IAOTP names Dr. Simon S. Rabinowitz top pediatric gastroenterologist

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor Dr. Simon S. Rabinowitz at its annual awards gala in New York City’s Plaza Hotel in December 2026. The award recognizes his four decades of work in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, along with leadership at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

Why it matters: - The IAOTP recognition spotlights a physician whose work has shaped pediatric digestive care, training, and research over more than 40 years. - The honor also highlights SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University’s long-running role in pediatric gastroenterology in Brooklyn. - Families seeking complex second opinions for gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic, growth-related, and nutritional disorders may see the award as a marker of clinical credibility.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Dr. Simon S. Rabinowitz as Top Pediatric Gastroenterologist of the Year 2026. - IAOTP will honor Dr. Rabinowitz at its annual awards gala in December 2026 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - The organization said honorees are chosen for professional excellence, academic achievements, leadership, longevity, community contributions, and affiliations. - IAOTP President Stephanie Cirami said Dr. Rabinowitz was an easy choice and called him inspirational, influential, and a thought leader.

The details: - Dr. Rabinowitz has more than four decades of experience in pediatric medicine, gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. - He joined SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in 1987 and founded its Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. - He helped establish one of the first pediatric gastroenterology fellowship programs in the U.S. to receive ACGME accreditation. - He currently serves as Associate Program Director for Pediatric Gastroenterology. - He previously served as Vice Chairman of Pediatrics for 10 years. - He continues to care for new patients with gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic, and nutritional disorders. - Dr. Rabinowitz specializes in second opinions for children with gastrointestinal, hepatic, pancreatic, and growth-related disorders. - His published work covers necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants, gastrointestinal manifestations of pediatric AIDS, gastroesophageal reflux complications, viral hepatitis in children with end-stage renal disease, Hirschsprung disease, H. pylori gastritis, nutritional issues in developmentally disabled children, and eosinophilic esophagitis. - He has written educational articles for Medscape associated with WebMD on pediatric feeding disorders, vitamin deficiencies, abdominal examinations, and Meckel diverticulum. - He graduated from Stuyvesant High School and attended Vassar College. - He earned a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MD through the University of Miami’s combined PhD to MD program in 1983. - He completed pediatric residency and fellowship training at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. - He also served as Vice Chair of Pediatrics at Long Island College Hospital. - From 2003 to 2011, he was Chairman of Pediatrics and Pediatric Residency Program Director at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Staten Island. - His other recognitions include mentions from New York Magazine, Castle Connolly’s Best New York Doctors, Who’s Who in Medicine, and other professional organizations. - Dr. Rabinowitz is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Gastroenterological Association. - The release said he will also be considered for a feature article in TIP (Top Industry Professionals) Magazine this year. - The announcement includes links for the IAOTP Awards Gala and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University information.

Between the lines: - IAOTP’s model relies on invitation and selectivity, so the award functions as a professional signal as much as a ceremonial honor. - The recognition reinforces a career defined by a mix of patient care, training future specialists, and publishing on complex pediatric GI conditions. - The press release places equal weight on Dr. Rabinowitz’s clinical work and his academic and leadership footprint, suggesting the award is meant to recognize broad influence rather than a single achievement.

What’s next: - Dr. Rabinowitz will receive the honor at IAOTP’s gala in December 2026 at the Plaza Hotel. - He remains focused on patient care, research, education, and mentorship in pediatric gastroenterology. - IAOTP says the gala will celebrate accomplished professionals from a range of industries.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is elevating Dr. Simon S. Rabinowitz as a leading figure in pediatric gastroenterology, citing decades of clinical leadership, academic work, and training contributions.