Dr. John J. Connolly, Ed.D, portrait currently on display
Dr. John J Connolly, Ed.D., was president of the New York Medical College throughout the 80’s. During his time with the college, the school expanded its hospital affiliations and funding opportunities while he continued to emphasize the importance of supporting students and medical science.
A high quality, photograph portrait of Dr. John Connolly is on display in the boardroom of Sunshine Cottage.
Education:
At New York Medical College:
Dr. John J Connolly, Ed.D., was the ninth president of the New York Medical College. He spent roughly a decade with the college, from 1981-1992, and he was highly regarded by staff, students, and alumni.
Before assuming his position as president of the New York Medical College, he had developed extensive experience in higher education. From 1973 to 1981, Dr. Connolly was the president of Dutchess Community College. Prior to holding that position, he was the dean of Harford Community College in Maryland. He also worked as an Executive Committee Member for the Associated Colleges and Universities of the State of New York and as the president of the Associated Colleges of the Mid-Hudson Area. Additionally, while holding the position of the President of the New York Medical College, he co-founded the American Lyme Disease Foundation in 1985.
Amongst his many accomplishments as president of the New York Medical College he is noted for the significant amount of research and development funding he helped to acquire for the college and its affiliated institutions. During his tenure as president, research funding from the NIH and similar organizations grew from an already impressive $4.5 million to over $25 million. General fund raising for the college increased from $1.5 million to $33 million. Dr. Connolly also directed and facilitated the growth in the network of the affiliated hospital network for the New York Medical College throughout the 80’s. During this time, he also directed the rebuilding of the college’s physical plant. Dr. Connolly also spear-headed the creation 8 different institutes and centers that were designed to bring together faculty from various departments with special expertise.
Dr. Connolly also played a significant role in establishing more programs and opportunities available to the students of the New York Medical College. He is credited with earning the college at least one 6-year accreditation from the Joint Commission. The college’s many graduate programs, including public health, anesthesiology, nutrition, and biostatistics, were established due to his efforts. Dr. Connolly also established the Student Life Committee at the college. It was an effort to promote rest and leisure amongst students as well as an increased sense of loyalty and belonging at New York Medical College, regardless of where clinical placements might take them.
True to this commitment to the students of the New York Medical College, Dr. Connolly had an extensive involvement in the college’s Alumni Association. Nearly every event of the association included Dr. Connolly and his wife introducing events and welcoming alumni as individuals and chapters. This involvement continued regardless of where the chapter or event was. He was so well-liked and appreciated that Dr. Connolly was named and honorary alumnus.
Dr. Connolly left the New York Medical College in 1992 to work in corporate aspects of healthcare. He worked with various companies for healthcare and investment, including his current position of President and CEO of Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd., publishers of America’s Top Doctors. During his tenure as President of the New York Medical College, he regularly spoke of the importance of financing medical education and research. He was a strong believer in the importance of following and developing medical science. This belief is reflected in his many accomplishments and contributions to the New York Medical College.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
The New York Medical College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the college. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. See full non-discrimination statement with contact info.