About the Digestive Disease Research Foundation (DDRF)

DDRF History

Since its inception in 2003, DDRF has funded nine full-time fellowships and ten part-time fellows who trained with mentors from The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and Stanford University School of Medicine.

DDRF funded research has led to:

More than 12 presentations at national gastroenterology conferences
More than 20 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals
First authorship or co-authorship in peer-reviewed journals for all DDRF Fellows

DDRF fellows describe the program as a highlight of their young careers.

DDRF Timeline

2003	Digestive Disease Research Foundation established as a 501(c)3 foundation.
2004-2005	First grants made for part-time/pre-med fellowships in New York with Mount Sinai School of Medicine mentors.
2006	DDRF awards first full-time fellowship to Jay Desai from Tufts University School of Medicine who works with Mount Sinai mentors.
2007	DDRF awards a full-time fellowship to Mount Sinai medical student, Andrew Dikman. Establishment of board of directors. Foundation launches website www.digestivedisease.org and bi-annual brochure.
2008	DRF awards two full-time fellowships to medical students at Mount Sinai School of Medicine: Matt Whitson and Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons: Michael FIngerhood.
2009	DDRF continues with full-time fellowships to Mount Sinai School of Medicine student, Joseph Freedman and Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons student, Ben Vaccaro.
2010	Expanding its reach, DDRF awards a west coast full-time fellowship to Carlene Chun from Stanford University School of Medicine in addition to Mount Sinai School of Medicine student, Uma Tadepalli. DDRF sets new fundraising records with over $ 325,000 in individual, corporate and pledge gifts.
2011	DDRF awards a full-time fellowship to Mount Sinai School of Medicine student, Shannon Morales and plans a continuation of its west coast affiliation with Stanford University School of Medicine with a grant in 2012 to Long Nguyen.

DDRF Board of Directors

James Aisenberg, MD (President & DDRF Mentor) is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He has published more than 100 articles and abstracts on digestive health with a focus on gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Lawrence B. Cohen, MD (Treasurer & DDRF Mentor) is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He lectures widely on gastrointestinal endoscopy and is author of more than 150 publications.

Neal Leonard retired from finance in 2009 to spend more time raising his children and devote himself to several non-profit ventures. Prior to retirement he was a Managing Director at HSBC and Lehman Brothers.

Arnold Manheimer is currently President of Phocal Point Consulting. Prior to Phocal, Arnold spent many years running a family flavor & fragrance manufacturing business before it was acquired by Kerry Ingredients and Flavours.

Kenneth Miller, MD (Secretary & DDRF Mentor) is a Clinical Instructor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. A graduate of NYU School of Medicine, he has authored numerous publications & presentations on gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Kate Peck is an active volunteer with several organizations in the New York City area and the busy and devoted mother of Oliver and Stephen ages seven and five.

Nan Rubin is a senior marketer at UJA Federation of New York. Prior to UJA, Nan spent 30 years in marketing, most recently developing multi-media marketing programs for Hearst Magazines’ largest advertisers.

Paul Segal is President of Luminus Management LLC an investment management company focused on the power sector.

Michael Silverstein has spent more than 30 years helping individuals and foundations manage their assets. He is currently a Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

In Memory Steve Fenton (1946-2010)
The Digestive Disease Research Foundation community remembers with great affection Steve Fenton. Our first board member, Steve was a tireless supporter of DDRF, sharing his good humor, legendary creative skills, and sage guidance.

Goals 2012

Expand our grant awards to talented medical students nationwide

Support clinical research projects including:

identification of the endoscopic and molecular characteristics of pre-cancerous colon polyps
identification of biomarkers that differentiate diseased and normal cell states in the progression from GERD to esophageal cancer.

Increase awareness of DDRF to a national level and continue growth of supporters.

DDRF Financials

2010 Form 990 (pdf) Coming soon ...
2009 Form 990 (pdf)
2008 Form 990 (pdf)
2007 Form 990 (pdf)

Forms Require Adobe Reader click here to download for FREE

Support the work of the Digestive Disease Research Foundation (DDRF)

If you would like to help us achieve our goals of training tomorrow’s physician scientists and improving the lives of those with digestive diseases, please make a donation to DDRF.

Please download the attached printable donation form with your gift and mail to:

Digestive Disease Research Foundation
311 E. 79th St – Suite 2B
New York, NY 10075

For additional information or to make a gift of stock, please contact:

Phone: 212.996.1105
Email: ddrf.ddrf@yahoo.com

DDRF is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Our Federal Employer Tax ID number is 55-0823815

Thank you for your support!

DDRF Donation Form (PDF)

Forms Require Adobe Reader click here to download for FREE

“Working at DDRF was both exciting and beneficial to see clinical research integrated into a practice setting. I enjoyed the experience I had in working with patients, and in helping to design the studies on which we worked. As I’ve gone along on my medical career, I’ve consistently encountered things that I already learned at DDRF, which has of course been a great boost to my understanding of medicine”.

Julie S. Wecsler, M.D.
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California
2003-2005 DDRF Fellow

Digestive Disease Research Foundation NYC

Digestive Disease Research Foundation Mentors NYC