Team members at the Spine Program at Mount Sinai Morningside include, from left, Kiran Ballani, Rachel Newman, PA-C, Patrick Reid, MD, Lauren Mcnoble, PA-C, Divaldo Camara, MD, and Priscilla Garcia
If you are having problems with your back and believe you may need to consult with a surgeon, then Mount Sinai has a program for you.
Mount Sinai Morningside has launched a Spine Program with a uniquely personalized and integrated approach. In addition to its advanced and compassionate clinical providers, the Spine Program is one of the few in New York City to have a care coordinator who focuses on helping patients find the right specialist for their needs.
Priscilla Garcia, a clinical navigator for the Spine Program, is one of the many people who make it work. She helps patients get what they need as soon as possible, prioritizing non-surgical treatments when possible.
“My role is to triage patients,” she says. “Some patients think they need a neurosurgeon right off the bat, but if they’re in pain, I schedule them with one of our pain management specialists first.”
If patients need multiple appointments, she often will try to schedule appointments in the same day for the patient’s convenience. A pain management specialist may order an MRI and notice something that a neurosurgeon should evaluate, so she will try to make that happen on the same day—a more efficient and convenient option for patients.
“It’s great for the patient because they don’t have to go home and come back again in a short timeframe. And the patients feel that we are addressing all their needs in a holistic way” she says.
Patrick Reid, MD, left, and Divaldo Camara, MD. “What sets us apart is how we try to make it easier for patients,” says Dr. Reid. “Some try to do it with computer systems or software, but we are devoting human resources to it.” To make an appointment, call 212-523-8500.
Patrick C. Reid, MD, Director of the Spine Program and Chief of Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Morningside, makes every effort to help patients get care quickly and easily.
“When people go to the doctor, it can be confusing, especially with something as complex as the spine and surgery. Many times, people are forced to navigate the system themselves and hope for the best,” he says. “But an easy way to improve care is to get the patient in the right room with the right specialist, and that’s what we do in our program.”
Patients with spine issues are often older, and reducing the number of trips to the doctor’s office is beneficial.
“Any patient who sees us needs to have things simplified as much as possible,” says Dr. Reid. “People who have jobs, childcare needs—they all need help coordinating their health care. You don’t want to miss two days of work. That’s the benefit of having a navigator who’s had a lot of experience coordinating these things—it’s invaluable.”
The program at Mount Sinai Morningside has all the advantages of a major academic medical system, including access to the latest equipment and to the most advanced treatment techniques.
“But what sets us apart is how we try to make it easier for patients,” says Dr. Reid. “Some try to do it with computer systems or software, but we are devoting human resources to it.”
Only a small percentage of patients at the Spine Center actually receive surgery.
“There are a full range of treatments we can try before suggesting surgery,” says Dr. Reid. “But if our colleagues are running out of options trying to make a patient feel better, then we start having the discussion about surgery—the risks and benefits and likely outcomes.”
In addition, patients with back or neck pain often have health issues that contribute to their condition, and one of the advantages at Mount Sinai Morningside is ready access to specialists in many other areas throughout the Mount Sinai Health System.
“We see many patients with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, and we will help them get the any additional treatments as quickly as we can,” Dr. Reid says.