New Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens Offers Expert Care in a Modern Facility, Expanding Services for the Community

Sep 18, 2024 | Community, Featured, Mount Sinai Queens

Wendy Chung, MD, is shown with a patient at the new Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens.

Mount Sinai Queens has opened Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens, a new facility specifically designed to enhance the overall experience for patients looking to receive fast, efficient, and expert care for minor illnesses and injuries.

Located on the first floor of Mount Sinai Queens-Crescent Street, the service will build on the hospital’s vision to transform care for all residents across Queens and beyond.

The modern facility will offer walk-in services for all types of conditions, such as colds, flu, sprains, skin rashes, minor cuts and lacerations, and certain types of infections.

Patients who typically use the Emergency Department for these conditions will find shorter wait times and faster service at Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens. However, if further care is needed, the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Queens is located across the street from Express Care, so patients do not need to travel far to receive the care that they would need after initial evaluation.

“Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens is backed by a network of experts from across the Health System that is conducive to optimizing the way we care for our patients,” says Ugo Ezenkwele, MD, MPH, Chief of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai Queens and Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “We all get sick and need to have access to walk-in services and get the help we need as easily and quickly as possible, and this facility will fulfill a need in the community making residents feel more empowered in taking care of their health and safety.”

With five exam rooms for providing care, the location also offers testing for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, strep throat, and urinary tract infections, along with a glucometer for glucose testing, and a separate X-ray room. The new facility is the latest in several improvements at Mount Sinai Queens, whose mission is to provide compassionate, innovative care to the diverse patient community throughout the borough.

“The opening of Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens is a game changer for our hospital,” says Cameron R. Hernandez, MD, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Mount Sinai Queens. “The new facility is among several projects to improve the full range of care for our patients, and we are thrilled to expand our services to better serve our community.”

Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens will accept all insurance plans; walk-ins are welcome and no appointments are necessary. Patients can also expect easy referrals to Mount Sinai specialists if you need additional, less-urgent care, as well as seamless access to medical records via MyMountSinai.

Learn more about Mount Sinai Express Care-Queens

Off-Broadway Musical About Penicillin Features Members of Mount Sinai Community

Updated on Sep 12, 2024 | Community, Featured

Members of Lifeline musical’s health care professionals chorus stand behind the hospital bed of an actor whose character is dying of an antibiotic-resistant post-op infection. Brandon Oby, an MD student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is second from left. Photo credit: Bob Farese

An inspiring Off-Broadway musical, Lifeline, tells the story of Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming’s world-changing discovery of penicillin in 1928, charting the rise and fall of antibiotics. Interwoven with a modern storyline of a doctor trying to save her childhood sweetheart under the current, looming threat of antibiotic resistance, the musical features local scientists and health care professionals, including members of the Mount Sinai community, alongside the show’s touring professional company.

Cameron R. Hernandez, MD, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director at Mount Sinai Queens, will be featured in the chorus on Tuesday, September 10, through Sunday, September 15. Mount Sinai’s Eva Chebishev, a PhD student, and Brandon Oby, an MD student, performed during the opening week of the musical, which debuted Wednesday, August 28.

“Lifeline tells the astounding story of one of my heroes, Dr. Alexander Fleming, and I could not be more excited to be a part of an ensemble cast to tell the important story of the development of antibiotics,” says Dr. Hernandez. “It is a very special experience to represent Mount Sinai and to be featured alongside local scientists and health care professionals who work every day to keep our communities safe and healthy. I hope to see you in the audience.”

Cameron R. Hernandez, MD, far left, poses for a group photo backstage with cast members from the Lifeline musical

The musical is more than a historical narrative about the discovery of penicillin. It’s an engaging form of science communication that promotes awareness and advocacy for the rising global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by telling the stories of those affected by antimicrobial resistance every day: patients and their loved ones, health care practitioners, and advocates fighting for policy change. Each character is based on a real person who has had experiences with AMR.

“Being involved in Lifeline has been a quite literal dream come true,” says Ms. Chebishev. “I had thought my vision of incorporating my lifelong passion for musical theatre into a career in effective science communication was too niche to be possible, so it was incredibly validating to learn there are already some people doing it (and doing it well) in such an effective, powerful way.”

Mr. Oby is a second-year medical student who spends his free time combining his love for music and medicine—playing for patients at hospitals, performing in jazz combos at medical conferences, and playing in bands at medical fundraising galas. He says joining the cast of Lifeline felt like a natural next step.

“I had never done musical theater before this, so I was incredibly excited for the new experience. Bridging my two worlds of music and medicine makes both so much more special. Lifeline is a one-of-a-kind show, and I hope you all get to experience this incredible feat of science communication,” he says.

Eva Chebishev, PhD student, second row, far right, and Mr. Oby, back row, far right, pose backstage for a group photo with Lifeline’s health care professionals chorus.

The musical is a two-time Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out and has toured to London, Glasgow, and the U.S. East Coast in 2022. It also was performed at the U.K. Houses of Parliament and in Barbados for Prime Minister Mia Mottley before it made its debut Off-Broadway in August.

“It is an honor to be part of this endeavor and to represent Mount Sinai alongside other scientists and health care professionals passionate about AMR and accessible, effective science communication,” adds Ms. Chebishev. “Lifeline is real, it’s raw, it’s powerful, and I hope you go see it.”

Lifeline is being staged at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center at 480 W. 42nd Street, Jim Houghton Way until Saturday, September 28. To learn more about Lifeline or to purchase tickets, please visit their website.

Department of Neurosurgery Goes to Bat to Raise Funds for Research

Aug 2, 2024 | Community

Mount Sinai’s Department of Neurosurgery recently joined neurosurgical teams from across the United States for the 19th Annual Neurosurgery Charity Softball Tournament, helping to raise more than $150,000 to advance neurosurgical research and improve treatments.

The event, held in Central Park on Saturday, June 1, united faculty, residents, and fellows for an important cause–supporting the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF). The event was hosted by Columbia University’s Neurosurgery Department.

NREF provides funding for neurosurgical opportunities for young students interested in the field. The 2024 Softball Tournament raised more than $150,000 for brain tumor research through NREF. The money raised will be used to advance neurosurgical research, for both basic laboratory studies and clinical data analysis from operating rooms.

“By raising funds, research surrounding the understanding of brain diseases can be expanded,” said Alex Schüpper, MD, a PGY-6 resident. “This supports promising brain tumor research initiatives across neurosurgery programs nationwide, ensuring that new treatments and cures can be developed.”

Fifty teams comprised of Neurosurgical Departments from top academic medical centers across the United States participated. “This tournament showcased the team spirit throughout the neurosurgical community, as friends, family, and co-workers gathered to cheer on opposing teams and watch the exciting softball games,” said Joshua Bederson, MD, Chair of the Department.

“Although Mount Sinai did not win the tournament, we are incredibly proud of our team, which played with dedication and passion,” said Dr. Schüpper. “They knew that this game was more than winning or losing, it was about making a difference in the field of neurosurgery.”

World Trade Center Health Program Hosts a Delegation From the Netherlands to Discuss Lessons Learned by Caring for 9/11 Responders

Updated on Jul 10, 2024 | Community, Featured

The World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence (CCE) at Mount Sinai recently welcomed occupational medicine physicians and public health advocates from the Netherlands on a study trip to learn about the mental health impact of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 on first responders.

The event, held Tuesday, June 11,  focused on sharing two decades of experience caring for 9/11 responders living with the enduring effects of exposure to psychological trauma and environmental toxins.

Franz van den Nieuwenhof, MD, an occupational medicine physician from VerzuimConsult in the Netherlands, a leading consulting firm providing occupational health support to employers, noted the significant increase in mental health issues among Dutch health care workers following the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to those experienced by responders after 9/11.

“In our search for possible solutions, we came across references to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to 9/11. This literature emphasized the extensive experience that New York has gained in the treatment and support of PTSD patients since the 9/11 attacks,” he said. “During our quest for new insights, it became clear that the WTC Health Program played a big role in this work, with connections to the expertise of specialists from The Mount Sinai Hospital. We are confident that we can learn much from their approach.”

From left: Franz van den Nieuwenhof, MD, Sandra M. Lowe, MD, and Michael Crane, MD, MPH

Sandra M. Lowe, MD, Associate Professor, Psychiatry, and Environmental Medicine, and Medical Director of the WTC Mental Health Program, delivered a presentation titled “9/11 Responder Mental Health: 20 Years of WTC Health Program Experience,” highlighting the association between disaster exposure and adverse health outcomes.

“Twenty years of research on 9/11 health outcomes has demonstrated not only the clear association between disaster exposure and adverse psychological effects, but also that there are meaningful actions we can take to treat trauma-associated conditions and alleviate suffering in disaster-exposed populations,” she said.

The WTC Health Program, a component of the Mount Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health, is the largest such center in the country and proudly cares for more than 25,000 responders at its Manhattan, Staten Island, Suffern, and Yonkers, New York, locations.

The panel also featured Agata Bednarska, MSW, Outreach and Education Manager, and Rachel Yehoda, MPH, Health Literacy Manager, who presented on mental health outreach and communication strategies. The meeting concluded with a discussion led by Kathryn Marrone, LCSWR, Director of Social Work, Amy Cushing-Savvi, LCSW, Assistant Director of Social Work, and Massielle Morales-Miller, LCSW, Social Work Supervisor, focusing on health monitoring, case management, and the role of psychosocial support in workplace wellness.

“To provide the highest standard of care to our responders, we have established a comprehensive case management and care coordination team,” said Ms. Marrone.

Michael Crane, MD, MPH, Medical Director of the Selikoff Centers, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share knowledge with international colleagues.

“We hope our lessons learned and best practices will assist in establishing policies and programs around mental health,” he said. “Workplace health promotion programs have proven to be successful, especially when they combine mental and physical health interventions like we do through the WTC Health Program.”

In closing remarks, Dr. Lowe highlighted the WTC Health Program’s critical role caring for 9/11 exposed workers, and its dedication to sharing valuable knowledge.

“Our team is privileged to be part of the WTC Health Program and we are dedicated to contributing the insights we’ve gained to support initiatives that enhance mental health education and services, especially for individuals affected by trauma and chronic occupational stress,” said Dr. Lowe. “It’s a responsibility we take seriously.”

Learn more about the World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence at Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai’s Growing Partnership With Indian Health Services in South Dakota

Updated on Jun 27, 2024 | AIGH, Community, Featured

Since 2021, the Emergency Medicine Global Health Division at Mount Sinai has partnered with the Indian Health Service to provide physician and physician assistant staffing, operational assistance, and educational support at the Cheyenne River Health Center in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.

This remote, critical access hospital comprises an emergency department, a 10-bed inpatient unit, and community outpatient center. The Emergency Department serves about 30 patients daily from the local population on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.

“The partnership has evolved from a few intermittent weeks of staffing to the point where we now expect to provide nearly 28 weeks of full-time attending physician staffing this year,” says John Rozehnal, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine, who leads the partnership with Indian Health Services.

John Rozehnal, MD, MS

Mount Sinai Emergency Medicine physicians and other health care providers who participate are given the opportunity to manage a wide range of emergency medical concerns and provide comprehensive critical intervention while developing knowledge of the indigenous culture to enhance their care. Other health care providers include physician assistants and residents, including four Emergency Medicine 2024 graduating residents who supported the partnership.

Recently, the team was successful in assisting with the implementation of a new point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) equipment and programming, including training that has begun with an education project on the placement of ultrasound-guided IV lines, the performance of regional anesthesia, and the use of bedside diagnostic studies helping to assess pregnancies. Without these new services, patients would often require transfer to a hospital more than an hour away.

The growing partnership between Mount Sinai and Indian Health Services includes a variety of quality improvement projects, such as implementing clinical protocols and improving cultural competencies and quality and safety initiatives.

“We look to further integration with the local team at Eagle Butte and to help develop area-wide initiatives to further both teach and learn from the facilities and patients in the Great Plain Area,” says Dr. Rozehnal.

Learn more about the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Learn more about the Emergency Medicine Global Health Division at Mount Sinai

Gun Violence Awareness Month in June: A Time to Raise Concerns About Safety for Kids and Families

Updated on Jun 25, 2024 | Community

The statistics about gun violence in the United States are striking.

In 2022, firearm injuries were among the five leading causes of death for people ages 1-44 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths, which is about 132 people dying from firearm-related injuries each day.

Nationwide, about one person dies every 11 minutes by suicide. About 50 percent of gun-related deaths in the United States were suicides, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Access to a gun triples the risk of death by suicide, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Charla Sarabia, MPH,

These statistics are why public health experts like Charla Sarabia, MPH, Injury Prevention and Community Outreach Coordinator at Mount Sinai Morningside on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, believe it is important to discuss this issue. In addition to what they see every day on the job.

“I see the issue in the community, and we are working to address it,” says Ms. Sarabia. She works with the Trauma Team in the Department of Surgery at Mount Sinai Morningside, and spends much of her time in the community, working on initiatives to help reduce injuries, sometimes with the New York Police Department and other organizations. Among the top causes of injuries she focuses on is falls by older adults, gun wounds, and accidents involving bicyclists.

Advocates say Gun Violence Awareness Month is the time to reflect on the lives lost and families changed by gun violence, honor the victims, support survivors, and discuss ways to reduce gun violence.

Gun safety and injury prevention is also a special concern for the nation’s pediatricians. In 2020, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States aged 1 to 19, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“Injuries from firearms are now the leading cause of death in children aged 17 and under in the United States,” says Louis Spina, MD, Director, Pediatric Emergency Department, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. “The most effective way to prevent unintentional injuries from firearms is by removing them from the home and any environment where kids actively stay or play.”

Ms. Sarabia offers these four basic reasons for addressing this issue, based on analysis by the CDC:

 

  • Many gun-related injuries and deaths are preventable through education, safe storage practices, and community interventions.
  • Gun violence is a major public health crisis, leading to physical injuries, long-term disabilities, and emotional trauma for victims and their families.
  • Promoting responsible gun ownership and safe practices can significantly reduce accidental shootings, especially among children and adolescents.
  • By fostering a culture of awareness and prevention, organizations can help create safer communities where everyone feels secure and supported.

If you do chose to keep a gun in your household, you can help keep kids safe by doing the following:

• Always keep your gun unloaded, locked away and out of reach of children.

• Always keep the ammunition in a separate location from the gun.

• Use a gun lock box or gun safe for the firearm; keeping all lock box codes, combinations, and/or keys out of reach of children.

• Talk to your children about guns and teach them to tell an adult immediately if they see one.

• Most importantly, always keep an eye on the children and never leave them unsupervised in a home or location with a gun.

Learn more about the Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital

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