News and Events

Although it is not only fair but also necessary to say that most right-wing Orthodox Jews — and even most chasidic and charedi Jews — vaccinate their children, just as most other Jews, from the centrist Orthodox to the farthest left Reform Jews do — and just like most other Americans do.

NYMC Mentions: Alan Kadish, M.D., president
Ira Bedzow, M.A., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine and director of Biomedical Ethics and Humanities Program

Law is seen as a discipline in which either you are an expert because you went to law school or completely ignorant because you didn't. Of course, children and young adults learn what rules they have to obey—and they figure out which laws to protest. Yet, this is not the type of legal education that will create engaged citizens. Students should learn how the legal process works and the skills of legal reasoning, just as they learn other comprehension and reasoning skills in school.

NYMC Faculty: Ira Bedzow, M.A., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine and director of Biomedical Ethics and Humanities Program

“A recent analysis of human-biting ticks worldwide considers H. longicornis a ‘frequent’ parasite of humans. ... If future introductions of this tick species should occur and if some of the introduced ticks were infected with [severe fever with thrombocytopenia virus], this could indeed post a public health concern.”

NYMC Faculty: Gary P. Wormser, M.D., professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology, and pharmacology, and vice chair of medicine for research and development

Recent medical studies have found that anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), which is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is notably higher in patients who have textured implants, compared to other types. The majority of women in the U.S. get “smooth surface” implants rather than textured, and to-date there has been no connection found between smooth and the BIA-ALCL.

NYMC Faculty: Kaveh Alizadeh, M.D., clinical associate professor of surgery

In operation for five years, it is the mid-Hudson Valley’s only fully-equipped biotechnology incubator on a health sciences college campus. There currently are nine biomedical startups operating in the center. They employ more than 50 people.

Bioinc@NYMC News: Salomon Amar, Ph.D., D.D.S., vice president for research and professor of pharmacology and of microbiology and immunology, NYMC; professor of dental medicine Touro College of Dental Medicine at NYMC, provost for biomedical research and chief biomedical research officer, Touro College and University System
Deborah Novick, director of BioInc@NYMC

The only known cure for patients with sickle cell disease is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling after myeloablative or reduced-toxicity conditioning. However, that cure is only available to 15% of patients due to the rarity of matched siblings.

NYMC Faculty: Mitchell S. Cairo, M.D., professor of pediatrics, division of pediatric hematology, oncology and stem cell transplantation, and professor of medicine, pathology, microbiology and immunology, and cell biology and anatomy

The annual Symposium showcases the college-like level of academic research by Stepinac’s Honors Academy students. It is a three-year personalized learning program for academically top students pursuing advanced studies in four academic disciplines—finance and economics, health sciences, law and engineering.

NYMC Faculty: Rocco J. Lafaro, M.D. ’82, clinical associate professor of surgery

Since Touro assumed control, New York Medical College has developed a program and curriculum that reflects its Jewish character. It’s not just in the special Jewish accommodations the school offers — such as an academic calendar built around the Jewish holidays and kosher food in the cafeteria — but also in the ways New York Medical College applies a uniquely Jewish lens to health sciences education.

NYMC Mentions:
Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka, M.S., executive vice president, Touro College and University System
Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., chancellor and chief executive officer
Rabbi Ira Bedzow, M.A., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine and director of Biomedical Ethics and Humanities Program
Leonard J. Newman, M.D. '70, professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics

CHADD (Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a national non-profit, parent-based organization that offers support and information on AD/HD.

NYMC Faculty: Abraham S. Bartell M.D., M.B.A., clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

“In addition, beta blockers can also slow a rapid ventricular rate in these patients, reduce ventricular arrhythmias… reduce an elevated blood pressure which increases the chance of developing a stroke… reduce angina pectoris if these patients have angina due to coronary artery disease, and are effective in treating heart failure which may be present in patients with atrial fibrillation.”

NYMC Faculty: Wilbert Aronow, M.D., professor of medicine

Biologics can provide clear – or almost clear skin – with few side effects in more than half of those who take them, according to experts and data from numerous studies. But too many patients with moderate to severe psoriasis are receiving only topical therapy or no treatment at all.

NYMC Faculty: Alice B. Gottlieb, M.D., Ph.D., professor of dermatology

The Caring for All award went to Peter Acker, a pediatrician with Greenwich Hospital and Westchester Medical Center.

NYMC Faculty: Peter J. Acker, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics

Of the many reasons to pursue medicine, dealing with insurance companies and perfecting the skill of entering data into the EHR likely do not make the list. Instead, you will hear stories about family members who were sick, admiration for a parent who is a doctor, or a love of helping others.  

BioInc@NYMC News: Samant Virk, M.D., founder and chief executive officer of MediSprout, a BioInc client

Remember: prevention is the best way to avoid tick bites. Robert-A. Ollar is consulting microbiologist for the Pike County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force Committee in Milford; consulting microbiologist, TBD Support Network, Milford

Faculty news: Robert A. Ollar, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of neurology

“Our research laboratories are on track for an 18 percent growth in funded medical research. We will launch a new master’s program to educate laboratory technologists and a new certificate program in pediatric speech and swallowing disorders.”

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

Officials at the New York Medical College are preparing to open its Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center for the summer season. It’s a clinic run by Dr. Gary Wormser, one of the top infectious disease physicians in the nation. Dr. Wormser says there are many things one can do to protect themselves, including dressing in long pants and using tick repellent if walking through wooded areas.

NYMC Faculty: Gary P. Wormser, M.D., professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology, and pharmacology, and vice chair of medicine for research and development

Established in 1989 and headed by Gary P. Wormser, M.D., professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology, and pharmacology, and vice chairman of medicine and research and development at NYMC, the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center is staffed by experienced infectious diseases physicians and nurses with special expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of people with tick bites, early/acute Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis (Ehrlichiosis), Babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi infections and Powassan virus infections.

NYMC Faculty: Gary P. Wormser, M.D., professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology, and pharmacology, and vice chair of medicine for research and development

Nearly everyone is a little anxious — or even very anxious — sometimes. And that periodic feeling of worry or dread can be protective. Feeling nervous about whether you'll give a good presentation, for example, can keep you alert and maybe help you ace it.

NYMC Faculty: Stephen J. Ferrando, M.D., Har Esh Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

The honorees include Dr. Valiere Alcena, professor, Einstein Medical College and New York Medical College attending physician, Montefiore Medical Center and White Plains Medical Center. She will receive the Achievement Award. The Mount Vernon Police Foundation will receive the Community Service Award and Dr. Markos Asamenew, chief medical officer for the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center Network, will be recognized with the Leadership Award.

NYMC Faculty: Valiere Alcena, M.D., adjunct professor of medicine

Heart disease claims the lives of one in four women in the United States. Women may not experience the classic chest-and-radiating-arm pains associated with a heart attack, and, because symptoms may be subtle, they may wait too long for treatment.

NYMC Faculty News: Tanya Dutta, M.D., M.A., clinical assistant professor medicine and assistant professor of radiology