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Seasonal Allergies in Kids and How to Manage Them

Updated on Apr 11, 2024 | Featured, Your Health

Most everyone enjoys the warmer days of spring and the budding flowers and trees all around. But this also means that the pollen count is high and allergy season is back too. For parents, it’s always nice to send the kids outside to play. But when kids experience allergies, it can be frustrating. The sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and nasal congestion can seem endless.

Scott Sicherer, MD

Managing spring allergies doesn’t need to be so difficult, and if you understand what triggers your child’s allergies, you can help them feel better. The key is to try to limit your child’s exposure to pollen from trees, flowers, grasses, weeds, and mold.

Here are the top ten ways to help give you child—and you—relief from seasonal allergies from a a leading pediatric allergist, Scott Sicherer, MD, Director of the Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute and Chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology in the Department of Pediatrics.

Plan ahead and follow the weather and pollen counts. When the counts are elevated or when it is windy, plan for indoor activities and go outdoors when the counts go down and wind lessens. If traveling, look at the pollen count in that area and plan accordingly.
Keep the windows closed at home and in the car and use the air conditioner instead. Make sure to clean the filters often to keep the pollen away.
After being outdoors, change clothes and rinse off, and shower to wash away the pollen that may be on your child’s body.
Pets can bring pollen inside the home, so wipe them down with a damp cloth and bathe them regularly.
Wash your child’s hands after playing outdoors so pollen particles don’t go on the face or in the eyes. If your child plays outdoors, have them avoid wet moist areas where mold can grow and tall areas of grass. Keep your child indoors when the grass is mowed.
Use nasal rinses to eliminate the irritants.
Drink lots of fluids and stay well hydrated.
Wear a hat and sunglasses to avoid pollen going in the eyes when outdoors.
You can try to lessen your child’s symptoms by giving them over-the-counter medications like antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, and eye drops.
Notify your child’s school about their allergies and symptoms and be sure an allergy treatment plan is in place.

If you have questions or if you are concerned that your child may have allergies, contact your child’s pediatrician and/or a pediatric allergy specialist.

Learn more abut Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Mount Sinai

Learn more about Pediatrics at Mount Sinai

Dear Mount Sinai: Thank You

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

Read all of the notes to Mount Sinai doctors and staff. The annual observance is March 30.

I Am Thinking About Freezing My Eggs. How Does It Work?

Apr 9, 2024 | Featured, Women's Health, Your Health

Egg freezing is popular among women looking for options and balancing family planning with other important responsibilities. Thanks to significant scientific advancements in the laboratory, success rates are higher than ever.

In this Q&A, Alan Copperman, MD, Director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Vice Chair of the Raquel and Jaime Gilinski Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science at the Mount Sinai Health System, explains the process of egg freezing and its benefits. Dr. Copperman is also Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of RMA of New York.

“Fertility preservation has the potential not only to safeguard fertility, but also to empower women to choose parenthood on their terms, at their own pace, aligning with personal and professional aspirations,” says Dr. Copperman. “It enables informed decisions about future family planning.”

Why should I freeze my eggs?

Egg freezing halts the biological clock, which is crucial for women whose age may mean they are facing possible declines in egg quality and quantity. Preserving eggs at a younger age enhances the chances of future conception and reduces risks of chromosomal abnormalities in offspring. It safeguards a woman’s fertility timeline while optimizing her prospects of having biological children later in life.

When should I freeze eggs?

Freezing eggs at a younger age is advisable, ensuring eggs are preserved at their peak quality and minimizing age-related reproductive challenges.

How does the process work?

Over a two-week period, the ovaries are stimulated to release multiple mature eggs for retrieval. Patients self-administer fertility medications, attend monitoring appointments, and then undergo a brief egg retrieval procedure under light sedation. Eggs are frozen and securely stored for future use.

How many eggs are frozen?

The number of eggs to freeze varies based on a woman’s age and family-building goals. Some may require multiple rounds of egg freezing to collect an adequate number of eggs.

What happens next?

When you are ready to conceive, your frozen eggs are thawed and fertilized with sperm, leading to embryo transfer into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

Contact RMA of New York at 212-756-5777 or email info@rmany.com to schedule a consultation.

Learn more about Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Services at Mount Sinai

Student Sooyun Caroline Tavolacci, MD, MSCR, Shares How Mount Sinai Inspired Her to Study Thoracic Oncology and Enhanced Her Career in Medicine

Apr 9, 2024 | Featured, School

Sooyun Caroline Tavolacci, MD, MSCR

Sooyun Caroline Tavolacci, MD, MSCR, is a first-year student in the PhD in Clinical Research Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. As a graduate of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program, she reflects on her experiences and achievements, and discusses why she chose Mount Sinai for her PhD education.

What brought you to Icahn Mount Sinai as a master’s student?

Five months after arriving in the U.S. following my graduation from medical school in South Korea, I began searching for a master’s program. While I had gained experience in basic science research throughout my medical education, I lacked exposure to translational and clinical research. I sought a program that would bridge the gap between scientific research and clinical practice. Mount Sinai’s Graduate School seemed ideal for gaining insight into both realms and stood out for its distinguished physicians and scientists.

What were some of your achievements as a master’s student?

Nearly every course I undertook was an eye-opening experience. I was able to directly apply the research methodology and statistics I learned in class to real-world projects. Engaging in discussions with colleagues from diverse backgrounds provided invaluable insights into different aspects of the U.S. health system.

I joined the lab of Fred Hirsh, MD, PhD, at the Center for Thoracic Oncology at the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Institute and gained translational science experience while working on a National Institutes of Health-funded COVID-19 study in patients with lung cancer. I interacted with patients daily, observed clinic encounters, and gained more than just research experience under the guidance of Jorge Gomez, MD, and Nicholas Rohs, MD. In the lab, while working alongside two postdoctoral fellows, translational scientist Philip Mack, PhD, virologists, immunologists, pathologists, and statisticians, and simultaneously utilizing cutting-edge techniques to analyze serological responses, I gained invaluable experience in basic science research and statistical analysis. In my second year, I also explored the efficacy of treatment in lung cancer patients with Dr. Hirsch and Rajwanth Veluswamy, MD, MSCR, who is also a graduate of my master’s program. I participated in two studies: one evaluating the difference in the efficacy of immune treatment between sexes in lung cancer patients, and another investigating radiation pneumonitis among locally advanced lung cancer patients who received chemoradiation. I presented three abstracts as a first author at national and local conferences and published two articles under my mentors’ guidance.

Beyond my education and thesis project, I had the privilege of meeting several cardiothoracic surgeons and collaborating on research with them. I engaged in student activities and worked together with graduate and medical students on various projects. The Mount Sinai community is diverse and extensive, and I am grateful to have met such outstanding mentors and colleagues who will undoubtedly remain assets even after I graduate from the program.

What attracted you to this area of study?

Throughout my pre-medicine education, I had an exceptional professor, Ho-Yeon Song, MD, PhD, at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Soon Chun Hyang University, who sparked my interest in immunology. During my medical education, this interest further developed, particularly in transplantation medicine. At the time of my graduation from medical school, I was considering general surgery or cardiothoracic surgery for my specialty. I was drawn to thoracic oncology due to my longstanding interest in immunology and cardiothoracic surgery.

Why continue your education with a PhD in Clinical Research?

The two years of training in the master’s program were intense and filled with invaluable experiences. While I felt close to achieving my goal of becoming an independent physician-scientist, I recognized the need for more practice and experience. By the end of my master’s program, my mentors provided me with opportunities to continuously work on their projects. I also refined my interest in health outcomes research and wanted to pursue advanced statistical courses that would be highly beneficial for analyzing large health care data in comparative effectiveness studies. I felt like once I started my graduate medical training, I might not have dedicated time for research unless I had continuous mentorship and my own projects.

I appreciated the flexibility of my master’s program, which allowed students to gain real-world experience and tailor their education. Therefore, I was determined to continue my education in the same program, even if it meant self-funding. With the experience I gained at the Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Institute, I was offered a promising position. However, just over six months into my new role, I faced the decision of whether to continue both work and pursue a second doctoral education.

Thanks to Mark Hurwitz, MD, Department Chair/Director of Radiation Medicine at New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center, who supported my decision to pursue a PhD while maintaining my work duties and readily agreed to be my mentor, I am balancing both work and education. Recently, I applied for a grant to initiate my outcome research project under his guidance before entering the dissertation phase. Having mentors at Mount Sinai and in the field of medicine through the PhD program has been a great source of support as I navigate my career.

What are your plans after you complete your PhD?

After completing my second year in the PhD program and transitioning into the dissertation phase, I intend to apply for graduate medical education in surgery or cardiothoracic surgery. While pursuing training in my desired field, I aim to concurrently work on my dissertation project. My ultimate goal is to become a surgeon-scientist.

Learn more about the PhD in Clinical Research Program

Advancing Heath Equity With Data: Collaborating With Stakeholders at Mount Sinai Queens

Apr 5, 2024 | Diversity and Inclusion, Featured, Research

Jill Goldstein, MA, MS, RN

At Mount Sinai, a key pillar in advancing health equity focuses on the collection and use of self-reported patient demographic data to identify gaps in care. The Health Equity Data Assessment (HEDA) team is engaging key stakeholders across the Health System and collaborating to address variances.

A highlight of these efforts is the Mount Sinai Queens Nurses Against Racism (NAR) system council, which endeavored to evaluate incidences of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) using an equity lens.

A pressure injury is a localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue, resulting from compression between a bony prominence and an external surface for a prolonged time. Monitoring HAPI specifically focuses on the occurrence of these injuries during an inpatient hospital stay.

According to Jill Goldstein, MA, MS, RN, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President of Nursing at Mount Sinai Queens, and NAR sponsor, their collaboration with HEDA began in January 2023, combining subject matter expertise and data modeling to evaluate differences in HAPI rates across patient populations. She noted that the interdisciplinary team explored the impact of race, gender, age, language, payor, length of stay, clinical service, and other factors on the incidences of hospital-acquired pressure injuries.

Further, the data showed that in terms of race, there were no meaningful differences observed between white, Black, or Hispanic patients in any model.

Notably, the most actionable finding was the elevated risk for patients who prefer to speak a language other than English or Spanish. In these patients, 40 percent were more likely to have documented HAPI when compared to English-speaking patients.

With the data the HEDA team helped to collect and interpret, the system-wide nursing team will seek interventions to eliminate this disparity. This interdisciplinary approach serves as a model to incorporate an equity lens into other quality work, according to Ms. Goldstein.

Access the Health Equity Data Assessment (HEDA) Portal

Mount Sinai Queens-Crescent Street Officially Opens, Signifying a New Era of Care in Queens

Updated on Apr 5, 2024 | Community, Featured

From left: Anna Kril,Eartha Washington, Rabbi Jonathan Pearl, Tiffany Echevarria, Jill Goldstein, Ken Long (behind), Donovan Richards, Cameron R. Hernandez, MD, Michael Gianaris, Lynn Schulman, Florence Koulouris, Amrita Gupte, David L. Reich, MD, Ricardo Bonitto, and Nancy Papaioannou

The opening of Mount Sinai Queens-Crescent Street, a new multispecialty care outpatient practice in Queens, underscores Mount Sinai’s commitment to improving health and its commitment to the community.

“Mount Sinai Queens-Crescent Street marks a transformative milestone in the delivery of care in Astoria and beyond,” says David Reich, MD, President of The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens. “We are focused on enhancing the patient experience at Mount Sinai, and are committed to opening new facilities and increasing the range of advanced health care services we provide; and that is what we have done in our neighborhood.”

On Thursday, March 7, Mount Sinai Queens hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new outpatient practice.

Designed to enhance multispecialty care in a convenient state-of-the-art facility, Mount Sinai Queens-Crescent Street offers the latest diagnostic and treatment options and specialized care.

Services include heart care from the world-renowned Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital on the Second Floor and centers for hematology/oncology, gastroenterology, endocrinology/diabetes care, rheumatology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology) on the Third Floor.

The new practice features new accommodations, including spacious exam rooms, comfortable waiting areas, bathrooms, and beautiful modern fixtures in an accessible, easy-to-navigate building. In addition, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department has a large gym that features new equipment, more privacy, and a bigger area, making it more accessible to patients.

“Our goal is to make this facility the destination for care in Queens,” says Cameron R. Hernandez, MD, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mount Sinai Queens. “Mount Sinai Queens-Crescent Street will play a pivotal role not only in ensuring that community members—our neighbors—receive the care they deserve but also in creating an immersive and comprehensive health care experience for patients and clinical experts.”

Within the next year, a Mount Sinai retail pharmacy and Mount Sinai Express Care—an urgent care clinic associated with the hospital’s emergency room—will also open on the First Floor of the building.

Mount Sinai Queens is committed to providing the community of western Queens and beyond with the best outpatient, emergency, and inpatient medical care. Patients have access to a highly trained team of nearly 500 physicians representing almost 40 medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. The team of physicians, nurses, and support staff uphold the Mount Sinai tradition of excellence by providing high-quality, patient-centered care, delivered with compassion.

Attending the groundbreaking were the Mount Sinai Queens leadership team that includes Amrita Gupte, MD, MPH, MBA, Jill Goldstein, MA, MS, RN, Ellina Babar, Ricardo Bonitto, MBA, and Zachary Kee. They were joined by Dr. Reich; Donovan Richards Jr, Queens Borough President; Michael Gianaris, State Senator; Lynn Schulman, Council Member; and Tiffany Echevarria, Community Liaison for Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez.