Helene Weinreb Named 2018 Valedictorian of the School for Women at Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Future Physical Therapist to be Honored at Commencement
Elisheva Schlam
Executive Director of Communications
646-565-6420
elisheva.schlam@touro.edu
Although Helene (Chanie) Weinreb chose Lander College of Arts and Sciences (LAS) in Flatbush for its convenience to her home in nearby Madison, Brooklyn, she quickly fell in love with the school and seized every opportunity it offered. This spring Helene is reaping the rewards of her hard work as the valedictorian of Lander College of Arts and Sciences Women’s Division.
Helene maintained a 3.9 GPA in her demanding biology major. At Touro she was a member of the Flatbush Women’s Honor Society, a highly competitive program that prepares students to make their mark on the world. “The members of the Honors Society are extremely bright, motivated, socially aware, and committed to the proposition that they will be future leaders of society,” Dean Henry Abramson, who founded the program, noted.
Helene went to high school in Borough Park, Brooklyn at Bais Yaacov D’Rav Meir. She completed a year of seminary studies at the prestigious Beth Jacob of Jerusalem before starting college at Touro.
While Helene enjoyed her classes and professors—especially Professor Merdian’s anatomy and physiology class—she is especially proud of the way she was able to partner with her classmates. “In every class, we supported each other and helped each other succeed. That atmosphere makes LAS a special place,” she said.
Helene made the most of the LAS flexible schedule of afternoon and evening courses. “The evening classes were terrific. I was able to hold a job and volunteer during the day while having a full college experience at night,” she said. She began working as a medical assistant in a pathology lab, volunteered at NYU Langone Medical Center and tutored elementary, high school and college students. She also researched and wrote an article for the LAS-Flatbush Science Journal.
The combination of experiences led her to choose a career in physical therapy. “I like physical therapy because it is more than physiology. It is reliant on motivating each patient to do the work required.”
“Helene’s love for the sciences, her empathetic personality, and her passion for service will make her a respected, caring, and compassionate health care professional. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments and the values and middos she has displayed,“ stated Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, Vice President and Executive Dean.
Helene will start a doctoral program in physical therapy at Touro’s School of Health Sciences this fall. Although she was accepted to three graduate programs, she chose to continue her education at Touro because she was impressed by the faculty at the School of Health Sciences. Many are practicing professionals as well as educators.
About the Touro College and University System
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 18,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has 29 branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem and Moscow. New York Medical College; Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus; Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division; as well as Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Ill. are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: www.touro.edu/news.
