Jun 13, 2024 | Community, Diversity and Inclusion
Mount Sinai’s Heritage of Latinx Alliance (HOLA) employee resource group participated in the 67th Puerto Rican Day parade down Fifth Avenue in New York in a joyous display of dancing and interacting with the crowd. The event was held Sunday, June 9.
“Events like these hold great significance as they bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the strong foundation of diversity within the Mount Sinai Health System. Coming together for a shared purpose truly embodies our motto, We Find a Way,” said Shawn Lee, Director of Operations for the Central Billing Office and Co-Lead of the Heritage of Latinx Alliance. “During the parade, we found our way down Fifth Avenue, proudly representing Mount Sinai.”
“Marching in the parade demonstrates Mount Sinai’s diversity and inclusion efforts to our thousands of hard working employees, to the tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans in New York City, and to millions more New Yorkers,” said Frank Pabon, Director of Operations at the Central Billing Office and Co-Lead of Heritage of Latinx Alliance. “Our participation makes a statement to all who march in the parade and watch on television that Mount Sinai values the culture and history of Puerto Ricans.”
Participation in the parade was made possible by the Mount Sinai Health System Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Carlos A. Maceda, MBA, Chief Supply Officer, Sylvia Anavitate, Billing Coordinator, and the HOLA employee resource group.
“Thank you to everyone who joined us,” said Mr. Pabon. “We had an amazing time and look forward to having an even bigger presence at the parade next year.”
Updated on May 16, 2024 | Community, Diversity and Inclusion, Featured
Mount Sinai’s Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) helps prepare scholars who are interested in biomedical careers to apply successfully for doctoral programs. PREP scholars take graduate level courses, participate in career development activities, and receive personalized research mentorship. They spend one or two years in the program, with most of the experience taking place in laboratories conducting biomedical research.
Mount Sinai has a long, rich history with PREP, beginning 23 years ago when Terry Krulwich, PhD, received the first National Institute of General Medical Sciences funding for the program and directed it for 18 years, before leadership was transitioned to Eric Sobie, PhD.
Today, the program is led by Kirk Campbell, MD, Irene and Dr. Arthur Fishberg Professor of Medicine and Professor of Pharmacological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Inaugural Director of the Mount Sinai Center for Kidney Disease Innovation, and Jamilia Sly, PhD, Assistant Professor, Population Health Science and Policy, who recently renewed Mount Sinai’s grant. The PREP program focuses on growing a diverse research community and provides a launching pad for students pursuing their PhD or MD-PhD degrees.
More than a decade ago, Principal Investigators from Mount Sinai, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the University of Pennsylvania began an annual research symposium in May, with the programs rotating hosting duties. This year the schools participating expanded to include Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Weill Cornell Medical College.
Organizers say programs like PREP, which focus on developing a diverse pool of well-trained postbaccalaureates ready to engage in rigorous biomedical research-focused doctoral degree programs, have never been more important in today’s research landscape.
Mount Sinai’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences hosted the PREP Northeast Regional Symposium for 2024 on Monday and Tuesday, May 6-7.
The event began with a welcome reception during which students and faculty from all five institutions shared their experiences with their PREP programs. At one point, the room filled with excitement when Kaya Adelzadeh, a PREP scholar at Mount Sinai, found out she had been accepted to the MD-PhD program at the University of California, Davis. Since August 2022, Ms. Adelzadeh, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Boston University College of Engineering, has been a post-baccalaureate research assistant in the orthopedic research laboratories of James Iatridis, PhD, and Woojin Jan, PhD. She was cheered on by her colleagues and by PREP leaders, a reminder of what the PREP scholars are working to accomplish.
Dr. Campbell and Dr. Sly, along with Marta Filizola, PhD, Dean for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and Talia Swartz, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Dean for MD-PhD Education, delivered opening remarks. They discussed the history of the symposium, welcomed new participants, and encouraged the PREP scholars to apply for the participating institution’s PhD and MD-PhD programs.
Scholars from the five institutions shared their oral presentations. The two scholars from Mount Sinai were Taelor Matos, who shared research she is conducting with Jessica Ables, MD, PhD; in her presentation “Axonal Plasticity in Learning”, and Tony Valencia, who shared research he is conducting under the mentorship of Benjamin Chen, MD, PhDs, in a presentation “Investigating Asymmetry of HIV-1 Envelope Protein and its Impact on Packaging.”
In her keynote address, Yasmin Hurd, PhD, Director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai, discussed the neuroscience of addiction. She highlighted the role of the endocannabinoid system in neuronal development, differential psychological effects of cannabinoid components and provided insights into therapeutic utility of cannabidiol in opiate use disorder.
Dr. Hurd discussed her own career journey, noting data regarding the lack of diversity in the scientific workforce. She encouraged students not to let data about who is or isn’t a scientist determine the path for their academic training and career goals. She reminded students during the question and answer session that being a good scientist doesn’t mean knowing all the answers to scientific questions, rather that a good scientist asks a lot of questions about the things they do not know.
A PREP alumni panel featured former scholars from Mount Sinai and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The panel was moderated by Tia Robinson, a current Mount Sinai PREP scholar, and included alumni Yoselin Paucar, Stephen Ruiz, Bryan Ticoche, and Jeury Veloz. Scholars from each institution had the chance to ask questions and inquire about the experiences of PREP alumni both during and after their programs.
Two rounds of poster presentations gave PREP scholars opportunities to share their research with peers from other schools and to practice their presentation skills. Mount Sinai had eight scholars participate in the poster sessions. This was followed by an awards ceremony recognizing the PREP scholars with the top oral and poster presentations. Alexandra Ramirez, University of Pennsylvania PREP, received an award for the Best Oral Presentation. She has been accepted to Icahn Mount Sinai’s PhD in Neuroscience program as a student starting this fall. Kendall Moore, Icahn School of Medicine PREP, won for Best Poster Presentation.
In closing remarks, Dr. Campbell and Dr. Sly reiterated why collaboration is so important between PREP programs, and they encouraged scholars to continue their great work and to look forward to next year’s symposium.
Learn more about our PREP program to see how it can guide your journey to joining a doctoral program in biomedical sciences.
Apr 9, 2024 | Community, Featured
For National Doctors’ Day, Mount Sinai asked patients how they felt about their doctor. About 300 people responded by leaving short notes of thanks for doctors, their staff, and for all those who made it possible. You can read the notes here on a special website.
Notes like this: “Mount Sinai doctors have saved my life on more than one occasion. First when I had a brain aneurysm and then when I had an appendectomy. Thank you to all of them and to my present team of care. Gratitude to all the staff at Mount Sinai.” – Gladys Franceschi
Or this: “I am beyond blessed to have the following Mount Sinai physicians: Dr. Thomas Schiano has pulled me through so many rough times since my liver transplant. Dr. Kevin Dunsky has literally saved my life. Mount Sinai saved my life at least 3 times!” – Colleen Jackson
Or this: “Dr. Kathryn Dubowski, your care at Mount Sinai changed my life. I arrived struggling to breathe, but thanks to your dedication, I can now breathe normally. Your compassion is unmatched, and I’m endlessly grateful.” – Bryan Medina
Their reasons for giving thanks were many and varied. Some expressed thanks to their doctor for saving their life. Or giving them back their life. Some for helping them get through a very difficult period in their life.
Some for diagnosing a problem others outside Mount Sinai had been unable to find. Some for many years, even decades, of expert medical treatment. Some for contributions to the community.
Some for advocating on their behalf, for giving them confidence, for understanding their pain, for offering relief.
Even some out of towners who ended up in a Mount Sinai emergency department expressed thanks. “In the past few years, I have become so disenchanted with our medical system. In a visit to NYC last year, I fell and hit my head. While at the ER, my faith was restored. Everyone there was so supportive and caring. I have never been treated so kind.” – Catherine Patrick
Many expressed thanks to their Mount Sinai doctors and staff for just listening, for answering their questions, for spending extra time with them, for always offering a friendly greeting, for expressing compassion.
In a word, for caring.
Here are some more notes:
Dr. Fabian at the Dickenson Center for MS has been a life changing doctor. She goes above and beyond to listen, understand, have compassion for and offer compassion to her patients. She is the greatest medical professional I’ve ever worked with. – Kirsten Hughson
Dr. Irie has been my oncologist for the past 5 years. In those 5 years she has shown me nothing but empathy, respect, and compassion. As a young cancer survivor I’m grateful to have a doctor who I can trust. Thank you for all that you do Dr. Irie! – Roshni Kamta
Dr. Dubinsky was my doctor throughout my two pregnancies, including between my pregnancies when my Crohns was out of control, and she gave it all to get it under control and I’ve been in remission ever since – deepest remission I’ve ever been in!
Dr. John Mascarenhas made a difference in our lives. When my husband was dealing with leukemia, Dr. Mascarenhas was not just a doctor but acted as a family member. He put the best team together, he came on a day he was not for a consult. Incredible – Kikelomo Ogundiran
I had a 14 hour surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from my nasal septum. Dr. Genden and his surgical team were absolutely amazing! They saved my life and I am forever grateful to them for all their top notch skills and dedication! Awesome doctors! – Claire Lisanti
Dr. Blair Hammond is an incredible physician. She listens to our needs, concerns, and makes us feel as she has all the time in the world for us despite having a bustling waiting room of sick children. She’s just simply a pediatric gem! – Jacqueline Rose Zeigler
Dr. Kapka is passionate about population health and encourages changes towards it. Her effort in promoting healthy behaviors and addressing social determinants of health is commendable. She is making a real difference in the lives of patients/community
Dr. Anuradha Singh has been my specialist doctor for many years, I followed her from Bellevue Hospital. She has been empathetic, a good listener, an encourager, and my supportor thru out the years. She has help me feel empowered to improve my health – Felipe Rosado Jr.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my father’s highly skilled and compassionate surgeon Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy and his entire cardiac team for safely repairing his ascending aortic aneurysm and valve. Dr. El-Hamamsy and his team are the best! – Lucia Panico
Happy Doctors’ Day! Dr. Zaw Naing – Thank you for your almost 30 years of incredible service to our healthcare community. Your dedication, compassion, and expertise have improved countless lives, and we are grateful for all that you do. – Michele Ramirez
Dr. Mocco has been my doctor and he and his team have been fantastic pre, during, and post! I’d like to give a toast to them all! I saw him late in the fall and he dealt with my blocked right artery and ended up putting two stents in to open it up! – Dave Sweeney
Dr. Ripp does more than just listen to my complaints– many because I am almost 103! He acts on them promptly and thoughtfully. I feel totally cared for since Dr. Ripp and his team have become part of my team. – Sophie Gerber
My right hand was painful and swollen to the point I could use it. My local rheumatologist prescribed prednisone, but couldn’t find the cause. At Mount Sinai, Dr Olivia Ghaw was able to diagnose and treat me for psoriatic arthritis. I am so grateful! – Sheryl Rain Worthington
Mar 29, 2024 | Community, Featured, School
Kiran Nagdeo, BDS, MPH
Kiran Nagdeo earned her BDS degree at D.Y. Patil University School of Dentistry in India and has eight years of clinical experience. She recently graduated from the Master of Public Health program, specializing in Global Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Why did you decide to study at Icahn Mount Sinai?
The main reason I chose Mount Sinai is because it’s one of largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area. That gives you hope that it will open multiple opportunities, which it did. Another big reason was that the location really mattered to me. Mount Sinai is located very close to Central Park, and close to the subway, which made commuting easier.
What attracted you to study Public Health? What about it inspires you?
I was a completely clinically oriented dentist, practicing in India, and I was happy—until COVID-19 hit. It was during the pandemic that I realized the importance of broader level or upscale interventions. I had been working on an individual level—patient-doctor one to one relationship—but if I was equipped back then, I could have helped and contributed on a bigger scale to support many more people. Around this time, I decided to pursue public health.
My love and passion for dentistry and oral health is strong, and I have embraced avenues for my continued interest in this area. I have learned that there isn’t a heavy focus on oral health in the public health sector. There are very few select professionals, who usually tend to have a dental background, who have contributed to dental public health.
My goal going forward is the integration of oral health in public health and to advance maternal and child health. Women are key change agents, and children are the future we are bringing this change about for.
What were some of your achievements as a master’s student?
During my time in the Graduate Program in Public Health, I am proud to have accomplished so much. This includes: Two full text publications with multiple under review and work in progress publications; attending four conferences with about ten presentations; participating in the global health summer research program, which included visiting Rikers Island for shadowing the dental team and the medical complex care services team; participating in a Community-based Participatory Research Program in Queens; honored with winning four awards; and being inducted into the Delta Omega honorary society.
What activities outside the classroom have contributed to your success?
I’ve been the most active with the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), and I owe all my success to Hyewon Lee, DMD, MPH, DrPH, the Chair of the Oral Health Workgroup (OHWG). She has elevated me and invested in my growth on a professional as well a personal level. I would not have been as successful or learned as much without her mentorship. I am currently the Vice Chair of the workgroup, directly under Dr. Lee’s leadership. I had my first ever publication with her, and first ever presentation at the largest public health conference, the American Public Health Association.
I’ve also participated in many research activities. I worked as a research assistant in Mount Sinai’s Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, which helped in my professional growth and development. I learned the basics of research thanks to my professor Maayan Yitshak-Sade, PhD, and Vishal Midya, PhD. They laid the foundation for my understanding in research.
I’ve been involved in several student organizations within Icahn Mount Sinai. This kind of exposure led me to gain more perspective as a graduate student in a medical school. I’ve held two positions in the student council in my time at Icahn Mount Sinai, most recently being the second year class representative for MPH. Along with that I’ve led five other organizations, while participating in many more. Even as a student, my strongest skill has been collaborations; I’ve collaborated with postdocs, medical students, MD/PhD students, different groups that I’m leading, and other student body structures, while leading the planning of multiple events. I’ve noticed how collaborations help us all bring our resources and friends together to have a much bigger event that is mutually beneficial.
I’ve also written for The Scoop, which is the MPH newsletter, on racism in public health. And written in the Helen journal about my unforgettable experience at the AADMD One Voice conference.I completed a student leadership in global oral health course with the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders (AOHAB). That led to working closely with the president of AOHAB, Deborah Weisfuse, DMD, MSc, and I now hold a leadership position of Program Director in the organization.
I’m currently a part of the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) Dental Public Health Leadership Academy (DHPLA) as a student leader. I also hold leadership positions at APHA, as External Relations Co-Chair in the APHA Student Assembly, Student Fellow in the Maternal and Child Health Sections, and a member of the Scientific Planning Committee in the Oral Health Section. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for Maya Korin, PhD, MS, and Laura MacIsaac, MD, MPH, for MPH students, and for Georgina Osorio, MD, MPH, and Gallane Abraham, MD, for Clinical Research Students.
What are your plans now that you have completed your degree?
I will be continuing my work as a research assistant in the Microbial Exposomics lab under the leadership of Dr. Midya and Shoshannah Eggers, PhD, in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science at Icahn Mount Sinai, in collaboration with the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa. I will be continuing my commitments at WFPHA, APHA, and AOHAB. I have been accepted and will be pursuing my PhD of Public Health in Epidemiology at New York University School of Global Public Health.
Updated on Mar 29, 2024 | Community, Featured, School
Fourth-year MD Icahn School of Medicine students receiving their placements on Match Day, Friday, March 15, from left to right: Amina Avril, Claire Ufongene, Candida Damian, Yhan Colón Ibán, and Charlotte Pierce.
Match Day represents a milestone for fourth-year medical students across the country—it’s when they receive their placements for the residency programs they’ve applied to. On Friday, March 15, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai’s Class of 2024 congregated at the Guggenheim Pavilion for Match Day, and 133 students matched to 26 different specialties across the nation.
Michael Leitman, MD, Professor of Surgery, and Medical Education, at Icahn Mount Sinai, and Dean for Graduate Medical Education, observes Match Day closely because it reflects the physician pipeline. In several critical areas, he says, most notably the primary care specialties (internal medicine, general pediatrics, family medicine, and geriatrics) and psychiatry, the supply of new doctors entering these specialties is barely sufficient to meet demand.
“These are areas where we are seeing low match rates among students, and we suspect that students are gravitating towards careers in more lucrative specialties in part because they’re concerned about debt,” says Dr. Leitman.
According to the National Resident Matching Program, the organization conducting the Main Residency Match, for the Class of 2024 MD seniors, 87.8 percent of family medicine residency positions were filled, compared to most other programs, which were filled 100 percent—or close to. Pediatrics and psychiatry programs had unfilled positions in this year’s match too.
A 2021 report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) forecasts a primary care physician shortage of 18,000 to 48,000 in 2034. The big problem this shortage creates is that primary care is where important screenings are done, such as hypertension.
| Specialty |
2024 |
2023 |
| Family Medicine |
87.8% |
88.7% |
| Pediatrics |
91.8% |
97.1% |
| Psychiatry |
99.5% |
99.0% |
“In the areas that we serve at The Mount Sinai Hospital, which includes East Harlem, we have to think about the loss of family medicine doctors who will not be available to care for this population, which will only further reinforce the health care disparities we are working so hard to correct,” says Dr. Leitman.
“Although historically, students from Icahn Mount Sinai have matched to primary care fields at lower rates than other specialties, this year’s Match represented the highest number of students matching into primary care specialties,” says Tara K Cunningham, EdD, MS, Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Medical Education, who leads the team responsible for career and residency advising at Icahn Mount Sinai. Last year, Dr. Cunningham says, two students entered pediatrics. “This year, a record-breaking 11 students are going into pediatrics.”
Icahn Mount Sinai’s Class of 2024 has more students placing into primary care and neurology than any other graduating class in school history. The most popular specialties for the class are internal medicine (28), pediatrics (11), anesthesiology (10), obstetrics (8), gynecology (8), neurology (7), ophthalmology (7), and psychiatry (7).
Two MD seniors entering residency programs in specialties with high need share their thoughts on their matches and what they hope to achieve in their respective fields.
Stephanie Ureña, Family Medicine program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
What are your thoughts on your match, and tell me about the programs you applied for?
I am very happy with my result because this was my top choice. I wanted to stay in New York City and work with an underserved, majority-Hispanic population. I mostly applied to programs in New York City and Philadelphia because these are both places where I had a community. I was born and raised in the Bronx and this is where most of my immediate family is. I went to school at the University of Pennsylvania so I also had some friends there and some family that had also moved there.
What do you know about the challenges of the specialty you’re entering, and how do you think you might be able to overcome them?
I am going into family medicine and given the current medical system, there is never enough time for visits. Additionally, patients’ health is connected to social determinants of health and there are often not enough resources to keep patients healthy.
I plan on learning to prioritize pressing health issues for quick visits given the time crunch. I also plan on immersing myself into the community that I practice in so that I can learn about community resources that address some of their social determinants of health.
What inspired you to go into medicine in the first place?
I had a really awesome pediatrician growing up who was my constant cheerleader. I remember looking forward to his visits because he just wanted to catch up on life and would always teach me ways to stay healthy. Then as I grew up, I realized how much I liked science and was fascinated by the human body so I decided to continue to pursue a path in medicine.
What impact do you hope to achieve in your specialty?
For family medicine, I hope to continue to provide patient-centered health care and expand on my knowledge of community resources. I would ideally like to have a system in which I refer my patients to community resources that address their social determinants of health. I would also like to create more pipeline programs that bring students from the local community into medical schools that are in their community. I envision myself joining a community board and advocating for the community needs.
Candida Damian, Pediatrics/Psychiatry/Child Psychiatry Triple Board program at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital
What are your thoughts on your match, and tell me about the programs you applied for?
I am very excited. There are only 11 Triple Board programs in the country, so I am super grateful to have matched. Since there are limited triple board positions, I applied for categorical psychiatry positions as well. I wanted to match into a Triple Board program because I am deeply passionate about the intersection of pediatrics and psychiatry, and am drawn to the diversity of experiences and the unique skill set that Triple Board training offers.
What do you know about the challenges of the specialty you’re entering, and how do you think you might be able to overcome them?
Entering a Triple Board program presents the challenge of navigating multiple specialties and wearing different hats, requiring adaptability and flexibility. I plan to overcome this by really leaning into my training and always asking for help.
There is a huge need, especially, for child psychiatrists. Mental health in children is a public health crisis. Entering a field with a high, under-met need is both daunting and inspiring. It underscores the urgency and importance of my chosen path. I see it as an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities who are underserved and often marginalized. By entering these fields, I aim to contribute to closing the gap in access to quality health care and improving outcomes for those in need.
What inspired you to go into medicine in the first place?
It has been my childhood dream to become a doctor. However, due to many external factors, I had believed a profession in medicine was just too far out of my reach. The idea of attending college was daunting enough, not to speak of attending medical school. I was committed to providing compassionate care for patients, so I channeled my energy into going to nursing school.
I will never forget the day as a third-year nursing student that I met a 16-year-old patient who confided in me about the events that led up to her being admitted into the psychiatric hospital. She had dreams of going to college and becoming a marine biologist. However, the external hardships she faced made her doubtful that she could accomplish her goals. She told me, “You know more about me than the doctors here do. I feel like I can tell you anything.”
We could relate to each other, we had similar upbringings, and I learned that just my presence alone was able to give patients that feeling of safety they often lacked. I recognized that all of the reasons that led me to believe I could not become a physician were actually the reasons why I needed to become a physician.
That patient’s story and trust in me during my nursing rotation helped me believe, for the first time, that becoming a physician was attainable. My determination to make a difference outweighed the fear. That day, I Googled “How to get into medical school” and the rest was history.
What impact do you hope to achieve in your specialty?
In my specialty, I hope to provide compassionate and comprehensive care to vulnerable populations, especially children and families who have endured significant abuse and neglect. My aim is to intervene promptly and treat both their physical and mental health needs at each developmental milestone, while fostering trust, empowerment, and providing a safe environment for healing and growth. I am dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of trauma and I am on a mission to help break down the many barriers faced so that future generations have the opportunity to pursue their dreams despite external challenges.
