June 3, 2019
SKIN CANCER IS THE MOST COMMON OF ALL CANCERS, AFFECTING ONE OUT OF FIVE U.S. RESIDENTS BY THE TIME THEY REACH AGE 70, AND IT IS OVERWHELMINGLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SUN EXPOSURE OR TANNING BEDS.
Pamela Schutzer Jakubowicz, MD
Montefiore dermatologist Pamela Schutzer Jakubowicz, MD, wants to remind us that a few simple steps will allow us to enjoy the long days of summer safely, without experiencing the damaging effects of the sun’s radiation.
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, affecting one out of five U.S. residents by the time they reach age 70, and it is overwhelmingly attributable to sun exposure or tanning beds. The most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma, takes the lives of over 9,000 people each year. Yet melanoma has a 98 percent cure rate when diagnosed early, and protecting the skin from the sun’s rays has been proven to dramatically reduce the incidence of all forms of skin cancer. Skin cancer can occur at any age, and though it is more common in those with fair skin, nobody is immune from the risk.
Dr. Jakubowicz points to the many ways to protect your skin, including correctly applied sunscreen, clothing, wide-brimmed hats and good quality sunglasses. It’s also beneficial to seek shade during the middle of the day when the sun is most powerful. As important as it is to protect your skin every day, it is also essential to check your skin for abnormalities. In addition to monthly self-checks, schedule an annual exam with a dermatologist who will check for the subtle, early signs of any skin cancers or pre-cancerous changes in your skin.
Get more details by reading the full article.
One magical May night, Montefiore’s Grand Hall was transformed into a dream venue for POPSTAR PROM to celebrate a rite of passage otherwise out of reach for teens hospitalized at Children’s Hospital of Montefiore (CHAM). Child Life Specialists at CHAM partnered with the GLAM4GOOD Foundation and Production Glue to stage the event, with generous donations of goods and services from an array of companies. A glam squad swooped in with gowns and tuxes, shoes and accessories, and a team of hair and makeup pros to get every partygoer ready for the big night. Participants received corsages and boutonnieres, took prom photos and danced the night away to DJ Scram Jones.
Eliscer Guzman, MD, left, with Sandra Arévalo, MPH, RDN, CDN, CDE, CLC, FAND, Director, Nutrition Services and Community Outreach at the Community Pediatric Program (CPP), Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.
Montefiore has produced a brand new season of Objetivo: Tu Salud, a half-hour Spanish language health show that airs on Telemundo every Sunday morning at 10 AM. The popular show is hosted by Eliscer Guzman, MD, Director, Institute for Cardiac Wellness and Prevention, Montefiore. As part of our mission to promote health and wellness in the community, Dr. Guzman speaks with various Montefiore experts about health and disease topics such as atrial fibrillation, breast cancer, coronary artery disease, fatty liver disease and heart transplants.
A crowd of local children made their way to Montefiore Wakefield on May 18, each with their favorite teddy bear, stuffed animal or doll, to meet the caring Montefiore doctors and nurses who provided free checkups for these well-loved companions. The annual Teddy Bear Clinic is a safety and health promotion day that gives kids the chance to get comfortable with the staff and surroundings so they’ll be less fearful if they need care themselves someday. Families toured an ambulance and our mock emergency room, and received safety tips from the FDNY and NYPD. Giveaways and health information were provided, and each child took home an X-ray of their teddy bear.
The results of "Home for the Holidays," an exciting new initiative are in, showing Montefiore dramatically reduced readmission rates for heart failure patients during the cold months of November and December, when readmissions are typically high. Montefiore’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program designed the campaign to help medicine units bring 30-day readmission rates down to a target of 15 percent from the normal 25 percent during the holiday period. "This initiative galvanized and inspired our clinical teams to better understand the reasons for these higher rates of readmissions and to find creative ways to change this historical trend," says Jeffrey Weiss, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs. "Care team members talked with patients and caregivers about self-care management, early symptom recognition, and timely follow-up appointments."
Eight units achieved the target and were recognized with a breakfast with Montefiore leadership: Moses (Klau 6, NW3, NW5, NW7, NW8); Weiler (9S); and Wakefield (3NN, 4S). An additional eight units received honorable mentions for readmission reduction efforts: Moses (F6B, NW6, Klau 8), Weiler (8N, 8S, 9N) and Wakefield (4N, 5NN).
Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, System Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, (far right) and Jeffery Weiss, MD, (sixth from left) with Weiler 9S, one of the units that achieved the target readmission rate.
Across Montefiore Medical Center, over 480 patients were admitted for heart failure during November and December. The initiative reduced the 30-day readmission rate to an average of 16.4 percent.
A clinical research study is being done to determine how safe and effective sodium oxybate is in reducing excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in subjects with narcolepsy compared to placebo. The investigational drug is a controlled-release formulation of sodium oxybate and only has to be taken once a day.
Who can participate?
People 16 years or older with a diagnosis of narcolepsy who experience:
To learn more, contact the study team at 718-920-2880/718-920-2895 or mfiguera@montefiore.org
Join the Montefiore Einstein Pathology Department in collaboration with the Departments of Radiology and OB-GYN & Women’s Health for our annual FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings for women in the Bronx ages 21– 64 who are uninsured or underinsured. Get same-day results and free follow-up care, if needed. Activities for kids, educational material available and more!
Funded by a grant from the College of American Pathologists.
Saturday, June 8 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Montefiore Imaging Center
3400 Bainbridge Avenue
Bronx, New York 10467
Tell your friends and sign up in advance by calling 718-920-4600.
Check us out on Facebook (Montefiore See Test & Treat Event).
For more information, call 718-920-4523 or email jsussman@montefiore.org
Join us for the 5th Annual MonteHeart, a two-day comprehensive course titled Innovations in Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support. Current clinical practice as well as novel and emerging therapies for the treatment of complex patient populations with heart failure will be addressed. Presented by the Division of Cardiology and the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Montefiore and Einstein.
Thursday and Friday, June 13 – 14
Montefiore Tishman Learning Center
111 East 210th Street, Bronx, New York 10467
Register online at www.eeds.com/live/329063 or contact Stacy Atkinson at 718-920-6674 or statkins@montefiore.org
The Montefiore Healing Arts Program and Human Resources are offering a three-day residential workshop at a nearby retreat center on September 18–20, 2019. The program, called “Healing Loss,” is a powerful experiential and educational program led by experienced facilitators in a safe, supportive and confidential setting. Participants have the opportunity to work through some of the loss, grief and trauma that often occur in caregivers’ lives, both personally and professionally. The program offers a way for caregivers to release emotions that build up over time, relieve stress and learn how to better care for themselves and others. Up to 24 Continuing Education (CEU) credits are available. Registration is required.
Applications are available on the events section of the intranet.
