Nicholas J. Cifarelli
Encyclopedia
Nicholas John Cifarelli, M.D.
(August 22, 1928 - December 25, 2005) was an Italian-American physician
. He is known for starting the first Bioethics Advisory Committee in the United States
.
, New York
on August 22, 1928. Nicholas, at a very young age showed an appreciation for fine arts. He viewed sculpture at his uncle's foundry, Roman Bronze, Inc. Later, he furthered his education in the arts, working eight years at the Metropolitan Opera
, and was privileged to see every classical ballet the opera presented. This exposure created a deep love of the classics and was his inspiration to become a sculptor, where he later incorporated the time for this interest while practicing medicine
.
, was a standout pitcher on the baseball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1949. Soon after he attended Georgetown University School of Medicine
where he pursued a medical education. In 1954 he graduated with a medical degree.
Later, Cifarelli pursed his interest in Sculpture
where he studied under Professor Salvatore at Columbia University
in 1964. He continued his education in this subject at Queens College in 1965. In 1971 he completed an extension course in Sculpture
at UCLA. He also took sculpture
courses at Pasadena City College
in Pasadena, CA from 1972-1973.
Dr. Cifarelli went back to Queens
, New York
to start his medical internship at the Flushing Hospital & Medical Center. After completing his internship he started his medical residency, choosing the specialty of Internal Medicine
at Flushing Hospital & Medical Center.
After finishing his medical residency Dr. Cifarelli joined the United States Navy
as a Medical Officer. He was stationed in Coronado, CA. After finishing his military service he relocated back to Queens
, New York
to begin a medical career as a private practice physician
. After he gained some experience in private practice he decided to further his medical education and began his fellowship (medicine)
in Nephrology
(under J.E. Cimino, M.D.) at the Bronx VA Hospital, in the Bronx, New York
.
until 1968. In 1968 he moved to Los Angeles, CA. Throughout his medical career in Los Angeles
he was elected Chief of Staff at several different hospitals in the area. He also held numerous other positions during his career. In 1985 he was granted the title of Clinical Assistant Professor in Medicine from the University of California, Los Angeles
. In 1994 the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center named the medical library in his name to show their appreciation for the dedication Dr. Cifarelli put forth throughout his career. Cifarelli was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians
. He retired in 1996.
was one of Cifarelli's passions. Cifarelli completed a lifelike sculpture
of Rudolf Nureyev, the world-renowned ballet dancer; the head was presented to Nureyev at the Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)
. Some of Cifarelli's work has also been showcased at The Sculptors III Gallery in Palm Springs, CA.
he stated that he did not want to be put on life support which reflected the views that he stressed during his career. Previous to his passing he resided in San Marino, CA with his family.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
(August 22, 1928 - December 25, 2005) was an Italian-American physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. He is known for starting the first Bioethics Advisory Committee in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Early life
Dr. Cifarelli was born in QueensQueens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on August 22, 1928. Nicholas, at a very young age showed an appreciation for fine arts. He viewed sculpture at his uncle's foundry, Roman Bronze, Inc. Later, he furthered his education in the arts, working eight years at the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
, and was privileged to see every classical ballet the opera presented. This exposure created a deep love of the classics and was his inspiration to become a sculptor, where he later incorporated the time for this interest while practicing medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
.
Education
Dr. Cifarelli began as an undergraduate in 1946 at Saint Peter's College (New Jersey). He studied ChemistryChemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, was a standout pitcher on the baseball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in 1949. Soon after he attended Georgetown University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine, a medical school opened in 1851, is one of Georgetown University's five graduate schools. It is located on Reservoir Road in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC, adjacent to the University's main campus...
where he pursued a medical education. In 1954 he graduated with a medical degree.
Later, Cifarelli pursed his interest in Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
where he studied under Professor Salvatore at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1964. He continued his education in this subject at Queens College in 1965. In 1971 he completed an extension course in Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
at UCLA. He also took sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
courses at Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College is a community college in Pasadena, California, USA, located on Colorado Boulevard. PCC is the third largest community college campus in the United States. PCC was founded in 1924 as Pasadena Junior College. In 1954, Pasadena Junior College merged with another junior...
in Pasadena, CA from 1972-1973.
Medical Residency & Naval Career
After receiving his medical degree from Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
Dr. Cifarelli went back to Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to start his medical internship at the Flushing Hospital & Medical Center. After completing his internship he started his medical residency, choosing the specialty of Internal Medicine
Internal medicine
Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Physicians specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They are especially skilled in the management of patients who have undifferentiated or multi-system disease processes...
at Flushing Hospital & Medical Center.
After finishing his medical residency Dr. Cifarelli joined the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as a Medical Officer. He was stationed in Coronado, CA. After finishing his military service he relocated back to Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to begin a medical career as a private practice physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. After he gained some experience in private practice he decided to further his medical education and began his fellowship (medicine)
Fellowship (medicine)
A fellowship is the period of medical training in the United States and Canada that a physician may undertake after completing a specialty training program . During this time , the physician is known as a fellow...
in Nephrology
Nephrology
Nephrology is a branch of internal medicine and pediatrics dealing with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.-Scope of the specialty:...
(under J.E. Cimino, M.D.) at the Bronx VA Hospital, in the Bronx, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Private Practice Career
Cifarelli practiced medicine in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
until 1968. In 1968 he moved to Los Angeles, CA. Throughout his medical career in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
he was elected Chief of Staff at several different hospitals in the area. He also held numerous other positions during his career. In 1985 he was granted the title of Clinical Assistant Professor in Medicine from the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. In 1994 the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center named the medical library in his name to show their appreciation for the dedication Dr. Cifarelli put forth throughout his career. Cifarelli was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians
American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is a national organization of doctors of internal medicine —physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection, and treatment of illnesses in adults. With 130,000 members, ACP is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in...
. He retired in 1996.
Bioethics Advisory Committee
He became well known in 1984 when he pioneered the first Bioethics Advisory Committee in the United States at the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center. Cifarelli maintained a "pull the plug" mentality throughout his medical career. He believed the patient and their family should not have to suffer through debilitating illnesses when there was no quality of life.Sculpture
SculptureSculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
was one of Cifarelli's passions. Cifarelli completed a lifelike sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
of Rudolf Nureyev, the world-renowned ballet dancer; the head was presented to Nureyev at the Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)
Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)
The Greek Theatre is a 5,700-seat amphitheater, located at Griffith Park, in Los Angeles, California. It was built in 1929, opening on September 29 of that year...
. Some of Cifarelli's work has also been showcased at The Sculptors III Gallery in Palm Springs, CA.
Death
Cifarelli died Christmas Day, 2005 after battling an illness. At the time of his diagnosisDiagnosis
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of anything. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines with variations in the use of logics, analytics, and experience to determine the cause and effect relationships...
he stated that he did not want to be put on life support which reflected the views that he stressed during his career. Previous to his passing he resided in San Marino, CA with his family.