Bronx, NY, Oct 16, 2003 -- On October 16, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine introduced a new free service for the community – The Einstein Health Lecture Series. That first session, focusing on aging and memory, attracted more than 150 community residents. The second lecture in the series will deal with America’s fastest-growing health problem: diabetes. It will be held on Tuesday, December 9, at 5 p.m., in the Robbins Auditorium of the Forchheimer Building on Einstein’s Resnick Campus (1300 Morris Park Avenue at Eastchester Road). Admission is free and a buffet reception will be offered. Leading the discussion of this important health concern will be Norman Fleischer, M.D. and Judith Wylie-Rosett, Ed.D, following introductory remarks from the medical school’s dean, Dominick P. Purpura, M.D. Dr. Fleischer brings more than 30 years as a researcher and physician to this special discussion of diabetes. He is co-director of the Diabetes Research and Training Center at Einstein, as well as professor of medicine and chief of the division of endocrinology. He has been a member of the Einstein faculty since 1973. He also completed his internship and residency (1961 through 1964) at Einstein before completing a fellowship in endocrinology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and serving on the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Fleischer earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Wylie-Rosett has devoted her career to understanding the role that nutrition plays in preventing illness and promoting health. She is a professor of epidemiology and population health at Einstein, as well as head of the division of health, behavior and nutrition. She is co-author of The Complete Weight Loss Workbook, published by the American Diabetes Association, which offers information on proven techniques for controlling weight-related health problems. She also offers her expertise in nutrition as a co-investigator of the Women’s Health Initiative, a nationwide study exploring health issues of concern to post-menopausal women. She has been a member of the Einstein faculty since 1971. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, and her master’s degree and doctorate in education from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. Dr. Purpura has been dean of Einstein for almost 20 years – making him the longest-serving medical school dean in the nation. During his deanship, Einstein has developed one of the leading Centers for Diabetes Research in the U.S. Dr. Purpura is a world renowned neuroscientist, who holds membership in both the National Academy of Sciences and its Institute of Medicine. His numerous honors also include receiving the 2001 Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in the Medical and Biological Sciences from Mayor Rudolph Guiliani – the City of New York’s highest honor for achievement in the medical sciences. For additional information about The Einstein Health Lecture Series, please call 718-430-3101. No reservations are required.