October 31, 2016
Nicole and Christian McDonald will hold their babies in their arms for the first time since their birth, thanks to an expert team of surgical and medical providers at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). Jadon and Anias are craniopagus twins, born joined at the head just over 13 months ago in Chicago. Today their recovery continues in CHAM's Pediatric Critical Care Unit where the family is able to focus on their needs with the support of the entire Montefiore community.
"ONCE AGAIN THE MONTEFIORE EINSTEIN TEAM IS LEADING THE WAY IN PIONEERING MEDICINE THAT CHANGES LIVES. THIS IS MONTEFIORE AT ITS BEST: SOPHISTICATED SCIENCE, MEDICINE AND PATIENT CARE ARE AT THE HEART AND SOUL OF WHAT WE DO."
—STEVEN M. SAFYER, MD, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MONTEFIORE
The staged process took place over the past seven months, giving time for healing between each operation. The surgery to separate the boys commenced on October 13 and lasted more than 20 hours, led by James Goodrich, MD, Chief, Pediatric Neurosurgery, CHAM, and Professor, Clinical Neurological Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Einstein, and Oren Tepper, MD, Director, Craniofacial Surgery Program, Montefiore, and Assistant Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Einstein.
James Goodrich, MD, and CNN's Sanjay Gupta, MD.
The multidisciplinary team including Dr. Goodrich, Dr. Tepper, Joaquim M. Farinhas, MD, Neuro-radiologist, Department of Radiology, Montefiore, and Kamila A. Dowling, DNP, nurse practitioner, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, CHAM, planned each operation using advanced virtual planning technology to create 3D models of the boys' brains and skull.
"THIS WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST CASES I HAVE EVER WORKED ON... THESE ARE STRONG LITTLE BOYS AND THE TEAM I WORK WITH AT MONTEFIORE IS QUITE SIMPLY THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
— JAMES GOODRICH, MD
The models were used as guides for the procedures, allowing for careful planning of each stage in advance, mapping out the boys' anatomy prior to incision. In a new first, the Montefiore team used 3D virtual planning for skull and scalp reconstruction following the separation.
"We've always seen our boys as perfect little babies," said mom Nicole McDonald, "and now we feel so blessed and happy that we will get to hold them, comfort them and snuggle each of them in our arms like we have been longing to do since they were born, thanks to the amazing care provided by the whole team at Montefiore."
James Goodrich, MD, and Nicole McDonald.
The 2016 President's Award nominees have been announced and it's time for us to celebrate their achievements. They represent a diverse cross-section of associates from clinical and non-clinical areas, and each one exemplifies Montefiore's values of teamwork, humanity, diversity, innovation and equity. Take a moment to get to know this year's nominees by viewing the 2016 President's Awards slideshow on the intranet.
Join the Department of Endocrinology in observance of National Diabetes Month in November. A packed calendar of events built around this year’s theme, “Step to a Healthier Future,” will empower all who wish to learn more about preventing and managing diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that up to 193 million people around the world are living with undiagnosed diabetes, making awareness and education vital.
Events such as diabetes management workshops, information tables, exercise classes and arts therapy grand rounds will take place across the health system, focusing on simple measures individuals can take to curb their risks. There will be plenty of opportunities to get informed and get moving!
Take your Step to a Healthier Future by visiting www.montefiore.org/diabetes-month.
Raanan Arens, MD, Chief, Division of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Pediatrics, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, and Professor, Pediatrics, Einstein, has been awarded a $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study and develop tools for combatting obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The disorder, which interrupts normal breathing during sleep, affects almost half of obese youth, yet few effective treatments are available because the precise mechanism leading to the disorder remains unknown.
According to new research being conducted at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM), children who experience family and environmental stressors and traumatic experiences, such as poverty, mental illness and exposure to violence, are more likely to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study, titled "Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and ADHD Diagnosis and Severity," was published in Academic Pediatrics.
Mary Duggan, MD, Program Director and Assistant Professor, Family and Social Medicine, Montefiore and Einstein, received a $2 million training grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to develop an Advanced Primary Care (APC) co-training program. The program, which will focus on respiratory illnesses, aims to demonstrate that co-training family medicine residents and psychologists to practice APC and address patients' needs outside of the clinic can translate to better clinical outcomes.
The Autism and Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Program at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine is dedicated to finding new and improved treatment for children and adults living with autism.
We currently have opportunities for children and adults to take part in clinical trials for autism treatment.
For more information, contact Bonnie Taylor - spectrum@montefiore.org - 718-920-2909.
Director: Eric Hollander, MD
Discover more about clinical trials at Montefiore at www.montefiore.org/clinicaltrials.
All associates are invited to attend the Health Fair to be screened for different health conditions, learn more about different wellness benefits/resources for associates and receive free gifts and prizes. ID badges are required for access.
Tuesday, November 1 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lubin Hall, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461
Thursday, November 3 | 9:30 PM – 1:00 AM
4th Floor Cafeteria, Einstein Campus
1825 Eastchester Road, Bronx, New York 10461
For more information, email toyourhealth@montefiore.org.
A discussion on how to access medical records when undergoing a routine research monitoring visit from a Study Sponsor. Learn the protocol for viewing specific patient encounters related to research activity and printing restrictions in EPIC. Featuring Doreen Gonzalez, Senior Project Manager, HIM.
Thursday, November 10 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Clinical Research Center, Conference Room
Moses Research Tower, Moses Campus
RSVP to jayala@montefiore.org or 718-920-4688 by November 7.