Dr. Brad Berk to Speak at Nazareth College Commencement, May 11

ROCHESTER, NY (04/15/2014)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College will celebrate its 87th annual Commencement at the Blue Cross Arena on Sunday, May 11, with an address from Dr. Bradford Berk, senior vice president for Health Sciences a the University of Rochester and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Center and Strong Health. Berk will deliver the address to the Class of 2014 graduates in a joint ceremony with both undergraduate and graduate students receiving their degrees. The ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m. For more information, please contact Julie Long, Nazareth's chief public relations officer at (585) 389-2456.

Berk received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Rochester. He has served on the faculties of Harvard Medical School, Emory University, and the University of Washington. He was previously Chairman of Medicine (1999–2006) and Chief of the Cardiology Unit (1998-2003) at the University of Rochester. He was appointed CEO in 2006 after a national search. In addition he was Director of the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute.

Berk is a fellow of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, and a member of the Association of American Physicians. He is past-president of the North American Vascular Biology Organization (NAVBO). He is on the editorial boards of Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB) Circulation and Circulation Research, and the Journal of Clinical Investigation. He serves on the Empire State Stem Cell Board Funding Committee and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Stem Cell Clinical Trial Network and Gene and Cell-Based Therapies Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). Berk has published widely-more than 250 articles, chapters, and books.

Founded in 1924, Nazareth College is located on a close-knit, suburban campus in the dynamic, metropolitan region of Rochester, N.Y. The College offers challenging academic programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs in health and human services, education, and management. Nazareth's strong cultures of service and community prepare students to be successful professionals and engaged citizens. The College enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students.