May 24, 2022 | Featured, Vaccines, Your Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended that children ages 5 through 11 receive a COVID-19 booster shot five months after completing the vaccine series.
In this Q&A, Kristin Oliver, MD, MHS, a pediatrician and preventive medicine physician at the Mount Sinai Health System, explains the benefits of the booster shot and urges parents to talk with their child’s health care provider if they have questions.
“We know information about COVID-19 and vaccination is constantly evolving,” says Dr. Oliver, who is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, and Environmental Medicine and Public Health, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Reach out to your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions. We are happy to talk with you.”
What are the benefits of getting a COVID-19 booster shot?
While two doses of COVID-19 vaccine continue to give good protection to children against severe disease and hospitalization from COVID-19, protection from infection decreases at around five months after completing the series. A booster dose may increase protection against infection, emergency department and urgent care visits, and severe disease.
What side effects can we expect?
Side effects after a booster dose are similar to side effects after the second dose, with pain at the injection site most common, followed by tiredness and headache.
Is there any data on how effective the booster shot is?
In the study of 5- to 11-year-olds, the booster dose increased levels of antibodies to COVID-19 to higher than they were after the first two doses. While there is not enough data from that study yet to see the effectiveness against infection in this age group, there is good data that a booster dose in older age groups provides increased protection against infection and severe disease. We expect to see this same increase in protection for children ages 5 to 11.
If my child had COVID-19, do they still need to get a booster?
A recent COVID-19 infection does provide some protection in the short term, but that protection also decreases over time. Depending on your child’s risk factors and potential exposures, for children with a recent COVID-19 infection you may want to consider waiting three months before getting a booster dose. Waiting this amount of time may result in a better antibody response. You can speak with your child’s doctor about this choice.
Is there anything else parents should know about the booster shot and staying safe from COVID-19?
The most important thing you can do is get the first two doses of the vaccine if you haven’t yet. Hospitalization with COVID-19 is twice as high for children who are unvaccinated compared to children who received two doses of the vaccine, even during the recent Omicron surge.
May 19, 2022 | Featured, Nursing, Stories of Excellence
Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association, visits with nurses and nursing leadership at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
Nurses Week was enthusiastically celebrated all across the Mount Sinai Health System this month. It kicked off on Friday, May 6, with a heartfelt message of thanks from Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Executive, Mount Sinai Health System, and from that moment on, the festivities were nonstop.
On Monday, May 9, nursing leadership hosted an event featuring special guest, Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the nation’s largest nursing organization. Dr. Grant spoke to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing, and touched on some of ANA’s key initiatives and advocacy efforts. Dr. Grant reminded the audience that nursing is the largest health profession and most trusted one, and underscored that it is nurses who spend the most time with patients. The event can be viewed here.
On Thursday, May 12, a webinar addressed the future of nursing, with specific focus on innovation and Mount Sinai Nursing’s pivotal role in health equity.
On-site events were numerous. From ice cream parties to red carpet dancing and award ceremonies, nurses were in the spotlight, being thanked for their commitment to safe and compassionate care, leadership, innovation, and teamwork. Event photos were posted on social media channels, websites, the Daily app, and digital sites. A celebratory video, “To the Nurses,” has been posted on the Health System’s social media channels, lobby monitors, and You Tube playlist.
Ernest J. Grant, PhD, delivered a keynote address.
Two of Mount Sinai’s nurses garnered national attention in a segment on Today, the NBC morning show. Inspired by the care she received from Karen Devries, RN, a nurse manager at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, as a teenage cancer patient, Sierra Flores, RN, decided to pursue a career in nursing. She joined that hospital this year but had not seen Karen because they work in different departments. Sierra and Karen were reunited on the show, after not being in touch for fifteen years.
Although most events took place during Nurses Week, the Health System also observed National Nurses Month through a partnership with iHeart Media. Shelli Sonstein, morning show host of iHeart Radio’s Q104.3 FM, interviewed some outstanding nurses from across the system to highlight how nurses are an integral part of the caregiving team. Their stories are featured on Mount Sinai’s Stories of Nursing Excellence web page, and the full interviews are posted on a dedicated iHeart Nursing Excellence site.
“At this moment, a nurse is at a bedside caring for a loved one. At a computer compiling research findings. At a community site bringing tests to those in need. In a classroom training tomorrow’s clinicians,” the site says. “With an intimate knowledge of each patient, unwavering dedication, and relentless devotion to the highest level of care, our nurses are an integral part of the caregiving team.”
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | COVID-19, Featured
More and more people in public spaces are no longer wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In one of the biggest shifts, airlines have dropped requirements for wearing masks on flights, though mandates to wear masks remain for New York subways, buses, and commuter trains.
The changing rules can be confusing if you are trying to do all you can to reduce your risk of infection. In this Q&A, Bernard Camins, MD, Medical Director for Infection Prevention at the Mount Sinai Health System, who has been tracking COVID-19 since the first cases were identified in New York in March 2020, offers some basic guidance. As always, the best protection is to get your vaccination and booster shots as recommended by health authorities.
If you have to travel by plane, how can you do so safely?
Now that masking is no longer required on all airline flights, it is important to remember that masking does protect you. It also depends on what type of face mask you wear. For example, a well-fitting mask is better than a loosely fitting cloth mask. If you needed more protection—because you’re immunocompromised, which means you have a reduced ability to fight infections, or you have relatives or loved ones who may be at increased risk for complications from a COVID-19 infection—you may want to take additional steps to reduce the chance of getting infected. The best way to do this is by wearing a more protective mask. Double masking with a medical or surgical mask on your face and then wearing a cloth mask on top is an easy way to accomplish that. So the mask fits your face better. Other better protective masks are KN95s and N95s. They work better because they fit snugly against your face.
Anything else?
You could sit by the window, which keeps you away from everyone walking down the aisle. And it keeps you away from most interactions with other people, which reduces your risk for exposure. You can also board the plane as late as possible, and try to leave the plane as soon as possible.
Do the air filter systems in planes help?
Airplanes are equipped with very effective air filtering systems. While you’re up in the air, the air is filtered by HEPA filters, and they are very effective at eliminating droplets that can transmit the virus that causes COVID-19. (HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air). But these filters are not functional while the plane is on the tarmac, during boarding, or takeoff. That’s why you may want to take extra precautions until you are in the air.
You are taking a trip yourself, what are you planning to do?
As a matter of fact, I am leaving on a trip to Europe. In order to prepare myself, and being over 50, I’ve taken a second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine because I did qualify for it. Just in case I need the extra protection in situations that I cannot control. We plan to dine outdoors as much as possible. If you are over 65, and certainly if you are immunocompromised, you should get the second booster once you’re eligible. That increases your chances of being able to avoid getting severe disease or being hospitalized from getting COVID-19 infection. I also plan on wearing more protective masks like an N95 and keeping it on even though they’re no longer mandatory while I’m on the plane.
If others around me are not wearing masks, does it still help if I wear a mask?
Yes. Wearing a mask, especially one that fits tightly on your face, can protect you if others are not wearing their mask. For example, health care workers rely on masks when they are taking care of patients. Most of the times, even COVID-19 patients are not wearing masks. Health care workers use N95 masks to protect themselves. So, if you are able to get an N95 or a KN95 masks that fits your face well, that will then be more protective for you. If you can’t get those masks, then studies have shown that putting on a medical or surgical mask, which are more loosely fitting, with a cloth mask on top is almost as good as wearing a tighter fitting mask.
When does it make sense to get a PCR test rather than a rapid test?
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you should get a PCR test if you have easy access to one. Antigen tests, more commonly referred to as rapid tests, are also helpful because they’re much more available to the public. But they are not as accurate. One of the ways you could use the antigen test is after your trip if you can’t easily access a PCR test. Test yourself two to four days after your trip, or sooner if you develop symptoms.
What about traveling by car or subway?
If you are taking a taxi or a ride sharing service like Uber, you can politely ask your driver to wear a mask if they are not doing so. And roll down your window for better ventilation. On a bus or subway, where it may be crowded, a well-fitting mask will provide additional protection.
Any final thoughts?
Keep in mind that you should evaluate your own risks when you travel. For example, eating outdoors may be safer than eating indoors, especially if you are immunocompromised. This includes those who have a weakened immune system, such as those receiving treatment for cancer, or if you’re at high risk for complications, such as those who are older than 65 years or those with chronic medical conditions. Parents of unvaccinated children may prefer to be more careful to avoid being infected. It’s also good for everybody to check themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 daily and get tested if you develop symptoms. That way, you can isolate appropriately if you test positive. Finally, you should be up to date on your vaccination. If you’re unvaccinated, please get vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated you should get a booster shot when eligible. And if you are over 50 and potentially at risk for complications because of other illnesses, you should consider getting the second booster if you’re eligible.
Updated on Jul 7, 2022 | Community, Diversity and Inclusion, Featured
Richard “Woody” Wood enjoys wakeboarding, traveling, and other activities.
Among the top myths about people with spinal cord injuries are that they are to be pitied, that they always need help, and that they can’t lead independent and fulfilling lives. All of these were gently dispelled in a virtual talk led by Angela Riccobono, PhD, Director of Rehabilitation Neuropsychology; Richard “Woody” Wood, Outreach Program Coordinator in the Mount Sinai Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation program; and Yesenia Torres, Accessibility Outreach Coordinator of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission.
The talk, hosted by the Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) at Mount Sinai, was titled “Debunking Common Myths about Spinal Cord Injuries” and may be viewed here. It was part of the second annual Raising Disability Awareness Virtual Talk Series, launched by ODI for Disability Awareness Month to raise awareness and promote an inclusive and equitable workplace and health care environment for people with disabilities.
Yesenia Torres
Ms. Torres, who conducts training in disability awareness and etiquette, had two important tips: If you wonder if a person with disabilities needs help “Just ask first,” she said. “Do you need some help, and how can I help you? Those are the major questions.” And when referring to some with a disability, mention the person first, then the disability if it is relevant.
“We are us. We’re out there. We’re individuals. We do everything, maybe with a different form of doing it,” Ms. Torres said. “But our disability does not define us.”
Dr. Riccobono said while furthering diversity and inclusion, it was important to be both informed and socially aware of the issues that people with disabilities face. For example, those with spinal cord injuries often need more room to maneuver. With so many buildings having tiny bathrooms, narrow doorways, and stairs instead of elevators, life can be much more difficult for people with disabilities. In a health care facility, exam tables, mammogram machines, and even clothing racks may not be reachable for those with spinal cord injuries.
Ms. Torres and Mr. Wood recounted some of their own life experiences to dispel some common myths and point out the tremendous diversity within the community of people with disabilities.
Richard “Woody” Wood
One myth that people with spinal cord injuries face is that they are sad, depressed, or ill. “I’ve actually known someone who told me that they were sitting on the street and somebody just came and put money in their lap,” Dr. Riccobono said. Mr. Wood added that while he was waiting for a ride, a woman randomly gave him a dollar, even though he was talking on a brand new iPhone.
There is the mistaken belief that people who use wheelchairs cannot have fulfilling sex lives. “That’s the furthest from the truth,” Mr. Wood said. Ms. Torres added that her sex life is even better now. “Intimacy with your partner becomes very important and very powerful,” she said.
Angela Riccobono, PhD
The myth that people in wheelchairs can’t travel is also pervasive. “I travel a lot. And I’m actually organizing a trip to San Diego with my siblings, because I need a break. I’ve been doing too much,” Ms. Torres said, and described services that help with air travel. “Everything is out there for us. We go to the counter, and we say that we’re in a wheelchair. If we want, we can take our own wheelchair, or they could put us on a service wheelchair that’s very narrow and fits in the aisle of the plane. So, whoever wants to go out and travel, there are no ‘buts,’ because there’s help out there.”
Dr. Riccobono shared some recommendations, such as taking action by changing one’s beliefs and assumptions about people with spinal cord injuries, changing one’s behavior to include hiring people with disabilities to enhance inclusion in the workplace, and advocating for those who need it the most. “Listening to the needs of the community and working together to create positive change is an excellent way for experiences to get better,” she said.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Diversity and Inclusion, Featured
At the beginning of 2022 when the Mount Sinai Health System was experiencing a surge in COVID-19 patients, which included many members of its own staff, 60 students at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai stepped up to lighten the load of non-medical staff as part of a Student WorkForce.
It was the fourth time since the outbreak of COVID-19 that the Student WorkForce at Icahn Mount Sinai sprang into action to help alleviate staffing shortages. In the latest effort, they were part of a team of more than 200 medical, master’s, and PhD students who took on vital roles while many employees were out sick—staffing the waiting rooms and employee call center, coordinating employee testing, and even delivering food to patients.
The Student WorkForce was created in March 2020 as New York City hospitals became the national epicenter of the newly declared pandemic. Since then, tasks have been reshaped to meet new needs, and unlike in previous waves, the students received an hourly wage for their work.
“I was grateful for the opportunity to help,” says Yesha Dave, a second-year graduate student doing research in neuroscience. “I could somewhat understand the burden on health care systems after seeing it through the experiences of my sister and parents, who are all physicians.”
Ms. Dave worked in the Employee Health Services office at The Mount Sinai Hospital instructing staff on how to collect saliva samples for their own PCR tests and registering them for tests. She worked one or two shifts per week from early January through the end of February, seeing as many as 100 individuals per week. During a previous effort for the Student WorkForce in 2021, she had assisted elderly New Yorkers get their COVID vaccines, helping them navigate the lines and fill out the requisite forms. “I understood their occasional frustration and tried to make the experience as easy as possible for them,” she says.
Ms. Dave says she was attracted to Mount Sinai’s rich research opportunities, especially those related to COVID-19 and neuroscience when she enrolled in the graduate program. She expects to receive a Master of Science in Biomedical Science in June before starting medical school in July. “It’s awesome to be part of the Health System at such a historic time,” she says.
Oluwafunmilayo (Funmi) Oguns is pursuing her Master of Public Health (MPH) in global health, with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics. After graduation, her plan is to attend law school to focus on public health policy as it relates to social determinants of health. “When I received the email sent to medical school and graduate students asking for help to relieve staffing shortages brought on by skyrocketing COVID-19 cases after the holidays, I just knew I had to help,” Ms. Oguns says.
She and an MPH classmate, Spundan Davé, set up shop at Jane B. Aron Residence Hall and helped test hundreds of students who were returning to school following their holiday break, observing them self-swab, and offering whatever assistance was necessary to complete their testing. They spent 16 hours on this task the first week, while also taking classes. When Ms. Oguns herself tested positive for COVID-19 during the Omicron wave, she continued to work shifts after leaving isolation. In addition to this special project and her classes, Ms. Oguns is the editor of The Scoop, a Graduate School student newspaper.
Ms. Oguns lived nearly seven years in Nigeria, where she saw first-hand how lack of medical care impacts people’s lives. “All my grandparents in Nigeria passed away before the age of 65 due to limited access to health care and education,” she says. “That’s what motivated me to pursue a career in public health.”
Pamela del Valle is a fourth-year PhD student in neuroscience, where she is studying the sympathetic nervous system to shed light on the comorbidity of Parkinson’s disease and melanoma. She has been involved in a wide range of diverse organizations, both on campus and off, including the Student Council, where she focused on mental health and wellness for students; Students for Civic Engagement; and the Scientific Workers Collective, an organization dedicated to politically engaging the scientific community. She is also looking for ways to integrate her study of the brain with her passion for the arts.
So when the call went out for students to help deliver food trays to hospital patients during the Omicron surge, she says the assignment appealed to her and she found the experience moving. “I think it’s important for students to be exposed to all facets of the hospital, and I got to see a side of the hospital I don’t normally see,” she says. “It was eye opening to experience the camaraderie and the energy of the kitchen staff, to hear their music, and to see how lively it was while everyone was trying to work together to get their jobs done.”
Brian Soong, an MD/PhD student studying cancer immunology, had a different kind of inspirational experience. He served as an Emergency Department technician, filling in for the professionals who were among the hardest hit during the pandemic. Mr. Soong helped to check in patients, took their vitals, shadowed nurses conducting triage, and did whatever he was called upon to do.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help our nation in crisis,” he says. “It was remarkable to hear the stories told by staff and patients and to understand how things have changed in the hospital since the first COVID-19 wave. I love doing research, but the patient interaction was entirely new to me, especially since our clinical experiences have been limited due to COVID-19. It was really fulfilling.”
Dina Doustmohammadi is pursuing her Master of Health Administration remotely from her home in southern California, so while she was eager to join the WorkForce, she was limited in how she could help. After a short stint clearing recovered COVID staff to return to work, she settled in as part of a two-person team scheduling asymptomatic testing at all Mount Sinai hospitals.
Working with a senior operations manager, she also coordinated the schedules of Student WorkForce participants and employees ensuring there was sufficient coverage where needed. “I liked the dynamic, fast-paced work environment that was always changing as testing demand and positivity rates ebbed and flowed and coverage needs constantly shifted,” Ms. Doustmohammadi says. She was also involved in verifying vaccine status for employees, ensuring all were compliant. All told, she logged close to 200 hours over six weeks.
Ms. Doustmohammadi is in a two-year program but is being fast tracked to complete her studies in one year so she can begin medical school this summer.
“I feel lucky that I was able to help,” she says. “This experience has taught me that the administrative staff have been the unsung heroes of the pandemic. Just as importantly, I really appreciate how helpful the entire Student WorkForce was and how they managed the demands put on the system. Had it not been for the students, it’s hard to see how the system would have been able to absorb the losses created by the staffing shortage. It was very inspiring to see everyone working together toward a common goal.”
