Dr. Arif Muslim Receives Lifetime Award

(Newburgh) - Arif M. Muslim, M.D., a highly skilled and dedicated physician who has served our community for nearly 30 years, has received the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award. The SLCH Physician Leader Reception, which also served to welcome new physicians to the hospital’s medical staff, was held last week at the Powelton Club, Newburgh. More than 125 SLCH physicians, friends and staff attended the event.

Dr. Muslim, a gastroenterologist who practices in New Windsor, has been an active member of the SLCH medical staff for three decades, serving several terms in leadership roles including President of the medical staff and Chair of the Department of Medicine. He spent more than 25 years as the Continuing Medical Education Chair of both St. Luke’s and Cornwall hospitals, and was involved in the successful merger of both organizations. Dr. Muslim currently serves on the St. Luke’s Cornwall Health System Foundation Board. He also is a Past
President of the Orange County Medical Society, and has been recognized for taking care of the uninsured and underinsured.

“Our hospital and community are extremely fortunate Arif Muslim chose to bring his compassion, common sense, and clinical expertise to our hospital and community,” said SLCH President and CEO Allan E. Atzrott. “His commitment to patients and colleagues, medical education, and quality care is unwavering.” Among those who also spoke of Dr. Muslim’s contributions to medicine in Orange County were longtime friends and colleagues, SLCH Medical Staff President Gurinder Mehar, M.D., and Paul Latonero, M.D.

Dr. Muslim was visibly touched by the honor, thanking his family, friends, and colleagues for their support over the years. “I’m so proud of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, our staff, and our service to this community,” he said. “I look forward to the hospital’s continued evolution as it enhances facilities, programs, and services to provide comprehensive, quality health care to our friends and neighbors.”

The event also welcomed nearly 30 new physicians who joined the SLCH medical staff in the past year. Among the specialties represented were neurology, thoracic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, otolaryngology, hematology/oncology, and cardiology.

Pictured Above: SLCH President and CEO Allan E. Atzrott, honoree Arif Muslim, M.D., and SLCH Medical Staff President Gurinder Mehar, M.D. celebrate with Dr. Arif.