Today we are celebrating the 90th birthday of Dr. Ira Gelb, one of the earliest champions of medical education at FAU. He founded the former University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s regional program here at FAU, which ultimately became our Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.

Today, Dr. Gelb serves as senior academic advisor for pre-baccalaureate programs and professor of integrated medical science in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. He and his wife, June, established the June and Ira J. Gelb, M.D. Endowed Scholarship Fund for Medical Student Education to provide financial support to our medical students, and named the June and Ira J. Gelb, M.D. Auditorium in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine building. He also played an integral role in the formation of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), which earned him the Student Organization Advisor of the Year award in 2015.

It’s hard to imagine where FAU – and especially our medical school – would be without Dr. Gelb. He has given generously of his time, energy and financial resources to the college, and his impact will be long lasting. Best wishes to Dr. Gelb for a very happy 90th birthday, and many more!