Latha Chandran Named Inaugural Miriam and David Donoho Distinguished Teaching Professor

Left to right: Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, MACP; Miki Donoho; Latha Chandran, MD, MPH; David Donoho; and President Samuel L. Stanley Jr.

A notable and national expert in training physicians, Latha Chandran, MD, MPH, has been named the inaugural Miriam and David Donoho Distinguished Teaching Professor in the School of Medicine.

“This professorship will serve as the catalyst for developing the next generation of medical leaders, whose careers will change lives,” said President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. “No one is better suited for that role at Stony Brook Medicine than Dr. Latha Chandran.”

The professorship was made possible thanks to Long Islanders Miki and David Donoho whose generosity also established the Donoho Academy of Clinical and Educational Scholars (ACES) in 2012, which funds continuous career development for clinician-educators. The Academy actively recognizes and rewards faculty members who display dedication to the education of future doctors and who solve challenges in medical education and clinical scholarship.

The endowed professorship allows Dr. Chandran, the ACES founding director, to remain continuously invested in creating training, mentoring and development programs that enable academic clinicians to serve as thought leaders in their chosen specialties.

Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, MACP, Senior Vice President of Health Sciences and Dean, School of Medicine, considers Dr. Chandran to be the perfect embodiment of the Donoho vision. “She’s a lifelong learner who has made it her priority to pursue professional skills training programs throughout her career. Now, as the Donoho Distinguished Teaching Professor, Latha is transforming faculty development for the School of Medicine. Given her extensive track record and history of achievement, I have no doubt that she will succeed,” Dr. Kaushansky said.

Dr. Chandran expressed her immense gratitude to the Donohos for their continued support of Stony Brook and her work. “The Donohos saw a need to support our School and its educational efforts and the biggest need was to provide support to clinician educators striving to hone their teaching skills, dedicated to becoming terrific teachers, mentors and educational scholars,” Dr. Chandran said. “I wish I could capture the beauty of this day in a bubble and leave it there forever untouched by time and space.”

Through the professorship, Chandran has already planned a number of new initiatives at the Donoho Academy, including: the Master Educator Fellowship Program, focused on educational skills; The Academic Leaders Fellowship Program, aimed to improve leadership skills; and The Career Advancement Skills Fellowship program to improve academic development. She also anticipates 15 faculty members in each cohort with each of these fellowships.

The Donoho’s philanthropy is reflective of a family history that’s steeped in a tradition of supporting and pursuing higher education. “We’re so happy to see the many wonderful new initiatives that have taken place at Stony Brook under the leadership of Sam Stanley and Ken Kaushanksy,” said David Donoho. “It’s a pleasure for Miki and myself to have the chance to honor Dr. Latha Chandran for her many contributions to medical education.”

Dexter A. Bailey Jr., senior vice president for University Advancement, said the Donohos represent the best of those who support Stony Brook; that they share in the University’s core values, believe in its purpose and are inspired by its potential.

“Drs. Miriam and David Donoho have been steadfast in their support,” Bailey said, “And through their generosity the School of Medicine will continue to reach new heights in pioneering research and the rigorous academics it’s known for.” Endowed faculty build on the University’s dedication to excellence across campus. That’s why one goal of the $600 million Campaign for Stony Brook is to create a total of 100 endowed faculty positions by 2018, aimed to attract and retain more eminent scholars and researchers and retain outstanding faculty across a wide range of disciplines.