‘What a Wonderful World’ Gala Benefits Music Therapy

Updated on Nov 18, 2022 | Community, Featured, Inside Mount Sinai Psychiatry, Mental Health, Psychiatry

From left, Honoree David Sanborn, Shantelena Mouzon, administrative coordinator at the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, and musician Paul Shaffer

The 17th annual “What a Wonderful World” gala benefiting the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, was a festive evening of jazz and expressions of gratitude to three honorees for making the world more wonderful through their contributions to music and music therapy.

The event, held Monday, October 24, at the Angel Orensanz Foundation and hosted by the Wonderful World Friends of Music Therapy Inc., honors the legacy of the Louis Armstrong Department of Music Therapy and their commitment to music therapy at Mount Sinai hospitals.

The event recognizes a dynamic group of individuals chosen from a variety of fields including music, medicine, and patients who have benefitted from receiving music therapy at Mount Sinai hospitals.

This year’s honorees were Grant Mitchell, MD, Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Beth Israel; David Sanborn, the multi-Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, who was presented the Phoebe Jacobs Award by Paul Shaffer (pianist of the former Late Night with David Letterman); and patient Rosemarie Greene.

From left, Honoree Grant Mitchell, MD, Joanne V. Loewy, DA, LCAT, MT-BC, Prameet Singh, MD, and Daniel S Safin, MD

The gala was hosted by Mercedes Ellington, dancer, choreographer, and granddaughter of Duke Ellington, and Bill Daughtry, the retired radio and TV host. The co-chairs were Karen and Doug Seidman from the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine’s Steering Committee. The event featured performances by Rema Webb from the Broadway production of The Music Man; Antoine Smith from the Broadway production of MJ: The Musical; saxophonist Erik Lawrence, Lou Marini, a saxophonist and an original member of The Blues Brother, and jazz pianist Garry Dial. Mr. Shaffer and Mr. Sanborn, along with Will Lee (bass), performed jazz and Louis Armstrong’s ‘Wonderful World’.

“We are proud to bring together members of the music, medicine, and patient community who through the gala learn of the breadth and scope of patients we serve and our research projects with doctors and nurses, from neonatal care to oncology, Alzheimer’s disease and psychiatry,” said Joanne V. Loewy, DA, LCAT, MT-BC, Founder and Director of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine, which provides music therapy services throughout the Mount Sinai Health System.

The Department of Music Therapy, with support from the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and other grants, provides a range of clinical services for infants, children, and adults, and day treatment at the Mount Sinai-Union Square clinic and within the community. Its music therapists are licensed and board certified to provide care that complements medical treatment, assisting with sedation, pain management, and neurologic and respiratory function.

Learn more about the Louis Armstrong Department of Music Therapy

Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation Big Apple Circus Benefit on November 13 Supports Pediatric Patients

Updated on Oct 21, 2022 | Community

The 35th annual Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation (CCF) Benefit will return to the Big Apple Circus on Sunday, November 13. Click here to purchase tickets.

With your ticket purchase and donation, you will enjoy a private performance under the “Big Top at Lincoln Center” and support pediatric health care leaders and vital programming in the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Proceeds from this year’s benefit will support junior physician-scientists conducting groundbreaking research in pediatric diseases; the Program for Underserved Children, caring for New York City’s low income children by providing critical services that address both their medical and psychosocial needs; and the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department, where children can be creative, cope with their hospitalization, and just be kids.

This is the Foundation’s largest fundraiser and an opportunity to bring together the Mount Sinai community of faculty, staff, patients and friends. The benefit will be a fun-filled family day with a private performance of the Big Apple Circus, activities and gifts for the kids, and complimentary refreshments. Doors open at 3 pm, and the private performance begins at 4 pm. The Big Apple Circus is located in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.

This year’s benefit chairs are CCF board members Elizabeth and Jonathan Lewinsohn. The event will also honor Barry Stein, MD, who has cared for thousands of children and families across New York City for over three decades.

Since its inception, the CCF has raised nearly $30 million for the children and families of Mount Sinai, primarily through the annual Big Apple Circus benefit. The past proceeds have been used to support the mission of the Program for Underserved Children which is to develop a research program that can improve the care of children growing up in poverty nationwide.

Mount Sinai is deeply committed to addressing health inequities that exist in the United States, differences laid bare and magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The vision of the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics is to ensure that all children and their families are supported in living healthy and happy lives.

Underserved children face numerous psychosocial and medical challenges and have greatly benefitted from the coordinated and targeted approach the Department developed through the Program for Underserved Children. The goal is to expand a focus on high-quality preventive care and accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that disproportionately affect underserved children—diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, and asthma—while addressing the critical social determinants of health.

Proceeds have also been used to advance Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy by helping young patients cope with their fears and anxieties by offering therapeutic activities tailored to meet their social, emotional, and educational needs.

“The tremendous support the Department of Pediatrics receives from the CCF and the annual Big Apple Circus benefit helps to ensure our ability to provide top-quality care for our youngest patients,” says Lisa M. Satlin, MD, Herbert H. Lehman Professor and System Chair of the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics. “We are deeply grateful for the efforts of the CCF.”

Learn more about the Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation.

Marla C. Dubinsky, MD, Receives 2022 Sherman Prize Recognizing Excellence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Oct 19, 2022 | Community, Featured, Research

Marla C. Dubinsky, MD

Marla C. Dubinsky, MD, an internationally recognized leader in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), was one of three national recipients of the 2022 Sherman Prize.

The award, which recognizes individuals for pioneering achievements that have transformed patient care and rewards outstanding achievements in Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, was announced September 21 by the Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation.

Dr. Dubinsky is Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine (Gastroenterology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is also Chief of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and Co-Director of the Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Center at Mount Sinai.

In its announcement, the Foundation cited Dr. Dubinsky as “one of IBD’s preeminent game changers” and said she has been “giving hope to children and their parents for decades.” The Foundation added, “Dr. Dubinsky works on being a guiding figure for those coming up the ranks, teaching her mentees to tailor care to a patient’s needs and reinforcing the importance of empowering patients to better manage their IBD so they can live the life they want.”

Her work has included defining therapeutic dosing levels of medicines to optimize treatment in children; identifying some of the most predictive biomarkers for disease progression; and bringing intestinal ultrasound to the bedside. In addition, she is the co-founder of Trellus Health, a publicly traded digital health company based in London and New York that has a goal of improving care for people with chronic conditions. The other co-founder is Laurie Keefer, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Director for Psychobehavioral Research within the Division of Gastroenterology.

“I am both humbled and honored to be one of the 2022 Sherman Prize recipients,” said Dr. Dubinsky. “It is truly an honor to be recognized for your life’s passion and this award inspires me to keep pushing forward and continuing to impact the lives of patients with IBD.”

Uma Mahadevan, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director of the Colitis and Crohn’s Disease Center, and Director of the Advanced IBD Fellowship at the University of California San Francisco in San Francisco was also awarded the Sherman Prize. Both Sherman Prize honorees receive a prize of $100,000.

Parambir S. Dulai, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Director of GI Clinical Trials and Precision Medicine, and Director of the Digestive Health Foundation BioRepository at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, received the Sherman Emerging Leader Prize Honoree, which includes a $25,000 prize.

Learn more about the Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Center at Mount Sinai

At African American Day Parade, Mount Sinai Shares a Message of Health and Equity

Oct 5, 2022 | Community, Featured

Mount Sinai staff, family, and friends marched in the African American Day Parade in Harlem, in a procession that included a festive float, messages of health equity and antiracism, and the Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening van.

The Mount Sinai Health System sponsored the 53rd Annual African American Day Parade on Sunday, September 18, with a festive group of close to 80 employees and their family and friends in attendance. Held in Harlem on the third Sunday in September, the event is the nation’s largest parade in celebration of African American culture, heritage, and unity.

The theme of this year’s parade was “Good Health Is Essential,” and two members of Mount Sinai’s leadership were among the Grand Marshals: Gary C. Butts, MD, Executive Vice President, the Mount Sinai Health System, and Dean for Diversity Programs, Policy, and Community Affairs at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Pamela Abner, MPA, Vice President, Mount Sinai Health System.

The Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening van followed the Mount Sinai float as it proceeded up Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, from 111th to 136th Street, making certain that spectators were aware of this critical resource.

Mount Sinai participants in the parade later expressed what it meant to them: “I felt a call to action as an African American to give thanks to my community,” says Celeste Valentine, Facilities Coordinator for the Facilities Management/Engineering Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital. “Both my parents died of cancer. Their respective passing moved me into the field of health care, and I am also an advocate of preventive health, dealing with my own health issues. I try my best to make sure that those around me get regular checkups and live a healthier lifestyle.”

Jacobie Ricard, Senior Director of Planning Design and Construction at Mount Sinai Morningside, wanted to acknowledge his colleagues for their role in the success of the parade, including Leroy Francis, Administrative Director of Cardiovascular Services, Mount Sinai Queens, and Kimberley Ennis, DNP, APRN-BC, Senior Director of Nursing, Mount Sinai Queens.

“As we proceeded, you repeatedly heard the same thing from the crowd: ‘There goes Mount Sinai!’ I now know that the Health System touched the lives of this community. The people of Harlem wanted us there, and they let it be known, from 111th to 136th Street. I was lost for words, as I didn’t expect this type of reception from the crowd,” says Mr. Ricard. “My role is not patient-facing, so this was an amazing feeling. To my colleagues in the Health System, this is a testament to what you do.”

Ms. Valentine had a similar reaction: “During the parade and seeing the faces of all the people smiling and waving at our float, I felt my ancestors’ spirit, especially my parents, applauding and hearing their words, saying, ‘Job well done,’ and ‘Good health is essential.’”

Mount Sinai honorees
Advisory Board Member Theresa Mack, MD, and Grand Marshals Pamela Abner; MPA, and Gary C. Butts, MD

Leaders of Four Mount Sinai Hospitals
From left: Cameron Hernandez, MD; Evan L. Flatow, MD; Scott Lorin, MD, MBA; and James Tsai, MD

Mount Sinai’s Anthony Smalls, MBA, right, and his DJ team provided a soundtrack

The Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening van

We Find a Way: A Photo Exhibit on the Mount Sinai Spirit

Sep 22, 2022 | Community, Featured

We Find a Way: A Photo Exhibit on the Mount Sinai Spirit

We Find a Way is a photo installation that offers a glimpse inside the Mount Sinai Health System community in various moments of employees caring for patients through compassion, skill and often times going above and beyond. Australian photojournalist and writer Ashley Gilbertson, who typically covers war zones and social unrest, was able to capture powerful moments between a patient and health care worker.

“At Mount Sinai, I had the opportunity to see another side of health care,” Mr. Gilbertson said. “Yes, there was urgency, stress, and life-threatening situations. However, in these photos, I was also able to capture moments of powerful connections and a deep sense of humanity.”

This photo installation is part of Mount Sinai’s overarching branding and advertising campaign that launched in June 2021 and presents an emotional and raw view of what it takes to overcome challenging and complex health and scientific problems.

The We Find a Way campaign and exhibit drew inspiration from the entire Mount Sinai community who went above and beyond to save countless lives during the pandemic, and how it seeks to do so for all health conditions. Their work has led to the development of new COVID-19 protocols, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

The photo installation was displayed at The Mount Sinai Hospital and is moving to Mount Sinai West.

Listen to and see what Mr. Gilbertson experienced as he visited several Mount Sinai hospitals over the course of a few days during the spring of 2021.

Ashley Gilbertson, photographer, recounts his journey through the Mount Sinai Health System

COVID-19 Unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Emily Okioma, Clinical Nurse

A surgeon rushes to the operating room
Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, PhD

Emergency Room at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Ami D. Shah, MD; Adam Czulak, RN; and Lauren Reyes, RN

Children’s Emergency Room at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Lauren Keyes, Certified Child Life Specialist and Hazel Encarnacion, RN

Stroke Center at Mount Sinai Queens
Kayla Epstein, PA-C, and Maggie Yu, NP

Heart surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, PhD; Percy Boateng, MD; Alison McCarry, RN; and Javier Mejia, MD

Research lab at The Tisch Cancer Center
Ieisha Scott, Clinical Research Coordinator

Neurosurgery Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Jeffrey Gilligan, MD; Arjun Patel, MD; Tony Feliz, Operating Room Technician; and Ben Toure, MD

Emergency Room at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Danielle Green, RN

Rehabilitation and Human Performance Department at Mount Sinai West
Raegan McCraney, Occupational Therapist Clinician, and Stephanie Smith, Occupational Therapist

A cancer vaccine patient at home with her daughter

Brain imaging MRI at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Ricardo Berrios, Pharmacy Technician

Research at The Tisch Cancer Center
Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero, PhD, and Shilpa Dilipkumar, PhD

Anesthesiologists prep for heart surgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Muoi Trinh, MD, and Stamatis Baronos, MD

Specialty pharmacy for cancer treatments at The Tisch Cancer Center
Amy Aye Aye Fu, Pharmacist; Christine Negron-Hayes, Pharmacy Technician; and Cattie Best, Pharmacy Technician

A physician assistant braids a patient’s hair
Leslie Schlachter, PA, Clinical Director and Chief Physician Assistant, Department of Neurosurgery; and Marvin Ramos, Surgical Neurophysiologist

Before neurosurgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Joshua Bederson, MD

Emergency Room at Mount Sinai Morningside
Matthew Carpiniello, MD, and Mizza Compas, RN

Husband and wife before neurosurgery at The Mount Sinai Hospital

Neurosurgery Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Agniescka (Agnes) Pabich, NP

Immunology research at The Tisch Cancer Center
Matthew Brown, Graduate Student; and Ashley Reid, PhD Candidate, Cancer Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Intensive Care Unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Ruth Levy, NP

A quiet moment before heart surgery
Stamatis Baronos, MD, and Muoi Trinh, MD

Immunology research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Nicolas Vabret, PhD; Jenna Newman, PhD; and Ashley Reid, PhD Candidate

OB/GYN nurses huddle at Mount Sinai West
Michael Trinidad, Florecilla Rodriquez, Miriam Rivera, Moses Fallah, Kimberly McCarthy, Ibtheesam Zaman, Bevin Watters, Catherine Genovese, Annette Bert, Cecilia Blake, and Joann Garcia

Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital
Cappi C. Lay, MD, and Ruth Levy, NP

A toddler who had a life-saving liver transplant at The Mount Sinai Hospital is back at home

Ashley Gilbertson is an Australian photographer and writer living in New York City, recognized for his critical eye and unique approach to social issues globally. His prints and books are included in permanent collections of museums and art galleries around the world—and have been shown at institutions such as the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.

Today, Mr. Gilbertson documents global migration in Africa and Europe, and works on climate, social and health issues in the United States and Asia. He writes regular opinion and news stories for outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, ProPublica, and UNICEF.

Celebrating Summer Interns: Learning and Growing, Across the Health System

Sep 16, 2022 | Community, Featured

In summer 2022, dozens of college students took part in rewarding internships across the Mount Sinai Health System—in clinical sites, administrative offices, and laboratories—gaining valuable exposure to careers in health care and medicine with the support of valued mentors.

The interns’ experiences were varied. Among many projects, they studied genetics and genomics, wrote physician profiles, created social media strategies, analyzed patient insurance statistics, recruited and educated participants in a sexual health study, and gathered data in support of health equity.

Jiaying (Jocelyn) Zhu, a finance major at Baruch College, summed up her lessons learned. “I have taken initiative, and I am always eager to learn and ask questions,” she says. “Just ask, and you will learn.”

At the end of their experience, interns reflected on their most interesting projects at Mount Sinai and looked ahead to their career goals. Their insights are below.