In memoriam: Barry Stimmel

Barry Stimmel, MD was the editor of the Journal of Addictive Diseases. He passed away on November 24, 2014. Dr. Stimmel was former Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Dean Emeritus for Medical Education at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Stimmel served as the Katherine and Clifford Goldsmith Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and was a member of the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute at Mount Sinai. His obituary is available through The New York Times.

For over fifty years, Dr. Stimmel was a leader in medical education, physician health, patient care, and research in internal medicine, cardiology, and addiction medicine at Mount Sinai. After graduating from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in 1964, he completed his rotating internship, internal medicine residency, and fellowship in cardiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Barry was an expert in the creation of innovative medical curricula for several medical schools. Upon completion of his post graduate training, he was named Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs. Ultimately, he served as Dean of Graduate Medical Education from 1996 to 2008 and was pivotal in the evolution of the Consortium for Graduate Medical Education at Mount Sinai. This program blended 11 institutions and more than 1,800 house staff and was one of the largest medical education programs in the United States.¹

Dr. Stimmel was committed to physicians in training and to those in practice who had health challenges. He served as Ombudsperson from 2008 to 2014 in the Icahn School of Medicine. He insisted that the medical community protect and preserve the confidentiality of all those who served in the field.

Dr. Stimmel was a pioneer in the art and science of addiction medicine. He has worldwide acclaim for his treatment and research of opioid and heroin dependency. In 1970, he established Mount Sinai's former Narcotics Rehabilitation Center and served as Executive Director from 1975 to 2008.¹ This was the premier ambulatory program in New York City to use methadone in the treatment of more than 30,000 heroin and opioid users. Consistent with his previous programs, he emphasized the multidisciplinary model which became the national standard. Dr. Stimmel also served on the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Committee of Physicians for National Drug Control Strategy.

Dr. Stimmel was recognized several times by the Mount Sinai Alumni, receiving both the Jacobi Medallion (1982) and the Mount Sinai Alumni Award for Achievement in Medical Education (2001). He served as President of the Mount Sinai Alumni Association from 2005 to 2007. In 2008, he received the Mount Sinai Alumni Special Recognition Award.¹

Dr. Stimmel was founding editor of the Journal of Addictive Diseases. He authored eight books, numerous book chapters, and more than 140 peer reviewed articles addressing the growing epidemic related to substance use disorders.¹ He specialized in the effects of mood altering drugs on the heart and pain control. He was a passionate lecturer on issues in medical education, physician health, pain management, and substance abuse. I was sitting next to him at the ASAM board meeting when he was told the Journal of Addictive Diseases would be replaced by a new journal for the Society. He was dignified in his service and his departure. We have all been enriched by his commitment and service. It was an honor to know him and feel his commitment.