Featured | Mount Sinai Today

Medical Students Celebrate Match Day 2018

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Featured, School

Celebrating their matches were, from left: Haran Sivakumar, University of California, San Diego (Family Medicine); Ali P. Subat, University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center (Anesthesiology); Imikomobong “Micky” Ibia, Massachusetts General Hospital (Emergency Medicine); and Stephen Trinidad, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (General Surgery).

At Match Day 2018, graduating medical students opened their envelopes to learn which residency programs they would be attending during the next phase of their training. Joining them were family members, friends, and Mount Sinai Health System physicians and staff, who offered hugs and congratulations.

But first there was an announcement by Peter Gliatto, MD, Senior Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education and Student Affairs, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: “I’d like to start with a 45-minute lecture and some PowerPoints,” Dr. Gliatto told the anxious students, to laughter and scattered moans. But he quickly made it clear that he was joking. “Actually, I just want to say how proud we all are of you and the amazing things you’ve done for yourselves, for our school, for our city, and for our world. I’m not exaggerating that.”

During the event on Friday, March 16, in the Annenberg West Lobby, 139 graduating students were matched to residency programs throughout the country, including highly competitive ones at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Johns Hopkins Medicine; Massachusetts General Hospital; the University of California, San Francisco Medical

From left: Fatemeh Parvin-Nejad was matched with Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School (General Surgery); Marielle Young with Massachusetts General Hospital (Pediatrics); and Caitlin Pacheco with Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center (Otolaryngology).

Center; and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Thirty-four students will remain within the Mount Sinai Health System to continue all or part of their graduate training. They were among 18,818 students around the nation who participated in this year’s Match Day event, the largest so far. Match Day is managed by the National Resident Matching Program, a nonprofit organization that uses an algorithm to align the preferences of applicants with those of residency programs.

Imikomobong “Micky” Ibia was “really excited and really grateful” to learn that he will study emergency medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. He said he chose the field so that he could interact with patients from all walks of life and someday help build “sustainable acute medical care in my birth country of Nigeria.” Fatemeh Parvin-Nejad will go to Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School for training in general surgery, which she finds “fulfilling on many levels” because it allows her to work with her hands and help some of the sickest and most underserved patients.

Benjamin Laitman, PhD, who was matched with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Otolaryngology), celebrated with his father, Jeffrey T. Laitman, PhD.

Benjamin Laitman was thrilled to be staying at Mount Sinai since it is home in just about every way: He was born at The Mount Sinai Hospital, and over the years at Mount Sinai, his grandfather was a Chair of Neurology; his grandmother attended nursing school; his mother graduated from the School of Medicine; and his father—who attended Match Day with a proud smile—is Jeffrey T. Laitman, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Medical Education and Professor of Otolaryngology. Benjamin Laitman earned his PhD in neuroscience in 2016 and will now train in otolaryngology. He called the surgeons, clinicians, and scientists “masters of the head and neck” in an “amazing” field that intersects with many others.

The class members will receive training in 22 specialties, including 27 graduates in internal medicine; 12 in emergency medicine; 11 in obstetrics and gynecology; and 9 each in general surgery, pediatrics, anesthesiology, and psychiatry. The rest will pursue other specialties, including family medicine and neurology. As its graduates were receiving their matches, the Mount Sinai Health System was extending residency offers to students from around the country. The new residents, who will arrive in July, include graduates of the nation’s top schools, among them Harvard Medical School, the Stanford University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and the New York University School of Medicine.

“As the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai celebrates its 50th anniversary, we could not be more proud of our students, who exemplify the School’s culture of innovation, mentoring, clinical excellence, commitment to the community, and biomedical research,” says David Muller, MD, Dean for Medical Education and the Marietta and Charles C. Morchand Chair for Medical Education. “Our students will bring these values and skills to the nation’s best medical programs as they pursue the next phase in their careers.”

Mariel Pullman, left, was matched with New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center (Neurology), and Les James with the New York University School of Medicine (General Surgery).

Mount Sinai Queens Receives Trophy for Outstanding Commitment to the Patient Experience

Mar 19, 2018 | Featured

Vicki LoPachin, MD, fourth from left, presented the Patient Experience trophy to leaders from Mount Sinai Queens. From left, Brijen Shah, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President for Medical Affairs; Caryn A. Schwab; Jill Goldstein, RN, MS, MA, Vice President, Nursing; and Judy Trilivas, RN, MA, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Ask physicians and staff at Mount Sinai Queens (MSQ), what is meant by the “Mount Sinai Queens Way,” a core set of values and behaviors that was created by the staff, and you are likely to hear the words “kind-hearted,” “courteous,” and “teamwork.” These values guide the way employees treat each other and engage with their patients, says Caryn A. Schwab, Executive Director of Mount Sinai Queens, a hospital with approximately 1,450 employees, which is located in Astoria. “We place a very high value on coming to work each day wanting to do a great job,” Ms. Schwab adds. “We have a shared commitment to making our hospital a better place.”

On Tuesday, February 27, physicians and staff at MSQ took a few minutes out of their busy schedules to celebrate their strong culture, when Vicki LoPachin, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, Mount Sinai Health System, presented Ms. Schwab and Mount Sinai Queens with a trophy for their “Outstanding Commitment to Patient Experience.”

The trophy was given to MSQ for its 100 percent response rate to the Patient Experience Survey, which was launched throughout the Health System in December, under the leadership of Dr. LoPachin. The survey—rolled out at the Health System’s seven hospitals, Mount Sinai Union Square and Chelsea, Mount Sinai Doctors Faculty Practice, off-site practices, corporate services, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai—gathered valuable insight into how Mount Sinai can ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality, and compassionate care to its patients at all times. The survey was the beginning of a patient experience improvement process that will enable the Mount Sinai Health System to create the best environment for patients to receive care.

Eighteen thousand Mount Sinai employees took the survey. Employees at MSQ—the location with the most stellar response rate—showed a strong understanding of how their roles contribute to the patient experience, can improve the patient experience, and foster the teamwork needed to help patients even when it is not part of their job.

Staff at Mount Sinai Queens gathered around their trophy.

“Everybody who works at Mount Sinai Queens has an impact on the patient experience,” says Ms. Schwab. “If you work in billing, for example, it means sending the right bill. If you’re in the pharmacy, it means getting the correct medications to the hospital floor in a timely manner. Improvement is a continuous process. Many of us have relatives who have been cared for at Mount Sinai and can speak in a personal way about their experiences. We, as leaders, want to see those positive experiences extended to every patient, every day, every time.”

Communicating the values of safety and quality in patient care, and treating patients the way employees themselves would like to be treated, is an ongoing process at MSQ. When senior leaders conduct hospital rounds, they ask about the procedures that are running smoothly and discuss how to fix the barriers to success. Town Hall meetings—held every three months—are among the methods used for communicating the hospital’s shared values. MSQ employees open each Town Hall with a patient story or a scenario that encourages empathy and compassion by putting themselves in the place of a patient.

“Every employee is important and connected to caregiving,” says Judy Trilivas, RN, MA, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Mount Sinai Queens. If an employee notices a patient in need, he or she is encouraged to respond—even if it is simply to help summon the patient’s nurse. “It may be something as simple as bringing a patient a box of tissues or moving a patient’s tray closer to his or her bed,” she adds. “When employees are engaged, it drives patient safety and quality.”

Ms. Schwab says, “We were thrilled with the results of the survey.” Yet, she acknowledges, “We’re on this journey, and we still have a long way to go. We work hard to be consistent in what we say and do. We strive to model behaviors and provide structure. Communication is key.”

Hoda Farghaly: My Colleagues in Queens Inspire Me

Mar 19, 2018 | Featured, Patient Stories

Hoda Farghaly, Patient Ambassador, Mount Sinai Queens, is pursuing a nursing degree.

When I was eight years old, I witnessed my mom involved in a tragic accident. Time was of the essence, and she was rushed to Mount Sinai Queens, the nearest hospital. My sister—who was seven at the time—and I were terrified that we could lose our mother. As our family was preparing for the worst, this “little emergency room that could” saved my mother’s life.

After emergency surgery, she was transferred to an inpatient unit and hospitalized for about three weeks. My sister and I visited her whenever we were able to.

During those times, I encountered so many heroes. I can still remember their names, faces, warm smiles, and kind, soft-spoken words. At a time of uncertainty and distress, these special people—housekeepers, nursing assistants, nurses, and doctors—helped my family feel at ease, and I felt that everything was truly going to be OK.

The day my mother was discharged to rehabilitation, I told myself that I wanted to dedicate my life to helping others with the same compassion and care that my mother received at Mount Sinai Queens.

I learned so much about humanity, empathy, and selflessness during my mother’s hospital stay 17 years ago. I continue to learn and see this today, being surrounded by so many great people who work here.

These amazing people recently inspired my own kind gesture to a patient at Mount Sinai Queens.

This patient had a bucket list. He passionately wanted to travel the world like his brother did, but his health was preventing him from doing that. One of the places on his list was Egypt, and we spoke about its culture and history. Fortunately, I am half Egyptian, and my parents travel often. After work that day, I ran home and grabbed a souvenir I had gotten from Egypt, from the Pyramids of Giza, and brought it to him. I knew I couldn’t help him travel, but I could bring a small piece of another part of the world to his bedside.

He was so surprised and happy, and must have thanked me a million times. Something as small as a souvenir that we might take for granted every day really made such a difference to him.

A Generous Gift to Advance Care for Children with Cancer and Blood Disease

Mar 18, 2018 | Community, Featured, Pediatrics

From left: Alan Feldman, Chairman, and Mark Zeller, Co-President and Treasurer, The Jack Martin Fund; Kenneth L. Davis, MD; Chris Mongeluzo, Co-President, The Jack Martin Fund; Lisa M. Satlin, MD; David L. Reich, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Mount Sinai Hospital; and Birte Wistinghausen, MD, Medical Director of the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

The Jack Martin Fund, a nonprofit organization that has partnered with Mount Sinai Health System for 68 years, has provided a gift to open a new pediatric cancer inpatient unit at Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai. The benefactors, along with Mount Sinai Health System leaders, celebrated the launch of The Jack Martin Fund Inpatient Unit for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disease at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The 5,300-square-foot unit features eight private beds, including two isolation rooms with negative air pressure to protect immune-compromised children from infection, as well as a family lounge, a kitchen, and a playroom for younger children.

“This extraordinarily generous gift represents a critical step toward Mount Sinai’s goal of transforming children’s health care,” said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System. “Through our alliance with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the co-managed Children’s Cancer Program, we have expanded our pool of nationally recognized experts and are increasing the scope of clinical services to provide the most advanced care for children with cancer and blood disease.”

In 1988, the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology was named for Jack Martin, a business executive who died of polio in 1950 after being cared for at Mount Sinai. The Jack Martin Fund was established by his family to honor his memory.

“The Jack Martin Fund Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, led by new Chief Steven J. Burakoff, MD, provides exceptional care to children with cancer and blood disease, while conducting innovative research to advance our understanding and treatment of these disorders,” said Lisa Satlin, MD, Chair of Pediatrics for the Mount Sinai Health System. Dr. Burakoff also continues as Dean for Cancer Innovation at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Lillian and Henry M. Stratton Professor of Cancer Medicine as he takes on this new role. Added Dr. Satlin: “This new inpatient unit reflects our commitment to caring for children and families in a warm, nurturing environment.”

A Vision of the Future with Dennis S. Charney, MD, Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Mar 15, 2018 | Featured, School

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. From a start-up with a first-year class of 36 students, the School is now a 1,200-student research, education, and innovation powerhouse that is ranked 13th among medical schools in the United States for National Institutes of Health funding and second among U.S. medical schools in funding per principal investigator by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

To commemorate this achievement, Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and President for Academic Affairs, Mount Sinai Health System, was interviewed about the School’s commitment to innovation and discovery. Groundbreaking science and a firm commitment to patient care have been the School’s primary objectives for the past 50 years. Dr. Charney aims to continue this perspective into the future.

Says Dr. Charney, “It is our responsibility—the current leadership, faculty, and students—to build on that foundation so that in the next 50 years we accomplish what they did and change the lives of our patients.”

Click here to watch Dr. Charney’s full video

Chair of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Builds On Success in Improving Patients’ Quality of Life

Mar 6, 2018 | Featured, Your Health

R. Sean Morrison, MD, at the Wiener Family Palliative Care Unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital, which recently earned recertification by The Joint Commission.

R. Sean Morrison, MD, has been appointed Ellen and Howard C. Katz Chair of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Morrison, who joined Mount Sinai in 1995, has focused on one goal throughout his career: Improving quality of life for patients and families.

“Our mission is to ensure that persons living with serious illness, multiple chronic conditions, physical disability, or cognitive impairment live as well and as long as possible,” Dr. Morrison says. “We try to establish what goals are important to our patients and help them to achieve them.”

Dr. Morrison will continue as Director of the Hertzberg Palliative Care Institute and the National Palliative Care Research Center. He succeeds Albert L. Siu, MD, who was chair of the department for 15 years. “My No. 1 objective is to build on the success of my predecessors—Drs. Robert Butler, Christine Cassel, and Albert Siu. They created the first Department of Geriatrics, and then the first integrated Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine in the country, and built it into the nation’s leading academic program focused on the needs of older adults and those with serious illness.”

The Mount Sinai Hospital’s geriatrics program ranked third in the nation in the 2017–2018 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” Guide. And in February, the palliative care programs at The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Beth Israel earned recertification by The Joint Commission. “Mount Sinai was one of the first five hospitals to receive Advanced Certification in Palliative Care in 2011,” Dr. Morrison says. “Since that time, our teams, sites, and number of patients have multiplied considerably. Yet our services continue to offer an unwavering quality of care to seriously ill patients and their families.” He thanked the Mount Sinai Health System’s leadership for their support and thanked every team member for their dedication “to removing unnecessary suffering from the world.”

Dr. Morrison earned his MD at the University of Chicago Pritzker. He completed his residency at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center and his fellowship training in geriatric medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In 1995, he helped found Mount Sinai’s palliative care program which started with a team of four: Dr. Morrison, Jane Morris, MS, RN, ACHPN; Judith Ahronheim, MD; and another national leader in palliative care, Diane E. Meier, MD, who is a MacArthur Fellow and the Catherine Gaisman Professor of Medical Ethics, and Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Meier now serves as the Director of Mount Sinai’s Center to Advance Palliative Care, an organization that Dr. Morrison collaborates closely with in disseminating innovative models of palliative care education and practice throughout the United States.

At the time that palliative care started at Mount Sinai, it was a novel team-based specialty focused on providing specialized medical care to relieve the symptoms and stress caused by the serious illness for patients and their families. It is still appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness, and unlike hospice, it can be provided alongside curative and all other appropriate medical treatments. “As a result of the research, educational outreach, and clinical-care models developed at Mount Sinai, palliative care is now available in all major hospitals across the country making it one of the fastest growing specialties in American medicine,” Dr. Morrison says.

This is a crucial time for geriatrics and palliative care. “Those over age 80 are the fastest growing segment of the American population, and older adults living with serious and complex medical illness account for more than 60 percent of all health care spending,” Dr. Morrison says. “As baby boomers continue to age, all health care professionals will need to have the core knowledge and skills of geriatrics and palliative care in order to deliver high value health care.”

His goals for the Department are: to develop new models of high value clinical care to match the needs of an aging population; to create the science and evidence base that supports the care; and to train a work force that is well-prepared to care for older adults and those with serious illness. “This is the Department that created the fields of geriatrics and palliative care,” Dr. Morrison says. “My hope is that we become the Department that is responsible for completely infusing these specialties into the genome of American medicine.”

« Older Entries

Next Entries »