Peter Y. Kim Memorial Lecture
The Peter Y. Kim Memorial Lecture was established in 2018 in honor of Peter Kim, MD, PhD, who passed away unexpectedly in 2017, at the age of 55. The Department of Neurology established this lectureship to bring speakers with expertise in outpatient general clinical neurology to speak to the department.
Peter Kim was born in South Korea and came to the United States at a young age. He spent most of his youth in Buffalo, NY, where he developed his lifelong love of the Buffalo sports teams, as was evident to anyone who entered his office. He received his BS and his PhD from the University of Rochester, completing his thesis on “Activation of c-myc and ki-ras oncogenes in radiation induced rat thyroid carcinomas.” He then completed his MD at the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. After finishing an internship at the University of Rochester in 1994, he came to the Neurological Institute to begin his neurology residency, which he completed in 1997. Between the years of 1997 and 1999, Dr. Kim worked as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Departments of Neurology and Pathology at Columbia. Then, in 1999, he joined the fledgling Department of Neurology Division of General Neurology.
As one of the original members of this newly formed division dedicated to caring for patients with all types of neurological problems, Dr. Kim was integral in the division’s growth and success. He was always available. Physicians throughout the medical center called him to see their patients, friends and colleagues. He never said no. He served as the primary neurological consultant to the Columbia University Athletics Department. When the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic needed attending supervision, he stepped in to serve as co-director. For years he provided the majority of the consultations needed by the cardiac and liver transplant services. He developed an expertise in HIV neurology and was asked by the Department of Medicine’s Infectious Disease Service to run an HIV Neurology clinic.
Peter also never said no to any educational contribution he was asked to make. He directed the Neurology Residents’ General Neurology Clinic for many years. He supervised the outpatient General Neurology elective. He enthusiastically participated in outpatient rotations for the medical students and residents. Those who participated saw him as teacher and mentor, yet he still treated everyone as a peer.
Dr. Kim’s untimely death was a blow to the Department, particularly for those in the Division of General Neurology, who worked closely with him every day. He was a beloved friend, colleague, clinician, teacher, and mentor, and remains sorely missed. This lecture series is dedicated to his memory, and to his countless contributions to this Department.
UPCOMING LECTURE:
2022 Peter Y. Kim Memorial Lecture
The Transient Amnesias: Unforgettable Cases from a General Neurology Practice
Steven L. Lewis, MD
Timothy M. Breidegam Chair and Chief of Neurology, Lehigh Valley Health Network
Editor-in-Chief, Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology
Acting Secretary General, World Federation of Neurology
Dr. Lewis received his MD from Stanford in 1983. He then completed a neurology residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics where he served as chief resident. He joined the faculty of Rush Medical College, also in Chicago, where he rose to the position of Head of the Section of General Neurology and Associate Chair. While at Rush, he also spent time as Neurology Residency Program Director and Co-Director of the Medical Student Neurology Clerkship. He was voted Teacher of the Year several times. In 2017, he moved to his current position as Timothy M. Breidegam Chair and Chief of Neurology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Lewis has not limited his contributions to his local institutions. At the American Academy of Neurology, Dr. Lewis been a member of several committees, including serving as Vice-Chair of the Education committee, Chair of the Examination Subcommittee, and Chair of the Fall Conference Task Force. He has directed many courses and presented many lectures at the Annual Meeting, the Fall Conference, and in other settings. He is just completing his tenure as Editor-in-Chief, Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology. Dr. Lewis has held several positions at the World Federation of Neurology, including that of Acting Secretary General, Elected Trustee, Chair of the Education Committee, and Editor of the newsletter, World Neurology. With the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, he has, among other roles, served as Chair of the Neurology Residency Review Committee, Chair of the Milestones Advisory and Working Group, and is currently on the Neurology Appeals Panel. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has also benefitted from Dr. Lewis’ endless commitment to Neurology. He has served as a member or chair of many committees, including Chair of the Continuing Certification Article Assessment Committee and he currently serves on the Board of Directors.
There is not a facet of neurological education that Dr. Lewis has not touched. He has been involved at every level, from medical student to continuing education and certification for the seasoned neurologist. His involvement has been local, national, and international. In recognition of his efforts, in 2019, he was presented with the A.B. Baker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Neurological Education by the American Academy of Neurology.