Why LGBTQ+ Visibility Matters at Mount Sinai

Updated on Nov 24, 2025 | Featured

The Mount Sinai contingent walking down 5th Avenue, participating in the NYC Pride March, June 29, 2025.

Every June, rainbow flags appear across New York City in celebration of Pride Month. Mount Sinai Health System, too, shows up in support for the LGBTQ+ community by participating in the NYC Pride March and events. 

“However, Mount Sinai’s commitment to providing the highest quality of care for LGBTQ+ patients and their families in a safe and welcoming environment  extends beyond Pride Month,” said Barbara E. Warren, PsyD, Senior Director for LGBT Programs and Policies. 

Mount Sinai emphasizes health equity all year round because LGBTQ+ patients who feel safe, understood, and welcomed are more likely to share critical information with providers, follow treatment plans, and participate fully in their own care, said Dr. Warren. 

Beyond Pride events, Mount Sinai has been a champion for the community in other major ways—it was among the first in the United States to establish a Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, offering gender-affirming care that is integrated, accessible, and respectful. 

And as much as Mount Sinai has implemented best practices in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care, so too, does that consideration extend to its employees, providers, students, and trainees. 

Creating a Culture Where Everyone Can Thrive  

Just like patients, employees want to feel that their identities and lived experiences matter and contribute meaningfully to the work they do. 

“What we offer patients, we also need to offer our employees, our providers , our students, and trainees,” said Dr. Warren. “If you come to work or school afraid of being outed or judged, you’re not going to be able to function fully. You won’t feel like your presence is valued.” 

LGBTQ+ employees and trainees who feel safe don’t just bring technical skill and clinical wisdom—they bring unique insight, compassion, and value, said Dr. Warren. “That makes our entire system stronger.”  

Participating in Pride events is a way of demonstrating that ongoing commitment. This year, the Health System participated in:  

  • June 1: Mount Sinai Queens took part in Queens Pride  
  • June 3: Mount Sinai employees attended the NYC Mayor’s Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Reception at Gracie Mansion  
  • June 18: Mount Sinai’s Annual Pride Gathering for employees  
  • June 21: Mount Sinai South Nassau took part in Freeport’s Pride on the Mile  
  • June 29: Mount Sinai participated in the NYC Pride March 

 

Celebrating LGBTQ+ visibility among staff is important as they bring unique insight, compassion, and value, said Barbara E. Warren, PsyD, Senior Director for LGBT Programs and Policies, with other members from Mount Sinai at the NYC Mayor’s Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Reception at Gracie Mansion, June 3, 2025.
Hospitals across the Mount Sinai Health System are committed to celebrating pride. Out on Long Island, Mount Sinai South Nassau took part in Freeport’s Pride on the Mile, June 21, 2025.
Mount Sinai also took part in NYC Pride March, on June 29, one of the largest Pride celebration in the United States.
Beyond celebrations during Pride Month, championing health equity all year round is at the core of Mount Sinai’s ethos, said Dr. Warren.
The turnout of Mount Sinai employees for NYC Pride March was larger than expected, and that was heartwarming to see, noted Dr. Warren.
A Mount Sinai ambulance, surrounded by a joyful crowd, at the NYC Pride March.
Mount Sinai LGBTQ+ employees, allies, and family members marched in solidarity during NYC Pride March.
The younger employees at Mount Sinai have shown that LGBTQ+ visibility and health equity are important values to them, and are leading that charge, said Dr. Warren.
“Pride Month is an opportunity to bring all employees together, to support LGBTQ+ efforts,” said Daniel Leinweber, Manager of Communications for Emergency Medicine (right), who has led Mount Sinai’s participation in NYC Pride March since 2024. Max Luf, Associate Researcher in the Department of Oncological Sciences (center), was co-captain of the contingent this year.
It is important for LGBTQ+ employees that their identities and lived experiences are seen and heard in the workplace, said Dr. Warren.

While celebrating Pride matters, real progress for LGBTQ+ health equity requires action that endures long after the parades end, emphasized Dr. Warren. Toward that goal, the Health System has implemented a model outlining year-round, patient-centered equitable care.  “Mount Sinai understands that LGBTQ+ people need more than visibility—they need access, affirmation, and safety every day of the year,” she said.

Learn more LGBT health at Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai Ranked a Global Leader in Health Care Research

Updated on Jul 2, 2025 | Featured, Research, School

Thomas Marron, MD, PhD, Professor of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (left), and Miriam Merad, MD, PhD, Mount Sinai Professor in Cancer Immunology (right), at an immunology lab with researchers.

Each year, the Nature Index—a database produced by academic publisher Springer Nature that tracks research output—puts out a ranking list of leading institutions, organizations, and corporations with publications in prestigious journals.

In the Nature Index 2025 Research Leaders list released in June, the Mount Sinai Health System earned top marks: among health care institutions in the United States and North America, it was No. 5 for its research output. When compared against health care institutions around the world, Mount Sinai ranked sixth.

“These rankings are a reflection of the spectacular success that we have had in building innovative research programs at Mount Sinai,” said Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System and Interim Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In recent years, the Health System and the Icahn School have launched several new departments, institutes, centers, and programs in key areas of biomedicine and health care delivery, he noted.

The ranking is based on a score that takes into account the number of published papers in a defined list of prestigious journals, as well as contributing authors’ share of the papers. Mount Sinai was the only health care institution among the top 10 to have improved its adjusted share score in this year’s ranking from the previous year.

Who came in top? Click to see the full rankings.

Attaining that ranking is no small feat, considering Mount Sinai researchers focus only on a narrow scope of topics within health and life sciences, and do not produce research in other areas, including engineering, energy sciences, and astronomy.

As U.S. research institutions enter a period of funding uncertainty, staying a leader will take boldness and creativity, and Mount Sinai’s ability to respond with unusual nimbleness to opportunities as they arise will certainly help, said Dr. Nestler. “We have formulated a new strategic plan for research that will guide our continued growth, development, and leadership over the next 5 to 10 years,” he said.

Curious about where Mount Sinai shone in research? Take a look at the tables below, which showcase the journals Mount Sinai researchers had authored most papers in, as well as leading research topics.

Top five journals Mount Sinai published in during 2024
Leading research topics for Mount Sinai in 2024
Number Publication name Article count
1 Nature Communications 96
2 Nature 37
3 Journal of the American College of Cardiology 37
4 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 30
5 Nature Medicine 21
Number Research topic Article count
1 Clinical sciences 165
2 Oncology and carcinogenesis 120
3 Cardiovascular medicine and hematology 85
4 Neurosciences 41
5 Nutrition and dietetics 37

Stories Behind the Science: Dennis S. Charney, MD, and Psychiatry

Updated on Jun 25, 2025 | Featured, Psychiatry, Research, School

Stories Behind the Science: Dennis S. Charney, MD, and Psychiatry

Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, created a legacy by serving as Dean for 18 years—one of the longest tenures of any medical school dean in the United States. His research career has been just as illustrious over the decades.

Rooted in psychiatry, pharmacology, and neurobiology, Dr. Charney’s research has resulted in treatment breakthroughs for depression, enhanced medical and scientific understanding, and led to two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies. He has published more than 800 articles, which have been cited more than 198,000 times, according to Google Scholar, and was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine in 2000.

To read more about Dr. Charney’s career timeline, click here

One of his biggest research milestones was discovering that ketamine can be used as a fast-acting antidepressant, offering a useful alternative for patients who do not respond well to conventional therapies. However, pursuing that discovery was not easy amid societal stigma at the time.

“We were looked at like we were pursuing a PCP study or something,” said Dr. Charney, referring to the recreational street drug. “But we knew we had something big on our hands. We were on the verge of discovering something that could change the lives of patients, and we were very motivated. We weren’t scared, and we went about doing it the right way.”

In addition to discovering the antidepressive effects of ketamine, Dr. Charney is known for his work on the science of resilience, and for his role in the first FDA-approved digital therapeutic for depression.

Read more below about the decades of Dr. Charney’s research efforts, and what it was like being at the frontier.

The Beginnings:
A Focus on Bringing
Bench to Bedside

A young Dr. Charney (right) with mentor and collaborator George Heninger, MD (left), photo taken in 1996.

In the early 1980s, working at the Yale School of Medicine in conjunction with the Connecticut Mental Health Center, Dr. Charney was focused on understanding the pathophysiology of serious forms of depression, along with panic and anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“We wanted to develop better treatments for these conditions,” said Dr. Charney.

At the time, the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine were known to be involved in some psychiatric conditions, and Dr. Charney and his team members were developing methods of examining those relationships closely.

“It’s fair to say we developed, at that time, more sophisticated ways of studying those neurotransmitters,” he said, adding, “although they’re probably not considered sophisticated today.”

Those efforts led to the study of yohimbine, an alkaloid of the bark of the yohimbe tree, which revealed that excessive norepinephrine function was involved in panic disorder and PTSD (Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1984, now JAMA Psychiatry).

“That study was a great example of a combination of going from the lab to studying patients,” he said.

While a number of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors were emerging at the time, Dr. Charney’s findings were showing that targeting these neurotransmitters alone were insufficient to move the needle on treating depression.

“However, I felt that just looking at serotonin and norepinephrine couldn’t tell us the whole story about depression,” said Dr. Charney.

Finding Alternatives: Ketamine and the Glutamate System

Starting in the late 1980s, the treatment of major depression moved toward using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). However, there was still a notable proportion of patients for whom these drugs were not effective enough.

“In patients who were not doing better, we tried to augment the serotonin system,” said Dr. Charney. “It didn’t work.”

“With all the studies we’ve been doing in depression, we thought monoamines told only part of the story in depression,” he noted, referring to the class of neurotransmitters that includes dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. “So we thought maybe there is another system that was, in part, regulated by the monoamines, but would be more fundamentally involved in depression.”

In the early 1990s, Dr. Charney and his collaborator at Yale, John H. Krystal, MD, began looking for a pathway affected by monoamine neurotransmitters, and through a logical progression of studies, focused on the glutamate system and, soon, on ketamine—an anesthetic with known effects on the glutamate system. This work yielded some of Dr. Charney’s top-cited papers (Arch Gen Psych, 1994).

In the mid-1990s, Drs. Charney and Krystal did a series of studies on ketamine, first on healthy volunteers and then a small trial on seven patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The results were shocking.

“The patients got better in a few hours,” recalled Dr. Charney. “I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ As an investigator watching it, it was like a miracle.”

Dennis S. Charney, MD (right) with John H. Krystal, MD (left), being awarded the Colvin Prize at the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation Gala, November 2019.

Drs. Charney and Krystal published their findings (Biological Psychiatry, 2000), but faced skepticism from both the scientific and general communities. The study was dismissed as not being replicable, and additionally for the fact that the researchers were working with a compound that was stigmatized for its recreational use.

When Dr. Charney went to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 2000, he sought to repeat history. “Nobody believed it, nobody was trying to replicate it, so we’re going to have to do it ourselves at NIMH,” he said. “In the second study, we replicated it dead on.”

At the end of his stint at NIMH in 2004, Dr. Charney brought his findings with him to the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (now the Icahn School of Medicine), where he began his career as Dean of Research.

Dr. Charney is a named co-inventor on patents filed by Mount Sinai relating to the use of ketamine for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation. Mount Sinai licensed those patents to Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the development of SPRAVATO (esketamine) by Janssen, which received FDA approval in 2019. Its approval makes it the first antidepressant of its kind to target N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors—introducing the first new class of antidepressant drugs since the 1950s.

A Prescription for Resilience

In the 1990s, Dr. Charney turned his focus to studying trauma and PTSD, in collaboration with Steven M. Southwick, MD. That journey led to some of Dr. Charney’s most impactful work on understanding resilience.

“My buddy, Steve Southwick, was really involved in that work,” said Dr. Charney of his colleague, who passed away in 2022. “He’s on a lot of my papers, and he became my closest friend.” The ties between the two researchers dated back to before the 1980s.

Drs. Charney and Southwick tackled understanding PTSD from all angles—psychological, biological, social, pharmacological. Then, they had an idea to take their findings a step further to help patients.

“Back then, we thought, ‘If we studied people who were resilient—people who had been traumatized but didn’t develop PTSD—perhaps we could learn something from it, and apply those lessons to help patients with PTSD,” said Dr. Charney. “That’s how I ended up studying resilience for over 30 years.”

Dr. Charney’s paper on resilience (Am. J. Psychiatry, 2004) became one of his most cited works after his publications on ketamine in depression. He and Dr. Southwick then published a book called “Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges” (Cambridge University Press, 2012).

The book, now in its third edition, is rooted in the hundreds of interviews Drs. Charney and Southwick did with people who faced challenges in their lives—including prisoners of war and survivors of sexual and physical abuse. It includes a “prescription” for being resilient—10 steps that people can take to overcome life challenges.

From left to right, Dennis S. Charney, MD; Steven M. Southwick, MD; and John H. Krystal, MD.

“Not just for others—our research on resilience was also a personal journey,” said Dr. Charney. In 2016, Dr. Charney survived being shot, and he credits the lessons on resilience for overcoming that ordeal.

Those resilient factors also helped Dr. Charney navigate the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he established the Center for Stress, Resilience and Personal Growth in 2020 to extend that support to Mount Sinai staff.

Through Boldness,
a New Therapy Emerges

 

In 2024, the FDA approved a new class of treatments: digital therapeutics. In that class was REJOYN, a prescription smartphone app by Click Therapeutics and Otsuka Precision Health for major depressive disorder. That novel treatment had its beginnings through Dr. Charney’s research.

“This goes back to when we were interviewing prisoners of war who were subject to solitary confinement in Vietnam,” said Dr. Charney. “Some of them said that when they were in solitary, all they could do was think.”

A Life Magazine cover from 1967, featuring a prisoner of war from the Vietnam War, whom Drs. Charney and Southwick had interviewed as part of their research on resilience. That body of work eventually led to the development of Rejoyn, a digital app for treating depression.

Over time, some of those individuals reported developing cognitive capacities they never had before, such as being able to do complex multiplication with just their mind. “To me, that suggested evidence of neuroplasticity, where you can change the chemistry and circuits in your brain through repeated tasks,” said Dr. Charney.

With that inspiration, Dr. Charney pondered whether neuroplasticity could be tapped to “correct” the brain circuitry of patients with depression and improve their symptoms.

“We knew something about the circuits of depression that involved the prefrontal cortex and subcortical regions, like the amygdala. What if we developed a task that involved both of those regions?” he said.

Brian Iacoviello, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine, and Dr. Charney developed the Emotional Faces Memory Task and ran two randomized controlled studies. The findings (npj Digital Medicine, 2018) showed that patients who did the task repeatedly had improvements in their depression symptoms.

Drs. Charney and Iacoviello are co-inventors of patents filed by Mount Sinai for the Emotional Faces Memory Task intervention for the treatment of depression and related psychiatric disorders. Mount Sinai licensed the patents to Click Therapeutics, Inc. and Otsuka Precision Health for the development of REJOYN, a digital treatment for depression. REJOYN received FDA clearance in 2024, as the first prescription adjunctive treatment for adults with MDD.

“Like with ketamine for depression, I see going for a digital approach for depression as a story about being bold,” said Dr. Charney. “Each time, it was a realization that our current understanding isn’t enough, and it’s worth it to take a different approach.”

With more than 50 patents, and a slew of scientific achievements, what’s next for Dr. Charney? “Resilience will continue to inspire me after I step down as Dean,” he said.

Dr. Charney steps down as Dean from the Icahn School of Medicine on Monday, June 30, and Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD, has been appointed Interim Dean.

“I’m going to need to figure out how to be inspired next. I’m going to continue my research in depression and resilience,” said Dr. Charney. One option that’s underway is working on the fourth edition of his book on resilience. But there might be other bold options out there too.

“I have two therapies on the market,” said Dr. Charney. “My goal is to discover a third. I’m not sure if anyone in psychiatry has ever done that.”

Dennis S. Charney, MD, at Commencement: A Final Address, a Career to Remember

Updated on Jun 25, 2025 | Featured, School

Dennis S. Charney, MD, at Commencement: A Final Address, a Career to Remember

Dennis S. Charney, MD, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, giving the Commencement address

In the 18 years that Dennis S. Charney, MD, has served as the Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, he has often applauded the achievements of graduating students during Commencement while calling upon them to be resilient during difficult times.

On Thursday, May 8, at the School’s 56th Commencement, the message of resilience resounded, but this time more aptly so—this was Dr. Charney’s last Commencement speech, and he reflected upon how staying the course in the face of challenges rang true throughout his life and career.

“Our school has faced hurdles along the way,” Dr. Charney told the crowd at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. He described the institution having to overcome its financial difficulties in 2003, navigating the Great Recession in 2008, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“Yes, these are challenges, but we have prevailed in the past. And we shall prevail again,” he said.

In his final address as Dean, Dr. Charney imparted some wisdom to the Class of 2025. Here’s a look at the themes he brought up.

“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal.”

Even as students, the Class of 2025 has made an impact. They have made important scientific discoveries about human disease, been passionate advocates for human rights, and shown potential to be exceptional physicians and scientists, said Dr. Charney.

However, the challenges do not stop once they leave the Icahn School. “You will face situations when you cannot heal a patient, or worse, where you cannot save a patient,” he said. “You will experience disappointment along the way as you try to make scientific breakthroughs. You may even experience skepticism and ridicule.”

Staying resilient in the face of challenges will be key. “What matters is how you meet disappointment and failure—which is far more important than how you embrace success,” said Dr. Charney. “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts,” he said, quoting Winston Churchill.

Keeping the cup full

Core to being resilient is to be kind, and care for oneself, said Dr. Charney.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup,” he noted. “So, I want to remind you to constantly build your resilience skills to keep your cup full.”

Tapping insights from his own research, he shared the following tips: maintain a positive attitude; allow yourself to reappraise highly stressful, even traumatic, events, and put them in proper perspective; nurture your supportive social network; seek role models; take care of your physical well-being; and embrace your personal moral compass.

These mantras have helped him navigate not just professional challenges, but personal ones, said Dr. Charney. These include having lost a grandchild to a rare genetic disorder, surviving an attempted murder, and overcoming cancer.

“Like all of us, life will throw you curveballs,” he said, paraphrasing a quote from Ernest Hemingway. “But I know you will be strong in the broken places.”

Dr. Charney steps down as Dean on Monday, June 30, and was honored for his legacy of leadership at Mount Sinai’s 40th annual Crystal Party, held Tuesday, May 20, at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. To learn more about the event, click here. Also, in recognition of his contributions, he received an honorary Doctor of Science from the Icahn School of Medicine during Commencement.

Here’s a look at Dr. Charney’s career and highlights, from early medical training to leading the Icahn School to where it is today.

Dennis S. Charney, MD (right), received a Doctor of Science from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He was hooded by Alexander Charney, MD, PhD (second from right), and the honorary degree citation was given by Kenneth L. Davis, MD (second from left). Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD (left), gave the introductions.

Dr. Charney is also well-known for his scientific research. Did you know that he discovered ketamine could be used as a fast-acting antidepressant?

To read more about Dr. Charney’s research highlights, click here

1977

Received MD degree from Penn State College of Medicine

1978-1981

Psychiatry residency at Yale School of Medicine

1981-2000

Rose from Assistant Professor of Psychiatry to tenured Professor of Psychiatry at Yale

2000

Elected as member of the National Academy of Medicine

2000-2004

Chief of the Mood and Anxiety Disorder Research Program and Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Program at the National Institute of Mental Health

2004-2005

Dean of Research at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (now Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

2006-2007

Dean for Academic and Scientific Affairs at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine

2007-present

Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs of The Mount Sinai Medical Center (later the Mount Sinai Health System)

2013-present

President for Academic Affairs of the Mount Sinai Health System

Expert Advice on Keeping Cool and What to Do When Air Quality Is Poor

Updated on Jun 23, 2025 | Featured, Your Health

You have probably noticed the hazy skies throughout the New York City area. Health experts say everyone should pay close attention. That poor-quality air is unhealthy, especially for vulnerable people, including those with asthma or heart conditions, as well as younger kids and older adults.

The poor air quality, the result of wildfires in Canada, is something you can actually feel. Experts say you should consider limiting your time outside, especially if you are exercising or doing strenuous tasks; keeping your windows closed at home; and wearing a high-quality N95 or KN95 mask if you need to go out. Those most at risk should stay indoors.

Late Breaking News: Expert Advice on How to Keep Cool During the Summer

Find out who is most susceptible to overheating, what is heatstroke, how to know when you should seek medical care, and where you can get help.

Click here to read more.

“Many people may have noticed the hazy conditions, but not realized they should be concerned—especially younger people and the elderly, who are at greater risk,” says Linda Rogers, MD, Professor of Medicine  (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “I think we all should be looking out for the most vulnerable; they are the ones that are at most risk right now. But this has crossed a threshold where the general public will feel this.”

Linda Rogers, MD, Professor of Medicine  (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine)

In this Q&A, Dr. Rogers, who is also Director of the Adult Asthma Program, offers a number of other tips, including what type of mask to consider wearing, whether to turn on your air conditioner, and who is most at risk.

How bad has the air quality been in New York City because of these wildfires?

Our air quality has been in a zone that’s considered dangerous to sensitive populations and that may be hazardous to people who are either elderly, very young, or have underlying heart or lung disease, or other sort of significant health conditions. It’s not something people are normally aware of, though most people going outside will realize that something is up.

How can I tell what the air quality is like in my neighborhood right now?

A good way to see what the air quality is like right now, where you live, is the website AirNow.gov or the AirNow app created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and available for download for free, where you get your apps for your of phone. This site offers a composite score for what we call the big five pollutants—ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. A good score is less than 50. On an average day in New York, we are around 30; we have pretty good air quality. Once it starts getting up over 50, there may be risks for sensitive people. If the score reaches 100, due to a combination of heat, humidity, and pollution then the air quality may be risky for the general population rather than just for sensitive individuals. In recent years, the score has risen to over 100 due to the wildfires. Any of the common weather apps people have on their phones are also a good source of this information.

What does it mean when the air quality reaches the unhealthy levels we have seen lately?

That’s the red zone. That’s where even healthy members of the general public are going to feel it. The effects on the general public may be mild; it may just be a matter of feeling irritation in your nose or throat. But for really sensitive groups, this is a level that could trigger an asthma attack or flare-ups of other lung diseases such as COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can also pose a risk for those already at risk for heart attacks and strokes. During times of high pollution level, there is a well-established pattern of increased risk of emergency room visits for these types of cardiovascular events 48 to 72 hours after exposures to high pollutant levels

The Effects of Wildfire Smoke Particles Can Persist for Months, Even After a Fire Has Ended

Being exposed to lingering fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke can have health effects up to three months afterwards, well beyond the couple of days that previous studies have identified, and the exposure can occur even after the fires have ended, according to new findings by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Even brief exposures from smaller fires that last only a few days can lead to long-lasting health effects,” says Yaguang Wei, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine. Read more 

 

What safety precautions should I take when air quality is at an unhealthy level?

The best thing to do is stay inside with the windows closed. If you have to go outside, make it as short as possible. I don’t think anybody should exercise outdoors while the air quality is poor. When you’re exercising, you are taking in more of these contaminants. It depends on your personal circumstances, but when levels are between 100 and 150, you may want to consider limiting outdoor exercise, especially for young children.

Should I wear a mask?

You should consider wearing a high-quality mask, such as an N95 or KN95 mask. Surgical-style masks will not be helpful. Those masks offer at least partial protection from viruses transmitted by droplets, but they do not protect you from the extremely small particle pollutants. And even the N95 and KN95 masks cannot protect you from the gases, such as carbon monoxide, that are produced by wildfires.

What about working outside?

I think it depends on your underlying health, your age, your circumstances, what the work involves, and what the air quality is in the area that you’re working. If you have to work outside, a high-quality N95 mask will be a great idea if it’s possible for you.

Does it help to use my air conditioner?

Air conditioners vary tremendously in terms of how old they are, how they’re built, and what kind of filters they have in their use. Closing your windows and using an air conditioner is better than having the windows open. Ideally, your air conditioning system has a high-efficiency filter. Air purifiers can also help.

Who is most at risk?

Young children are more at risk because they tend to breathe at faster rates with higher volumes. When there’s an elevated pollution level, they’re generally getting more exposure. The elderly are at higher risk for heart and lung disease and have other underlying health conditions. Those with lung diseases, notably asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD), are often sensitive to environmental triggers like this, or changes in weather, temperatures, and humidity. Many of those with asthma, for example, often reach out to their doctors in advance to make sure they have emergency medication on hand. But it can be different for those with heart conditions.

What should people with heart disease know about this?

People with heart disease may not be aware that they are at increased risk, but these high levels of pollutants have been linked to visits to emergency rooms with cardiovascular conditions. People who are at risk may want to consider staying indoors to the extent possible. It’s also important to note that there may be a lag in the onset of symptoms. It may take a while for the contaminants you are breathing in to have an effect on your blood vessels. That is why we may sometimes see a lag in visits to the emergency department. The health effects can persist and escalate from 24 to 48 hours after the air quality levels are at their worst.

What are the signs that the air quality is affecting a typical, healthy person?

When the air quality index gets above 100, and then over 150, as has happened in recent years, you’re going to feel throat irritation, nasal irritation, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat—almost cold-like symptoms except without a fever. Some people may feel chest discomfort and headaches. These aren’t particularly dangerous. But for those with underlying conditions, such as lung disease and allergies, they can cause more severe debilitating symptoms. The air is unhealthy for everyone, but some groups are at risk of significant health effects.

 

Details of the air quality index from the federal government’s AirNow.gov site.

Learn more about the Adult Asthma Program at Mount Sinai
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Celebrating Nursing Assistive Staff

Updated on Jun 18, 2025 | Featured, Nursing

“We Are the Champions” is an apt theme for CNA Week 2025—Thursday, June 12, to Wednesday, June 18—as the Mount Sinai community recognizes Nursing Assistive Staff as dedicated champions of their patients.

Nursing Assistive Staff are essential members of health care teams throughout Mount Sinai who help to elevate the experience and outcomes of the patients and families who entrust us with their care. Their many contributions are evident is a variety of impactful roles, including Nursing Assistants, Patient Care Associates, Emergency Department Technicians, Cardiology Technicians, Surgical Care Assistants, Endoscopy Assistants, Medical Assistants, Clinical Oncology Associates, and other unlicensed members of our nursing teams.

The CNA role originated during World War I when the American Red Cross established the Volunteer Nurses’ Aide Service to train young women to provide basic support to nurses who were overburdened as demand for care increased dramatically. The Red Cross reactivated the program during World War II, and at the war’s conclusion, many of the aides continued as volunteers or transitioned to paid positions. The role continued to grow, and certification was established in the late 1980s. Today an estimated 1,350,000 nursing assistants are employed in the United States. National CNA Week provides a valuable opportunity to pause and thank our Mount Sinai Nursing Assistive Staff for the invaluable support they offer to our practice and our patients.

Below are personal reflections of several Nursing Assistive Staff from throughout Mount Sinai Health System who demonstrate their many contributions and dedication:

Jessica Lopez Mount Sinai South Nassau, D2 West

“Working as a Certified Nurse Assistant has shown me the true power of teamwork in delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Being part of a collaborative health care team motivates me to give my best each day, knowing that our combined efforts can make a meaningful difference in a patient’s life. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a patient walk out of our unit recovered and knowing I played a difference in their healing journey. Moments like those remind me why I chose this career path allowing me to connect, care and contribute to a patient’s quality of life saving care. I am proud to work alongside such a dedicated team and contributing to the meaningful care we provide daily.”
“The driving force behind my dedication as a PCA at Mount Sinai South Nassau in the Emergency Department is knowing that my actions, no matter how small can make a tangible difference in someone’s well-being, are incredible fulfilling. Whether it’s offering a reassuring word, assisting with daily tasks, or simply lending a listening ear, these moments of connection reinforce the importance of human compassion in healthcare. Ultimately, it is the act of giving back and extending compassion and grace that fuels my dedication to this role.”

Lynnette Sylvestre Mount Sinai South Nassau, Emergency Room

Margaret Daniels Mount Sinai West, 9C Addiction/Rehabilitation Impatient

“I enjoy being in this position because it is my desire to help people and it also aligns with my values and allows me to contribute to the organization. I am driven by the fact that I can contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference in people’s lives.  My motivation comes from knowing that my efforts are valued and appreciated. One of my biggest motivations is when patients are discharged after being cared for and I see that big smile on their faces, and they would say thank you Maggie… it makes me happy.”
“What I love about working in NYEE is my colleagues that feel like family as we work together as a team.”

Maximel Sorio New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Fourth Floor Operating Room

Audrey Jones Mount Sinai Morningside, STY-6 Rehab

“For the past 27 years, I have proudly served as a nursing assistant at Mount Sinai, where my passion for patient care has never wavered. I take great pride in providing compassionate and dignified care to individuals during their most vulnerable moments. My long-standing commitment reflects my deep respect for patient care. I show up every day to make a difference in the lives of my patients.”
“I have been a Patient Care Associate for about 23 years and am certified in Phlebotomy and EKG.  I appreciate the work that I do, and I understand that my impact on the staff and patients is immeasurable; from the exceptional patient care and customer service I give to the patients to the great teamwork I have with the medical staff here in ambulatory care. These things alone make my day go by faster and smoothly with the least to no conflict in this busy and demanding environment.  This friendly and cooperative working environment motivates me to come to work daily and stay longer if needed to help out.”

Ana Acevedo Mount Sinai Downtown Union Square, Ambulatory Surgery/Peri-Operative Services

Veronica Anderson Mount Sinai Queens, 3East

“I like helping people, I feel satisfied when my patients are happy, especially when they call me their angel.”  
“It has always been a dream of mine to care for the sick and the elderly. I have done so in many ways over the years. I am a nurturer and it gives me a deep sense of satisfaction, gratitude, and fulfilment to be part of the recovery process. I was beyond grateful beyond words to express when I was offered the position at Mount Sinai Queens as a nursing assistant. I felt at that moment my dream had finally materialized. Working with the staff over the years was an inspiration due to their professionalism and comradery. When my patients tell me they are comfortable and relaxed it is all the satisfaction I need to make my day. I am blessed.”

Kathleen Wong Mount Sinai Queens, 3 East

Esther Francis, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Oncology/Hematology

“I’ve worked at Mount Sinai for over 18 years and I love being a CNA/PCA at Mount Sinai because every day I get to make a real difference in our pediatric patients lives. Knowing that my care and compassion help patients feel supported and valued motivates me to give my best. It’s inspiring to work with such a dedicated team, and I’m proud to be part of a place where kindness and respect are at the heart of everything we do.”

 

“I’ve been working at The Mount Sinai Hospital for 10 years. I started as a nursing assistant (NA) and eventually transitioned into the patient care associate (PCA) role. Caring for people, but in particular the elderly population, has always been close to my heart. It reminds me of the times I spent caring for my great-great-grandmother. That experience taught me the value of patience, compassion, and dignity in caregiving. Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to train and orient many new NAs and PCAs, trying to pass on the same standards of care that are so important to me. What keeps me motivated here at The Mount Sinai Hospital is the supportive environment. I feel comfortable here, and that sense of support encourages me to continue giving every patient the same level of care I gave to my own family. Overall, being a PCA at Mount Sinai is more than just a job for me. It is a meaningful way to honor my roots in caregiving and help shape the next generation of compassionate health care workers.”

James Leon, The Mount Sinai Hospital, KCC 4/5 South

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