David B. Hellmann,
MD, MACP
What’s the secret to staying young — or more accurately, staying intellectually young? The more birthdays I celebrate, the more I find myself returning to this question. I’ve concluded there are three essential keys to maintaining a youthful spirit, and I believe you will find vibrant examples of all three in this issue of Breakthrough.
CURIOSITY is the first key. It is the restless, inquisitive drive you’ll find in Elliot Fishman, the new Sarah Miller Coulson CIM Scholar, who is leveraging artificial intelligence to improve the early detection of pancreatic cancer when it is most treatable. You will see it in Roy Ziegelstein, our 2026 Miller Lecturer, who coined the term “Personomics” — the vital science of knowing the patient as a unique individual. And you’ll find it in Michelle Sharp, the Mary Gallo CIM Scholar and assistant director of CIM, whose seminars have brought polymaths like Alan Alda and Yo-Yo Ma into our orbit.
ADAPTABILITY — specifically the dedication to learning new skills — is the second force for maintaining vitality. Cindy Rand, a Mary Gallo CIM Scholar, and Nadia Hansel, director of the Department of Medicine and Lavinia Currier CIM Scholar, recognized that our CIM Scholars program could reach even greater heights by fostering a formal community. Thanks to their vision, we have launched the Academy for CIM Next Generation Scholars under the leadership of Bloomberg Distinguished Professor Theodore (Jack) Iwashyna, ensuring that mentorship remains at the heart of our mission.
What is the third secret?
LUCK. That is a quality CIM has in abundance. We are immensely lucky to work alongside such brilliant colleagues, and we are most fortunate to have the steadfast support of our readers and donors. Thank you for being part of our “fountain of youth.”
David B. Hellmann, M.D., M.A.C.P.
Aliki Perroti Professor of Medicine
