February 11, 2020
Twenty years ago, a patient with advanced heart failure had only a ten percent chance of living for one year. Now, that rate is 90 percent, notes Ulrich Jorde, MD, Head of Heart Failure, Cardiac Transplantation & Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Vice Chief, Division of Cardiology, Montefiore. Greater understanding of the condition, new medications and advances in surgical options to assist the failing heart are helping many of the six million Americans with heart failure successfully manage their condition. Early diagnosis is beneficial, and Dr. Jorde encourages anyone with symptoms to seek screening. "If you have swollen legs, if you are short of breath, if you have a family member with heart failure or a cardiomyopathy, you should be screened." Managing other health conditions that burden the heart can slow the progression of heart failure. High blood pressure, diabetes and excess weight are the main culprits. Dr. Jorde says, "It takes two to tango." What happens between doctor appointments—taking medications correctly, a low sodium diet, physical activity—is central to managing heart failure.
Ulrich Jorde, MD
Marie Galvao, NP
Marie Galvao, NP, Montefiore Center for Advanced Cardiac Therapy, stresses that "everyone should know their numbers," including blood pressure, ideal weight, and blood glucose level, and watch for changes over time. Lifestyle adjustments aimed at controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes, and even moderate weight loss, all reduce the risk of heart failure. For patients with heart failure, the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care provides state-of- the-art treatment, with individualized care ranging from optimal medication management to surgical options including, if needed, small implanted devices to regulate heartbeat, mechanical pumps, all the way to heart transplant.
Discover more on Lohud.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers secured $178 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health in 2019, the largest annual total in the institution's history. The funding supported major research studies on Ebola and HIV, as well as research focusing on neuroscience, genetics and improving health among minority groups. "Despite an increasingly competitive environment, our researchers have reached new heights this year, clearly demonstrating their leadership and excellence across a wide range of fields," says Gordon F. Tomaselli, MD, the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean, Einstein, and Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Montefiore Medicine. This year's notable grants included $23 million to study diseases affecting people living with HIV, $3.7 million to study how antibodies protect against tuberculosis, and $22 million to lead an international consortium developing antibody-based therapies against lethal viruses.
Additional details here.
We Beat Together, Montefiore's 2020 American Heart Month theme, kicked off a month of activities with events presented by the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care. The Heart and Mind Together Fair was presented in partnership with To Your Health! Associate Wellness, while the Montefiore Mile gave participants the chance to get in their steps looping through the halls of Moses. An array of events are scheduled all month for associates, many of which are open to the public, including heart-healthy tasting tables, chair massages, health screenings and interactive activities.
Visit www.montefiore.org/heartmonth to see what's coming up next!
From left: Marianne O’Shea, RN, Clinical Director, Nursing; Mario J. Garcia, MD, Chief, Cardiology; Mohamed Azeem Latib, MD, Medical Director, Structural Heart Program
Montefiore Einstein Pathology's Clinical Cytogenetics and Cytogenomics Laboratory has launched a new Applied Spectral Imaging (ASI) digital imaging system. According to laboratory director K. H. Ramesh, PhD, ABMGG, FACMGG, the state-of-the-art technology eliminates the need for manual microscopy and speeds the detection of a wide range of cytogenetic anomalies (missing or extra chromosomes) associated with birth defects, autism, disorders of sexual development, repeated pregnancy loss and many cancers such as blood (leukemia), brain, breast and lung.
Analysis of atypical cells of a specimen from a patient with bladder cancer
The system helps ensure the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of certain types of cancer and reduces turnaround time for reporting test results—a crucial factor in treating many cancers and in counseling parents of affected children and couples trying to conceive. Its secure software captures high-resolution digital images of chromosomes and fluorescently labeled genes, and allows the pathologist to digitally mark the tumor area of interest. The scanner homes in on the image of a targeted cell or gene to be digitally captured and analyzed. The images can be viewed, edited, retrieved and interpreted on demand via highly secure remote access.
Lauren Gluck, MD
The new Montefiore Multiple Sclerosis Center at the Hutchinson Campus offers patient-centered comprehensive care for adults and adolescents from across the region. A dedicated team of specialists provides diagnosis and evidence-based treatment for patients with MS and other neuroimmunologic disorders, including neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorder (NMSOD) and autoimmune encephalitis. "Our fellowship-trained MS physicians and MS nurse navigator partner with Montefiore's other specialists, including neuropsychologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, and rehabilitation therapists and physicians focusing on neurorehabilitation to provide the most comprehensive care," says Lauren Gluck, MD, Director, Montefiore MS Center. The Center provides state-of-the-art care to patients from the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan, as well as Westchester, Rockland and the Hudson Valley.
Ivy Tam, MD, Pediatric Hospitalist, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, has been selected to receive the 2020 APA Region II Young Investigator's Award for her project proposal, "Teens and Guns (TAG)," a study to explore the effect of exposure to gun violence on Bronx youth from two local schools, their knowledge and attitudes toward gun violence, and how best to counsel them about gun safety.
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day. We recognize and applaud the three excellent Montefiore nurses who were selected, after being nominated by patients, families and/or colleagues. Each was honored in ceremonies in December.
Congratulations to winners Maxine Frith, RN, Float Pool, Klau, Moses; Dustin Tomeo, RN, Emergency Department, Moses; Linda Valentin, RN, NW7, Moses.
Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center are looking for HIV+ volunteers of all genders who are 35+ to take part in a study to prevent anal cancer. Anal cancer rates are rising among people living with HIV. The goal of the ANCHOR study is to find the best way to prevent anal cancer among HIV positive men and women. During the screening visit, you will be screened for pre-cancerous anal lesions. If lesions are found, you will be enrolled and randomized to either have the lesions treated or monitored every six months. Both groups will be followed for a minimum of five years. You will be compensated $100 for the screening visit. The study website is www.anchorstudy.org
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
• Are HIV+
• At least 35 years old
• Have never had cancer of the anal or genital area
• Meet all other eligibility criteria, which the research team will discuss with you.
Call Natalie Frey at 929-263-3911 or email nfrey@montefiore.org to learn more.
To Your Health! Associate Wellness and Montefiore Healing Arts invites you to a 5 Rhythms Dance and Movement class offering a unique opportunity for physical and emotional release and healing. For people of all ages and abilities.
Tuesday, February 18 | Grand Hall, Moses
111 East 210th Street
5:15 - 6:16 PM
Bronx, New York 10467
Contact Tami L. Rivera at tariver@montefiore.org or call 718-920-8434
The Department of Medicine's Division of Infectious Diseases invites the Montefiore Einstein community to a timely Grand Rounds lecture on the Coronavirus titled, "Déjà (vu) Co: Coronavirus Past and Present." Internationally recognized infectious diseases expert Trish M. Perl, MD, MSc, will present the lecture.
Thursday, February 20, 2020 | 12:15 PM
Cherkasky Auditorium, Moses Campus
111 East 210th Street, Bronx, New York 10467
Remote viewing available via Zoom at https://montefiore.zoom.us/j/488540428
