Montefiore is one of only a few medical centers offering a new minimally invasive revision spine surgery to fuse together discs that have further degenerated after a prior spine surgery. The new procedure takes only 45 minutes, replacing what is typically a four- to six-hour revision surgery.

Patients who continued to experience severe pain and lack of mobility, which affected their quality of life after their original spine surgery, can now benefit from this procedure. Patients are relatively pain-free less than 24 hours after the surgery.

The novel procedure, lateral lumbar interbody fusion with lateral fixation, was recently performed on its first patient at the Montefiore Spine Center by Vijay Yanamadala, MD, MBA, MS, Assistant Professor, Neurological Surgery, and Director, Center for Surgical Optimization, Leo M. Davidoff Department of Neurosurgery, Einstein and Montefiore.

Surgeons traditionally make incisions to the back, then must remove and replace existing hardware, in order to do the fusion. In this new procedure, an incision is made in the patient’s side, bypassing the hardware, reducing time and trauma to the body. “Advances in technology and our understanding of how to stabilize the spine enable us to approach the spine differently,” says Dr. Yanamadala.

Visit www.montefiore.org/thespinecenter to learn more.

Every year Montefiore’s MY SHOT COUNTS campaign focuses on the importance of getting the flu shot, and 2019–2020 is no exception. With flu season coming soon, we’re gearing up to protect patients, families and associates by making it easy and convenient for every Montefiore associate to make the choice to protect themselves and others from the flu.

Vaccination carts visit each unit during all shifts, with full schedules posted on the intranet Flu HQ page. Once vaccinated, you receive a lavender MY SHOT COUNTS tag for your Montefiore ID badge. When flu is officially declared prevalent by the New York State Commissioner of Health, all associates who have not been vaccinated will be required to wear a mask in all areas across the health system where contact with patients may occur. For those few individuals with allergies to components of the regular vaccine, an alternative is available.

You lead by example when you get your shot, so head to the Flu HQ page for vaccination schedules and more information.

The Caregiver Support Center at Weiler Hospital, modeled after the Arthur D. Emil Caregiver Support Center at Moses, celebrated its fifth anniversary in September. The Center, under the leadership of Julie List, LCSW, provides trained volunteers to welcome and assist families needing extra support as they navigate the difficult journey their loved ones are on while in the hospital. Families can share their feelings and find a soothing place of comfort and respite. "We know that the role of a caregiver can be demanding, stressful and lonely," says Randi Kaplan, LMSW, Director, Arthur D. Emil Caregiver Support Center, Moses. "We are proud that the Weiler Caregiver Support Center has supported so many over the course of its five years at the Einstein Campus."

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