News and Events

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

In addition to its designation as a NYS Certified Business Incubator, iCANny is also a partner with the BioInc incubator at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY as the Mid-Hudson Valley region’s Innovation Hot Spot.

Philips became the anchor tenant at the college’s biotech incubator, BioInc@NYMC. The company, which has 16 employees at the incubator, said it will use the 1,300-square-foot space for genomics research. “We know from genomic studies, we can trace in real time where they came from and we can do something about it,” said John T. Fallon III, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Pathology. “Either close down the room, do better cleaning or certain other things to prevent that infection from going to another patient.”

Faculty Member: John T. Fallon III, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Pathology

NYMC School of Medicine's assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences Leonard Davidman, Ph.D., receives the Leslie Nelkin Special Service Award.

Faculty Member: Leonard Davidman, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

"The rare surgery, the first of its kind performed at the Valhalla medical facility, went like clockwork," said Samir Pandya M.D., assistant professor of surgery, who said they had rehearsed the procedures before the operation to anticipate any potential issues. Damon Delbello, M.D., assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery, separated the children at the sacrum. A dozen doctors from five pediatric specialties and more than 50 medical professionals took part in the complex procedure. "Each child had their own spine and fully developed pelvis, giving the girls a bright future for recovery," said DelBello.

Faculty Members:
Samir Pandya, M.D., assistant professor of surgery
Damon Delbello, M.D., assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery

"By slowing your breathing from the usual 12 to 20 breaths per minute to 5 or 6, you bring more energy-boosting oxygen to your cells," says NYMC School of Medicine clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences Patricia Gerbarg, M.D.

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

Mental health pioneer Phyllis Harrison-Ross, M.D., professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral health services at NYMC School of Medicine, passes away at the age of 80. Dr. Harrison-Ross was a ubiquitous presence in the mental health field in New York and nationally for more than 35 years. She was an early leader in designing rehabilitation and therapy for children with a combination of severe developmental, emotional and physical disabilities.

Faculty Emeritus: Phyllis Harrison-Ross, M.D., professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral sciences

NYMC School of Medicine assistant professor neurosurgery Michael Tobias, M.D.; associate professor of clinical surgery Whitney McBride, M.D.; assistant professor of surgery Samir Pandya, M.D.; and professor of pediatrics, vice chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Michael Gewitz, M.D. were just part of a team of physicians who helped conjoined twins separated in surgery at WMCHealth/Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, a member of the WMCHealth Network at Westchester Medical Center.

Faculty Member:
Samir Pandya M.D.,  assistant professor of surgery
Whitney McBride, M.D., associate professor of clinical surgery
Michael Gewitz, M.D., professor of pediatrics, vice chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital
Paul Zelkovic, M.D., clinical assistant professor urology
Damon Delbello, M.D., assistant professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery

Nora O'Brien, D.P.T., clinical instructor of physical therapy, is named new head of Willow Gardens Memory Care, Westchester County's premier assisted living facility dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Faculty Member: Nora O'Brien, D.P.T., clinical instructor of physical therapy