Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 6-28-19

Features
‘Physician Of The Year’ Has Building Named In His Honor At FSU
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
Role models are some- times hard to find. Profes- sional athletes and entertainers often garner the most attention. Star couples like Stephen and Ayesha Curry capture our imagina- tion and affection for their solid family values and ap- proachable personalities. However, most role models work behind the scenes, coach- ing and guiding people on the right path. Sometimes the “star” role models are in our own community, quietly and humbly working hard each day. Dr. George Cohen is one such man.
He and his wife, Tampa native, Liz York Cohen, have built their lives around the im- perative to work hard and tire- lessly to help others. Recently, Dr. Cohen has received two notable honors that mirror his labor of love.
On June 21, 2019, Dr. Cohen was honored by the Florida State University Col- lege of Medicine and their partner, Dermatology Associ- ates of Tallahassee, by naming a building after him. The George F. Cohen Building dis- tinguishes the doctor for over
DR. GEORGE AND LIZ (YORK) COHEN
40 years of service and dedica- tion to the training of future dermatologists. Dr. Cohen is the Founding Dermatology Residency Program Director of the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine’s Dermatology department. He also maintains a practice at Dermatology Associates of Tal- lahassee. Dr. Cohen founded the residency program four years ago and the first class of residents graduated directly before the naming of the build- ing.
Earlier this year, on April 27, 2019, Dr. Cohen was rec- ognized by the National Acad- emy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners as the ‘Physician of the Year’. This honor also echoed his outstanding work in the field across the county, training the next generation of dermatologists, dermatology residents, and dermatology nurse practitioners.
A native of Washington D. C., Dr. Cohen was formerly the Chief of Dermatology at the Washington, D. C. Veter- ans Affairs Medical Center and maintained a private practice with several locations in the Washington, D. C. area.
Dr. Cohen graduated from the University of Michi- gan and received his medical degree from the Howard Uni- versity College of Medicine, graduating first in his class. Dr. Cohen served as a flight surgeon while serving in the United States Air Force. He is a prolific author and sought- after lecturer, sharing his knowledge and experience with the medical community.
With all these accolades, Dr. Cohen’s professional passion remains training fu- ture dermatologists and der- matology nurses. Dr. Cohen took on a professorial capacity at the University of Florida be-
fore his present position at Florida State University.
About the naming of the building, Dr. Cohen states, “It was an unexpected honor. I show up every day to teach the residents about life. My part- ing words to them was, don’t look down on another man un- less you are bending over to help him up.”
The Cohen family spent many years in the Washington, D. C. area as Dr. Cohen pri- vately practiced medicine and Mrs. Cohen served in leader- ship posts in their local school system. Upon the retirement of Mrs. Cohen in 2010, the couple returned to her roots in Tampa.
Dr. Cohen’s wife, Liz York Cohen, has deep roots in the Tampa community. Mrs. Cohen was born in Tampa and graduated from Hillsborough High School. Her parents, Ellis and Dorothy York were highly esteemed and regarded members of the community. Her father was the first African American per- son to host a television show in Tampa. The show aired on WTVT-13 and was titled “The Job Hotline.” Her mother was a revered educator, commu- nity activist and author of sev- eral books.
Mrs. Cohen received
her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and her graduate degree from Chapman University. Addi- tionally, she has studied School Ethics and Leadership at Oxford University in Ox- ford, England.
Mrs. Cohen is just as de- termined as Dr. Cohen to help as many students as pos- sible. In that vein, the couple has established and fully en- dowed four scholarships. Two of the scholarships are at FSU and the other two are at Howard University. The schol- arship dearest to the couple is the Ellis and Dorothy York En- dowed Scholarship. This scholarship is a tribute to her parents, the first generation in their families to graduate from college.
Mrs. Cohen states, “We are very, very humbled by these awards and recognition. These are just mere reflections of God’s grace and mercy on us. It’s all about God.”
Dr. Cohen is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Pi Phi (Boule), and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. Mrs. Cohen is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Links, Inc., as well as several profes- sional organizations. The cou- ple are proud members of Allen Temple AME Church.
Sisters Network To Host Event For Cancer Survivors
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
One of the most common side effects of taking chemotherapy patients face, is the loss of hair. This is a traumatic experience for women who are already bat- tling the deadly disease.
On Saturday, June 29th, the Tampa Bay Chapter of Sisters Network, Inc., will sponsor an event to address the problem of hair loss with those women currently going through chemotherapy treat- ment.
“Making Her Crown Beautiful,” will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Robert W. Saunders Pub- lic Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Avenue.
It is a community wig and hair give-away. This is an ef- fort to help women feel beau- tiful again.
Ms. Lois Cato, Presi- dent of the Tampa Bay Chap- ter of Sisters Network, Inc., said, “Our hair is our crown and glory and being without it is a serious adjustment. We
Members of the Tampa Chapter of Sisters Network, Inc., are: Melissa Vazquez, Lois Cato, Lisa Mifflin, Jerry Ann Norton, Shnai Simmons, Valerie Parker, Regina Anderson, Stevie Bass and Michelle Bass.
are providing one free wig or hair piece to each survivor who comes out.
“We are also accepting gently used and washing wigs or new wigs and hair pieces.” Sisters Network, Inc. is an African American Breast Cancer non-profit organiza- tion that is a network of breast cancer survivors. The organization is a resource for women who have been diag- nosed or have a family mem- ber or friend that has been
diagnosed with cancer. The motto is “Stop the Silence.”
Ms. Cato further said, “We encourage ladies to also talk with their doctors about any cancer within your fam- ily and knowing the risk for you when you have any fam- ily member with any type of cancer.”
Anyone seeking more in- formation can call (813) 586- 1427; or visit www.tampabay@sistersnet- workinc.org.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2019