Clinician-Scientist and Medical Pioneer Daniel S. J. Choy, MD, '44CC, '49VP&S and Rhea B. Choy Honor Columbia University with $7.5 Million Bequest

Daniel S. J. Choy, MD, Columbia College ’44 and VP&S ’49, and Rhea B. Choy included Columbia University in their estate planning to provide critical funding for Columbia University. This contribution will make a great impact at Columbia across multiple programs including the college and at the medical school. Their generosity will help fund scholarships, research and clinical care within the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and the broader medical center, and programs at the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute.

Mrs. Choy graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1966. Dr. Choy specialized in internal medicine and oncology and made significant contributions to medical science. During his time in the U.S. Air Force, he participated in early rocketry experiments and in 1952 invented Aeroplast, a dressing for burns and wounds. His other important inventions, some in collaboration with colleagues, include laser coronary angioplasty, angiogenesis in the mammalian heart, a left ventricular assist device requiring no thoracotomy, percutaneous laser disc decompression for treating herniated discs, and experiments on new treatments for tinnitus. An accomplished author, his books include “Percutaneous Laser Disc Decompression: A Practical Guide,” as well as “Choy’s Luck,” and “Troubleshooter” that chronicle the life journey of his father and his own career path within the medical profession.

We are deeply grateful for Dr. and Mrs. Choy’s exceptional legacy of support, which is a meaningful tribute to Dr. Choy’s alma mater. For more information on making a planned gift to Columbia contact Laura Tenenbaum at 212-342-2108 or lrt2113@cumc.columbia.edu.