News and Events

Depression in and just after pregnancy is most often associated with moms-to-be, but a new study shows expectant dads can have similar symptoms. Ami Baxi, M.D., instructor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, agreed that "this study should emphasize the importance of paternal well-being during and after pregnancy," and the importance of keeping expectant and new dads stress-free and healthy.

Faculty Member: Ami Baxi, M.D., instructor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

A federal grant is headed to New York Medical College in Westchester County to study a facet of women’s reproductive health.

Sledding is a fun wintertime activity for families, however those exhilarating slides down neighborhood hills send more than 20,000 children to emergency rooms each year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. “When sledding, children should wear a helmet, go down the hill feet first, not face first, dress warm, avoid hills with trees and avoid sledding at night,” said Dennis Mao, M.D, clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine.

Faculty Member: Dennis Mao, M.D, clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine

Structural differences in the male brain might explain why autism is more common in men than women, a new study suggests. Women were three times more likely to have autism spectrum disorder if their brain anatomy resembled more closely what is typically seen in male brains, the European researchers reported. "Specifically, these females had much thicker than normal cortical areas, a trait generally seen in male brains. This study is certainly not conclusive, but it does propose a reason why autism is found so much more frequently in males," said Dr. Matthew Lorber, who was not involved in the study.

Faculty Member: Kutluk Oktay, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology, medicine, and cell biology and anatomy
NYMC Student: Gabriela Murphy-Goldberg, Ph.D. candidate

Structural differences in the male brain might explain why autism is more common in men than women, a new study suggests. Women were three times more likely to have autism spectrum disorder if their brain anatomy resembled more closely what is typically seen in male brains, the European researchers reported. "Specifically, these females had much thicker than normal cortical areas, a trait generally seen in male brains. This study is certainly not conclusive, but it does propose a reason why autism is found so much more frequently in males," said Dr. Matthew Lorber, who was not involved in the study.

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

The National Institute on Aging is granting the New York Medical College in White Plains $71,137 to study DNA repair in ovarian aging. “Reproductive aging is a significant public health issue affecting a major segment of the female population and our lab is leading the research in this area,” said Dr. Kutluk Oktay, the mentor in the search being performed by Gabriela Murphy-Goldberg, Ph.D. candidate in the School of Basic Medical Sciences at New York Medical College and the principal investigator for the project.

Faculty Member: Kutluk Oktay, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology, medicine, and cell biology and anatomy
NYMC Student: Gabriela Murphy-Goldberg, Ph.D. candidate

Some people think drastic changes in weather patterns can cause people to become sick. But Dr. Leanne Forman, Leanne Forman, M.D., associate professor of clinical medicine at NYMC, said that's a myth. “When changes like that happen, you don’t catch things like the cold,” she said. “That’s really just because people are staying inside in the winter and you’re more likely to catch a virus or pick up bacteria.”

Faculty Member: Leanne Forman, M.D., associate professor of clinical medicine

Biotech Industry Forum: BioInc@NYMC, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., and The Innovation Alliance will be hosting a forum talking about New York’s biomedical technology industry at New York Medical College in Valhalla on February 17. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members of New York’s biomedical technology community, policymakers and business leaders will be leading a discussion that is included in the forum. Experts will also talk about how to grow and support innovation in New York.

Treatment received in childhood to help fight cancer can have an impact on sexual health in adulthood, a new report suggests. However, the study also found that most adult survivors of childhood cancer report having satisfying sexual and romantic lives. "As positive as it is to see this, we still should be closely monitoring sexual health in adults who did have cancer treatment as children, especially those needing high-dose neurotoxic [brain-harming] treatments," said Dr. Matthew Lorber, who reviewed the new findings.

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

A democratic president concludes his eight years in office. He is the author of several respected books and, as one might expect from an Ivy Leaguer, gives thoughtful speeches.

NYMC Leadership: Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., chancellor and chief executive officer

These previously conjoined twins are celebrating their first birthday in another huge milestone after their 21-hour separation surgery in January. “They are recovering very nicely. Better than I think we could hope for,” Pediatric surgeon, Whitney McBride told Today.com. “They are both bright eyes, smiley and happy kids.”

Faculty Member: Whitney McBride, M.D., associate professor of clinical surgery

Conjoined twins Ballenie and Bellanie Camacho had been physically attached to one another their entire life, but today the two little girls were able to celebrate their shared first birthday at the Westchester Medical Center as physically separate human beings. “It’s wonderful to see them doing so well so soon after surgery,” said Dr. Whitney McBride who, along with Dr. Samir Pandya, guided the WMA surgical teams that expertly individualized the girls’ lives during the course of the successful 21-hour separation surgery – the first of its kind performed at Westchester Medical. “They’re recovering very nicely; better than I think we could hope for. They’re both bright-eyed, smiley and happy kids. Their family is really enjoying their time with them, and its been an exciting journey for everyone involved.”

Faculty Members: 
Whitney McBride, M.D., associate professor of clinical surgery
Samir Pandya, M.D.,  assistant professor of surgery

Jane Cooke Wright, M.D. ’45, first woman elected president of the New York Cancer Society, was a pioneering cancer researcher and accomplished surgeon. Her work is largely responsible for elevating chemotherapy from a last-ditch effort at treating cancer patients to a viable treatment option. She completed her residency at Harlem (N.Y.) Hospital, where she later served as chief resident. In 1964, working as part of a team at New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Wright developed a nonsurgical method using a catheter system to deliver heavy doses of anticancer drugs to previously hard-to-reach tumor areas in the kidneys, spleen and elsewhere. Dr. Wright served as associate dean and head of cancer chemotherapy department at New York Medical College in New York City in 1967 to 1975.

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

Winston & Strawn LLP is pleased to announce that Ari J. Markenson has joined the firm as a partner in the Health Care Practice of the New York office.

Faculty Member: Ari J. Markenson, J.D., M.P.H., lecturer in the Department of Health Policy and Management

Photography talks: The fifth edition of the PGH Photo Fair is featuring David Kronn, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics. Afree public talk will be given at 6:30 p.m. in the Ace Hotel Ballroom, 120 S. Whitfield St., East Liberty. April 5: Dr. David Kronn. a Dublin-born collector, is also an amateur photographer and chief of medical genetics at Westchester Medical Center and associate professor of pathology and pediatrics at New York Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y. His collection is a promised gift to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin.

Faculty Member: David Kronn, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics

In 2014 BioInc@NYMC was launched at the Valhalla campus of New York Medical College.  Philips’ IntelliSpace Genomics, a healthcare software company that delivers real-time diagnostic information, moved onto campus at the end of 2016.  Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, located just down the road of the College, has been in existence for more than 25 years growing to more than 5,000 employees. Dr. Robert Amler, Vice President for Government Affairs and Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice said, “In just two years BioInc – the biotechnology incubator at New York Medical College has become a productive asset, advancing scientific discoveries and attracting investments from outside the region.  The initial investments from Empire State Development’s REDC process, as well as federal, private and university resources, have already delivered successful outcomes and the prospect of greater advances in disaster medicine, genomic-engineered drugs, and other tools to prevent and treat disease.”

NYMC Leadership: Robert W. Amler, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice and vice president for government affairs

A large proportion of American winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine were immigrants or the children of recent immigrants. We can thank these immigrants and their children for antibiotics, the polio vaccine, vascular surgery, and much of our progress in the war against disease and disability. Progress in medicine is fostered by the free movement of human ideas and the free movement of human talent — freedoms we deeply value.

NYMC Leadership: Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., chancellor and chief executive officer

At any time, several hundred children in the county are in the foster care system, requiring critical services provided by the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) on the New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center campus. "The renovations are a message to the children that we serve that they are important and that there are many people out there who truly care about them,” said Susan W. Fox, Ph.D.

Faculty Member: Susan W. Fox, Ph.D., director of the Center on Disability and Health in the School of Health Sciences and Practice and associate professor of health policy and management (appointment pending).

The experts weigh in on keeping your number one organ functioning at its best. “We’re working together with Novartis and Good Housekeeping to educate the American population about heart failure,” says Dr. Alan Gass, associate professor of medicine. Heart failure is a condition on where there heart, which is a muscle, can no longer pump blood efficiently around the body. That translates into the most common symptoms of heart failure:  Shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, easy fatigability or sometimes it's a subtle as not being able to do what you used to do whether it's a day, a week, or a year before.

Faculty Member: Alan Gass, M.D., associate professor of medicine

NYMC Faculty: Howard J. Luks, M.D., assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery and assistant professor of medicine