Alice Bernard

Alice Bernard has been an administrative assistant in the Department of Neurology at Mount Sinai West since February 2021, when she transferred from Access Services. She is praised for being reliable, compassionate, and always willing to go above and beyond to help her team and patients. The practice continually receives wonderful feedback from patients about Alice, with comments such as, “I was so appreciative of how she worked me into a visit even though I was booked out so far initially. She communicated clearly with me and was able to find an earlier appointment.”

According to her supervisor, Yvonne Matos, Senior Manager, Neurology at Mount Sinai West, Alice has always been willing to learn and is available to help whenever needed. “She has become our Epic ‘super user,’ which has been a great help to the staff and her manager. She never shies away from additional tasks when her assistance is needed and always asks if there is anything that she can do to help.”

Alice supports three physicians in Neurology, each one praising her reliability, kindness, and professional skills. One physician shared that her clinicians never have to worry that a patient or task will slip through the cracks. “She is extremely thoughtful and kind. She makes my job so much easier and more enjoyable.” Another shared, “Alice approaches her work with kindness and enthusiasm that serve as a model for others to aspire toward. She takes time to make sure that each patient is taken care of and is shown the utmost care. Her professional and interpersonal abilities have led her to being an integral part of the department.”

Alice is a team player who is deeply committed to the patient experience. “First, I would like to thank my manager, Yvonne Matos, and the physicians and co-workers I have been working with in both Neurology and Neurosurgery,” she says. “It has been fantastic and amazing to work with such caring and supportive people. It is an amazing feeling to be able to help patients and see their road to recovery. A good chunk of the patients I work with are being seen for mental health due to epilepsy—these are patients I speak with almost on a weekly basis. Epilepsy can be quite debilitating, and carrying this diagnosis, patients often feel labeled. But talking with them beyond their diagnosis is an approach that makes them feel less apprehensive and more open to continuing treatment at our office. “

Mei Kuen “Suzie” Xie, PA-C, MBA

Mei Kuen “Suzie” Xie, PA-C, MBA, is the Director of Operating Room Operations for the Departments of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology, a new position at the Mount Sinai Health System. In this role, she is responsible for connecting the operating room needs of the departments with perioperative services at The Mount Sinai Hospital, improving the process in the operating room, and advancing quality initiatives surrounding patient safety.

Since assuming this role in 2022, Suzie has earned accolades from both senior leadership and colleagues. She is considered to be creative, proactive, deeply engaged, and energetic, and her sunny disposition and irrepressible energy motivate all those around her.

“Even with high expectations and many needs, Suzie significantly exceeded those expectations and identified needs we had not even realized existed,” says Joshua B. Bederson, MD, Leonard I. Malis and Corinne/Joseph Graber Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Health System. “She completely transformed the operations, efficiency, safety, and most importantly, culture of the operating room environment.”

In Physician Assistant (PA) school, she developed an interest in Head and Neck pathology, which led her to her first position at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst as a PA in Otolaryngology, a field also known as ear, nose, and throat. At Elmhurst, she worked alongside top-class surgeons and residents from The Mount Sinai Health System, assessing patients in a busy outpatient clinic, performing procedures from flexible laryngoscopy, needle aspirations of masses, and biopsy of tumors. Her duties also included coordinating patient’s operative and postoperative care.

Suzie says, “Seeing how highly specialized surgeons are able to repair any defects caused by cancer and to give patients hope and a second chance in life assured me that health care is where I want to be.” Valuing her experience in the operating room, both during training and at Elmhurst, Suzie transitioned to The Mount Sinai Hospital as a Head and Neck operating room PA.

Raj K. Shrivastava, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology, Vice Chair for Education for the Department of Neurosurgery, and Neurosurgery Residency Program Director, considers Suzie one of his most valuable colleagues. “She always goes above and beyond. She is conscientious, hard-working, well organized and always prepared. She has made real quantitative and impactful changes. As we all know, this takes not only commitment but also a true desire to be better and help.”

Satish Govindaraj, MD, FACS, FARS, Director of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery for the Department of Otolaryngology-HNS at Mount Sinai Health System adds, “Our first case ‘On Time Starts’ have been the highest in the hospital and our case turnover time has trended down as well. Suzie identified issues of concern in the operating room and she will be addressing each in a stepwise fashion. She has been an excellent liaison between the physicians and staff.”

Alfred Iloreta, MD, Director of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, says Suzie is a natural leader and a great collaborator. “She has excelled in this new role, advocating for surgeons’ needs while always prioritizing patient safety.”

And Leslie Schlachter, Clinical Director and Chief Advanced Practice Provider for MSHS says, “As the Chief PA in Neurosurgery for Mount Sinai Health System, it is such an honor and privilege to have Suzie not only in an inaugural role for the system, but on our team and knocking it out of the park. Her knowledge, work ethic and enthusiasm is incomparable.”

“The OR is an integration of multiple disciplines and systems, making this position fun and challenging,” explains Suzie. “It requires constant learning, planning, and teamwork. I work with awesome perioperative and surgical teams to drive positive changes.”

Suzie’s journey as a PA professional is far from over. She earned an MBA in 2020 and credits her Mount Sinai team for helping pave the way.

“My journey would not have been as smooth without my supportive mentors, nursing leadership, and the joint effort among all staffs,” she says. “I have grown so much and cannot wait to see where these experiences will take me. That’s the beauty of being a PA: venturing out and following my passion.”