News and Events

Touro College of Dental Medicine’s dental clinic in Hawthorne is now accepting patient appointments. The 32,000-square-foot oral health facility at 19 Skyline Drive will begin treating patients in January 2018. “Opening an oral health care facility of this magnitude and quality will ensure access to care for underserved populations and others in the community who seek quality, low-cost dental care,” said Ronnie Myers, dean of Touro’s College of Dental Medicine.

NYMC Mentions: Alan Kadish, M.D., president, and Ronnie Myers, D.D.S., dean of TouroCDM

In recent years, the countries of the Gulf have witnessed massive transformations in infrastructure, rapid economic growth, and significant population changes. But how has this impacted the healthcare provided in these nations has been discussed in a new publication by Georgetown University in Qatar’s premier research institute, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS). Critical Issues in Healthcare Policy and Politics in the Gulf Cooperation Council States is the first book to examine the challenges facing the healthcare sector in the Gulf region. The book was edited by NYMC Faculty Ravinder Mamtani, M.D., adjunct professor of family and community medicine and adjunct associate professor of medicine, and Albert B. Lowenfels, M.D., (pictured) professor emeritus of surgery.

Under the new guidelines, nearly half of all Americans will have high blood pressure. Under the old guidelines, only 1 in 3 American adults, or 33 percent of the population, were considered to have high blood pressure, which was defined as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). The new guidelines define high blood pressure as 130/80 mmHg. These new guidelines, which appeared in an article published in November 2017 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, were developed with nine other health professional organizations to hopefully more accurately identify those at risk for serious health issues. “One good thing about the new guidelines is that they remind people that high blood pressure is a major risk factor for premature heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, and even dementia,” says William Frishman, MD, chair of medicine at New York Medical College and director of medicine at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. “By following the new guidelines, we’ll see fewer negative health outcomes from high blood pressure.”

NYMC Faculty: William H. Frishman, M.D., the Barbara and William Rosenthal Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine and professor of pharmacology

Expanded Cardiology Offerings in Dutchess County (page 3)
Syed H.M. Naqvi, M.D., clinical assistant professor of medicine

The Westchester Warriors: Fighting for Pediatric Cancer Patients (page 4)
Pictured: Mitchell Cairo, M.D., center, professor of pediatrics, medicine, pathology, microbiology and immunology and cell biology and anatomy, associate chairman of the Department of Pediatrics

She Hasn’t Got Time for the Pain (page 8)
Yigal Samocha, M.D., clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery

Saved by Teamwork (page 10)
Justin G. Santarelli. M.D.. assistant professor of neurosurgery

Brotherly Love (page 12)
Robyn G. Matloff, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of pediatrics
Gregory R. Veillette, M.D., assistant professor of surgery
Thomas Diflo, M.D., professor of surgery

Nourishing Newborns (page 16)
Boriana Parvez, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics
Shetal I. Shah, M.D., professor of pediatrics
Heather L. Brumberg, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of pediatrics

A Grueling Workout Unmasked This Fitness Trainer’s Hidden Cardiac Condition (page 18)
Sei Iwai, M.D., professor of medicine

Just the Facts: Hand Hygiene (page 20)
Sheila M. Nolan, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics

Just the Facts: Are you a Compulsive Hoarder (page 21)
Alexander C. Lerman, M.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

Add one more reason to why you should brush and floss regularly: Gum disease bacteria are now tied to higher odds of esophageal cancer. The study tracked the oral health of 122,000 Americans for 10 years. It found that the presence of two types of bacteria linked with gum disease may hike the risk of the cancer. “What is not clear is whether the presence of these bacteria or the resultant periodontal disease is primarily responsible for the development of cancer,” said Dr. Anthony Starpoli, associate director of esophageal endotherapy at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Still, Starpoli believes specialists should “consider a proper evaluation of the oral cavity as well as the remainder of the digestive tract in the hope of early diagnosis of esophageal cancer.”

NYMC Faculty: Anthony A Starpoli, M.D., adjunct assistant professor of medicine

Mark J. Kittleson, has joined the faculty of New York Medical College’s School of Health Sciences and Practice as professor and chair of the newly realigned Department of Public Health. The department covers areas of study, including behavioral health sciences, biostatistics, emergency preparedness, environmental health science, epidemiology, global health, health care administration, health education, health policy and management, and industrial hygiene.

NYMC Faculty: Mark J. Kittleson, Ph.D., professor and chair of Department of Public Health 

A brand-new 32,000-square-foot oral-health facility opened in Hawthorne, NY. The facility will be known as Touro Dental Health, the educational training facility of the Touro College of Dental Medicine (TouroCDM) at New York Medical College. “Touro College of Dental Medicine has had an outstanding start. We are thrilled to be opening the state-of-the-art facility which will serve as the advanced educational training platform for our students as they immerse themselves in clinical dentistry,” said Alan Kadish, MD, president of Touro College and University System. “The opening of Touro Dental Health is an important milestone for both the school and the community.” Located on the campus of New York Medical College, in an iconic steel-and-glass building at 19 Skyline Drive in Hawthorne, NY, this former IBM Research facility has been transformed into a modern dental-treatment center that will educate the students and bring comprehensive, affordable care to the residents of the lower Hudson Valley, Westchester County, and the metropolitan New York City area.

NYMC Mentions: Alan Kadish, M.D., president, Ronnie Myers, D.D.S., dean of TouroCDM, and Edward Farkas, D.D.S., vice dean for administrative affairs, TouroCDM

As a dual board-certified ENT and facial plastic surgeon, Manoj T. Abraham, MD, FACS, focuses on the form, as well as the function of ears and noses. An honors graduate of Cornell University Medical College, he completed residency at NYU Medical Center, and completed fellowship training at UCLA and Santa Barbara. With current practices in Poughkeepsie, Westchester County, and New York City, Dr. Abraham is associate director of otolaryngology at MidHudson Regional Hospital.

NYMC Faculty: Manoj T. Abraham, M.D., F.A.C.S., clinical assistant professor of otolaryngology

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the appointment of 14 members to the new Tick-Borne Disease Working Group. The Working Group will hold its inaugural public meetings on Dec. 11, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Working Group was established by the 21st Century Cures Act to improve federal coordination of efforts related to tick-borne diseases. Members will review all HHS efforts related to tick-borne diseases to provide expertise and help ensure interagency coordination and minimize overlap, examine research priorities and identify unmet needs. The Working Group expects to issue its first report to the HHS Secretary and Congress by December 2018.

NYMC Faculty: Gary P. Wormser, M.D., professor of medicine, chief of Division of Infectious Diseases and vice chairman of Department of Medicine

The new guidelines will give more people an official diagnosis of hypertension, which could increase prescriptions and healthcare costs. “The guidelines emphasize the fundamental and critical nature of physical activity and nutrition for both prevention and treatment for hypertension,” Dr. William H. Frishman, director of medicine at Westchester Medical Center and chairman of the Department of Medicine at New York Medical College of Touro College and University, told Healthline.William H. Frishman, M.D., the Barbara and William Rosenthal Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine and professor of pharmacology

NYMC Faculty: William H. Frishman, M.D., the Barbara and William Rosenthal Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine and professor of pharmacology

HEALING POWER OF BREATH: Everybody from yoga world knows the significance of breathing practice on a human body and its health benefits, as many controlled studies show. For example – Ujaji Breathing – Oceanic Breath: This classic pranayama practice, known for its soft, soothing sound similar to breaking ocean waves, can further enhance the relaxation response of slow breathing, says Patricia Gerbarg, MD, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College and co-author of The Healing Power of the Breath. Her theory is that the vibrations in the larynx stimulate sensory receptors that signal the vagus nerve to induce a calming effect.

NYMC Faculty: Patricia Gerbarg, M.D., clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

While many physicians travel around the globe to treat patients in underdeveloped nations, few like Rifat Latifi, MD, FACS, Director of the Department Surgery and Chief of Trauma and General Surgery at Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), can say they are responsible for bringing advanced medicine to those countries in a more permanent form. Dr. Latifi was recently honored by the Westchester County Business Journal with a Doctors of Distinction award in the No Land Too Far category, recognizing his efforts to bring advanced medicine to people around the world.

NYMC Faculty: Rifat Latifi, M.D., professor of surgery

Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill held its 12th Annual Excellence Awards Gala on Nov. 10, 2017. More than 300 attendees - among them leaders in business, nonprofit, education, and other fields. The eight community leaders who were honored at the event were recognized for their selflessness, ingenuity and commitment to their communities. One of the honorees is Dr. Camille A. Clare, Champion of Education Award, who has received numerous awards for excellence in medical student teaching, and is a dedicated clinician, researcher and educator with a particular focus on healthcare disparities in the Caribbean and African diaspora.

NYMC Faculty: Camille A. Clare, M.D., M.P.H. '11, associate dean of diversity and inclusion in the School of Medicine and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology