From left: Reginald Miller, DVM; Dennis S. Charney, MD; and Gary Butts, MD, at the Honorary Deans’ Reception held during Black History Month.
During Black History Month in February, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai honored its first black male deans, Gary C. Butts, MD, and Reginald Miller, DVM, for their significant contributions to the institution.
Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and President for Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System, spoke at the Honorary Deans’ Reception that was hosted by Mount Sinai’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion and Black Leaders Advocating for Change and Community, an employee resource group.
“Mount Sinai is dedicated to diversity in all of its aspects,” said Dr. Charney. “There are many reasons why this is important. It creates a more enriched learning environment for all students, and enables us to offer our patients better care, particularly those who are underserved. And it facilitates the conduct of research that will benefit patients with the most serious medical diseases. I am counting on Dr. Butts and Dr. Miller to provide critical leadership in all of these diversity related efforts.”
Dr. Butts, who was recently named Dean for Diversity Programs, Policy, and Community Affairs, is a Professor of Pediatrics, Medical Education, and Preventive Medicine. He has spent more than three decades providing health care services to underserved populations in East and Central Harlem. For more than 15 years he has spearheaded efforts to improve and sustain racial, ethnic, and gender diversity throughout the Icahn School of Medicine. Under his leadership, the School’s Center for Multicultural Affairs has been recognized as a Health Resources and Services Administration Center of Excellence for Minority Health.
As Dean for Research Operations and Infrastructure, Dr. Miller has primary responsibility for ensuring the availability and appropriateness of resources, facilities, and functions necessary for conducting basic research within the Icahn School of Medicine. Dr. Miller also serves as Chair of the Diversity in Biomedical Research Council, which focuses on the recruitment of underrepresented students in science to Mount Sinai’s graduate programs. And he is Director of Friends of Odysseus, a mentoring program for black and Latino men that focuses on recruitment, retention, and promotion of students, faculty, and postdoctoral, clinical, and research trainees.