March 11, 2019
When it leads to an early diagnosis, a colorectal cancer screening can save your life. “The most effective way to reduce your risk is to begin preventive screening tests starting at age 45,” says Thomas Ullman, MD, Chief, Gastroenterology, Montefiore. Only 58 percent of adults in the screening age take this action, despite the fact that cancer of the colon and/or rectum is the second most common cause of cancer-related death for men and women in the Unite States. Because symptoms typically don’t develop until the cancer is advanced, screenings can lead to early diagnosis, when colorectal cancer can be curable.
“THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE YOUR RISK IS TO BEGIN PREVENTIVE SCREENING TESTS STARTING AT AGE 45.” — Thomas Ullman, MD
The good news is there are many options for screening. Colonoscopy is probably the best for detection, with the added benefit that abnormal polyps are removed before they can develop into cancer. Other options include stool tests, virtual colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, screenings should begin before age 45. See your doctor to determine if diagnostic testing is needed if you have any of these symptoms: blood in stool, abdominal cramps and pain, change in bowel habits, weight loss or loss of appetite, or low iron levels. Review the options above with your doctor, if you haven’t already.
Patients who participate in screening have been demonstrated to have lower rates of problems from colon cancer over time. If you are up to date on your screening, great job!
Learn more ...
From left: Dr. Safyer, Kenneth Raske and George Gresham
Montefiore stood proudly with its partners, 1199SEIU and Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA), at a rally at the Moses Campus to urge the state legislature to reject proposed Medicaid budget cuts. Steven M. Safyer, MD, President and CEO, Montefiore Medicine, was joined by George Gresham, President, 1199SEIU, Kenneth Raske, President, GNYHA, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. as they addressed the supporters of “NO HEALTH CARE CUTS.” Montefiore supports increased funding for Medicaid, which has not had a rate increase for 10 years. During that time, costs have risen across the board each year. With approximately half of our patients reliant on Medicaid, the proposed reduction would be devastating and go to the heart of who we are and what we do—Montefiore turns no one away, regardless of ability to pay.
Montefiore associates with the Rollin’ Colon
Wear Blue Day kicked off Montefiore’s month-long campaign to educate associates and the public about colorectal cancer risks and prevention. It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, taking some 50,000 lives each year. We can change this! Colon cancer is one of the few considered highly preventable.
The Grand Hall at Moses Campus was the scene of the event, with information and giveaways for the public provided by the departments of Gastroenterology, Radiology and Oncology. Participants enjoyed nutrition demonstrations, learned about colorectal cancer prevention and had fun inside the Rollin’ Colon.
There is more to come during March as we work to build awareness about colon cancer. Visit montefiore.org/coloncancerawareness for complete information about upcoming events.
The Department of Psychiatry is proud to host a Grand Rounds with Maurizio Fava, MD, one of the world’s foremost psychiatric researchers, who will speak on New Pharmacologic Treatments for Resistant Depression. Dr. Fava is Executive Vice Chair of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital. “Maurizio has been my closest colleague for over 25 years,” says Jonathan Alpert, MD, PhD, Dorothy and Marty Silverman University Chair, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Professor, Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Pediatrics, Montefiore and Einstein. “His visionary perspectives and accomplishments have shaped current depression treatment and clinical research design in psychiatry, and continue to fuel a vital pipeline of promising new treatments.”
Maurizio Fava, MD
“[DR. FAVA’S] VISIONARY PERSPECTIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAVE SHAPED CURRENT DEPRESSION TREATMENT AND CLINICAL RESEARCH DESIGN IN PSYCHIATRY, AND CONTINUE TO FUEL A VITAL PIPELINE OF PROMISING NEW TREATMENTS.” — Jonathan Alpert, MD, PhD
The Grand Rounds will take place on Thursday, March 21, at 10:30 AM on the Moses Campus in Cherkasky Auditorium.
Severe weather events are becoming more frequent and extreme, making it more important than ever that New Yorkers are ready to respond. Montefiore is partnering with the Bronx Emergency Preparedness Coalition and New York State’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to host the NY Citizen Preparedness Training Program. These training sessions teach citizens to have the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster— natural or manmade—and to respond appropriately, including developing a family emergency plan and a stock of emergency supplies. Information and registration for locations, dates and times, including sessions at the Moses and Einstein Campuses, is all here. Attendees will receive a FREE NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit.
Free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit for each family in attendance
On Saturday, March 30, Epic@Montefiore system will be going live with exciting enhancements—including new work queue functionality for supervisors and patient storyboard availability for users within HIM. Also, clinicians in the ER will now have the ability to document directly in Rover on LDA avatars.
This update ensures that Montefiore has the most current technology infrastructure, and brings additional integrated support to our network of care—further unifying our cross collaboration across the entire Montefiore Health System.
To get a head start on how to navigate these new Epic features, click on the “Epic - March 2019 Update” tab on the intranet and review the resource documents. And don’t forget, the best way to improve your learning experience is to— PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE IN THE PLAYGROUND.
March is National Social Work Month, when Montefiore recognizes the dedicated social workers throughout the health system who consistently elevate every person they serve. To learn more about our Department of Social Services, visit www.montefiore.org/social-services
Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center are conducting a study in women with breast fibroadenomas which require treatment. Fibroadenomas are benign (non-cancerous) breast tumors (lumps). This research will study an experimental device (Echopulse System) which provides high- intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of soft tissue. This treatment is an alternative to open surgical removal of fibroadenomas.
To take part you must:
You may not participate in this study if you:
Reimbursement or compensation for participating will not be provided.
Call Magdalena Mamczur-Madry at 718-920-3576 or email mmamczur@montefiore.org to learn more.
World Kidney Day’s campaign is building global awareness of the importance of kidney health. Reducing the increasing frequency and deepening impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems is a challenge Montefiore is addressing with events at the following locations:
March 12 Hutchinson Metro Center, Tower Two Lobby
March 14 Moses Campus, Main Entrance Lobby
March 19 Moses Campus, Gunhill Road Entrance Lobby
March 21 Wakefield Campus, Cafeteria
March 26 Einstein Campus, Weiler Cafeteria
All events are 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM or until all information packets, organ donor forms and giveaways have been distributed.
Contact Leo Trevino at 718-798-4285 or ltrevino@montefiore.org for more information.
Join the American College of Radiology, Montefiore and others to shed light on colorectal cancer disparities.
Monday, March 25, 2019 | 2:30 – 3:30 PM ET
#CRCCareForAll
Join the Discussion about Value-Based Care in Cancer
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Crowne Plaza Hotel, White Plains, New York
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Shalom Kalnicki, MD, FACRO, Professor and Chair, Radiation Oncology, Montefiore and Einstein
PRESENTERS
Manuel C. Perry, MD, Director, Oncology Care Model and Division Leader, Oncology/Hematology, Crystal Run Healthcare
Blair Burnett, Senior Policy Analyst, Association of Community Cancer Centers
Beth Wittmer, RN, OCN, Manager, Care Management, Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute
Angela Martin, PharmD, Provider Clinical Liaison, Oncology and Palliative Care Solutions, Anthem
Register here.
