As we come to the end of Heart Month at Montefiore, it’s a great time to take one more look at the rewards of heart-healthy behaviors. Heart disease takes more lives in the United States each year than all cancers combined. “Though undeniably a public health issue, it is also preventable for most people through lifestyle changes,” says Mario Garcia, MD, FACC, Chief, Cardiology, and Co-Director, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care.
“THOUGH UNDENIABLY A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, IT IS ALSO PREVENTABLE FOR MOST PEOPLE THROUGH LIFESTYLE CHANGES.” — Mario Garcia, MD, FACC
Three main factors, not including age and family history, can increase your risk for heart disease, and about half of all Americans experience at least one of these: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. The good news is that just a few lifestyle changes can reduce your risk. Start with a low-fat, well-balanced diet, work toward 150 minutes of exercise per week (taking the stairs and walking more counts), practice stress management and avoid smoking.
Heart disease, also referred to as cardiovascular disease, encompasses a range of conditions. The most common are heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), heart valve problems and heart failure, which occurs when your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently. Though we usually think of chest discomfort and pain signifying heart trouble, each type of heart disease has its own set of symptoms. The most common are chest pain, tightness and discomfort, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting, fatigue and shortness of breath.
Advances in technology, research and diagnosis of heart disease make treatment easier and more accessible than ever before. If you are experiencing symptoms, it’s important to be seen by a highly skilled physician for an accurate diagnosis and the most advanced treatment. Learn more at: http://bit.ly/lohud-heart-health
Dr. Hsu, second from left, and party guests
The Pediatric Heart Center at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) hosted a party during American Heart Month to celebrate our children with “special hearts.” The event was co-sponsored by Harboring Hearts, an organization that provides financial assistance, hope and comfort to patients undergoing or waiting for a heart transplant or critical cardiothoracic surgery. The theme, My Incredible Heart, brought together families, clinicians and staff. The Pediatric Heart Transplantation program, begun in 2007, is run by Daphne Hsu, MD, Division Chief, Pediatric Cardiology, and Co-Director, Pediatric Heart Center, CHAM; Giles Peek, MD, Chief, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Co-Director, Pediatric Heart Center; Jacqueline Lamour, MD, Director, Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Therapies, CHAM; and Neha Bansal, MD, Attending, Pediatric Cardiology, CHAM. This multidisciplinary program cares for more than 60 heart transplant patients.
From left, Katie R. Forman, DO, Attending Physician, Neonatology, CHAM; Deborah E. Campbell, MD, Chief, Neonatology, CHAM; Emylou Rodriguez; Joel Rodriguez
Montefiore's inaugural Primary Pediatric Palliative Care Conference was presented jointly by our Pediatric Division of Neonatology and Quality of Life Team on January 23 and 24. The event fulfilled its mission to provide practical guidance to a variety of providers and caregivers about the continuum of pediatric palliative care from birth through the transition to adult care.
Participating physicians, nurses, NPs, PAs, trainees, therapists, social workers, hospital teachers, chaplains and parents of critically ill children focused together on how to leverage their current resources to provide holistic care, pain management and support for critically ill and dying children and their parents.
The Women's Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine has a fresh new website showcasing its accomplishments. Since the Division's inception in 1953, it has raised more than $100 million to support worldclass science at Einstein and is dedicated to elevating research at every level, from the bench to the bedside, through philanthropy. “We're using our economic power to fund and inspire support for research that improves human health,” says Trudy Schlachter, Co-President of the Women's Division. The Division contributed funds to the groundbreaking TAILORx trial on early-stage breast cancer, and it has funded a wide range of programs and services, including a wing for prenatal studies and research on birth defects, a clinical research institute for child development, a major research program in immunodiagnostics and immunotherapy in cancer, The Harry Eagle Chair in Cancer Research, and endowments for research in brain sciences, molecular cardiology, diabetes and cancer. Check out the Women's Division's new website at einstein.yu.edu/womensdivision to learn more.
Ann Esposito
Senior Vice President, Shared Services
Fred Berardinone
Vice President, Finance Shared Services
Ada Demir
Vice President and Chief Procurement Officer
Armen Tekerian
Vice President, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Rosy M. Chhabra, PsyD
Director, Montefiore School Health Program (MSHP)
Miguelina Germán, PhD
Director, Pediatric Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP), Montefiore Medical Group
Theresa Madaline, MD
Healthcare Epidemiologist, Montefiore Medical Center
Whether treating patients, conducting groundbreaking research or managing the operations of our leading-edge health system, Montefiore physicians are dedicated to providing exceptional care for our communities. You can show them you’ve noticed as we honor the nationally celebrated Physician Appreciation Day on March 28. Provide a note of thanks, with a photo if you have one, to be displayed throughout the health system. To participate, visit www.montefiore.org/physician-appreciation. Deadline for submissions is March 8.
Rahil Briggs, PsyD, Associate Professor, Pediatrics, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore and Einstein, has been named National Director of the HealthySteps program at ZERO TO THREE©. This new position is the culmination of Dr. Briggs's efforts to bring the Montefiore model of HealthySteps to millions of children around the country. Dr. Briggs will retain her academic appointment at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and will continue to contribute as a Strategic Advisor for the Pediatric Behavioral Health Program at Montefiore Medical Group (MMG).
HealthySteps, part of the Behavioral Health Integration Program at MMG, has once again received a $100,000 gift from the Zide Family Foundation, known for philanthropy in support of education and children's issues.
Montefiore is conducting a study examining the effects of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo on hyperphagia, repetitive behaviors, and quality of life in children 5–17 years old with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Please call Bonnie Taylor, PhD at 718-920-2909 or email spectrum@montefiore.org to learn more.
Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, but it is also considered highly preventable. Though it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women, at about 50,000 per year, we can change this. Montefiore's doctors, patients, survivors, caregivers and patient navigators are ready to help educate you about your risk for colon cancer.
NATIONAL WEAR BLUE DAY
Friday, March 1, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Grand Hall, Moses Campus
All are invited to learn more about colon cancer.
Visit www.montefiore.org/coloncancerawareness for a full schedule of events.