Joseph and Carol Reich Establish the Eliana Center for the Treatment and Healing of Thoracic Cancers

The battle against lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies is about to be significantly advanced with the establishment of the Eliana Center for the Treatment and Healing of Thoracic Cancer. This lifesaving program will be made possible by a generous contribution of $1.3 million from Mr. Joseph and Dr. Carol Reich.

The Eliana Center will coordinate care for lung cancer patients across medical specialties and offer complementary care services to ease the stress of the disease. In addition, the center will sponsor surgical research and patient and professional education through a yearly conference on the management of thoracic cancers for regional physicians.

"We donated the funds to establish the Eliana Center because of a very personal experience," Mr. Reich said. "I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I looked at treatment at many medical centers but I found the best and most caring cancer treatment here at Continuum. The quality of care I received was extraordinary.

"Carol and I were so impressed by the medical services," he continued, "that we decided to establish the Eliana Center to ensure that all patients receive the same level of care and access to treatments that I did." "Eliana is Hebrew for 'God has answered,'" Dr. Reich added. "We named the center to evoke the spirit of hope that will animate treatment and healing for its patients."

The center is directed by Michael Grossbard, MD, chief of hematology/oncology, and Cliff Connery, MD, chief of thoracic surgery, both for St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals and Beth Israel Medical Center. "Even though lung cancer has historically been a difficult disease to treat," Dr. Connery said, "this is an exciting time because of advances in both treatment and symptom management. The Eliana Center builds on the best model for lung cancer treatment, which is interdisciplinary."

Dr. Grossbard added, "The Reiches' generous donation to fund the Eliana Center will ensure that our patients receive leading-edge interdisciplinary care for their lung cancer. The educational component of the Eliana Center helps to advance knowledge of the disease that is disseminated to the larger medical community. On behalf of all our future patients, I personally want to thank Joe and Carol Reich for their generosity."

The Reiches are a prime example of a couple involved in giving back to New York City. Mr. Reich had a long and successful career in the investment community. He began his career as an investment analyst, became the co-founder and president of Reich & Tang, Inc., and, at the time of his retirement, served as the managing general partner of Centennial Associates, L.P. Equally accomplished, Dr. Reich earned master's and doctoral degrees in developmental psychology. She is the co-founder (with her husband) and president of the Beginning with Children Foundation, which runs two public charter elementary schools in New York City.

Despite demanding careers, the Reiches have always made time to devote to Beth Israel Medical Center. Mr. Reich has served on the hospital's Board of Trustees since 1988 and from 1991 through 1998, as chairman of the investment committee. Dr. Reich was instrumental in the formation of the Continuum Center for Health and Healing.

"We have both been very successful and very lucky," said Mr. Reich. "We have always believed it was our responsibility to share our good fortune."