LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Peter K. Gregersen, M.D. upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of the Feinstein Scientific
Research Award by the Nassau Physicians' Foundation

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Peter K. Gregersen, M.D. has given not only of his time and
energies but also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and
consequently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Peter K.
Gregersen, M.D. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Feinstein Scientific Research Award by the Nassau Physicians' Founda-
tion, to be celebrated at its 2011 Gala Fundraiser on Friday, June 17,
2011, at the Cold Spring Country Club in Cold Spring Harbor, New York;
and
WHEREAS, A not-for-profit organization, the Nassau Physicians' Founda-
tion was established in 2003, with the mission of providing a stimulat-
ing environment for physicians, partnering with the community by donat-
ing time and expertise to educational and charitable endeavors, and to
be proactive to pertinent and current health issues; and
WHEREAS, At this year's Gala, the Nassau Physicians' Foundation will
celebrate the accomplishments of individuals who have used their gifts
to advance the well being of others; Dr. Peter K. Gregersen is being
given this award in recognition of his international leadership and
scientific contributions to define the genetic basis of human autoimmune
diseases; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peter K. Gregersen received an M.D. degree from Columbia
University College of Physicians in 1976, and trained in Rheumatology at
the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York; after five years on the
faculty at the New York University School of Medicine, he moved his
laboratory to North Shore University Hospital in Long Island; and
WHEREAS, Today, Dr. Peter K. Gregersen directs the Robert S. Boas
Center for Genomics and Human Genetics at the Feinstein Institute for
Medical Research, within the North Shore LIJ Health System; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peter K. Gregersen's research career has focused on the
genetic basis of human autoimmunity with an emphasis on rheumatoid
arthritis; in the 1980s, his work led to the development of the "shared
epitope" hypothesis to explain the complex HLA associations with rheuma-
toid arthritis, a paradigm that still drives the field; and
WHEREAS, In the mid 1990s Dr. Gregersen established the North American
Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium (NARAC), an organization that has become
an international model for collaborative genetic studies in the rheumat-
ic diseases; the NARAC has spearheaded the discovery of the majority of
the new genetic associations with RA, now numbering over 30 genetic
associations; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peter K. Gregersen has also led other large collaborative
studies including Multiple Autoimmune Disease Genetics Consortium and
the Autoimmune Disease Collaborative Network; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man has been called upon to contribute his
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Peter K. Gregersen serves on the scientific advisory
boards of several large collaborative studies in human genetics includ-
ing the International Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium, the North
American Spondylitis Consortium, and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Genetics Consortium; and

WHEREAS, In 2007, Dr. Peter K. Gregersen was the recipient of the
Klemperer Medal from New York Academy of Medicine as well as the Distin-
guished Basic Investigator Award from the American College of Rheumatol-
ogy; he was elected to membership in the Association of American Physi-
cians in 2009; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Dr. Peter K. Gregersen has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Dr. Peter K. Gregersen has displayed
throughout his life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations honor-
ing Peter K. Gregersen, M.D. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Feinstein Scientific Research Award by the Nassau
Physicians' Foundation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Peter K. Gregersen, M.D.