Dean Fine honored
Dr. Richard N. Fine, Renowned Pediatric Nephrologist Recognized by Angela’s House
Richard N. Fine., M.D., Dean of Stony Brook University School of Medicine, was honored by Angela’s House, a Long Island-based organization that provides special homes for medically fragile children at its Spring Gala. Dr. Fine received the honor for his long and continued support of Angela’s House. The event took place at the Watermill in Smithtown on April 3.
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| Assembled at the Angela’s House Spring Gala at the Watermill in Smithtown are, from left: Carolyn Milana, M.D., Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC) pediatrician; Steven L. Strongwater, M.D., CEO, SBUMC; Margaret McGovern, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of Pediatrics, SBUMC; Bob Policastro, founder of Angela’s House; Richard N. Fine, M.D., Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, and Gala Honoree; and Latha Chandran, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, SMUMC. |
A world-renowned pediatric nephrologist, Dr. Fine has cared for countless children with debilitating diseases and in fragile conditions. Dr. Fine is internationally recognized for his expertise in the management of children requiring renal transplantation and is well-known for his pioneering efforts to adopt dialysis and renal transplantation for pediatric patients and for establishing peritoneal dialysis as an alternative for children with end-stage renal disease.
“I am truly honored to be associated with such a wonderful organization and am grateful to be designated the Honoree of the Angela’s House gala this year,” says Dr. Fine. “It is exceedingly difficult for families to cope with caring for a child with a devastating illness, and Angela’s House has provided special health care needs for many children.”
“Dr. Fine’s concern for children and his support of Angela’s House has been helpful and inspiring for the work we do in caring for and providing a home environment for very ill and fragile children,” says Bob Policastro, founder of Angela’s House.
Policastro and his wife, Angie, conceived the idea of a home environment for medically fragile children when their daughter, Angela, needed special medical care after she suffered severe brain damage during her birth in 1989, leaving her medically frail and requiring continuous nursing care. At that time, such a home environment was not available to the Policastros near their home in Suffolk County.
In the early 1990s, Bob Policastro created the Associations for Technology Dependent Children (ATDC) to offer families and professionals an agency to call to help medically frail children and their families. Through ATDC and Policastro’s efforts, the doors of Angela’s House opened in 2000 in Hauppauge, N.Y. The house is named for Angela Policastro, who passed away shortly before her first birthday. Angela’s House provides 24-hour nursing care and a loving environment for the children. Angela’s House is the first home of its kind in the community. Another home is under construction on Long Island.
Dr. Fine has been Dean of Stony Brook University School of Medicine since October 2005. He joined the School in 1991 as Chair of Pediatrics. Prior to his appointment at Stony Brook, he was Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Southern California and the University of California Center for Health Sciences. Earlier in his career, Dr. Fine established the division of pediatric nephrology at UCLA. In 1967, Dr. Fine initiated the dialysis and transplant program at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.
Dr. Fine is president elect of the International Pediatric Transplant Association, an organization he helped found. He is also Past President of the American Society of Transplantation, the largest organization of transplant professionals in North America.
A fellow of the American Board of Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology, Dr. Fine has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, edited eleven textbooks, and is currently editor-in-chief of Pediatric Transplantation.
Dr. Fine lives with his wife, Shawney, in Stony Brook. In their spare time, they engage their 11 grandchildren in Cleveland and Los Angeles.
