Lionel B. Ivashkiv, MD, is Appointed Chief Scientific Officer at Hospital for Special Surgery

New York, NY—May 5, 2015

Lionel B. Ivashkiv, MD, premier scientist in autoimmune, inflammatory and musculoskeletal diseases at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has been named the Richard L. Menschel Chair and Chief Scientific Officer. The announcement was made today by Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO, and Todd J. Albert, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director, at HSS.

"I am honored to work even more closely with colleagues who are committed to building on HSS’ tradition of interdisciplinary translational research," said Dr. Ivashkiv. "Together we will advance Special Surgery’s research mission to translate breakthrough findings into new ways of treating and preventing serious orthopedic and rheumatic conditions."

Currently the David H. Koch Chair in Arthritis and Tissue Degeneration and Associate Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Ivashkiv succeeds Steven R. Goldring, MD, who has served as the Chief Scientific Officer since 2006. When Dr. Ivashkiv assumes his new role on June 1, it will also mark his 23rd anniversary at Hospital for Special Surgery.

"I’m delighted that Lionel Ivashkiv will assume leadership of the research enterprise at HSS," said Thomas Kelly, MD, HSS board member and Research Committee Chair. "The opportunities for scientific advances in understanding and treating musculoskeletal diseases have never been greater, and I’m confident that with Dr. Ivashkiv’s visionary leadership, HSS will remain at the forefront of efforts to improve the lives of patients with these diseases."

"Advancing musculoskeletal research is one of the great opportunities of our time, and deserving of our finest talents and support," said David H. Koch, Member of the HSS Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Board’s Research Committee.  "Lionel’s leadership has distinguished him among the brightest lights, and I have every confidence that as Chief Scientific Officer he will lead HSS and the field in transforming quality of life for generations to come."

In this new role, Dr. Ivashkiv will work to develop and execute strategic plans to continue the enhancement of HSS’ position as a leader in musculoskeletal and autoimmune disease research.

"What’s unique about HSS is the team-based approach to research and the linkage between basic science and clinical research," noted Dr. Ivashkiv, who has published more than 120 papers in peer-reviewed journals. "We are committed to asking meaningful scientific questions and then figuring out a way to apply advances in knowledge to impact patient care."

Dr. Ivashkiv received a B.A. in Biochemistry (summa cum laude) in 1980 from Columbia College, New York. In 1984, he received his MD degree, cum laude, from Harvard Medical School, Boston, followed by Postdoctoral work in Immunology at Harvard University. Dr. Ivashkiv served his residency at New York University – Bellevue Hospital followed by a fellowship at Harvard Medical School – Brigham and Women’s Hospital.