Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., is the chancellor and chief executive officer of New York Medical College (NYMC), professor of radiation oncology, pediatrics, and history; the Miriam Popack Chair of Biomedical Ethics after the Holocaust, director of the Hirth and Samowitz Center for Medical Humanities and Holocaust Studies, and provost for biomedical affairs at Touro University. His multifaceted expertise encompasses pediatric radiation oncology, medical history, and health sciences education. Since joining NYMC in 2012, Dr. Halperin has helped shape the institution's growth and impact.
Under Dr. Halperin's leadership, NYMC experienced a significant expansion, marked by the acquisition of two new academic buildings, the establishment of BioInc@NYMC, the mid-Hudson Valley’s only fully equipped biotechnology incubator on a health sciences college campus, the creation of the Clinical Skills and Simulation Center, the enhancement of laboratory facilities, including a state-of-the-art computerized anatomy laboratory, the signing of a long-term academic affiliation agreement with the WMC Health System, the renewal of agreements with NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, and partnerships of the College with the Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Notably, he played an important role in the launch of new academic programs, such as the first new dental school in New York in 50 years, interdisciplinary biomedical sciences and medical ethics M.S. programs, a clinical laboratory sciences M.S., and a B.S. in nursing. Dr. Halperin also championed the development of a robust Shomer Shabbat residencies program.
Committed to fostering inclusivity, Dr. Halperin focuses on expanding opportunities for all students. Under his guidance, the percentage of under-represented minority students reached the highest level in the U.S. for a historically majority M.D. program and reached 25 percent in graduate programs. During his tenure, funding of the research programs has increased by 450 percent.
Dr. Halperin practices radiation oncology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in New York City and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital of Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. He has contributed to more than 240 articles in peer-reviewed scientific, historical, education, and ethics literature on pediatric cancer, ethics, and the history of racial, religious, and gender discrimination in medical education and has been cited more than 1,800 times. He is an editor of two major textbooks in his field: Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology and Pediatric Radiation Oncology.
Before his tenure at NYMC, Dr. Halperin served as the dean of the School of Medicine, Ford Foundation Professor of Medical Education, and professor of radiation oncology, pediatrics, and history as well as vice provost at the University of Louisville. Prior to that, he spent 23 years at Duke University, where he held various roles, including L.R. Prosnitz professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, R. J. Reynolds Professor of Medical Education and vice dean of the School of Medicine, and associate vice chancellor.
He received a bachelor’s degree in economics summa cum laude from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, his M.D. cum laude from Yale University and a master’s degree in liberal studies from Duke University. He completed his medical internship in internal medicine at Stanford University Medical Center and his radiation oncology residency at Harvard Medical School’s Massachusetts General Hospital where he also served as chief resident.
Dr. Halperin's career reflects his dedication to the care of children with cancer, advancing medical education, promoting diversity, and contributing to the fields of medical history and ethics. Sharon and Edward Halperin are the parents of three daughters and have five grandchildren.