Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Featured, Research, School
Shirley Ann Jackson, PhD, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Eric Nestler, MD, PhD, Director of The Friedman Brain Institute, and Andrew Kimball, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, sign a ceremonial agreement at the launch of the Center for Engineering and Precision Medicine.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on May 12 announced the opening of the Center for Engineering and Precision Medicine (CEPM), forming a new venture to bridge engineering and biomedical science expertise between the two organizations.
The center, located at 619 West 54th Street in Manhattan, focuses on three research areas—neuroengineering, immunoengineering, and regenerative and reparative medicine. Its footprint includes spaces for wet and dry laboratories, as well as offices for faculty and researchers.
In addition to research, CEPM will develop a joint PhD in engineering and precision medicine, and ultimately master’s degrees and certificate programs. Enrollment could occur as early as the fall of 2023, said Jonathan Dordick, PhD, Institute Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rensselaer and Co-Director of the Center.
The Center is the latest development borne from a partnership between Mount Sinai and Rensselaer—dating to 2013—that has secured more than $70 million in shared research funding. Milestone achievements have included an artificial pancreas system developed by the two institutions and a number of advances in improving treatment and health infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We identified that there was a need in New York City and the state for such a collaboration to be the foundation of a new path of innovation between engineering and precision medicine,” said Priti Balchandani, PhD, Professor of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Neuroscience, and Psychiatry at Icahn Mount Sinai and Co-Director of the Center.
FAST FACTS
- Project planned since: 2018
- Footprint: 14,000 usable square feet
- Faculty size: Mount Sinai and Rensselaer jointly hope to recruit 20 faculty members within five years for the center
- Planned academic programs: PhD in Engineering and Precision Medicine jointly awarded by Mount Sinai and Rensselaer, master’s programs, and certificate programs in entrepreneurship and other areas relevant to advanced education at the interface of medicine and engineering.
The creation of the Center sets the stage for engineers to consider the needs of biomedical researchers to develop tools, systems, and infrastructure needed to address unanswered questions, Dr. Dordick said. “As a field, we’ve been asking how engineering can play a closer role at each stage of development in biomedical science from bench to bedside.”
The Center will also serve as a hub for industry partners and collaborators. Its “Development Labs” will be working with Mount Sinai Innovation Partners, the team focused on commercializing innovations from Mount Sinai Health System, on technology transfers with industry partners, as well as fostering the creation of startups, Dr. Balchandani said.
“This partnership with Rensselaer is truly a first where not only are two organizations coming together for research and academic excellence,” she noted, “it is also creating a partnership that will augment translational work in the city.”
Mount Sinai is also growing its presence in the area by building laboratory spaces in a facility on 11th Avenue, adjacent to the Center, for the Mount Sinai West campus.
“Ultimately, the goal is to develop new innovations that will benefit patients,” Dr. Dordick said. “The work at the Center cannot start soon enough.”
May 25, 2022 | Featured, School
After two years of remote instruction and Zoom meetings, students graduating from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai celebrated their big day in person. The ceremony was held at Carnegie Hall on May 11, and the energy was palpable—masks could not hide the glee that shone through smiling eyes, and family and friends beamed with pride watching the graduates walk and be hooded by faculty and mentors.
Learn about what some graduates from the class of 2022 had to say about their commencement being in person, and what their journey had been like as a student at Mount Sinai and in New York City.
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 Nov 14, 2025 | Community, Engagement, 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 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 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.
