The Mount Sinai Health System, along with the UN Chamber Music Society at the United Nations and members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, partnered to host a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, January 15, in support of the Helen Sawaya Fund at Mount Sinai West, a philanthropy program whose mission is to enhance the experience of cancer patients through art, music, reflexology, and more.
The fund was established in 2005 by Gabriel A. Sara, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and his friend from high school, Fuad Sawaya, in memory of Mr. Sawaya’s wife, Helen, who had been a cancer patient at Mount Sinai West.
Says Dr. Sara, “Our program addresses the emotional component of the disease and helps alleviate the stress of treatment. It has had an unbelievable impact on patients’ lives and on staff experience. Art and music, especially, reach us where words cannot.”
About 150 Mount Sinai Beth Israel physicians recently attended a reception thanking them for the exceptional care they provide to patients. The event, held in December at the National Arts Club, was organized by Dahlia Rizk, DO, President of the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Board. Physicians received service pins and certificates—for up to 50 years of service—and took advantage of a rare opportunity to mingle.
“I saw so many new friends connect, and so many new bonds being made,” says Jeremy Boal, MD, President of Mount Sinai Downtown. “These links keep us strong and contribute to the incredible care we offer as a network and system.”
Jean-Frédéric Colombel, MD, whose research has led to some of the most seminal discoveries in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—chronic inflammatory conditions that damage the gastrointestinal tract—was one of three national recipients of the 2018 Sherman Prize. The award, which recognizes individuals for pioneering achievements that have significantly transformed patient care, was presented by the Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation at the Advances in Inflammatory Diseases conference Thursday, December 13, in Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Colombel, Director of The Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Center at Mount Sinai, was lauded for his highly collaborative work bringing together geneticists, microbiologists, epidemiologists, systems engineers, and clinicians to study new concepts in the causes, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. He also was honored for mentoring and motivating the next generation of physician scientists.
Said Dr. Colombel: “It’s a long and difficult road ahead, and it will require great collaboration among the world’s top scientists and researchers, but I think we will be able, in the near future, to predict the onset of Crohn’s disease before the first symptom appears, which creates the possibility for one of medicine’s primary aims—preventing disease.”
Jean-Frédéric Colombel, MD, left, with Bruce Sherman
The inaugural “Spirituality, Health Care, and the Artist” exhibit hosted by the Center for Spirituality and Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai featured the work of 25 Mount Sinai faculty and staff , many of whom (pictured above) were on hand opening night Thursday, December 6, at the Grady Alexis Gallery in East Harlem. The 17-day exhibit showcased photographs, paintings, small sculptures, poetry, and needlework celebrating the integration of the spirit and health care as seen through the eyes of these Mount Sinai artists.
The nonprofit Foundation for Women’s Cancer recently honored Nimesh P. Nagarsheth, MD, Associate Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and six of his colleagues from other institutions for their significant contributions to the field of gynecologic oncology. The physicians belong to the rock band N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease) and were awarded the Foundation’s 2018 Public Service Award for their inspirational songs that give voice to the many women who have gynecologic cancer. Dr. Nagarsheth has performed as a drummer with the band since its formation in 2008. Since then, N.E.D. has performed 75 concerts, been the subject of a documentary film that has received 230 million views, released 28 original songs, and raised more than $1.5 million for research and public awareness in the field.
From left: Pierre Désy, MPH, Chief Executive Officer, and David Mutch, MD, Chair, Foundation for Women’s Cancer; Nimesh P. Nagarsheth, MD; Carol L. Brown, MD, President, Society of Gynecologic Oncology; and Stephanie V. Blank, MD, Director of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Mount Sinai Health System.
After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in 2015, Noah Weber, now 15, reached out to NBA basketball star Larry Nance Jr., who also had been diagnosed with the illness at a young age. Noah, an avid sports fan, became friends with Mr. Nance. Two years later, they formed the nonprofit Athletes vs Crohn’s and Colitis, whose mission is to raise awareness about the condition among adolescents and help young athletes with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reach their potential.
On behalf of the organization, Noah and his father, Kaare Weber, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, recently presented Marla C. Dubinsky, MD, Professor, Pediatrics, and Medicine (Gastroenterology), with a $25,000 check to support research at the Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Center at Mount Sinai, where she is Co-Director. “Athletes vs Crohn’s and Colitis inspires and gives hope to young people suffering from IBD,” says Dr. Dubinsky.
