Dr. Present, or Dan as he was fondly called, entered private practice in 1964. He quickly began to focus on the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, bringing clinical trials into clinical practice. A brilliant, innovative, and charismatic figure, Dr. Present has played an integral role in the treatment of the disease, serving as a world renowned Gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital for over 54 years. He paved the way for the currents modes of treatments for Crown’s disease.
Dr. Present took immense pleasure in his care and dedication for his patients. He derived joy from sparing his patients the pain, discomfort, and humiliation of inflammatory bowel disease by finding the right treatment. He tried to prevent surgery by all means whenever there was another possible medical solution. He spent many, many hours with his patients, more than any HMO would have allowed. He sat at their bedside and visited them late at night when they fell ill, and he shared their joy when they recovered.
Nothing made Dr. Present happier than seeing a college student returning to school or a former patient feeling well enough to plan a wedding or bear a child. The numerous people he has helped are his everlasting memory, and his many achievements in the field of medicine will be his immortal presence. May his virtuous soul rest in peace.
Funeral services will be held on Today, Thursday at 12:00pm at “The Riverside”, 180 West 76th St., New York, NY 10023.