Community | Mount Sinai Today

Partnership Supports Veterans in Civilian Careers

Nov 5, 2019 | Community, Engagement, Featured

Roger Braman, RN, BSN, second from right, with veterans, from left, Anit Shrestha, Jonathan Duchnowski, and Kevin Lama.

The Mount Sinai Health System recently partnered with Workforce Opportunity Services (WOS), a leading nonprofit that is dedicated to recruiting, training, and placing underserved and veteran job seekers into long-lasting civilian careers. Through the organization’s WOS On Demand program, veterans Jonathan Duchnowski, Kevin Lama, and Anit Shrestha were recruited and placed in various roles within Mount Sinai’s Department of Information Technology (IT). Prior to joining this program, they struggled to find gainful employment opportunities as they transitioned from the military to civilian life.

“The Workforce program gives us a great opportunity to give back to those who have served in the military protecting our country,” says Roger Braman, RN, BSN, Senior IT Director of Infrastructure Project Management, who leads the partnership at Mount Sinai.

Using a scientifically based model derived from research conducted at Columbia University, the program recruits, educates, trains, and then places high-potential candidates at leading organizations around the world that are committed to diversifying their workforces. Key to the effort’s success, says Mr. Braman, is “the additional support and training that the candidates receive, both from the WOS program and Mount Sinai, to allow them to build on the valuable skills they learned in the military and help them to transition to the civilian workforce.”

For example, Mr. Duchnowski, who served in the military from 2000 to 2006 as a Nuclear Propulsion Plant Machinist’s Mate and Engineering Laboratory Technician, completed his BA in 2018 and was looking for work in health care or in a biological lab when he found a position at Mount Sinai through WOS. He says, “I was contacted by one of their team members who also happened to be a Marine. He explained what WOS was all about, and I was immediately hooked.”

Mr. Duchnowski, who currently works in Infrastructure Project Management as the Infrastructure Project Coordinator, spent three weeks in general business professional development, as well as in focused Project Management training modules as part of the WOS program to prepare him for the Mount Sinai job. “I wanted to work for an organization trying to heal and help people, and I always wanted to work with IT, as well, so this fits both of those desires,” Mr. Duchnowski says.

Mr. Braman says, “All of the participants are really motivated and eager to learn and have quickly been able to integrate themselves into the teams to which they have been assigned.”

Top Honor for Renowned Physician for Transformational Research

Nov 5, 2019 | Community, Featured

David B. Sachar, MD, center, with event emcee Frank Sesno, Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, and Meredith Asbury, Co-Chair of the Golden Goose Award, and Policy Officer at the Association of American Universities.

At the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, September 10, bipartisan Congressional supporters and representatives from science and higher education organizations saluted five scientists whose work has transformed the lives of countless millions of people.

Among the honorees was David B. Sachar, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Director Emeritus of the Dr. Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, whose seminal research into cholera—and the landmark clinical human trials that followed—is credited with saving approximately 50 million lives worldwide.

The honor they received, the Golden Goose Award, recognizes scientists whose federally funded work—which may have been considered silly, odd, or obscure when first conducted—has resulted in profound benefits to society. The effort is led by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Cholera is an acute bacterial infection in human intestines that causes an immediate loss of water and electrolytes, and without urgent treatment, results in death. At one time, diarrheal diseases like cholera were the leading cause of infant mortality in the world.

For Dr. Sachar, his work involved learning how to measure electrolyte transport across a frog skin in the laboratory and then adapting that technique for the first time to the measurement of intestinal activity in humans in Bangladesh in 1966. By studying patients with cholera, he additionally was able to illuminate the underlying physiological cause for the deadly diarrhea provoked by this disease. His work ultimately contributed to the development of a simple oral solution, known as oral rehydration therapy, which cut the fatality rate by 99 percent. Later, Dr. Sachar, a specialist in inflammatory bowel disease, joined Mount Sinai, where he was instrumental in laying the foundation for the current international classification of Crohn’s disease.

“Our work shows not only the amazing and often unpredictable medical and social benefits of basic research, but also exemplifies the principle that these benefits may not be fully realized until we take the science from the laboratory and carry it directly to where the disease is,” says Dr. Sachar.

At “Walk the Talk” Event, Delivering a Message of Lifelong Health

Nov 5, 2019 | Community, Featured

Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, with students from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital, was a special guest speaker during “Walk the Talk: The Health-for-All Challenge in the United States,” a recent event sponsored by the World Health Organization and Walk with a Doc, a nonprofit that promotes physical fitness and access to care.

The event, held on Sunday, September 22, in Central Park, included a four-mile run/walk, healthy snacks, blood pressure checks, and talks on public health. Dr. Fuster, a world leader in cardiology, delivered a message that he feels passionate about.

“Cardiovascular disease, unfortunately, is the No. 1 killer in the world,” Dr. Fuster said. “My advice is the following: First, be sure that elderly people take care of themselves, even if they feel well, and not wait until the next heart attack or stroke. No. 2, if you are a younger adult, take care of the seven risk factors—obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise. No. 3 to me is the most important: Infuse children—as young as age 3—with the idea that health is a priority. Education, education, education is the key.”

Run for Research Raises Funds for Brain Aneurysm Foundation

Oct 21, 2019 | Community

Brain aneurysms are life-changing, or even fatal if they rupture. To raise awareness of the disorder, and funds for research, the Department of Neurosurgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai partnered with TeamCindy, a fundraising arm of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, to present the Sixth Annual 5k Run for Research. During the event, on Saturday, September 14, at Riverside Park, 30 physicians, staff, family, friends, and former patients joined the Mount Sinai team, raising $3,000 for the Foundation. More than $60,000 was raised in total.

Three Mount Sinai Hospitals Receive National Recognition for Excellence in Nursing

Oct 21, 2019 | Community, Featured

Joining in the celebration for Magnet redesignation at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens were, at center, front row, from left: Caryn A. Schwab; David L. Reich, MD; and Nancy Lamberson, MSN, RN; and center, second row, from left: Jill Goldstein, MA, MS, RN; Shirish Huprikar, MD, Chief Medical Officer, The Mount Sinai Hospital; and Frances Cartwright PhD, RN-BC, AOCN, FAAN.

Three Mount Sinai Health System hospitals have again received national recognition for excellence in nursing from the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. The Mount Sinai Hospital received Magnet® designation for the fourth consecutive time; Mount Sinai Queens—the Queens campus of The Mount Sinai Hospital—received its second designation; and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai received its third Magnet designation.

The announcements came in telephone calls from the ANCC to Nursing leadership at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai on Thursday, September 19, and The Mount Sinai Hospital on Monday, September 23. Celebrations immediately erupted on the three hospital campuses as joyful and boisterous nurses and staff—waving pom-poms and holding posters—cheered, clapped, and hugged, as they enjoyed this special recognition.

The Magnet designation is the highest national honor for nursing excellence. Only about 8 percent of U.S. hospitals—out of 6,300—have achieved Magnet recognition. Four Mount Sinai Health System hospitals are among them, including Mount Sinai South Nassau, which received its second consecutive designation last year.

To earn redesignation, hospitals must meet stringent standards demonstrating quality patient-centric nursing care, innovation in professional nursing, and nursing research. Hospitals must present documented evidence that the Magnet Standards have been met and have been fully enculturated during the four-year period since the last designation.

From left: James C. Tsai, MD, MBA, President, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, celebrated Magnet redesignation with Christine Mahoney, RN, MS, AGACNP-BC, CCRN; and Stacey A. Conklin, MSN, MHCDS, RN, NE-BC, the institution’s former Chief Nursing Officer, who is currently Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

“This redesignation reflects the quality and superb outcomes provided by the nursing teams at The Mount Sinai Hospital and our Queens campus, as well as the commitment of every member of the hospital team who works to assure excellence in patient care,” said David L. Reich, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Mount Sinai Hospital, and President of Mount Sinai Queens.

“Collaboration, caring, and excellence are personified by the Magnet model and this reflects our professional practice model: relationship-centered care that extends to our patients, their families, our nursing and interdisciplinary colleagues, and our community,” added Frances Cartwright, PhD, RN-BC, AOCN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens, Edgar M. Cullman, Sr. Chair of the Department of Nursing, and Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

“This achievement speaks volumes to the exceptional engagement of our professional nursing staff,” said Caryn A. Schwab, Executive Director of Mount Sinai Queens. “Their skill, knowledge, and compassion are key to the high-quality patient care that the Magnet appraisers observed here.”

Jill Goldstein, MA, MS, RN, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Nursing, Mount Sinai Queens, added: “I am so very proud of our nurses and their incredible commitment to excellence.” Mount Sinai Queens is the only Magnet-designated hospital in the borough.

In addition to Dr. Cartwright and Ms. Goldstein, a number of Nursing leaders directed the Magnet redesignation effort across campuses, including Nancy Lamberson, MSN, RN, Senior Director of Nursing, Department of Radiology, and Magnet Program Director, The Mount Sinai Hospital; Christine Mahoney, RN, MS, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Mount Sinai Downtown; and Margaret M. Morales, MA, RN, ACNS, NEA-BC, Vice President for Patient Care Services, and Barbara Straub, MSN, RN-BC, Director, Nursing IT/ Magnet Program, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

Enjoying Magnet redesignation at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, were, front row, from left: Lilian Bayaya, RN; Henedia Sirlian, MSN, RN; Johanna Sica, MSN, RN, CEN; and Min Jeon, MBA, BSN, RN, CRNO; back row, from left: Darwin Recentes, RN; Kamille Vega-Bryan, RN; Robin Begley, RN; and Mandy Zhao, BSN, RN.

The process involved months of work at each of the three hospitals by nurses at all levels of practice who successfully demonstrated excellence in every aspect of health care delivery. Overall, Magnet hospitals report 10.3 percent lower fall rates, 14 percent lower mortality rates, and 5.5 percent fewer hospital-acquired pressure ulcers, among other improvements, for their patients compared to non-Magnet hospitals.

At New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Nursing leaders created a “Cheer Walk” for hospital leadership, nurses, and staff—applauding wildly and snapping quick pictures as they arrived for the celebration—providing a red-carpet entrance fit for celebrities. According to James C. Tsai, MD, MBA, President of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, and the Delafield-Rodgers Professor and Health System Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, “This is an incredible source of pride for our nurses, and it also reaffirms the hard work and dedication of our entire staff.”

Nursing leadership also expressed their gratitude. “New York Eye and Ear nurses distinguish themselves as caregivers, educators, leaders, scholars, and innovators,” Ms. Morales said. Ms. Mahoney added: “Our nurses are among the best in the nation, and I am inspired by their dedication to our patients and to each other.”

Chinese Consul General Visits Mount Sinai

Oct 21, 2019 | Community, Featured, Global Health

On a tour of The Mount Sinai Hospital, from left: Che-Kai Tsao, MD, Medical Director, Ruttenberg Treatment Center, The Tisch Cancer Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Madame Zhang Ai Ping; Tao Xu, MD, Medical Director, Mount Sinai International, and Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine), Icahn School of Medicine; Ambassador Huang Ping; and Xing Jijun, MD, Science and Technology Counselor, Consulate General of China in New York.

Ambassador Huang Ping, Consul General of China in New York, took a wide-ranging tour of The Mount Sinai Hospital, sponsored by Mount Sinai International, an organization within the Mount Sinai Health System that is dedicated to advancing health care around the world. The ambassador, who is one of the highest-ranking Chinese officials in the United States; his wife, Madame Zhang Ai Ping; and a group of consular officials were hosted on Tuesday, September 17, by Arthur A. Klein, MD, President of the Mount Sinai Health Network, and Szabi Dorotovics, MD, MBA, President of Mount Sinai International. The group also met with David L. Reich, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Mount Sinai Hospital; and Shirish Huprikar, MD, Chief Medical Officer, The Mount Sinai Hospital.

The Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital in Nanjing, China, recently began a 10-year strategic collaboration with Mount Sinai International. The consular group was guided by two Icahn School of Medicine physicians who serve as “workstream leaders” in the collaboration: Che-Kai Tsao, MD, Medical Director, Ruttenberg Treatment Center, The Tisch Cancer Institute, and Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology); and Tao Xu, MD, Medical Director, Mount Sinai International, and Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hospital Medicine).

“The United States and China face many common challenges in medicine and health,” Dr. Klein said. “Mount Sinai and China have extensive and long-lasting relationships in clinical care, scientific research, and medical education.”

From left: Xing Jijun, MD, Science and Technology Counselor, Consulate General of China in New York; Arthur A. Klein, MD, President of the Mount Sinai Health Network; Ambassador Huang Ping; Madame Zhang Ai Ping; and Szabi Dorotovics, MD, MBA, President of Mount Sinai International.

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