New Endowed Professorship Appointments

Tufts University School of Medicine is pleased to share the recent appointment of three faculty members to endowed professorships.

Pilar Alcaide, PhD, associate professor of immunology with tenure, was named to the second of two Kenneth and JoAnn G. Wellner Professorship positions. Pilar’s research focuses on understanding the role of inflammation in heart failure and identifying potential new therapeutic targets. In addition to being highly regarded within the Tufts community for her collaborative spirit, superb mentorship, and dedication to teaching and service since joining the faculty in 2011, Pilar’s accolades include receiving an NIH Pathway to Independence Award and the American Society of Pathology’s Cotran Early Career Investigator Award. JoAnn Wellner, J63, who is a trustee emerita of Tufts and current chair of the medical school’s Board of Advisors established this professorship in 2018 in commemoration of her late husband, Kenneth.

Geoffrey Binney Jr., MD, MPH, chair of pediatrics, was named David and Leona F. Karp Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts Medical Center and has served as associate chief of newborn medicine and medical director of the NICU. He is praised by trainees at all levels for his excellent bedside teaching. He has worked to improve patient safety at Tufts and other hospitals in the region through his work with the Neonatal Quality Improvement Collaborative of Massachusetts, Solutions for Patient Safety, and advisory roles with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Pediatrician David Karp, MD, M34, established the Karp Professorship in 1984 in honor of his 50th reunion from the School of Medicine.

Michael Tarnoff, MD, FACS, was named Benjamin Andrews Chair of Surgery. He joined the Tufts faculty in 2001, eventually serving as general surgery clerkship director. This past summer Michael was appointed surgeon-in-chief of Tufts Medical Center and chair of surgery at the school. His career has included leadership roles in the medical device industry, most recently as chief medical officer and senior VP of value-based healthcare partnerships for Medtronic, where he grew customer-focused teams. The Andrews Chair was established in 1985 through an estate gift from surgeon Benjamin Andrews, MD, M1914, with support from Tufts Medical Center physicians.

Please join us in congratulating Pilar, Geoffrey, and Michael!