WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) today announced the election of Morton P. Hyman as its new Chairman; he joined the Board of Trustees in 2007. He succeeds long time trustee, chairman and founding president, Philip K. Russell, MD, who has been instrumental in positioning Sabin as an important voice in global health issues and a leader in vaccine research, development and advocacy. Mr. Hyman’s appointment is effective immediately.
“We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Russell’s many years of leadership at Sabin and I look forward to continuing to work with him. Mort Hyman’s election as board chair comes at an opportune time as we expand our activities into multi-dimensional aspects of neglected tropical and other infectious diseases. Sabin is fortunate to have the leadership of these two highly distinguished individuals, particularly as we move forward with our Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases. This initiative, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, works to provide access to essential medicines for people suffering from seven devastating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs),” said Dr. Peter Hotez, president of Sabin Vaccine Institute and Walter G. Ross Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine at The George Washington University.
Mr. Hyman brings to Sabin extensive experience in leadership of philanthropic, business and governmental organizations. For over 30 years, he served as President and a director of Overseas Shipholding Group, a NYSE-listed company that owns and operates one of the world’s largest fleet of oil tankers. He retired from the company in 2003 as chairman of the board and CEO. He also served as vice chairman of a major Swiss private bank and as president of its affiliated investment companies until his retirement in 2003, at which time he founded MPH Enterprises, LLC, a private equity investor.
Mr. Hyman noted, “I look forward to working with Sabin’s outstanding Board and staff in its efforts to eliminate the scourge of NTDs. These diseases, which cause debilitating illness and sometimes death, affect not only the health of the world’s poorest populations, they also dramatically and adversely affect a child’s ability to learn in school, and an adult’s ability to work productively. We can make an important change in the lives of so many. In 2007 alone, the Global Network’s members provided treatment for 150 million people, at a cost of less than 50 cents per person per year.”
Mr. Hyman’s experience in the public health arena will benefit Sabin as it builds awareness of NTDs and infectious diseases around the world. In 1971, Mr. Hyman began making his mark in the public health sector with his appointment by Governor Nelson Rockefeller to the New York State Public Health Council; he served on the Council for 25 years, including 15 years as Chairman. During his tenure, the Council dealt with such issues as smoking bans in public places, nursing home regulation, Medicaid reimbursement, and access to care for AIDS patients and for the poor. In 1978, he was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey as Vice Chair of the New York State Health Planning Commission to rationalize the healthcare delivery system in New York City. He was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo as Chair of several joint executive and legislative task forces dealing with State-wide health matters.
In 1973, Mr. Hyman joined the Board of Trustees of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York; he became Chairman in 1985 and served in that capacity for 22 years, during which time the Medical Center greatly expanded its services. In 1997, he led the formation and became the first Chair of Continuum Heath Partners, one of the largest voluntary hospital systems in the United States, which includes Beth Israel, St Luke’s, Roosevelt, New York Eye and Ear, Infirmary and Long Island College Hospital; he remains on the Boards of these constituent hospitals. In 2007, Mr. Hyman was elected Chairman Emeritus of both Continuum and Beth Israel.
Mr. Hyman continues to serve on the boards of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the N.Y. Academy of Medicine and the N.Y. Academy of Sciences. Mr. Hyman graduated with distinction from the Cornell University Law School (1959), where he served as an Editor of the Cornell Law Review, and was elected to the Order of the Coif and Phi Kappa Phi honorary societies; he received his BA from the Cornell University School of Arts and Sciences (1956).
In recognition of his leadership, commitment and dedication, Mr. Hyman has received numerous awards, including an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) from New York Medical College; 2002 Healthcare Leadership Award from the United Hospital Fund; 2001 Trustee of the Year Award from Modern Healthcare Magazine; 2002 Leadership in Business Award from the New York Business Group on Health; and the 2000 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Mr. Hyman lives in Manhattan with his wife, Chris Stern Hyman. He has two adult children, David Hyman and Sarah Washkowitz.
About Sabin Vaccine Institute
Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) is a biomedical, science-driven organization dedicated to reducing human suffering from infectious and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). A pioneer in the fight against NTDs, which affect over one billion people each year, Sabin and the members of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, are providing low cost drug therapies to millions in need. Through a robust R&D program, in partnership with The George Washington University, Sabin is developing vaccines that aim to eliminate two of the most common NTDs, hookworm and schistosomiasis. Headquarters to other innovative programs, such as the Pneumococcal Awareness Council of Experts (PACE), Sabin is initiating changes that will provide greater access to vaccines for millions caught in the cycle of pain, poverty and despair. For more information visit: www.sabin.org and also www.globalnetwork.org
CONTACT: Christine Middleton, +1-202-265-6517,
christine.middleton@sabin.org, of Sabin Vaccine Institute
Web site: http://www.sabin.org/
