Ludwig W. Eichna, M.D., 94, Medical Educator and Innovator
by Herman Rosen, M.D.

Dr. Ludwig W. Eichna, former Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, was memorialized at a recent ceremony at Downstate Medical Center. In a program chaired by Alan Josephson, M.D., various prominent physicians from NYU School of Medicine and Downstate recounted episodes from Dr. Eichna’s career. Dr. Eichna was on the faculty of NYU Medical School for twenty years until 1960, when he came to Downstate as Professor and Chairman of Medicine. Saul Farber, M.D., former Dean and Chairman of Medicine at NYU reviewed Eichna’s contributions in the field of cardiovascular disease and physiology. He spoke of Eichna’s tireless efforts on the wards of Bellevue Hospital. Dr. Arthur Fox, NYU Professor and cardiologist mentioned Eichna’s pioneering work in cardiac catheterization and heart failure. When Dr. Eichna came to Downstate he recruited Drs. Hugh Carroll and Paul Dreizen to come with him to Downstate. They went on to develop academic prominence at Downstate. Each spoke, pointing out Dr. Eichna’s pivotal role in their academic career. Also on the program were Drs. Eli Friedman and Raymond Damadian. Dr. Eichna rose to the highest ranks in academic medicine, serving as President of the Association of Professors of Medicine 1969-70. He was elected President of the Association of American Physicians in 1971; his presidential address “Verities in Chaos” is still quoted and is on the web. When Dr. Eichna retired as Chairman of Medicine in 1974, he went on to another unique career. He entered Downstate as a medical student, completed the course of study and was awarded a second M.D. degree in 1979. Although he participated in classes and clerkships as a medical student, his former students and colleagues who were now his “teachers” could not help feeling intimidated. Eichna published his perspectives as a medical student in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1980. This extraordinary teacher, dedicated physician and researcher had a major impact on American medicine and will always be remembered.#

Dr. Herman Rosen is Clinical Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

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