrated the opening of one of New York State’s first Aortic Disease Centers, which was established through the generous support of Julius H. Jacobson II, MD, Director Emeritus of Vascular Surgery and Distinguished Service Professor of Surgery at Mount Sinai, and his wife, Joan Jacobson. The Julius and Joan Jacobson Aortic Disease Center will be devoted to improving overall patient care and education, and advancing research and treatment efforts, including preventive strategies, for aortic aneurysms and other diseases of the aorta. Mount Sinai has long been a leader in developing new techniques and minimally invasive treatments for the repair of aortic aneurysms, which alone claim the lives of nearly 20,000 Americans each year.
Known as the father of vascular microsurgery, Dr. Jacobson spent 54 years of his illustrious career at Mount Sinai, 35 of them serving as Chief of Vascular Surgery. He developed the first microscope that allowed the surgeon and first assistant to view the operative field simultaneously. Known today as the “diploscope,” the invention now resides in a collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Michael L. Marin, MD, the Dr. Julius H. Jacobson II Chair in Vascular Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief at the Mount Sinai Health System, spoke at a luncheon honoring the Jacobson family that took place on Wednesday, November 2. “Countless vascular surgeons across the country and around the world owe their skill and practice to Dr. Jacobson,” said Dr. Marin, who fondly shared memories of his mentor from his time as a young medical student at Mount Sinai.
Dr. Jacobson’s daughter, Wendy Jacobson, MD, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of
Wendy Jacobson, MD
Medicine, and Training and Supervising Analyst at Emory University Psychoanalytic Institute, also spoke at the event. “His focus has always been on innovation, collaboration, and invention,” she said, “and his career is a testimonial to that.”
Dr. and Mrs. Jacobson’s philanthropic interests have always been vast, with many contributions benefitting Mount Sinai over the years. Beyond medicine, they have made numerous individual and joint contributions to the fields of education, writing, and music.
“This gift could not represent a more generative, timely, and important use of their collective resources,” Dr. Wendy Jacobson said. “The research and clinical advances that will be fostered by this Center truly are inspiring and humbling.”