The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) honored three distinguished faculty members during a formal endowed professorship during an installation ceremony held in Lehman Auditorium on Sept. 16. The event marked a milestone in the university’s commitment to excellence and celebrated the promise of future scientific discoveries, medical advances, and educational achievements.
Robert Miller, PhD, interim vice provost for research, vice dean of GW SMHS, and Vivian Gill Distinguished Research Professor; and John Lach, PhD, interim provost at GW, delivered opening remarks, highlighting the inductees’ groundbreaking work in clinical research, medical education, and neurology.
“With each of these vital professorships in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences,” Miller said, “we are able to recognize and support the outstanding faculty who have propelled GW to be an internationally recognized leader in patient-centered care, educational excellence, and transformative research. Work originating right here on our campus, in the heart of the nation’s capital, has a reach that extends throughout our region, the nation, and the world.”
The installation, noted Provost Lach, comes at a time when “the world is acutely aware of the importance of medical sciences — of having trusted experts, rigorous research, and institutions that respond to the moment with integrity and evidence-based solutions.
“At GW, and particularly through the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, we have embraced that responsibility … .”
The ceremony not only honored the individual achievements of the faculty members but also celebrated the enduring legacies of the professorships’ namesakes — Jeffrey Lieberman, Frank N. Miller, and Meta Amalia Neumann — whose contributions continue to impact generations of GW SMHS students.
“As we push the boundaries of discovery, train future leaders, and champion advances in medical science, may we bring the same passion and dedication that these luminaries have brought to their lives of achievement,” said Lach.
Henry Kaminski, MD — Jeffrey Lieberman Professor of Neurosciences
A globally recognized expert in neuromuscular diseases, Henry Kaminski, MD, was installed as the Jeffrey Lieberman Professor of Neurosciences. With more than 25 years of leadership in clinical and translational research, Kaminski is a leading authority on myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder.
Kaminski’s career centers on unraveling the complexities of this disease, shaping standards of care, and pioneering novel treatments — notably through his role on the executive committee of the landmark MGTX clinical trial. He also founded MGNet, the NIH’s Rare Disease Clinical Research Network dedicated to myasthenia gravis. His lab continues to advance understanding of disease mechanisms, digital health, and aging-related autoimmunity.
The endowed professorship honors Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD ’75, a clinician and researcher known for advancing the understanding and treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders who was in attendance for the installation ceremony.
“The Jeffrey Lieberman Professor of Neurosciences was created to attract and retain brilliant minds in the field,” explained Miller. “Dr. Kaminski is a perfect fit for this. He is a physician whose career exemplifies the very best of medical research, leadership, and patient care.”
In his remarks, Kaminski acknowledged the mentors and colleagues who inspired his path in investigative sciences and myasthenia gravis research. He expressed appreciation for research collaborators such as Marc Garbey, PhD, with whom he developed an AI-driven application for MG symptom evaluation. He also offered a touching tribute to his family.
“I am really lucky,” he said, “I have two people [in my life] who are my heroes and mentors. There's my son, Adam Kaminski, who … taught me to think a little bit before I act, and to look at things from different perspectives.”
Kaminski next thanked his colleague and wife Linda Kusner, PhD, research professor of pharmacology and physiology, and of neurology and rehabilitation medicine.
“She taught me to be a real scientist; to really think about what we’re doing, to be rigorous.”
Terry Kind, MD, MPH, CERT ’05 — Frank N. Miller, MD, Distinguished Teaching Professor
Terry Kind, MD, MPH, associate dean for clinical education and a practicing pediatrician at Children’s National Hospital in Anacostia, was named the Frank N. Miller, MD, Distinguished Teaching Professor, in honor of a beloved faculty member who served GW SMHS for over four decades in multiple influential roles at the school.
Kind is a national leader in pediatrics and medical education. An inaugural member of the National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics, she has built a reputation for scholarship in equity, professionalism, and qualitative research. Her work is supported by numerous grants and publications, and she holds editorial and leadership roles with Academic Pediatrics, COMSEP, and the Academic Pediatric Association.
“Dr. Kind is not only a gifted pediatrician but also a tireless advocate for excellence in medical education,” said Miller, noting her extensive contributions to the field.
“The Frank N. Miller, MD, Distinguished Teaching Professor was established to recognize an individual who not only teaches, but also inspires. Dr. Terry Kind’s work is a testament to that idea. Her work is a powerful reminder that the heart of medicine lies in compassionate care and the knowledge that we share.”
In her remarks, Kind likened her professional journey to a marathon — from clinical care to working with peers, guiding trainees, and shared academic pursuits.
“I’ve learned through experience that parts of this marathon are easy and smooth, while other parts are uphill and challenging.” She continued, “Every step of the way is an opportunity to share and listen and learn and grow and develop. … Working with peers, guiding trainees, writing and helping others hone their stories has been my academic passion.”
Mohamad Koubeissi, MD, MA ’20, FAAN, FANA, FAES — Meta Amalia Neumann Professor of Neurology
Renowned neurologist and epilepsy researcher Mohamad Koubeissi, MD, was installed as the Meta Amalia Neumann Professor of Neurology. Chair of the GW SMHS Department of Neurology and director of the GW Epilepsy Center, Koubeissi is a prolific scholar, with more than 120 peer-reviewed publications, four books, and more than 4,000 citations to his credit.
His interdisciplinary academic background — with degrees in mathematics, medicine, and literature — informs his innovative approach to patient care and neurological education.
“An honor like this … is a living promise to honor the legacy of knowledge and compassion and curiosity that changes lives,” said Koubeissi.
The professorship, established by Robert Cohn, MD ’36, BS ’32, in honor of his wife, recognizes Meta Amalia Neumann, MS ’23, BA ’12, a pioneering neuropathologist whose research reshaped the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders.
“Mohamad Koubeissi is a leader in every sense of the word,” Miller told the audience. “He has firmly established himself as a world-renowned expert in his field.”
Koubeissi earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the American University of Beirut, followed by a master’s in English literature from GW during the pandemic — a pursuit he described as a nod to the power of imagination in science. He is currently completing a master’s in computer science, aiming to drive new research in epilepsy imaging and electroencephalography.
Among Koubeissi’s most significant contributions, according to Miller, is his research into the nature of consciousness, which was named one of the top 100 scientific discoveries of 2015 by Discover magazine and featured in a National Geographic documentary.
“It’s this type of old-paradigm-shifting research that Dr. Koubeissi has brought to our institution,” said Miller.
In closing, Koubeissi emphasized that beyond scientific research, his work is about nurturing the next generation of researchers, who will take discovery to the next level.
“Clinical sciences are important, but mentorship is crucial for us,” he said. “We hope to continue to mentor not just knowledgeable physicians, but also compassionate physicians and great leaders, and build bridges across disciplines.”
