Updated on Apr 29, 2026 | Featured, Your Health
Are you concerned about how you’ll remain healthy as you age? If so, you’re not alone, and there’s something you can do about it.
Many older New Yorkers are concerned about aging well and living a long, healthy life but most have never spoken to their physician about their age-related concerns even while trying a variety of possible remedies, ranging from taking supplements to doing crossword puzzles.
These are among the key findings from a new poll on healthy aging produced by Mount Sinai South Nassau and sponsored by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union.
The survey also found that women are more concerned than men, especially those younger than 70. And 65 percent of all respondents have some concern about memory loss or dementia, according to the “Truth in Medicine” poll of New Yorkers older than 50.
Experts say staying active and engaged with others is key to safeguarding cognitive health.
Mount Sinai South Nassau hosted a panel discussion together with Optimum and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America on Wednesday, April 22. From left: Mount Sinai South Nassau moderators Dana Sanneman, Vice President, Public Affairs and Development, and Joe Calderone, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Development; Brigit C. Palathra, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, Chief, Palliative Care, Mount Sinai South Nassau; Adhi Sharma, President, Mount Sinai South Nassau; Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America; and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Kathryn Geraghty, Mount Sinai South Nassau.
“Healthy aging is not just about adding years to your life, it is about adding quality life to the years that you live,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “When individuals devote themselves to the prevention of memory loss and chronic disease as they age, they are preserving their independence, dignity, and joy. One way to do that is to be engaged in activities they enjoy, whether it’s volunteering or watching a grandchild or traveling.”
In addition to the fear of dementia, area residents expressed concerns about a variety of other health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
“The findings from the Truth in Medicine poll underscore that aging, cognitive decline, and caregiving are not distant concerns—they are present realities touching families across New York and throughout the United States in profound and urgent ways,” said Charles Fuschillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “The poll data is a call to action. Society must embrace a new mindset—one where healthy aging and caregiver readiness go hand in hand.”
The poll found that in an effort to prevent cognitive decline associated with a progressive neurological disorder, many New Yorkers turn to a variety of possible remedies, including taking vitamin supplements, prescription drugs, exercise, and even playing brain games and crossword puzzles.
Here are some of the specific findings from the poll:
- 69 percent of all respondents (and 77 percent of women polled age 70 or older) take vitamin supplements.
- 47 percent of respondents take prescription drugs in an attempt to possibly prevent or delay cognitive decline.
- 41 percent of all respondents and 52 percent of women younger than 70 exercise.
- 35 percent of all respondents (and 51 percent of women age 70 or older) play brain games, such as puzzles and crosswords.
- 30 percent of all respondents (and 39 percent of women younger than 70) follow a strict or limited diet.
- 26 percent of all respondents (and 32 percent of women younger than 70) practice weightlifting and balance training.
The Truth in Medicine poll is part of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s mission of outreach to improve education around critical public health issues. A panel discussion to review the results of the poll was hosted by Optimum in their theatre on Wednesday, April 22.
The poll aims to gather data about public attitudes on key public health topics and spur education and discussion. The poll was conducted from Thursday, March 12, through Wednesday, March 18. Poll findings are subject to a sampling error of plus or minus 3.9 percent.
Apr 28, 2026 | Featured, School
“The MHA program gave me more than academic preparation; it gave me the confidence and tools to step into my future as a health care leader,” says Maria Carrasco.
Maria Carrasco is a second-year student in the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an international student from the Dominican Republic and has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Florida International University.
In this Q&A, she discusses how she believes the curriculum and mentorship at Mount Sinai is preparing her to become an effective health care leader.
Why did you choose to study at Mount Sinai?
I chose to pursue my Master of Health Administration at the Icahn School of Medicine because of its strong reputation in health care leadership and its commitment to patient-centered care. I was looking for a program that would challenge me academically while also preparing me for real-world health care environments, and the school felt like the right place from the start.
From my first semester, I felt supported by professors and mentors who genuinely care about our growth and preparation. In every class, they took time to connect with us, encourage our critical thinking, and relate course material to real health care challenges.
What course has had the biggest impact on you so far?
Every course has had a lasting impact; they have helped me understand how strong leadership and organizational culture directly influence patient care and employee engagement. Learning about health care systems and management strategies deepened my appreciation for the role administrators play in creating efficient and compassionate environments.
One course that had a particularly strong impact on me was Health Care Operations in my first semester. Through this class, I realized that this is the area of health care I truly want to pursue in my career. It helped me see how behind-the-scenes processes directly affect patient care, staff experiences, and overall outcomes. Learning about workflow design, resource management, and operational efficiency showed me how meaningful this work can be, especially when done with intention and compassion. The course gave me clarity and confidence in my professional direction, and it reinforced my desire to be part of improving health care systems in practical, sustainable ways.
Can you share your experience as an international student in the MHA program?
As an international student, the MHA program has played a huge role in helping me grow both professionally and personally. It has prepared me to become a health care leader by teaching me how to think strategically, work collaboratively, and make informed decisions in a new health care system and culture. Through case studies, group projects, and applied coursework, I’ve learned how to evaluate health care processes, manage resources, and approach challenges with both structure and empathy. The program has also strengthened my communication skills and given me the confidence to navigate complex health care settings.
What part of the MHA program has been the most important?
Beyond academics, the program has helped me connect my passion for helping others with practical leadership skills, reinforcing my desire to help health care systems become more efficient and compassionate. I now feel prepared to support operational improvements, advocate for patients, and be part of building stronger health care organizations. The MHA program gave me more than academic preparation; it gave me the confidence and tools to step into my future as a health care leader.
What are your plans upon completing your MHA degree?
I’m graduating from the MHA program in June 2026. I hope to work in an operations role within a health system. I want to improve processes, particularly how care is delivered to patients. The patient experience can be confusing and difficult, and I want to address operational challenges to make it easier for them.
Updated on Apr 24, 2026 | AIGH, Featured
Biraj Man Karmacharya, MBBS, PhD, MS, left, and Ram KM Shrestha, MD, review scientific posters at Research Day.
Dhulikhel Hospital in Dhulikhel, Nepal, recently hosted the first AMPATH Nepal Research Day, coming alive with ideas, energy, and a shared sense of purpose.
Supported by AMPATH Nepal and held in collaboration with Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences and the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the day was a celebration of research, partnerships, and people. The theme, “Innovation Through Collaboration,” was not merely a slogan; it was the lived experience of everyone involved.
Archana Shrestha, PhD, MPH, Co-Director of AMPATH Nepal, first had the vision of establishing Dhulikhel Hospital’s own Research Day for clinicians, researchers, students, and partners to share knowledge and inspire one another.
More than 200 participants attended AMPATH Nepal’s first Research Day.
Watching that vision turn into reality was incredibly rewarding. The response exceeded our expectations, with 38 oral presentations, 62 poster presentations, and 263 participants gathered under one roof. The audience included researchers, clinicians, medical residents, students, and dignitaries from Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, the Arnhold Institute, and AMPATH Nepal, reflecting the strength of our national and international partnerships.
As the Project Coordinator, this journey was deeply meaningful to me. From organizing and coordinating the event to hosting sessions, keeping time, troubleshooting behind the scenes, and even performing on stage in a dance with fellow researchers, every role reminded me that successful events, like successful research, are built through collective effort. Months of hard work culminated in a day filled with learning, teamwork, joy, and growth.
Members of the Arnhold Institute’s AMPATH Nepal team celebrate the start of Research Day.
The journey began three months before Research Day, with planning that was both ambitious and meticulous.
To manage the scale of the event, we formed 20 committees, each entrusted with specific responsibilities that together ensured the seamless execution of the day. Every detail mattered, from participant registration and scientific session alignment to logistics, documentation, cultural performances, and live streaming. What stood out most was how harmoniously these teams worked, communicating across roles and stepping in for one another whenever needed. That collaboration was innovation in its truest form.
Celebrating collaboration and connection as core elements of impactful research
The opening ceremony set the tone beautifully. As we began with a lamp lighting and the Nepali national anthem, the atmosphere was filled with pride and anticipation. Along with my co-host, Sagar Adhikari, MDS, BDS, I had the honor of welcoming our esteemed guests and participants. Dr. Archana Shrestha’s opening remarks reminded us that progress happens when ideas, institutions, and individuals come together with a shared purpose. Speakers Ram KM Shrestha, MD, founder and Executive Director of Dhulikhel Hospital; Dr. Biraj Man Karmacharya, MBBS, PhD, MS, Administrative Director of Dhulikhel Hospital; and AMPATH Nepal Director Rose House, MD, further highlighted the importance of collaboration in strengthening research and health systems in Nepal.
The Department of Community Programs perform a cultural dance, emphasizing the importance of human connection in research
The keynote sessions truly embodied the theme of innovation through collaboration. Namita Ghimire, PhD, Chief of Ethical Review and Monitoring and Evaluation from the Nepal Health Research Council, offered invaluable insights into ethical governance, national and international research collaboration, and the evolving research landscape in Nepal. Her reflections emphasized that innovation must always be grounded in ethics and accountability.
Tim Mercer, MD, MPH, Director of AMPATH México/MAPAS, shared compelling experiences from his work, illustrating how partnerships across borders and communities can transform health systems. His discussion on community engagement, mental health integration, and addressing non-communicable diseases reinforced the idea that sustainable innovation grows out of collaboration with the people we aim to serve.
Beyond scientific rigor, the day also celebrated culture and connection. The welcome dance performed by the Dhulikhel Hospital Department of Community Programs was a joyful reminder that creativity and innovation flourish together when people unite. Moments like these added warmth and humanity to Research Day, reminding us that collaboration extends beyond academia into shared experiences and collective pride.
The takeaway: Meaningful research ecosystems are not built by individuals alone
As a project coordinator, the responsibilities were many and often demanding, but they were balanced by the incredible support of the entire team. Every challenge was met with cooperation, every success shared collectively.
This Research Day reinforced my belief that meaningful research ecosystems are not built by individuals alone, but by teams that trust one another and work toward a shared vision. I am deeply grateful for everyone who came together to achieve this milestone for AMPATH Nepal.
As we look ahead to our second Research Day in 2026, I hope this inaugural event continues to inspire stronger partnerships, ethical and impactful research, and a future where shared knowledge leads to shared progress.
Prapti Giri, BDS, MPH, is the Program Coordinator for AMPATH Nepal.
Updated on Apr 29, 2026 | Featured, Your Health
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a highly destabilizing diagnosis to receive, leading a person to question their identity, yearn for explanations, and reorient their worldview.
“We have this belief in our society that we are in control of our lives. Unfortunately, MS really rips that away,” says Jordyn Anderson, PsyD, a neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Jordyn Anderson, PsyD
Psychotherapy can help patients move through the diagnosis acceptance process and provide guidance in navigating a life filled with uncertainties in dealing with this chronic disease, and, ultimately, living a meaningful life.
Dr. Anderson is the sole clinical psychologist at Mount Sinai’s Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, where she is developing interventions for people living with MS.
People living with MS face a number of challenges that may lead them to consult with a licensed psychologist, beginning with how to incorporate their diagnosis into their sense of self, along with how to manage anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and optimizing health behaviors such as physical activity, smoking, and diet.
“Anxiety and tolerating the uncertainty that MS presents in your life, not only from a ‘what’s going to happen’ perspective, but also with navigating the medical system, is very hard,” she says. “You are dropped into a world where insurance might determine your safety, where bureaucracy might be getting in the way of whether or not you are able to receive medication.”
A clinical psychologist specializing in MS can ease the stressors associated with adjusting to the reality of living with the disease. Dr. Anderson works with patients on magnifying their internal locus of control, focusing on what they can do to help themselves while accepting this reality.
“I focus a lot on acceptance,” she says. “A patient may never be thrilled with an MS diagnosis, but accepting this reality as part of one’s life, figuring out how to live with it rather than in defiance, can be freeing.”
Grief can be a prominent factor in people’s symptoms. “Grief is not just about death,” Dr. Anderson says. “Grief is about the loss of anything. You might be grieving your sense of self as a particular label. Or maybe you are grieving your future in some way, your beliefs for what you had in store for yourself.”
Framing it as a grief process that develops and changes with time can be a way to understand the diverse array of emotions that people face. In helping people adjust mentally to dealing with their MS, and thinking of how to get through certain lifestyle situations directly affected by the disease, a grieving process can be a significant part of acceptance.
Dr. Anderson came to Mount Sinai in 2020 on a two-year clinical neuropsychology fellowship in the MS Center’s neurocognitive clinic headed by James Sumowski, PhD, who focuses on identifying and treating cognitive deficits in people living with MS. In 2022, she became the Center’s first full-time psychologist providing therapy and behavioral health interventions for patients.
The waitlist for appointments indicates the demand and need for this kind of consultative service. In 2025, she began a psychology externship, employing graduate level students to help provide interventions in order to expand the clinical reach. Patients are usually referred to her by their neurologist, or through the MS Center’s Wellness Program, which offers guidance on prioritizing diet, exercise, and sleep that can help MS patients live healthier lives.
Another common issue for individuals with MS is insomnia. “There are a myriad of reasons insomnia is happening. Is there some sort of stressor that’s in the way?” says Dr. Anderson. She works with patients in identifying sources of sleep disruption, optimizing sleep hygiene, and developing relaxation strategies. Additionally, CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Theory for Insomnia), a treatment targeting difficulties with initiating and maintaining sleep, is sometimes recommended and can be transformative in restructuring sleep routines.
Dr. Anderson specialized in MS by chance. “I always wanted to do health, neuro, and rehab, and I was lucky to get the fellowship at the MS Center,” she recalls. “I absolutely loved it. I felt like I was able to focus and become an expert in something,”
She is inspired by working in a field of neurology and psychology imbued with optimism. “It’s an amazingly hopeful time for MS. The fact is that we have these really effective medications that they are consistently researching and we are, hopefully, finding new ones,” she says.
Dr. Anderson is also drawn to “the diversity of patients,” including the broad variety of symptoms among patients, their backgrounds, and their personal stressors that come together to create very individualized experiences of the disease.
“Every single person’s challenges are valid. I feel like I am always learning so much from my patients,” she says. “I am constantly challenged and have to flex different skills. I think I’m here for good.”
By Kenneth Bandler, a multiple sclerosis patient, advocate, and member of The Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Board
Updated on Apr 23, 2026 | Featured, Research
Event speakers and members of the Clinically Based Nurse Scientist Summit Planning Committee (from left to right): Reynaldo Rivera, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FAONL, Director, Nursing Research and Innovation, NewYork-Presbyterian; Deborah Stamps, EdD, MBA, MS, RN, GNP, NE-BC, CDE, FADLN, FAAN, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Deborah Stamps Consulting, LLC; Allison Andreno Norful, PhD, MPhil, MSN, BSN, ANP-BC, FAAN, Assistant Professor, Columbia University School of Nursing; Bernice Coleman, PhD, ACNP-BC, FAHA, FAAN, Director, Nursing Research, Cedars Sinai; Rose Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Emeritus Professor, Florida Atlantic University College of Nursing; Esther Chipps, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, Clinical Nurse Scientist, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Perry Gee, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Intermountain Healthcare; Kimberly Souffront, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN, Associate Director, Center for Nursing Research and Innovation; and Bevin Cohen, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, FAAN, Director, Center for Nursing Research and Innovation.
The landscape of research conducted by nurses is evolving, and Mount Sinai’s Center for Nursing Research and Innovation (CNRI) is leading the charge. In June 2025, the Health System hosted the nation’s first conference on the role of the clinically based nurse scientist—a growing workforce of researchers who investigate nursing practice questions with direct impact on health care systems and patient care.
Clinically based nurse scientists are nurses with PhDs and advanced research training who work inside health care delivery settings. Their roles span designing and leading large-scale clinical trials and health services research, securing funding for research and training from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, and partnering with the clinical nursing workforce to translate research into practice and investigate timely research questions that arise from patient care.
“Schools of nursing have long been the center of robust programs of research,” says Bevin Cohen, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, FAAN, Director of the CNRI. “But today, more health systems are exploring the benefits of having nurse scientists on staff to better connect research with practice.”
There is also growing interest in clinically based roles among nurse scientists themselves, many of whom wish to remain close to patients and conduct research with immediate impact.
Mount Sinai Health System has been at the forefront of this important movement, as evidenced by the CNRI itself.
The Center is a hub at the intersection of academia and clinical practice that supports and advances nursing research throughout the Health System. Through a comprehensive offering of programs and resources, the Center serves two primary communities: nurse scientists with advanced training who lead their own panels of research, and clinical nurses who are embarking on research, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice projects.
“The clinical setting is not a space where many nurse scientists have traditionally worked,” Dr. Cohen says. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to conduct research that improves clinical nursing practice at scale, but we also need to build the infrastructure and collaborative networks to facilitate this important work.”
Across the United States, many clinically based nurse scientists have sought collaboration with colleagues in similar roles to share strategies, successes, and challenges on developing research programs within their own hospital systems.
“Until recently, we have had little opportunity to formally connect and collaborate across institutions,” says Dr. Cohen. “Over the past few years, local research interest groups have formed, along with a wonderful virtual collaborative network. Simultaneously, we began dreaming of a national summit where we could all meet in person.”
With input from fellow nurse scientists at Mount Sinai and an expert committee with representatives from across the country, Dr. Cohen wrote a grant proposal to do just that.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) awarded funding to support the three-day Clinically Based Nurse Scientist Summit hosted by Mount Sinai in June 2025, which was attended by more than 100 nurse scientists and leaders from around the country. The event brought together expert presenters and panelists, featured discussions and breakout sessions, and created opportunities for networking and collaborative forums.
“From the outset, our goal was to accelerate the scale, scope, speed, and rigor of research conducted by clinically based nurse scientists,” says Dr. Cohen. “To do this, we needed to understand both the challenges and successes of the role and focus on ways to maximize its potential.”
A major outcome of the summit will be the development of a five-year strategic framework for how the role can contribute to the AHRQ mission of enhancing the quality, safety, accessibility, affordability, and equity of health care in the United States.
Another significant outcome to emerge from the summit is an energized and engaged national community of clinically based nurse scientists who are sharing resources in partnership with similarly aligned groups.
In addition, eleven active workgroups formed by summit participants are conducting research and developing foundational manuscripts about the role of clinically based nurse scientists.
“By coming together as a nationwide community, clinically based nurse scientists are growing networks and infrastructure to support faster, larger, and more impactful research to advance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes,” says Dr. Cohen. Mount Sinai is proud to play a lead role in shaping this important work.
Apr 23, 2026 | Featured
The Mount Sinai Department of Emergency Medicine recently hosted the second annual Emergency Medicine Administrative Awards Celebration. A total of 28 people from across the Mount Sinai Health System were recognized. Awardees and their families celebrated the awards.
In the Emergency Departments, administrative teams include a diverse array of roles and positions, from admitting representatives, business associates, emergency care associates, registrars, supply and equipment handlers, operations managers, unit secretaries, clerks, and service line team members including medical school professional staff.
Christopher Nagata, MBA, MPH, left, and Chavelle Barnett
“I am so grateful to be a part of a team, whose support, trust, and encouragement mean more to me than I can say,” said Chavelle Barnett, Education Program Coordinator for Emergency Medicine, who received a New Administrative Team Member of the Year Award. In her role in the medical school, she supports administrative processes for the Emergency Medicine Fellowship Programs.
“Showing appreciation and truly valuing our employees is one of the most important things we can do as leaders,” said Christopher Nagata, MBA, MPH, Vice Chair of Administration for Emergency Medicine. “It’s truly fulfilling to recognize our staff for the amazing work and incredible contributions they make each and every day.”
New Administrative Team Member of the Year
Awarded to an individual who has been employed within Emergency Medicine for 24 months or less who consistently strives for excellence in their work and routinely demonstrates professionalism while making a positive impact on their team. From left are awardees: Chavelle Barnett, Jose Justin Negron, Dinesh Singh, Lubaba Ahmed, and Cristal De La Cruz. Not pictured: Jamal Shepard and Christopher Lahoz.
Administrative Innovation Award
Awarded to an individual or team in honor of their creativity, initiative, and forward-thinking approach to improving our administrative processes. This award celebrates innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, strengthen processes, and set a new standard of excellence. From left are awardees: Vincent Lu, Cecilia Jaruda, Samantha Infante, Mauricio Gonzalez, Jonathan Walker, and Mornique Pawley. Not pictured: Kelly Ciarlo.
Outstanding Administrative Team Member of the Year
Awarded to an individual recognized for being a role model in their spirit of teamwork, holding themselves to the highest levels of professionalism and exceptional contributions in advancing the mission and vision of Emergency Medicine. From left are awardees: Paula Edwards, Caleb Agyemang, Kenny Zhang, and Yosef Travis. Not pictured: Nekeisha Lynn, Michael Montesano, and Angela Ventouratos.
Administrative Service Excellence Award
Awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond to deliver best in class service to patients, clients, and/or stakeholders. The individual earning this award exemplifies a true commitment to customer service as evidenced by their dedication, compassion, and reliability—it’s their mission to make a meaningful difference every day. From left are awardees: Jamie Forbes, Victoria Rodriguez, Charmaine Williams, Kayce Gray, Raymond McClinton, and Isabel Tamarez. Not pictured: Jeofrey Gacad.
