North Shore-LIJ Graduate School of Molecular Medicine Renamed in Recognition of $15M...

North Shore-LIJ Graduate School of Molecular Medicine Renamed in Recognition
of $15M Donation From the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Private Foundation

The late Thomas Elmezzi best known for expanding the Pepsi Cola Companies'
operations world wide as Executive Vice President

GREAT NECK, N.Y., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Thomas and Jeanne
Elmezzi Private Foundation created by the late Jeanne and Thomas Elmezzi,
long-time residents of Great Neck, NY, has granted $15 million to the North
Shore-LIJ Health System to create an endowment for the newly named Elmezzi
Graduate School of Molecular Medicine. The endowment will provide for the
education of graduate medical students and further advances in molecular
science.

Mr. Elmezzi, who reformulated Pepsi and created Diet Pepsi, worked in
Executive Positions for the soft drink giant from the early 1930's to 1968.
During that time, he was the only person who knew the formula to make the
soda, and spent much of his time crisscrossing the globe to open bottling
plants for the company and mixing limited batches of the secret ingredients.
On several occasions, Mr. and Mrs. Elmezzi were treated at North Shore
University Hospital in Manhasset, NY. In appreciation of the care they
received, Mr. and Mrs. Elmezzi developed a long-term relationship with the
hospital, supporting various research initiatives over the years.

"The Foundation supports cutting-edge medical research and services that
improve the quality of life of people suffering from various medical
conditions," said Jose Rivero, the foundation's chairman. "Much of the
foundation's support for medical programs has gone to North Shore University
Hospital due to Mr. Elmezzi's long- term relationship with the institution."

North Shore-LIJ Health System President and CEO Michael J. Dowling said, "The
Elmezzis were good friends to the North Shore-LIJ Health System during their
lifetimes. Through the Foundation's generous gift, we will be able to honor
their legacy by training future generations of medical researchers. The naming
of the Graduate School of Molecular Medicine for Thomas and Jeanne is a
lasting tribute to a couple whose concern for others was paramount in their
lives."

Prior to Mr. and Mrs. Elmezzi's passing, The Elmezzi Foundation had supported
several clinical studies at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). They
include clinical and basic studies by Alan Hartman, MD, chairman of
cardiothoracic surgery at NSUH and LIJ Medical Center, and endocrinologist
Irwin Klein, MD, associate chairman of research in the North Shore-LIJ
Department of Medicine, on the use of thyroid hormone treatment in cardiac
surgery patients to reduce post-surgery complications. The Foundation also
funded a study by cardiologist Jennifer Liu, MD, on the use of color M-mode
and tissue Doppler imaging in the echocardiographic assessment of left
ventricular diastolic filling pressures.

The son of poor Italian immigrants, Mr. Elmezzi, and his wife accumulated a
substantial fortune, though they continued to live humbly, never buying a home
and residing in the same Great Neck apartment for over 50 years. Thomas and
Jeanne died within days of each other in October of 2005, when both were in
their 90s. The Elmezzi Foundation is dedicated to helping the less fortunate.

The entity that now bears their name, the Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular
Medicine, is a highly selective PhD program that trains physicians for careers
in medical research. By providing free, individualized training - no more
than a handful of students are enrolled in any given year - for physicians who
desire a career in medical research, the graduate school is helping to fill a
growing void for physician-scientists. The School is accredited by the New
York State Board of Regents to grant PhDs in molecular medicine to physicians
who successfully complete the three-year program. Through The Feinstein
Institute for Medical Research, the North Shore-LIJ Health System has operated
the graduate school since 2002.

SOURCE North Shore-Long Island Jewish

Brian Mulligan of North Shore-LIJ, +1-516-465-2618, +1-516-465-2600