Imagining the Future of Medicine at the White Coat Ceremony

Updated on Oct 3, 2024 | Community, Featured

Medical practice and research are not only about healing patients, but also about changing the future of the field. That was the message from Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, to the class of 2028 at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, September 19. The students were gathered for the White Coat Ceremony, which marks the start of their medical education.

Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reflects on how the medical field has changed since his own time at his White Coat Ceremony.

“Fifty-one years ago, I was sitting in your position—a first-year medical student,” said Dr. Charney. “It was 1973. On the radio was John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’—his iconic song about peace and harmony and a better future for the world.” He recalled how his peers were determined to help patients despite not having medical tools considered essential today—MRI scans or statins for controlling cholesterol did not exist back then. “I want you to imagine what medicine could be over the next 50 years when you’ll be in my position, looking back,” said Dr. Charney, who is also President for Academic Affairs of the Mount Sinai Health System. With the field exploring frontiers in artificial intelligence, genomic sequencing, and digital medicine, options for rethinking how medicine is done are boundless.
“Class of 2028, what you are imagining is what you can make possible,” said Dr. Charney.

In his remarks, Brendan G. Carr, MD, MA, MS, Chief Executive Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System, emphasized the human side of medical training and the transformation occurring in health care delivery. Pivoting from the certainty of hard sciences to the more nuanced practice of medicine will be challenging, he noted.

“The path ahead will be exciting but uncertain, and my advice to you is to embrace the uncertainty. The job isn’t always about being right, it is often about being kind,” said Dr. Carr, adding that the students will learn things that simply cannot be taught by anything but experience. “This next chapter of your education will be harder than any you’ve had before—but also more beautiful and meaningful,” he said. “Health care is evolving. And you’re at the center of a generational shift in the practice of medicine. You are going to solve the unsolvable questions. And we are here to guide and support you.”

The incoming class comprises a spectrum of talented and ideals-driven individuals. Read about what drove them to pursue medicine at Icahn Mount Sinai.

Class of 2028, By the Numbers

120

Class size

7,138

Number of traditional entry applications

48%

Percentage of women

21%

Percentage of students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine

518

Median MCAT score of class

3.92

Median GPA of class

Charu Jain

What drew you to Icahn Mount Sinai?

I chose Icahn Mount Sinai because it allows me to not only learn as a student and future physician, but also to grow from a humanities-based perspective, with its emphasis on patient interaction in its curriculum. That’s especially so as the curriculum shifts toward longer clinical time versus preclinical over the course of four years. I also appreciate that Mount Sinai allows me to learn in a diverse environment.

What drew you to medicine?

I was drawn to medicine because of its intersection between art, science, and compassion. Medicine is a field that combines intricacies of anatomy—which in itself is an art—with the aspect of lifelong learning that comes with science never fully being understood, and the compassion that comes with helping patients.

What are you looking forward to at medical school?

I am looking forward to meeting new people, learning from experienced professionals in the field, and being exposed to innovative research! I hope to enter more bioengineering-based research, maybe in orthopedics.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

A fun fact is that I love woodworking. I’m drawn to the tactility of woodworking, and how something so strong and organic can be manipulated into works of art. I’m proud of some wood light fixtures that I’ve made.

Kristen Lewis

What drew you to Icahn Mount Sinai?

I chose to come to Mount Sinai because of the emphasis on patient-centered medicine, clinically meaningful research, and sustained commitment to serving a diverse patient population. Mount Sinai is uniquely positioned on the border of the Upper East Side and East Harlem, and thus serves a wide range of patient populations. After living, learning, and working in Manhattan since I began college at Columbia University in 2018, I have come to understand the strengths and weaknesses of health care in New York City, and the need for culturally sensitive and community-guided medicine. Training at an institution that understands the need for culturally sensitive and equitable health care will allow me to best serve my future patients.

What drew you to medicine?

I decided to pursue medicine in the interest of combining cooperativity, lifelong learning, health advocacy, and scientific discovery in my career path. In my eyes, being curious is an unspoken requirement for being in the medical field. This emphasis on asking questions and working alongside others to solve problems is what inspires me about medicine, and I look forward to engaging with this structure to enact change in both clinical medicine and access to health care resources, the latter being a right we must fiercely protect. As an MD-PhD candidate, I feel strongly that science and medicine are intertwined. There is an extraordinary power in connecting these spheres to improve patient care and drive forward clinically relevant research, which I hope to embrace as a future physician-scientist. Lastly, I credit my draw to medicine to my mother, who showed me that being a physician is far more than solving clinical problems, but rather an integration of expertise with empathic communication, trust, and humanism.

What are you looking forward to at medical school?

I am looking forward to exploring different specialties and remaining open to any and all opportunities that come my way. Since beginning this journey in July, it has been eye-opening to learn about the wide breadth of medical specialties and their respective applications in policy, health equity, research, and innovation. I hope to continue to surprise myself and fearlessly accept the challenges that come my way.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

Prior to medical school, I was a member of Team USA’s synchronized figure skating team from 2016 to 2020. This provided me with the opportunity to travel the world with my teammates and devote myself to the sport that I loved. After retiring in 2020, I began coaching skating with the organization Figure Skating in Harlem and have enjoyed passing on my love for skating to my students as I transition from competitor to instructor.

Kevin Nguyen

What drew you to Icahn Mount Sinai?

To me, it really came down to the incredible faculty, mentors, physicians, and community at Mount Sinai. I wanted a place where I wasn’t afraid to reach out with “dumb” questions and I felt that at Mount Sinai I could surround myself with people who not only excel in their fields, but are also approachable and willing to invest in my personal and professional development. And, of course, I feel incredibly lucky to attend a medical school in New York City where I can experience the amazing cultures, music, activities, and food.

What drew you to medicine?

There were many reasons why I wanted to pursue medicine, but I remember a moment I had with a tutee that shifted my perspective when it came to medicine. I had been working with a boy from Myanmar for a few months, and one day, he opened up to me about his experiences in a refugee camp, describing how he had lost many family members due to a lack of access to basic medical care. He also told me that if I were a doctor, he’d want me to treat him. That kind of innocence and hope took me aback. In that moment, I realized that medicine is not just about having a bunch of knowledge or technical skills, but also encompasses trust, compassion, and dedication that I hope to provide to the patients I care for.

What are you looking forward to at medical school?

Although it’s a bit cliché, I am really looking forward to learning—whether that be lectures, stories from my peers, the different floors of the hospital, or even the best cafeteria food. I know the accumulation of these experiences will help me be more present in my day-to-day life while shaping the type of person I aspire to be.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I was born on Christmas, which the internet told me is the rarest birthday, besides February 29.

Emmanuel Oshodi

What drew you to Icahn Mount Sinai?

Icahn Mount Sinai was an easy pick for me because it’s right in the heart of New York City, surrounded by a diverse community that mirrors my background. Plus, I love that they encourage students to be involved in research, advocacy, and health care innovation. I want to be in a place that not only teaches me how to be a great doctor but also pushes me to think outside the box.

What drew you to medicine?

Well, it wasn’t just about the cool white coat! I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and how it works, but my interest really sparked when I lost a friend to sickle cell disease. I realized then that I wanted to be someone who could make a difference in people’s lives, especially in communities that look like mine. Medicine felt like the perfect blend of science, empathy, and a good dose of humanity.

What are you looking forward to at medical school?

I can’t wait to get into the clinical settings and apply everything I’ve been learning. Also, I’m excited about the chance to join cool research projects and make some lifelong friends who also have a passion for medicine.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under a minute! It started as a random challenge, but now it’s my favorite way to impress people and keep my brain sharp.

Laurel Wong

What drew you to Icahn Mount Sinai?

I chose Icahn Mount Sinai for its prime location in New York City, and because its welcoming and supportive environment cultivates a strong sense of community among students. Being in the heart of such a diverse and dynamic city provides unparalleled opportunities to engage with a wide variety of patient populations, deepening my understanding of the health care disparities faced by different communities and patient demographics. Additionally, the access to numerous hospitals, renowned research institutions, and a vibrant medical community makes Mount Sinai the ideal place for my growth as a clinician and future leader in medicine.

What drew you to medicine?

My motivation to become a physician stems from my belief that medicine offers us an opportunity to forge meaningful connections with patients while providing care with respect and humility. Over the next four years, I am excited to grow alongside our class, both as a person and provider, as we work together to advance patient-centered care and improve the human condition.

What are you looking forward to at medical school?

I am looking forward to learning from both my peers and patients, gaining diverse perspectives that will help me grow into a compassionate, well-rounded physician. Classes like anatomy have been fascinating because they offer a tangible connection between textbook knowledge and the human body, revealing the intricate design and functionality of structures that let us do incredible things.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I grew up playing the harp!

Read more about White Coat Ceremony 2024

Passing the Torch After Decades of Transforming an Adolescent Health Center

Updated on Sep 27, 2024 | Featured

There are very few people who can claim to know the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center better than Angela Diaz, MD, PhD, MPH, its Director. After all, she has not only been the Center’s longest-serving leader, but also a patient.

“I’ve been working at the Center since 1984. And it has been a job of love,” says Dr. Diaz. “I often say, ‘Who has been in the same job for 40 years and loving every minute of it?’”

The Adolescent Health Center, located on East 94th Street in Manhattan, was established in 1968 as a primary care program specifically for the health needs of teenagers. It now offers medical, sexual and reproductive health, behavioral and mental health, dental, optical, and legal services for people aged 10 to 26, and serves more than 12,000 patients annually.

Dr. Diaz became the Center’s third Director in 1989, and after decades of hard work, the blueprint for adolescent care she and her team developed has become a model of excellence nationwide. Now, she is ready to pass on the torch to the next generation.

From left to right, Christine Soghomonian, MA; Felice Axelrod; Angela Diaz, MD, PhD, MPH; Dennis Charney, MD; and Adam Jacobs, MD, at the Breakfast of Champions event celebrating the Adolescent Health Center

“I love my many years of working here, but I really feel good that this is the right moment to give the opportunity to a new leader to come, and new ideas and freshness for the Center,” says Dr. Diaz.

“She’s a legendary figure, both at Mount Sinai and throughout the nation, as somebody who’s committed to providing outstanding care to those who are underserved,” says Dennis Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and President for Academic Affairs of the Mount Sinai Health System. “When you look back upon her leadership in running the Adolescent Health Center for as long as she did, she has changed the trajectory of thousands of adolescents who have become successful individuals,” he adds.

Bringing the Center to New Heights

Dr. Diaz has attracted great talent to build the Adolescent Health Center into an autonomous, full-service resource for young people. But particularly under her leadership, says Dr. Charney, she has ingrained an ethos of providing care for the underserved and underprivileged—for example, services are free of charge for all youth.

As a leader, Dr. Diaz has been a master in attracting philanthropy and federal funding to support the Center, and she has hosted an annual gala that’s well-attended every year, notes Dr. Charney. She also sits on several national advisory committees, and state health agencies have consulted with her on public health.

Despite Dr. Diaz’s successes, she remains incredibly humble, says Dr. Charney. “Her ambition is characterized by an intense need to help others. She cares deeply about others, and she’s willing to do almost anything to help others.”

The Mount Sinai Health System has named Sarah Wood, MD, MS, as Dr. Diaz’s successor to the titles of Director of the Center, as well as Chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics.

A Lifelong Experience With the Center

Dr. Diaz’s deep bond with the Adolescent Health Center stems from having been a patient, worked as a trainee, and been a parent whose children all used its services.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Diaz grappled with poverty and with her immigration status when she moved to New York City.

“We didn’t have health insurance, so I never went for preventive care or checkups, didn’t get vaccines, none of that,” Dr. Diaz says. “I remember that when I got migraines as a teenager, I used to go to a hospital, to the emergency room. That was my health care.”

It was only in high school that she learned about the Center through Mount Sinai’s health careers program, and it was then that she received care in a primary care setting for the first time, in 11th grade. But the Center didn’t just provide Dr. Diaz health care; it turned her life around.

In 12th grade, Dr. Diaz became depressed and dropped out of school. “No one realized that I was depressed. So I just came to the Center saying, ‘Help me,’ and asking ‘What is wrong with me?’”

Not only did the Center provide Dr. Diaz the diagnosis and treatment for her condition, her therapist and other staff encouraged her to return to school. The health career program helped reaffirm her childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

“So that’s what we do here—we see these kids for who they are, we see their strength,” says Dr. Diaz. “Nobody else may see it, but we see their intelligence, we see their creativity, we see how hard-working they are, and we take their hands and we go to the next stage with them, and we connect them to the school if they need that, we connect them to lawyers.”

When Dr. Diaz obtained her medical degree, she did her pediatric residency training at Mount Sinai and her adolescent medicine fellowship training at the Center. Leslie Jaffe, MD, who was Director of the Center then, suggested she do a fellowship in adolescent medicine there. But she was unsure whether that was possible—to pay for medical school, she had joined the National Health Service Corps and there was an understanding she would work wherever they sent her after her residency.

And so Dr. Jaffe worked with the federal government to make the Center a site for the program. “Once I was working here, I just fell in love with the kids, and the staff,” says Dr. Diaz. “It was such a special place, like a family where you belong. I’ve always had a sense of belonging here, and I never left.”

What’s Next for Dr. Diaz?

In addition to being an administrator and a clinician, Dr. Diaz also has a research program. It received a five-year renewal earlier this year, and she anticipates furthering that front.

Having also been appointed Dean for Global Health, Social Justice, and Human Rights in 2021, Dr. Diaz has plans on devoting more effort to that role, including curating her learnings and experiences in the field.

“I know that I’ll be happy just doing whatever. I was a factory worker before, so I could do and enjoy anything,” she says.

Stepping aside as Director of the Center will also give Dr. Diaz more time to spend with family. “I love my mom, my kids. I have two grandkids. I’m sure I will have more grandkids, so there’s plenty to be done and enjoy.”

A Timeline of Dr. Diaz’s Achievements

1981

Obtained Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

1984

Joined the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center to train in adolescent medicine

1985

Was offered a faculty position at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center

1989

Became Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center’s third Director

1994

Named White House fellow under the Clinton administration, examining health care policies in the U.S. territories in the Pacific and Caribbean

2001

Appointed as James W. and Jean C. Crystal Professor in Adolescent Health at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine

2002

Obtained Master of Public Health from Harvard University

2003

Appointed Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Children and Terrorism for the Department of Health and Human Services

2008

Admitted as a member of the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies)

2009

Appointed to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s New York City Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Runaway and Homeless Youth Taskforce

2016

Obtained Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology from Columbia University

2017

Elected to the governing council of the National Academy of Medicine

2021

Appointed Dean for Global Health, Social Justice, and Human Rights at Icahn Mount Sinai

A Grateful Kidney Transplant Patient Meets Care Team for Ice Cream

Updated on Sep 27, 2024 | Featured, Stories of Excellence

McKaylea DeLong is a 9-year-old who lives in a small town outside of Syracuse, New York. She developed a rare autoimmune kidney disease in 2021 and was treated at a hospital in Syracuse for several weeks, with some improvement in kidney function, but ultimately, her disease was too far advanced, and medical therapy was not successful. The Mount Sinai Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute team started following her in 2022, when she was referred for evaluation for a kidney transplant. And she received her new kidney in September 2022.

Two years later, McKaylea was granted her wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, when she returned to New York City to “do all the things I couldn’t do when I was here for my transplant.” In addition, she wanted to meet the transplant surgeon who saved her life, and, importantly, share ice cream with him. On August 29, she did just that, meeting Vikram Wadhera, MBBS, and Rafael Khaim, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, Clinical Senior Operations Manager, Pediatric and Adult Renal Transplant, at Noi Due Gelato on the Upper West Side.

McKaylea DeLong with Rafael Khaim, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, left, and Vikram Wadhera, MD

McKaylea’s mother is incredibly grateful to Dr. Wadhera, and the “phenomenal” team who cared for McKaylea and supported the family. “From the receptionist to the nutritionist, so many kind and skilled professionals. They blew me out of the water,” she says. “All willing to answer any and all questions and address my concerns.”

She has special praise for Rafael, who she says, “was on the jump from day one” and throughout McKaylea’s journey for a new kidney, including planning the meet-up with Dr. Wadhera. Not only did Rafael make all the arrangements for the ice cream date, but he purchased an American Doll for McKaylea, complete with blonde hair like hers.

Rafael is aware that that everyone on the team can make a lasting impact on patients.

“We all have the potential to change the lives of those we care for, in and out of the hospital, and can shape experiences that will turn into cherished memories forever.”

Read more Stories of Excellence

Mount Sinai Alumni Awards Honor Extraordinary Contributions to Medicine and the Community

Updated on Sep 27, 2024 | Community, Featured

Seated from left: Samuel Márquez, PhD, FAAA; Sally Claridge, PhD, ISMMS ’24; Craig L. Katz, MD, MSH ’96; Roopa Kohli-Seth, MD, FCCP, FACP, MSH ’00; Scott Gottlieb, MD, MSSM ’99, MSH ’02; George B. Wanna, MD, MHCM, FACS, MSH ’08; Ebby Elahi, MD, FACS, MSSM ’96, MSH ’00; Talia H. Swartz, MD, PhD, MSSM ’06 ’08, MSH ’10, ’13; Standing from left: Larry Attia, MD, SLR ’93 ’95; Timothy Friedmann, MD, MSH ’23 ’24; Kurian Thomas, MD, SLR ’94; Brendan G. Carr, MD, MA, MS, Chief Executive Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System; Dennis Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Mark A. Rubin, MD, MSSM ’88, MSH ’89; Rory M.C. Abrams, MD, MSH ’19 ’20; Alexis Colvin, MD, MSSM ’02; Mary O’Sullivan, MD, SLR ’78; Not pictured: Laura P. Gelfman, MD, MPH, MSSM ‘07 ‘14, MSH ’11; Bachir Taouli, MD, MHA.

The Mount Sinai Alumni Awards Ceremony recently celebrated Mount Sinai and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt alumni and students who have made extraordinary contributions to the medical field and to the Mount Sinai community. Fourteen alumni received Alumni Awards.

The event was held Tuesday, September 17, at the New York Academy of Medicine. About 200 faculty, staff, and honored guests in attendance. Click here to read the program and click here to see more photos.

The Alumni Award Recipients are:

The Mount Sinai Alumni Leadership Award: Sally Claridge, PhD, ISMMS ’24

Sally Claridge, PhD, received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Integrating her laboratory and computational experience, her research focused on developing a functional genomics pipeline for precision oncology in the lab of Benjamin D. Hopkins, PhD.

The Mount Sinai Alumni Leadership Award: Timothy Friedmann, MD, MSH ’23 ‘24

Timothy Friedmann, MD, is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Icahn Mount Sinai. He is also an Assistant Program Director for the residency program in Emergency Medicine,  Mount Sinai Health System.

St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Distinguished Young Physician of the Year: Rory M.C. Abrams, MD, MSH ’19 ’20

Rory M. C. Abrams, MD, MSH ’19 ’20, is Assistant Professor of Neurology, Mount Sinai Health System, and an attending physician in the Department of Neurology at Mount Sinai West, Mount Sinai Morningside, and The Mount Sinai Hospital.

The Jeffrey T. Laitman, PhD Award for Achievement in Medical Education: Samuel Márquez, PhD, FAAA

Samuel Márquez, PhD, FAAA, is the Co-Discipline Director of Anatomy in the College of Medicine, Director of Gross Anatomy for the School of Health Professions, and Professor in the departments of Cell Biology and Otolaryngology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University.

The Mount Sinai Graduate School Alumni Award: Laura P. Gelfman, MD, MPH, MSSM ‘07 ‘14, MSH ‘11

Laura P. Gelfman, MD, MPH, is Vice Chair, Quality and Clinical Innovation, for the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Mount Sinai Heath System, and Professor in the Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Icahn Mount Sinai.

The Mount Sinai Master Clinician Award: George B. Wanna, MD, MHCM, FACS, MSH ’08

George B. Wanna, MD, MHCM, FACS, holds dual professorships in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Neurosurgery at Icahn Mount Sinai. He is also Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Chief of the Division of Otology-Neuro-Otology and Skull Base Surgery, and the Chair of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai.

The Mount Sinai Alumni Special Recognition Award: Scott Gottlieb, MD, MSSM ’99, MSH ’02

Scott Gottlieb, MD, is a physician and served as the 23rd Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research and a partner at the venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates.

The Mount Sinai Alumni Special Recognition Award: Roopa Kohli-Seth, MD, FCCP, FACP, MSH ’00

Roopa Kohli-Seth, MD, FCCP, FACP, is Director of the Institute for Critical Care Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System, and a Professor in the Department of Surgery at Icahn Mount Sinai.

The Terry Ann Krulwich Physician-Scientist Alumni Award: Talia H. Swartz, MD, PhD, MSSM ’06 ’08, MSH ’10, ’13

Talia H. Swartz, MD, PhD, is Senior Associate Dean for MD-PhD Education, Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program, and Director of Graduate Research and Education at The Center for Antiracism in Practice at Icahn Mount Sinai.

The Dr. Sidney Grossman Distinguished Humanitarian Award: Craig L. Katz, MD, MSH ’96

Craig L. Katz, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Medical Education, and System Design and Global Health at Icahn Mount Sinai. He is the founding director of the Mount Sinai Program in Global Mental Health.

The J. Lester Gabrilove Award: Bachir Taouli, MD, MHA

Bachir Taouli, MD, MHA, is a Professor of Radiology in the Abdominal Imaging/Body MRI Section of the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, in addition to the BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai.

St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Distinguished Alumni Award: Mary O’Sullivan, MD, SLR ’78

For more than three decades, Mary O’Sullivan, MD, served as Director of the Chest Clinic, the largest medical subspecialty clinic at Mount Sinai Morningside.

St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Distinguished Alumni Award: Kurian Thomas, MD, SLR ’94

Kurian Thomas, MD, is Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Icahn Mount Sinai and has been at the heart of the Division of Anesthesia at Mount Sinai Morningside (formerly St. Luke’s Hospital) for more than 30 years.

The Saul Horowitz, Jr. Memorial Award: Mark A. Rubin, MD, MSSM ’88, MSH ’89

Mark A. Rubin, MD, is Founding Director of the Bern Center for Precision Medicine and Director of the Department for BioMedical Research at the University of Bern in Switzerland.

Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation Annual Benefit Supports Family-Centered Care and Research

Updated on Sep 24, 2024 | Community, Featured

The 37th annual Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation (CCF) Benefit returns to the Big Apple Circus on Sunday, November 10, under the “Big Top at Lincoln Center.” Click here to purchase tickets.

This is the largest fundraiser for the Foundation and an opportunity to bring together the Mount Sinai community of faculty, staff, families, and friends. Ticket purchases and donations will support every aspect of family-centered care.

The benefit will be a fun-filled family day with a private performance of the Big Apple Circus, activities, gifts for the kids, and complimentary refreshments. Doors open at 3 pm, and the private performance begins at 4 pm. The Big Apple Circus is located in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

“This year’s benefit chairs are CCF board members Madi Rothenberg Karpova and Ivan Karpov, and we are so grateful to them for all of their support,” says Lisa M. Satlin, MD, Herbert H. Lehman Professor and System Chair of the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics.

Proceeds from this year’s benefit will support essential renovations at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, therapeutic programs to alleviate stress and anxiety during a child’s hospital stay, and innovative research to advance pediatric medicine.

The event will also honor the Food Allergy Treatment and Research Center at the Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Food Allergy Institute and the surgeons of Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.

“The tremendous support that the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and the Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics receive from the Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation and our annual benefit helps ensure our ability to provide top-quality care for our youngest patients. It helps us extensively in our mission of delivering innovative care, research, and education that equitably advances health for children and families,” says Dr. Satlin. “We are deeply grateful for the efforts of the Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation.”

Learn more about the Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation. (link to https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/kravis-childrens/services/child-family-support/childrens-center-foundation)

Learn more about the Mount Sinai Children’s Center Foundation

Groundbreaking Technology Drives Innovations and Improved Outcomes in Spine Surgery at Mount Sinai West

Updated on Sep 20, 2024 | Featured

Mount Sinai Spine is at the forefront of innovation in spine surgery, combining leading-edge technologies like machine-vision navigation and augmented reality (AR) with a strong commitment to minimally invasive approaches. These advancements enhance surgical precision, improve patient safety, and reduce recovery times.

By integrating AI algorithms and robotics, Mount Sinai Spine is paving the way for a new era in spinal care, where each procedure is tailored to you, ensuring exceptional outcomes and setting the stage for future breakthroughs in the field.

Greater Precision With Machine-Vision Navigation

Machine-vision navigation utilizes visible light, eliminating the need for intraoperative radiation. This approach eliminates radiation exposure for patients. Unlike traditional methods that require preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans and intraoperative fluoroscopy, the system at Mount Sinai Spine relies on camera-based technology and machine-vision algorithms.

The benefits are significant: zero radiation exposure, rapid image acquisition in under 30 seconds, and exceptional accuracy across every level of the spine.

At Mount Sinai Spine, the integration of machine-vision navigation has revolutionized spine surgery.

Jeremy M. Steinberger, MD

Jeremy M. Steinberger, MD, Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Rehabilitation and Human Performance, says this technology significantly enhances surgical precision, which is essential for preventing nerve damage and optimizing screw placement.

“By tailoring care to your unique anatomy, this advanced approach improves safety, streamlines surgical workflows, reduces procedure time, and ultimately enhances patient outcomes,” he says.

Augmented Reality Enhances Surgical Detailed Visualization

Augmented reality is transforming spine surgery, making procedures more precise than ever before. Originally developed for brain surgery, this advanced technology has been adapted for spinal procedures, giving spine surgeons a new way to visualize and perform complex surgeries, according to Dr. Steinberger.

AR works by combining detailed CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans with an immersive virtual environment. Surgeons can use this technology to plan and simulate surgeries with significantly improved accuracy, seeing vital structures like blood vessels and nerves in real time.

“By overlaying these virtual images onto the actual surgical site through AR headsets, surgeons can guide their instruments with unmatched precision, leading to safer surgeries and better outcomes for patients,” says Dr. Steinberger.

Minimally Invasive Approaches to Improve Accuracy, Safety, and Outcomes

At the heart of Mount Sinai Spine’s approach is a dedication to minimally invasive spine surgery, where precision and patient safety come together. These techniques minimize tissue damage and shorten recovery times, and when combined with advanced robotic technologies like machine learning and AR, they further reduce the risks typically associated with traditional open surgeries.

Predicting the Best Surgical Outcomes

“Looking forward, the fusion of robotics and augmented reality in spine surgery is set to bring even more breakthroughs,” says Dr. Steinberger. “The research our team is conducting on AI algorithms that predict surgical outcomes highlights Mount Sinai’s dedication to advancing technology and enhancing patient care.”

Learn more about Mount Sinai Spine

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