Press Releases

Share This Press Release

NHCC’S STEVEN WALERSTEIN, MD, FACP, ELECTED GOVERNOR-ELECT OF THE NEW YORK DOWNSTATE III CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS

East Meadow, NY….. Steven Walerstein, MD, FACP, Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Medical Director for the Nassau Health Care Corporation, has received notification of his election as Governor-elect of the New York Downstate III Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). In a letter dated December 7, 2007, John Tooker, MD, MBA, FACP, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the ACP, stated:  “The role of Governor is critical to the success and future of the College.  Having served in this capacity myself, I understand the extent of the commitment you are making.  Thank you for agreeing to serve.  Your efforts will be most appreciated.”

Dr. Walerstein’s one term as Governor -elect begins on Saturday May 17, 2008 at the conclusion of the Annual Business Meeting; and his four-year term as Governor will begin at the Annual Business Meeting in April 2009 and end at the same meeting in 2013. The ACP is the nation’s largest medical specialty society. Its mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine. ACP membership includes about 124,000 members, including medical students. Members are physicians in general internal medicine and related subspecialties. In the area of public policy, ACP’s activities include research and development of policy statements and government relations activities designed to shape decisions of the legislative and administrative sectors of government.

The Board of Governors consists of 79 Governors who represent College members in various chapters and regions of the United States, and regions in Canada, several Latin American countries and Japan.  ACP Governors provide a critical link between members, headquarters and the Board of Regents.  They are responsible for coordinating local College activities – such as membership credentialing, scientific meetings, programs for Associates and medical students, local advocacy, and representing the College at public forums.  Nationally, the Board of Governors serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Regents, the policy-making body of the College.     

Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the Nassau Health Care Corporation congratulated Dr. Walerstein on his election as Governor-elect of the ACP:  “It is an honor to have our medical director represent the Long Island region of the ACP as their Governor-elect, giving him the opportunity to advocate for issues of concern to LI’s general and specialist internists.”  

In his role as Medical Director, Dr. Walerstein is responsible for the oversight of the provision of medical care throughout the NHCC. Working closely with the clinical chairs and the Department of Clinical Effectiveness, he reviews the quality of care provided and identifies opportunities for improvement. He also works collaboratively with the Director of Undergraduate Medical Education in assuring the highest quality training programs for medical students and residents. Prior to being appointed Medical Director for the Nassau Health Care Corporation, Dr. Walerstein served as Vice President for Medical Affairs and Associate Medical Director for New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York from August of 2002 through July of 2005. Dr. Walerstein served as Chairman and Program Director for the Department of Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center from September 1999 until March 2002. Dr. Walerstein graduated in 1979 from the Six Year Bio-Medical Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Albany Medical College with a Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, and a Doctor of Medicine.  He went on to complete his postgraduate training in the Primary Care Internal Medicine Program at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC.

 Dr .Walerstein has received numerous university appointments. Currently, he serves as Associate Professor for the Health Sciences Center at Stony Brook. Dr. Walerstein has also served as Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine for Weill-Cornell Medical College and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Walerstein has earned numerous professional and educational awards and honors. Most recently, he received the Laureate Award from the New York State Chapter of the American College of Physicians for 2006. Dr. Walerstein was also awarded the Best Faculty Attending Award by the New York Methodist Hospital Department of Medicine for the 2002-2003 year. The Long Island Jewish Center’s Department of Medicine awarded Dr. Walerstein the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1990.