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Dr. Ruth Weinstock, founder of Upstate Joslin Diabetes Center, earns SUNY's highest honor

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Upstate Medical University Professor Ruth Weinstock, M.D., Ph.D., who transformed diabetes care in New York state, has received the prestigious rank of Distinguished Service Professor from the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees, as announced by SUNY May 10.

Weinstock, founder and medical director of the Upstate Joslin Diabetes Center, is professor of medicine, specializing in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism; research professor of neuroscience and physiology; medical director of the Clinical Research Unit; and division chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.

She is among 21 faculty members from SUNY’s 64 campuses to receive distinguished ranks this year. Distinguished ranks are the highest system honors conferred upon SUNY instructional faculty. Along with this distinction, she joins the SUNY Distinguished Academy, comprised of all active SUNY faculty members who hold a distinguished rank, as appointed by the Board, and who are charged with forwarding the overall mission of the State University of New York.

“The Board is pleased to present these individuals with SUNY’s highest distinguished ranking,” said Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “Their commitment to the students, faculty, and staff at their respective campuses and their vast achievements within their respective fields is impressive and highly commendable.”

“In bestowing our highest faculty honor, we proudly recognize the extraordinary achievements of these individuals and thank them for their continued commitment to excellence,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “I look forward to working more closely with this group as they join the SUNY Distinguished Academy.”

Through her efforts in founding the Joslin Diabetes Center at Upstate, Weinstock has delivered to the region a comprehensive, coordinated care system for patients with diabetes and has increased their access to care. Her past work with the Veterans Administration (VA) locally and nationally led to the development of a model for diabetes care that the VA system has adopted nationwide.

Under her leadership, the Upstate Joslin Diabetes Center cares for more than 25,000 children and adults from more than 20 counties in Upstate New York. It includes a staff of 13 adult and pediatric endocrinologists, as well as many support staff to carry out the mission of the program. Her efforts resulted in the Upstate Joslin Center being designated as a Diabetes Center of Excellence by the New York State Department of Health, one of five hospital-based diabetes programs in New York state--and the only one between Albany and Buffalo--to receive this distinction.

Complementing her clinical accomplishments, Weinstock has consistently demonstrated excellence in research, and has more than 130 original research publications. She is funded presently by five NIH grants and the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and is the site principal investigator on several industry sponsored clinical trials. She is a member and has contributed to numerous state and national professional organizations and societies, including serving as associate editor of Diabetes Care for 10 years and serving on NIH review panels.

Captions: Ruth Weinstock, M.D., Ph.D., is named a Distinguished Service Professor by the SUNY Board of Trustees.

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