January 28, 2019
Although thyroid disorders are common, many people don’t recognize the signs, with up to 60 percent unaware of their disorder. “Symptoms such as weight gain, weight loss, fatigue and depression can be difficult to spot and may overlap with other health issues,” says Martin Surks, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Montefiore; and Professor, Medicine and Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “It’s important to see an experienced endocrinologist for thyroid testing if you are having related symptoms,” he says.
Your primary care doctor may refer you to an endocrinologist for thyroid testing
The thyroid, a butterflyshaped gland located at the base of the neck, produces hormones that affect your breathing, heart rate, digestion and body temperature. The most common disorder is hypothyroidism (too little hormone), causing a slowdown in body functions. Less common, hyperthyroidism (too much hormone) causes metabolism to speed up. Thyroid nodules are also relatively common and often go undetected. There is a very small risk of the thyroid nodule(s) being cancerous, and a doctor can make that determination using fine-needle biopsy. The reassuring news is that there is a 95 percent cure rate for thyroid cancer overall.
Thyroid problems can be detected based on symptoms or small abnormalities during a routine examination and blood tests. Getting the right treatment, which can include medications, thyroid hormone replacement therapy or surgery, can help prevent complications down the road.
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor and ask for a thyroid evaluation:
Steven M. Safyer, MD
Steven M. Safyer, MD, President and CEO, Montefiore Medicine, is one of City & State’s Health Care Power 50, the most influential leaders in New York healthcare. Dr. Safyer’s history of civil rights activism, his role in expanding Montefiore’s presence in the Hudson Valley and his integrating our Albert Einstein College of Medicine are all cited. Inclusion in the Health Care Power 50 is based on accomplishments, economic clout and influence on policy issues.
February is American Heart Month, and the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care is hosting an array of heart-healthy events for the public and associates, aimed at preventing heart disease. “Montefiore’s theme My Heart, My Life supports efforts to take charge of one’s heart health, and shows commitment to treating patients holistically and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices that can greatly reduce the risk of heart disease,” says Mario Garcia, MD, FACC, Chief, Cardiology, and Co-Director, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care.
On February 1 Montefiore associates will observe Wear Red Day, to bring attention to heart disease in women. Then Heart Month kicks off on the Moses Campus on February 4, when Drs. Safyer and Garcia welcome associates and the public to walk the Montefiore Mile—the first of many scheduled events.
Find the full schedule of Montefiore’s Heart Month offerings at www.montefiore.org/heartmonth.
Flavio Malcher, MD
Montefiore’s new comprehensive and innovative Hernia Center is part of Montefiore’s new Abdominal Wall Program, a groundbreaking initiative combining clinical care, research and education, under the direction of Flavio Malcher, MD, MSc, Director, Abdominal Wall Program, Montefiore; and Assistant Professor, Surgery, Einstein. At the Hernia Center, abdominal wall surgeons work collaboratively with other specialties such as nutrition, plastic surgery, wound and ostomy care, and bariatric surgery to provide a comprehensive approach with a range of surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, as well as all aspects of pre-operative optimization and post-surgical rehabilitation. Quality of life post-surgery, more than anything else, is an important focus for our Hernia Center.
In addition to the Hernia Center, the Abdominal Wall Program will include a training facility where surgeons will be able to practice new and rigorous techniques using video, live surgeries and a hands-on lab. This spring, the Abdominal Wall Program is hosting a Spanish-language symposium on advanced abdominal wall surgery, inviting leading surgeons from Latin America to join Montefiore leaders for a hands-on and didactic two-day course on abdominal wall reconstruction.
Randi Kaplan, LMSW
Randi Kaplan, LMSW, Co-Founder and Director, Caregiver Support Program, Montefiore Health System, and Pat Mastors, Founder, Patients’ View Institute, jointly presented Supporting Patients and Families in Pursuit of Compassion for the “Compassion in Action” Webinar Series produced by the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. Their presentation highlights the elevation of compassion as a vital element of patient care, focusing on families in the acute care setting. Ms. Kaplan likens the moment a family begins dealing with the serious illness of a loved one as a feeling of being “shipwrecked,” where everyone feels untethered. She asserts that caregivers need to be listened to and cared for, and that families are better equipped to care for their loved one when they receive emotional support. At Montefiore the family is the unit of care.
The Schwartz Center is celebrating 20 years of their National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award by inviting prior winners to deliver important webinars like this one. Randi Kaplan is the 2016 award winner.
View the webinar here.
If so, he or she may qualify for a research study on autism. Einstein and Montefiore are conducting a study on the genetics of autism in the African-American population.
Children who participate receive autism diagnostic testing, while parents will complete questionnaires and interviews about their child.
We collect a blood sample from each participant for the genetic testing. All information is kept completely confidential.
Participating families receive compensation of up to $150.00 and a report on the results of the clinical testing.
If you are interested in participating, please email childrensresearchunit@einstein.yu.edu or call 718-862-1860.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Register online here.
Want to start 2019 more mindfully? Join Associate Wellness via Zoom for a meditation session with oncology physician Dr. Camacho to help relax your body and practice mindfulness through deep breathing.
Montefiore’s Winter Blood Drive
Thursday, February 7, 2019 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Grand Hall, Moses Campus
111 East 210th Street, Bronx, New York 10467
To schedule an appointment to donate, visit the Montefiore intranet, or call New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-2566.
Walk-ins welcome.
Saturday, February 9, 2019 | 2:00 – 6:00 PM
House of Sports
1 Elm Street, Ardsley, New York 10502
Join New York Rangers’ Kevin Shattenkirk and fellow teammates for the second annual Kevin Shattenkirk Kancer Jam to benefit Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).
Compete with and against your favorite players, win incredible prizes and know that your generosity will help CHAM families as they face-off with cancer.
To learn more, please visit www.jamkancerinthekan.com, or email info@jamkancerinthekan.com.
