Symposium

The Annual Ellen P. Hermanson Memorial Symposium

Every year in October [breast health month] or November, JALBCA presents the Annual Ellen P. Hermanson Memorial Symposium, in conjunction with NYWBA and WBASNY, on a topic of interest to cancer victims in the area of new treatments, research, regulatory concerns, insurance industry considerations, or related legal issues.

A distinguished panel of judges and experts participate in each symposium, which is has moderated by [Retired] Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye since its inception.

The symposium honors JALBCA’s first executive director: Ellen P. Hermanson.  Ellen was a journalist, who became a courageous advocate in the fight against breast cancer when she was first diagnosed with disease at the age of 36.  She used her knowledge and talent to inform others facing breast cancer about the challenges that they would face and the resources available to them.  In 1992 she became JALBCA’s executive director, where she helped coordinate and organize JALBCA’s first Symposium at which judges and doctors were brought together to address insurance and health, law and policy confronting cancer patients.  Ellen lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995 at the age of 42.  Her sister, Dr. Julie Ratner, founded the Ellen P. Hermanson Foundation, a non-profit organized to serve breast cancer patients on the east end of Long Island, in her honor.  The Foundation is a cosponsor of JALBCA’s Annual Symposium, which JALBCA renamed in Ellen’s honor.

Former JALBCA Presidents, Hon. Shirley Werner Kornreich (Supreme Court Justice, New York County Commercial Division), JALBCA newsletter editor extraordinaire Martha L. “Mikki” Golar, Esq. (Attorney with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey), and Barbara A. Ryan, Esq. (Partner at Aaronson Rappaport Feinstein and Deutsch, LLP), are the symposium co-chairs, who choose the topic and assemble the materials for CLE accreditation each year.

The Ellen P. Hermanson Memorial Symposium is open to the public and without charge.  Most years it carries 2 CLE credits.  If you are interested in attending or have questions, please e-mail jennifer@jalbca.org or call (212) 290-9720.