News and Events

“This transformative diagnostic offering will help families avoid long waiting periods for results, false positives and additional testing,” said John Fallon, MD, Director of Pathology at Westchester Medical Center.  “If medical treatment is needed, they will be able to receive it in a timely fashion, which is so vital in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.”

NYMC faculty news: John T. Fallon III, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Pathology and professor of medicine

The Business Council of Westchester has announced the appointment of Susan Fox, President and CEO of the Westchester Institute for Human Development as aco-chair of the BCW’s Not-for-Profit Council.

NYMC faculty: Susan W. Fox, Ph.D., associate professor of public health and director of the Center on Disability and Health

As pediatricians in the neonatal intensive care unit, we cared for several babies whose influenza was so severe they required mechanical ventilators to help them breathe and intravenous medication to help their hearts beat stronger. Our patients survived, but  about 150 other children weren’t so fortunate.

NYMC faculty: Shetal I. Shah, M.D., professor of pediatrics, Heather L. Brumberg, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of pediatrics

Jane C. Wright, also known as Jane Jones, was an American pioneering cancer research scientist and surgeon. She is noted for her contributions to the field of chemotherapy.

Alumni news: Jane Cooke Wright, M.D. ’45. She served as associate dean at NYMC from 1967 to 1975.

Dr. Hirsch is Medical Director, Active International Cardiovascular Institute; Co- Director, Good Samaritan Hospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory; President, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Staff and President, Metropolitan Cardiology Consultants. 

NYMC faculty: Cary L. Hirsch, M.D., adjunct assistant professor of medicine

Dr. Ramandeep Sahni, a neurologist at Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth)

NYMC faculty: Ramandeep Sahni, M.D., assistant professor of neurology

“When it comes to our exploding tick-borne disease problem, the Hudson Valley has been feeling the brunt of the brutal bite for years and would greatly benefit from an increase in federal funding necessary to head this tick season off at the pass,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

NYMC faculty: Sheila M. Nolan, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, Sherlita Amler, M.D., clinical associate professor of pediatrics

“For those with reflux disease, drinking alkaline water [with an acid level of pH 8.0 or higher] can naturally neutralize acid,” says Dr. Craig Zalvan, associate professor at New York Medical College and an expert on acid reflux.

NYMC faculty: Craig Zalvan, M.D., associate professor of Clinical Otolaryngology

Dr. Matthew Lorber, a psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said that MDMA may help people with PTSD remember traumatic incidents and make them easier to deal with in therapy.

NYMC faculty: Matthew Lorber, M.D., M.P.A., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

“I think that it can be a helpful tool for patients to help with their symptoms while they’re transitioning to a more plant-based diet,” said Dr. Craig Zalvan.

NYMC faculty: Craig H. Zalvan, M.D., associate professor of clinical otolaryngology

Padmini Murthy, Global Health Director, New York Medical College, USA highlighted, “You have to be practical if you have a mission. It takes a small group of dedicated people to bring in the change. Women, men are in the spelling of women.”

NYMC faculty: Padmini Murthy, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., M.Phil., CHES, professor of health policy and management and global health director and clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine

“We are proud to receive this prestigious reverification of our Regional Level I trauma designation from the American College of Surgeons for Westchester Medical Center and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital,” said Rifat Latifi, MD, Director of Surgery and Chief of General Surgery at WMCHealth.

Affiliate and faculty news: Rifat Latifi, M.D., professor of surgery

The New York Medical College (NYMC) community commemorated Yom Hashaoh, Holocaust Remembrance Day, on April 17. Guest speaker Howard Israel gave a presentation on the role of Nazi medicine in the holocaust.

NYMC and Touro leadership:
Marie T. Ascher, M.S., M.P.H., the Lillian Hetrick Huber Endowed Director of the Health Sciences Library
Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., chancellor and chief executive officer
Matthew Pravetz, O.F.M., Ph.D. ’88, professor of cell biology and anatomy, program director and assistant dean for basic sciences
Anne Bayefsky, director, Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust
Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka, executive vice president, Touro College and University System

Among many virtues, telehealth has helped the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) grapple with patient population challenges and a relative shortage of healthcare professionals to maintain more consistent levels of care throughout its service region, says Christian Becker, MD, PhD, associate medical director, Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

NYMC faculty: Christian D. Becker, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine

"There are chemicals in [e-cigarettes] that not only scar the lung, but cause cancer. There's lead inside the air that you breath in when you vape. And I need your help to spread the word. Get out there and spread the word that just because it looks clear that it doesn't mean that it's safe," said Dr. Allen Dozer.

NYMC faculty: Allen J. Dozor, M.D., professor of pediatrics and clinical public health, chief of pediatric pulmonology, allergy and sleep medicine and director, Children's Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley

Community health centers like Open Door are instrumental in providing health care to New Yorkers throughout the Lower Hudson Valley,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY17/Rockland-Westchester).

NYMC affiliate news: Open Door Family Medical Centers

County Executive Mike Hein announces the reappointment of Ulster County Commissioner of Health and Mental Health Dr. Carol M. Smith, who has served with distinction as Commissioner since 2012.

NYMC faculty: Carol M. Smith, M.D., M.P.H., distinguished visiting professor of health behavior and community health

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano announced the members he appointed to serve on his newly created Health Advisory Board. The board’s goal will be to create and recommend effective policies, programs, and projects in the city regarding the health and well-being of its residents.

NYMC faculty:
Ammir R. Rabadi, M.D., instructor of family and community medicine
Iyad Annabi, M.D., clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine
Sonia A. Velez, M.D., J.D., assistant professor of family and community medicine

NYMC faculty:
Ben C. Watson, Ph.D., vice dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice
Tricia J. Hiller-Dinoff, M.S., instructor of pediatrics
James R. McWilliam, M.D., clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery
Boriana Parvez, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics

"This study only had 68 people enrolled, which is a limitation, so there really needs to be larger-scale studies before being able to confidently recommend ketamine as a first-line choice," said Dr. Matthew Lorber, a psychiatrist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

NYMC faculty: Matthew Lorber, M.D., M.P.A., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences