January 28, 2020
Noah Bloomgarden, MD
Lionel Zuckier, MD
Today, thyroid specialists need to deal with the positives and negatives of easy access to advanced medical imaging; often otherwise undetectable thyroid nodules are being identified incidentally when doctors are screening for other conditions. This may, at least in part, explain why thyroid cancer diagnosis has increased at a faster rate than any other cancer type. The good news is that, in spite of the increase in diagnosis, the cure rate for the most common type of the disease remains nearly 100 percent. Noah Bloomgarden, MD, an endocrinologist in the Division of Endocrinology's Comprehensive Thyroid Program, Montefiore, points out that only about five percent of average-size thyroid nodules prove to be cancers. Therefore, a careful assessment by a thyroid specialist is essential to properly select patients who may need surgery. Most thyroid cancers are slow growing and are among the easiest of all cancers to treat successfully, according to Lionel Zuckier, MD, Division Head of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, Montefiore. He notes that this is because the thyroid gland uniquely traps and retains iodine. Following surgery to remove the gland, it is possible to administer radioactive iodine, which can both reveal and selectively destroy remaining thyroid cancer cells.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE CURE RATE FOR THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF [THYROID] DISEASE IS NEARLY 100%
Montefiore's Division of Endocrinology is recognized as one of the best in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. The division's Comprehensive Thyroid Program delivers state-of-the-art, personalized, comprehensive care—from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up—that is seamless, coordinated and focused on the needs of each individual. Thyroid cancer can be a worrisome diagnosis, but with the right care, the overwhelming majority of patients recover and move on with their lives.
Discover more by reading the full article.
Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD President and CEO, Montefiore Medicine
Philip O. Ozuah, MD, PhD, is one of City & State's 100 most powerful New Yorkers in healthcare. City & State recognized Dr. Ozuah for being named President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, the umbrella organization that includes Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. City & State also highlighted Dr. Ozuah's exceptional leadership of Montefiore Health System and his tenure as Physician-in-Chief of Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). Under his leadership, U.S. News and World Report has ranked Montefiore Health System's medical specialties in the top one percent of the nation's hospitals and Children's Hospital at Montefiore as one of "America's Best Children's Hospitals."
The Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care kicks off American Heart Month at Montefiore on February 3 at the Heart and Mind Fair at the Moses Campus, sponsored by To Your Health! Associate Wellness. Food, Facts and Fun will be in abundance!
This year's theme, We Beat Together, emphasizes that when it comes to prevention of heart disease, small lifestyle changes can lead to big improvements in heart health. February's month-long events are planned to enable Montefiore associates and the communities we serve to have the latest information and outreach to take important steps to prevent heart disease.
Join us at the annual Go Red for Women Day on February 7, to raise awareness of heart health issues for women. Don't forget to wear something red!
Events are free and open to the public during Montefiore's American Heart Month celebration, encouraging those lifestyle changes that add up to improved heart health. Educational talks and workshops, heart-healthy food tastings, screenings, movies and more will be on tap. Keep checking the events calendar, as more are being added for our community and associates.
Join us for We Beat Together during February's American Heart Month. You'll find more information and a current calendar of events at www.montefiore.org/heart-month-events
Montefiore physicians at Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in Kingston, Jamaica
Montefiore's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is seeking volunteers for its third medical mission to Kingston, Jamaica, in April 2020. The second mission last spring saw Montefiore volunteers collaborating with Zion Care International in the Bronx to help train staff at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre and the University of West Indies Hospital in Kingston. Montefiore's team of physicians and physical and occupational therapists also consult on patient care; provide specialized care, such as nerve block injections and Botox procedures to treat spasticity; and deliver medical appliances, including wheelchairs, braces and prosthetic devices.
For more information and to register, email srand@montefiore.org or visit www.zioncareinternational.org/volunteer
David Loeb, MD, PhD, was named one of the ”Responsible 100” by City & State New York. These 100 New York City leaders are from an array of fields including finance, healthcare, lobbying, legal services, education and technology, and exhibit principles of social responsibility including charity, community engagement, customer service, diversity, inclusion, equity, transparency, sustainability and volunteerism.
Audrey Uong, MD, MS, received the Cost of Care award at the Architecture of High Value Health Care National Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 16, 2019, for work to improve anticipatory guidance at hospital discharge. Dr. Uong leads the SAFER Care Team, a part of Montefiore’s Quality Improvement team.
Welcome!
David F. Briceño Gomez, MD, Attending Physician, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Montefiore, and Assistant Professor, Cardiology, Einstein.
His clinical focus spans topics including catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, pacemaker therapy and genetically determined arrhythmia syndromes.
Edwin C. Ho, MD, Attending Physician and Co-Director, Heart Valve/Structural Heart Center, Montefiore.
His clinical focus is on valvular heart disease, especially novel transcatheter valve repair and replacement technologies.
Researchers at Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine are conducting a study to learn about differences in the genital tract in women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) before and after treatment. Women with BV have an increased risk of acquiring HIV. The ultimate goal of this research is to better understand the effects of BV on the female genital tract so that methods can be developed to reduce transmission of HIV.
To take part you must be:
• 18–45 years old • Sexually active • Have symptoms of bacterial vaginosis—unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge
Reimbursement for time and travel provided.
Call Becky at 718-430-3253 or email microbicide@einstein.yu.edu to learn more.
Heart and Mind Healthier Together Fair
February 3 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PM | Moses Grand Hall
In celebration of American Heart Month, Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care and To Your Health! Associate Wellness invites all associates to the Heart and Mind Healthier Together Fair, where associates can explore the five senses through calming activities, engage in chair massage, and participate in interactive tables for giveaways.
Associate Wellness Tasting Tables
February 6 | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Tarrytown Cafeteria
February 10 | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Hutchinson Lobby, Tower Two
February 13 | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Wakefield Cafeteria
February 14| 11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Moses Grand Hall
February 25 | 11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Weiler Cafeteria
Visit Associate Wellness at Tasting Tables during Montefiore American Heart Month events to try a heart-healthy recipe, learn more about wellness programs and chat with a Montefiore registered dietitian.
Montefiore's Winter Blood Drive
Thursday, February 13, 2020 | 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.
