Vitality Winter 2011

A PUBLICATION OF NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND LONG ISLAND JEWISH MEDICAL CENTER

VITALITY

NORTHSHORELIJ.COM FALL 2010/wINTER 2011

Help for cancer patients

Don’t let Winter WeatHer STOp YOu COLd NEw Urgent care centers

2 Vitality + Fall 2010/Winter 2011

3 Help for Cancer patientsA women from Levittown recovers from Stage IV oropharyngeal cancer.

A Woodside resident is the happy recipient of a bone marrow donation.

6 Heart HealthNorth Shore University Hospital has New York State’s best outcomes for patients undergoing open-heart surgery and angioplasty.

7 Health programsLearning opportunities on childbirth, parenting and CPR.

8 Calming Your FearsPreventive therapy and treatment can help women with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The new Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic conducts quick and painless testing.

10 Feinstein Institute for Medical ResearchResearchers at The Feinstein’s General Clinical Research Center look for effective ways to treat lupus.

Researchers at the Feinstein held a discussion on sepsis at the 2010 Merinoff Symposium.

12 North Shore-LIJ NewsA new pavilion on the LIJ Medical Center campus will bear the name of a longstanding trustee and supporter of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

The Zucker Hillside Hospital began construction on a new 140,000-square-foot inpatient pavilion.

US News & World Report lists The Zucker Hillside Hospital as one of the nation’s top psychiatric facilities and North Shore University Hospital among the best for geriatric services.

LIJ Medical Center eliminates surgical ICU central-line infections.

Three new medical groups open in Queens and Nassau county.

The Stern Family Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation has created an initiative to address healthcare-acquired bacterial infections.

18 Lighten up!Two-Cheese Pizza, All Red and Ready-to-Go Pizza and Tortilla Pizzas.

19 Health BytesTips for a healthier lifestyle.

fall 2010/Winter 2011: in this issue

Medical Update Begins 8th SeasonWatch new episodes of Medical Update on saturdays at 11 a.m. on channel 10 on long island cablevision, on WlnY-tV channel 55, and on time Warner cable in Queens, Manhattan, staten island, Brooklyn and the Bronx. the program is also available via DirectV and Dish tV. for more information or to view archived programs online, go to NorthShoreLIJ.com.

CONTENTS

northshorelij .com 3

HELp FOR CANCER pATIENTS

continued on page 4

patients with oral and throat cancer get all-star care by thea Welch

This past August, the world learned that film star Michael Douglas had been diagnosed with cancer

when doctors found a tumor the size of a walnut at the base of his tongue. He appeared on David Letterman’s show to discuss his symptoms and course of treatment.

Like many celebrities in his situation, Mr. Douglas has garnered a great deal of public sympathy. But for Gale Gallahue of Levittown, the sympathy is especially deep and very personal: She received the same diagnosis nearly two years ago from Douglas Frank, MD, chief of head and neck surgery and co-chairman of the Center for Head and Neck Oncology at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park.

Based on what Dr. Frank knows of Mr. Douglas’s case, he views Ms. Gallahue’s as very similar. “On the news, it’s being referred to as throat cancer, but it’s actually oropharyngeal, meaning the back of the mouth. About 35,000 new cases are diagnosed every year, often associated with smoking,” he said.

Mr. Douglas said his cancer is Stage IV, and that there is an 80 percent cure rate. That high cure rate was greeted with skepticism by many observers — but Stage IV oropharyngeal cancer has substages A, B, and C, and substage A is the least advanced.

“If we were treating him here, I would give him the same odds,” Dr. Frank said. “And I can say with confidence that the treatment our patients receive here is as sophisticated and comprehensive as anywhere in the country.”

TEAM OF SpECIALISTSAs cancer care has evolved, it has become more and more multidisciplinary, said David Schwartz, MD, vice chairman of radiation medicine at North Shore-LIJ Health System and co-chairman of the Center for Head and Neck Oncology.

“With most types of cancer, surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy may be employed in various combina-tions,” Dr. Schwartz said. “Those methods are also the tools for cancers of the head and neck. But those cancers and their treatment affect basic human func-tions like eating [including chewing, swallowing and digesting], speaking, hearing and breathing — so naturally, there is often a psychological toll. That’s why our team includes specialists such as nutritionists, dentists, gastroenterologists, reconstructive surgeons,

Gale Gallahue recovered from oropharyngeal cancer with help from specialists at the Center for Head and Neck Oncology at LIJ Medical Center.


HELp FOR CANCER pATIENTS

patients with oral and throat cancer get all-star care

speech pathologists and psychologists. We anticipate and promptly address these related issues that affect quality of life. I like to say that at the initial diagnosis, we’re already looking forward, assessing how to return the patient to a full, productive life.”

“Hearing about Michael Douglas brings it back to me — how terrifying the diagnosis was. Isn’t everyone terrified when the doctor says the word ‘cancer’?” asked Ms. Gallahue. “But Dr. Frank explained, ‘It’s cancer, but it’s curable.’ I had chemo and radiation at the same time, over several months, and I did have some complications. I ran a high fever because I was allergic to the first chemo drug, and I had some burns from the radiation on the back of my neck. But my doctors were prepared to deal with every crisis and were very attentive and reassuring.”

MOvINg AHEAd Today, Ms. Gallahue is busy remodeling her kitchen — a project she put on hold when she was diagnosed, and one she feared she might never complete. She has a slight hearing loss and must use a high-fluoride toothpaste, but she has her life back and is very grateful.

“Before the treatment began, I went to New York City for a second opinion,” she said, “but I’m so glad I stayed close to home. I don’t believe I could have received a higher level of care.” n

Be Part of the ConversationFollow North Shore-LIJ on Facebook and Twitter

autumn brings cooler weather and a new season to take charge of your health. even Maxwell, our facebook mascot, finds things to be thankful for this time of year. take control of your health. get up-to-the-minute healthcare information when you follow the north shore-liJ Health system on facebook and twitter. You’ll get the latest health news, press releases, free health screening informa-tion and community education events, plus a host of wellness and other important information. on facebook, search for north shore-liJ Health system. and find us on Twitter.com/NorthShoreLIJ. Be part of the conversation!

continued from page 3

Most of us are aware of the deadly potential of lung or breast cancer, but another cancer that causes serious problems often gets little attention. While less common, cancers of the head and neck can affect some of our most important functions — eating, speaking and breathing.

Most head and neck cancers begin in the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and throat. they can also develop in the sinuses and nose, on the lips, in the salivary glands and in the lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck.

Head and neck cancers frequently are diagnosed late, making them more difficult to treat and cure. finding the disease early significantly improves chances of beating it.

symptoms include a lump or sore in the neck, throat or mouth that doesn’t heal, persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a change or hoarseness in the voice.

other signs include: < chronic sinus infection or nosebleed; < unusual bleeding or red or white patches in the mouth; < swelling in the jaw or under the chin; < ear pain or ringing; and < trouble breathing, speaking or hearing.How doctors treat the disease depends on where the

cancer started, how long it has been there and whether it has spread. surgery to remove the cancer, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, may be used separately or in combination.

Head and Neck Cancer: What You Need to Know

+Select physicians with privileges at North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center offer head

and neck cancer expertise. to make an appointment for a consultation, call 1-888-321-dOCS. for an appointment at the center for Head and neck oncology, call 718-470-7552, option 8.


Bone Marrow Donor and recipient Meet for the first time by Michelle pinto

When Jonathan Franco, 30, received a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome

(MDS), he knew everything would change. He just didn’t know it would be for the better.

Due to his MDS (formerly known as pre-leukemia), “Jonathan’s bone marrow produced bad blood cells,” said his oncologist, Ruthee-Lu Bayer, MD, chief of North Shore University Hospital’s Don Monti Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. A bone-marrow transplant was his only hope for a normal life, and Dr. Bayer’s team searched for a long time to find him a match. North Shore University Hospital boasts the only adult transplant program accredited by the prestigious Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy in Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.

After a two-year battle with the disease, the Woodside resident was the happy recipient of a bone marrow donation from Chicago’s Diana Delgado, 39. His wife, Leydi, was then in her fifth month of pregnancy.

Soon after the bone-marrow transplant, the Francos’ son was born. They named him Jonathan Maximus. “We named him after me, because Jonathan means ‘beloved of God,’ said Mr. Franco. “Maximum means ‘the greatest’ and to us, given my health, our son is truly the greatest miracle.”

Ms. Delgado’s selfless act not only led to Mr. Franco’s welcoming a new son into the world, but also to a recent face-to-face donor/recipient meeting. The occasion was the Eighth Annual Celebration of Life Dinner, supported by the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. The event, held at the Crest Hollow Country Club, is a highlight for bone marrow donors and recipients, family members, healthcare professionals and supporters.

In June 1972, 16-year-old Don Monti died at North Shore University Hospital of myeloblastic leukemia. His parents, Tita and Joseph Monti, immediately committed to founding an organization in his memory. They

established the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation at the hospital, and the foundation has raised and contributed tens of millions of dollars over the years toward cancer research, education, fellowship and patient care.

Today, the program is under the steward-ship of Caroline Monti Saladino, whose parents began this vital work so many years ago. As she watched Mr. Franco and Ms. Delgado embrace and chat quietly, Ms. Saladino remarked that she strongly felt the presence of her mother and father.

Mr. Franco summed up the spirit of the reunion in just a few words: “We have the same bone marrow. She is going to be like a sister to me. We are always going to stay in contact. Now I can be a father to my son. This is great.” n

+ Give the gift of life. for more information about bone marrow

donations, visit Marrow-Donor.org.

Bone marrow recipient Jonathan Franco met bone marrow donor Diana Delgado at the recent Eighth Annual Celebration of Life Dinner.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) recently reported that North Shore

University Hospital (NSUH) had New York State’s best outcomes for patients undergoing surgeries to repair or replace heart valves and for those in need of valve and/or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. A separate DOH report showed that for the second consecutive year, NSUH had significantly better outcomes for patients undergoing emergency angioplas-ty, the procedure to clear blocked arteries and improve blood flow.

North Shore University Hospital was one of three hospitals in the state — and the only one on Long Island — to receive a double-star ranking for angioplasty performed on high-risk patients. The DOH’s open-heart surgery and angioplasty reports encompass data from 2005 to 2007.

Besides the hospital’s top ranking, two NSUH surgeons — Alan Hartman, MD, chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at North Shore and Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center, and Rick Esposito, MD, associate chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at NSUH — had risk-adjusted mortality rates that were among the lowest in the state for coronary artery bypass graft surgery, earning them the

DOH’s coveted double-star rating for outcomes significantly better than the statewide average. That distinction was also earned by LIJ Medical Center surgeon Robert Palazzo, MD, who had zero mortality for his 258 cardiac bypass surgery patients during the three-year period covered by the DOH report.

For angioplasty, the report reviewed risk-adjusted outcomes for 53 hospitals and approximately 350 cardiologists who perform the procedure. NSUH cardiologist Lawrence Ong, MD, had the state’s best outcomes for all types of angioplasty during that time frame and had zero mortality among his 793 patients.

“Cardiac services provided throughout North Shore-LIJ Health System continue to demon-strate excellence,” said Stanley Katz, MD, senior vice president of cardiovascular services for North Shore-LIJ Health System. “It’s important for the public to have access to this type of statistical medical information so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare providers and lifesaving procedures.” n

+Treat your heart to New York’s best treatment. find a cardiac

specialist at 1-866-690-2008.


HEART HEALTH

north shore is state’s Best for open-Heart surgery, angioplasty

if your doctor has recommended a cardiac stress test, long island Jewish (liJ) Medical center can deliver a fast, comfortable experience close to home. the hospital recently installed the Discovery™ nM 530c nuclear cardiology imaging system; the ge Healthcare unit reduces scanning time to as little as three minutes per scan. furthermore, its arm and leg supports help to make your exam comfortable while its breakthrough alcyone technology provides your doctor with better images to use in diagnosing your condition. liJ joins north shore University Hospital in being one of the few locations in the country to have this latest innovation in nuclear medicine.

Heart-Imaging System Gets You Back into Circulation

The New York State Department of Health reports superior outcomes for North Shore University Hospital’s emergency angioplasty and cardiac valve-replacement surgery and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.


HEALTH pROgRAMS

parenting, Baby care and cpr classes prepare You for the Unexpected

You and your loved ones can stay safe and healthy with the help of programs offered by North Shore-LIJ’s Department of Professional and Public Health Education. All programs take place in the Lake Success Business Park in Great Neck. For class dates and to register, go to NorthShoreLIJ.com. Click on “Classes,” then “Community Wellness Programs and More” or call 516-465-2500 for a brochure. Sorry, no phone registrations. Lamaze Childbirthfor expectant mothers and their partners. instruction in stages of labor, role of labor partner, relaxation and pushing techniques, hospital admission procedures, anesthesia/analgesic options, cesarean and vaginal birth after cesarean and postpartum expec-tations. class includes a tour of postpartum and nursery units. lamaze instruction must be completed two weeks prior to expected delivery date. $175 per couple Weekends: saturday or sunday(one session)9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Weekends: saturday and sunday(two-session classes)9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Weekdays (three-session classes)7 to 10 p.m.

Breast-Feeding I: The Basicsexpectant mothers and their partners can learn about breast-feeding techniques, facts and myths. Bring a baby doll or stuffed animal.7 to 9:30 p.m.$40 per person/$65 per couple

Breast-Feeding II: Beyond the Basicsfor expectant and new mothers and their partners. covers bottle use, returning to work and breast pumping.7 to 9:30 p.m.$40 per person/$65 per couple

Baby Care Basicsexpectant parents, grandpar-ents and child-care providers can learn about characteristics of the newborn, feeding, bath-ing, diapering, cord and circum-cision care, temperature taking, baby equipment, safety, sleep and immunization. Bring a baby doll.7 to 9:30 p.m.$50 per person/$75 per couple

Baby Safetopics include creating a safe home environment for baby, home emergencies and basic first aid for bleeding, burns, fractures, shock and poisoning.7 to 9 p.m.$20 per person/$35 per couple

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CpR)cardiopulmonary resuscitation (cpr) is a critically important step in helping to save lives, according to the american Heart association. the technique revives victims of cardiovascular emergencies by helping to maintain blood flow to the victim’s heart and brain. this buys time until nor-mal heart function is restored with the help of emergency medical services. the north shore-liJ Health system’s award-winning Department of professional and public Health education offers cpr courses tai-lored for babies, children and adults. courses include instruction in cpr and foreign-body airway obstruction clearance techniques.

Infant CpRcpr for newborn to one-year-old children.$45 per person/$75 per couple

Infant/Child CpRcpr for newborn to eight-year-old children.$45 per person/$75 per couple

Adult CpRadult course includes a take-home kit with inflatable mannequin, practice DVD, american Heart association booklet and accessories.$55 per person

In addition to the classes listed above, Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park offers childbirth preparation classes, breast-feeding education and baby care programs. For more information, contact LIJ’s Childbirth Office at 718-470-7915.


CALMINg YOuR FEARS

To ease the suffering and confusion of families who have experi-enced a “problem pregnancy,” North Shore University Hospital

and the Division of Maternal/Fetal Medicine have created a Center for Thrombophilia and Adverse Outcomes in Pregnancy. After dealing with the shock and sorrow of an adverse outcome, most patients share a common concern in a subsequent pregnancy: What are the chances that this will happen again?

“Effective prevention of a recurrence of an adverse pregnancy outcome has been a challenge for doctors and is an area of active research in obstetrics,” said Victor Rosenberg, MD, director of the center. “Fortunately, preventive therapy and effective treatments do exist.” Dr. Rosenberg is pleased to be joined by his colleagues, a team of maternal/fetal medicine specialists, in the running of this program.

Located at 865 Northern Boulevard, Suite 205, in Great Neck, the center helps women who:

< have had a pregnancy complicated by poor fetal growth or early-onset preeclampsia (less than 34 weeks);

< have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss (two or more) in both the first and second trimesters;

< have suffered a fetal demise in the second or third trimester, or stillbirth or pregnancy loss in the third trimester; and

< have been diagnosed with a thrombophilia or blood-clotting disorder.

Dr. Rosenberg said many recent reports link adverse pregnancy outcomes to thrombophilia, which is an inherited or acquired predisposition to develop blood clots. Clots can interfere with the body’s ability to maintain a healthy pregnancy, he said.

Dr. Rosenberg encourages women to schedule an appointment at the Center for Thrombophilia and Adverse Outcomes in Pregnancy prior to conception or in early pregnancy, when a plan of care is established. “Women are usually followed by both the center and their primary obstetrician for the entire pregnancy,” he said. “This allows two sets of eyes to follow the pregnancy very closely.”

All pregnant women, regardless of age, are at risk for having an adverse outcome in pregnancy, Dr. Rosenberg said: “Pregnancy is a sort of ‘stress test’ for a woman’s body. Sometimes underlying blood clotting disorders [such as thrombophilia] are uncovered after a patient experiences a problem in a pregnancy.” For those reasons, patients can benefit from the centralized expertise offered by the center’s dedicated staff, and from the center’s coordination of care with other nationally renowned specialists — such as hematologists and rheumatologists — at North Shore University Hospital. n

+ Support during pregnancy. an unfortunate outcome in a pregnancy is heartbreaking and

shocking, but does not necessarily signal the end of the dream of parenthood. those wishing to learn more about adverse pregnancy outcomes, thrombophilia, or pursuing the goal of a healthy pregnancy can call the center for thrombophilia and adverse outcomes in pregnancy at 516-622-5155.

new Help for Women with problem pregnancies by Michelle pinto

Stay In-the-Know!Do you want to read news stories about north shore-liJ Health system facilities and their clinicians? then sign up for our e-mail newsletter, “north shore-liJ in the news.” follow the link below and sign up for this weekly roundup of newspaper, online and broadcast news stories involving north shore-liJ at http://eepurl.com/brIC1.


If you or your physician feels a lump or lesion on your neck, scalp, breast or any

other area, you may be referred for a minimally invasive procedure known as a fine needle aspiration (FNA), during which cells are extracted from the lesion for microscopic examination. The test helps to differentiate between a benign or cancerous lump or determine whether you have an inflammatory condition.

Knowing that getting such a diagnostic test may be stressful, the North Shore-LIJ Health System has opened its first outpa-tient Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic at 1991 Marcus Ave., Suite M113, in Lake Success. The new facility offers patients immediate test results and a high level of care, with board-certified cytopathologists (pathology specialists who study and diagnose disease at the cellular level). These doctors can perform the procedure, interpret first impressions of samples and explain preliminary results to patients and family members — all within approximately one hour. The clinic is equipped with high-tech microscopes and an ultrasound machine, which cytopathologists sometimes use to locate a lump and guide the needle to its precise location.

FNA is a fast, accurate, scar-free, painless and safe method of sampling almost any superficial (just under the skin) lump that can be felt or seen by ultrasound, which can help to avoid surgical biopsy or unnecessary surgery. A tiny needle is used, smaller than the size used to draw blood, and anesthesia is usually not necessary. Following the procedure, physicians who are specialists in

cytopathology immediately evaluate the sample under a microscope. FNA is an outpatient procedure requiring no patient preparation and allows people to resume normal activity immediately. SIgNIFICANT IMpROvEMENT IN ACCuRACY “FNA provides safe, rapid, minimally invasive technology that renders enormous relevant and significant information for patients and their physicians,” said Patricia Wasserman, MD, senior director of cytopa-thology at North Shore-LIJ Laboratories. “The ability to perform a procedure and provide a diagnosis in one visit is beneficial to both patients and doctors. Research shows that when the physician touching, feeling, viewing the lesion and performing the FNA is the same physician making the final diagnosis, there is a significant improvement in the accuracy of the

interpretation of results.”Dr. Wasserman noted that pathologists

are highly skilled in interpreting and performing the FNA procedure and well-suited to educating patients and physicians about its findings. After prelimi-nary results are discussed with patients, referring physicians are called to determine the next course of action; for those physi-cians, the FNA clinic offers a way to provide appropriate, responsive and timely care for patients.

“The FNA Clinic setting can often ease a patient’s anxiety,” said Dr. Wasserman, “especially if we determine a lump is benign.” For referring physicians, the FNA Clinic offers a way to provide appropriate, responsive and timely care for patients.

Another essential benefit of the Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic is that cytopathol-ogists can determine whether enough cell samples were extracted for examination. If not, additional cells are extracted immedi-ately, avoiding a second patient visit and delays in diagnosis and treatment. For every procedure and for diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic assessment, further advanced molecular testing from samples is performed at North Shore-LIJ Laboratories. n

+ Schedule an appointment. Dr. Wasserman, along with

her colleagues, nora Morgenstern, MD, and ilan reder, MD, lead the fine needle aspiration clinic. call 516-442-2838. convenient patient parking is available.

new fine needle aspiration clinic gives patients Quick test results by Betty olt

An ultrasound machine is often used to locate a lump and guide the needle to its precise location.

Cytopathologists at the new Fine Needle Aspiration Clinic perform the procedure, interpret first impressions of samples and explain preliminary results to patients and family members — all within approximately one hour.


FEINSTEIN INSTITuTE FOR MEdICAL RESEARCH

the subway series to fight lupus by Jamie talan

Lisa Marcus lives in Brooklyn, and under ordinary circumstances, it’s very unlikely

that she would have befriended Marion Benjamin of the Bronx. But the 48-year-old Park Slope blues singer/songwriter met the 57-year-old retired traffic officer because of their shared medical history. They both have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease that has changed the trajectory of their lives and brought them to The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research with the same vision: to get better.

Diagnosed in the 1980’s, Ms. Benjamin saw her mother die from lupus and has two siblings with the disease. SLE is three times more common in women, and African-Americans are at even higher risk; no one is quite sure why. Ms. Marcus had no family history, but she developed her first symp-toms three years ago.

FELLOwSHIp FOuNdThe two patients bonded as soon as they met last fall. Ms. Benjamin said she feels as if she is looking at herself three decades ago when she was diagnosed with lupus. She spent almost a decade at home because the lesions that erupted on her skin were so painful and sunlight hurt her eyes. Ms. Marcus, who was diagnosed in 2007, has been so exhausted by constant fevers that she too has stayed in her apartment most of the time. Ms. Benjamin is playing mentor, encouraging Ms. Marcus to turn to things that make her happy, like her music. And Ms. Marcus is listening. She recently began picking up her guitar and singing again.

“This is where my life changed,” said Ms. Benjamin, who has been involved in two research studies at the Feinstein’s General Clinical Research Center, which is part of the institute’s Center for Autoimmune Diseases and Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Cynthia Aranow, MD, and Meggan Mackay, MD, codirectors of the Clinical Research Unit, which is part of the Fein-stein’s Center for Autoimmune Diseases, suggested that Ms. Benjamin and Ms. Marcus would hit it off. They did. Now they talk on the phone almost daily. Ms. Marcus

said she is beginning to make the best of her tiring days. She, too, participates in clinical treatment studies at the Feinstein.

Ms. Benjamin said that she finally got her symptoms under control and continues to benefit from monthly visits to the Feinstein to help track her symptoms and the course of her disease. “I have been doing so well that they now want to figure out why,” she said. Ms. Marcus felt better when she spent a year on a study drug, but the trial ended and her exhaustion has returned. She said she is plagued by fevers and every day a new set of rashes appears. The Feinstein doctors are searching for an effective treatment for her symptoms.

ACTIvE pARTICIpANTSFeinstein Institute researchers have participated in the design and active enrollment of subjects in studies of new therapeutic agents that may be useful for treating SLE and other autoim-mune diseases. Their monthly blood samples go to lupus laboratories at the Feinstein, where

scientists correlate biologic markers in blood or urine samples with clinical information about the patients. This information allows research-ers to study abnormalities in the immune system, discover how they contribute to autoimmune disease and identify targets for the development of new therapies. These types of studies can also include genetic testing to help researchers understand why some individuals are at higher risk of developing autoimmune disease than others.

Ms. Marcus first contacted the Feinstein when she learned about a study of lupus and vitamin D. But then she got involved with another clinical trial. And now she returns every month for a medical exam. There are many abnormalities involved in lupus, and identifying what can be safely targeted with treatments will be key in treating her disease. n

+ To learn more about ongoing lupus studies, call 866-690-2008.

From left, Lisa Marcus; Meggan Mackay, MD; Marion Benjamin; and Cynthia Aranow, MD, at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.


Victims of sepsis tell their Harrowing survival stories

For Jackie Wang, it was just a garden-variety infection that was slowing her down. But her doctor realized that the 29-year-old

Manhasset woman was sick enough to go to the Emergency Department. By the time she got to North Shore University Hospital, her body’s immune system had waged a full-scale attack on her lungs and threatened other organs — and her life.

Ms. Wang is among the half-million Americans every year who develop sepsis or septic shock, a life-threatening immune response that claims more than 200,000 lives annually in the US. Jackie Wang is one of the lucky ones. She survived.

When she awoke from a 10-day induced coma that was necessary to save her life and was told that she had sepsis, the young woman looked puzzled: “What’s sepsis?” she asked. She is not alone. More than 60 percent of adults do not know what sepsis is, according to a new survey sponsored by The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

The survey of 1,000 adults throughout the United States found that: < 69 percent of seniors, ages 65 and older, are not familiar with the

term “sepsis.” Studies show that seniors are at a higher risk of developing sepsis, often because they have chronic diseases that weaken their immune system and make them more susceptible to it.

< Familiarity varied by region. Adults from the southern states are least familiar with the term “sepsis,” despite the fact that a recently-published study shows the highest mortality rates are also in southern states.

< 63 percent of men versus 55 percent of women are not familiar with sepsis. Published research shows that men have a higher mortality rate than women.

< 67 percent of African-Americans versus 58 percent of Caucasians

and 57 percent of Hispanics were not familiar with sepsis. Research has shown that African-Americans have higher incidence rates of sepsis than the population as a whole and that African-American men have the highest mortality rates

< Only 50 percent of college graduates were familiar with sepsis versus 24 percent of those with a high school diploma or less.

The Feinstein Institute released the survey results on the heels of the Merinoff Symposium, a two-day international conference that brought together more than 150 scientists, physicians and other sepsis experts from 18 countries. The conference was held this fall at the Feinstein Institute, which is recognized as a leader in sepsis research, receiving more than $20 million a year in sepsis-related research grants.

“The lack of awareness and understanding is one of the major challenges we face in healthcare today,” said Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president of the Feinstein Institute and a pioneer in sepsis research. “One in four hospital deaths are caused by sepsis, yet the majority of Americans have never even heard of the condition. Sepsis is a mystery to most Americans.”

At the conference, Ms. Wang joined the pulmonologist who helped diagnose and treat her, Mark Rosen, MD, and others interested in raising public awareness of sepsis at the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Patient Safety Institute (PSI) in Lake Success, where her case was replicated during a simulation session conducted by PSI staff, underscoring the complexities of sepsis and the challenges facing physicians and nurses who are faced with identify-ing potential symptoms of sepsis and making an accurate and speedy diagnosis.

“I was very surprised when they told me I had sepsis. I never even heard of it,” she said. Ms. Wang is sharing her story so that the public gains an understanding of the condition. “This could happen to anyone.”

Also participating in the conference was Carl Flatley, DDS, the founder and chairman of Sepsis Alliance, an organization focused on the early detection and effective management of sepsis. A Florida dentist, Dr. Flately founded the group after his healthy 23-year-old daughter, Erin, entered a hospital for elective surgery in 2002 and died of sepsis five days later. He later became a sepsis victim himself.

To combat sepsis in North Shore-LIJ’s 15 hospitals throughout the New York area, Dr. Tracey has teamed with Kenneth Abrams, MD, the health system’s senior vice president of clinical operations, who has initiated a program that trains caregivers to look for early indicators of sepsis among patients, and at the first sign of trouble, treat them early and aggressively. n

Sepsis survivor Jackie Wang and her husband, Tom, talk with Mark Rosen, MD, of North Shore-LIJ, right, and Kevin Tracey, MD, president of The Feinstein Institute.


NORTH SHORE-LIJ NEwS

nortH sHore-liJ goes MoBilea mobile version of the north shore-liJ Health system’s Web site is accessible via NorthShoreLIJ.com on any smartphone, BlackBerry, iphone or palm and delivers a greatly improved experience for mobile Web site visitors. You can quickly retrieve directions and maps to north shore-liJ’s hospitals and facilities.

latest gift from roy Zuckerberg inspires liJ pavilion name by Marisa fedele

It’s fitting that the new pavilion being constructed in front of Long Island Jewish

(LIJ) Medical Center will bear Roy Zucker-berg’s name. After all, Mr. Zuckerberg is a longstanding trustee of the hospital and has been instrumental in steering LIJ — and the entire North Shore-LIJ Health System — down the path of success.

The Zuckerberg Pavilion at LIJ is made possible by the latest gift from Mr. Zucker-berg, who has been providing support to the health system, its hospitals and pro-grams for more than 30 years. Once completed in 2012, the pavilion will serve as the new face of LIJ, reminding patients and family members that they’re entering a state-of-the-art facility and putting their health in the most capable hands. The $39 million pavilion will add more than 57,000 square feet to the hospital, including a 7,300-square-foot lobby, a two-story interfaith chapel and meditation room and 60 medical/surgical beds.

As chairman of the Board of Trustees at LIJ during the 1990’s, Mr. Zuckerberg helped to negotiate the successful 1997 merger of the North Shore Health System and LIJ Medical Center, which created the North Shore-LIJ Health System. He chaired North Shore-LIJ’s Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2004 and today remains an active member of the health system’s Executive Committee. Mr. Zuckerberg, who also serves on several boards outside of the health system, is currently a senior director with the Goldman Sachs Group and was formerly vice chairman of the firm.

“Roy Zuckerberg has made enormous contributions to the health system as evidenced by his leadership, dedication and passion for doing what’s right,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of North Shore-LIJ. “His stewardship as chairman during a key period in the system’s evolution was just extraordinary, and I have personally learned and benefited from his counsel. His recent gift is further testament to his commitment and his confidence in the health system’s future.”

North Shore-LIJ remains deeply grateful to Mr. Zuckerberg for his many contributions over the years as a guiding force and a friend to all. n

Roy Zuckerberg

A 7,300-square-foot lobby will welcome visitors to the Zuckerberg Pavilion when it opens in 2012.


The Zucker Hillside Hospital recently broke ground on a 140,000-square-foot,

$122 million inpatient pavilion. Constructed with the generous support of Donald and Barbara Zucker, the new two-story building will consolidate outdated living quarters dispersed across the psychiatric facility’s campus — thus significantly improving the coordination of services and treatment along the continuum of care.

The new pavilion will house 115 inpatient beds — 57 for geriatric patients, 37 for general adults and 21 for adolescents — increasing capacity and services by 13 beds. This modern, patient-centered facility will be surrounded by a tranquil and sprawling environment that preserves the unique history of The Zucker Hillside Hospital campus.

The new building’s two-story design will feature units radiating from a central rotunda that will include spaces for gatherings among patients, families and clinical teams. The inpatient pavilion will have space designated to meet the specific needs of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, memory and mood disorders. It also will feature classrooms for school-age patients; secure outdoor areas for relaxation, family visits and exercise; and group and individual counseling rooms.

“Behavioral health disorders affect nearly half of the population during the course of a

lifetime and account for more disability and missed days of work than any other illness,” said Michael Dowling, North Shore-LIJ Health System president and CEO. “Updat-ing the facilities at Zucker Hillside enables us to meet the needs of this often-overlooked patient population and gain recognition as the premier center for behavioral healthcare in the New York metropolitan area.”

“Psychiatric illness and addiction cause heartache and alter lives. Their devastating impact scars families for generations,” said John Kane, MD, vice president of behavioral health services for the North Shore-LIJ Health System and chairman of psychiatry at Zucker Hillside. “This new pavilion will help to change that — by treating these disorders, healing families and returning people to society’s mainstream.”

INNOvATION ANd COMpASSIONNamed one of the nation’s top 20 psychiatric facilities this year by US News & World Report (see article on next page), Zucker Hillside has been a leader in healing individuals with mental illness for more than 80 years.

Founded as Hastings Hillside Hospital in 1927 by neurologist Israel Strauss, MD, the private hospital provided the first formal therapeutic community — a modality specializing in the use of meaningful tasks like gardening that assist patients as they work through the recovery process. As psychiatry has evolved, the hospital has continued to be a pioneer in the use of innovative treatment: The facility has been at the forefront of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology, inpatient specialty services and outpatient treatment — and continues to play a historic role in establish-ing modern psychiatric remedies.

In 1999, Mr. and Ms. Zucker emerged as advocates for the facility. In recognition of their ongoing support, the hospital complex was renamed The Zucker Hillside Hospital. Their insight and generosity not only allowed the building of the most recent addition, but also the construction of the 89,000-square-foot, $33.3 million Ambulatory Care Pavilion, which opened in 2004. n

the Zucker Hillside Hospital Breaks ground on new inpatient pavilion

Donald and Barbara Zucker

ADOLESCENT ACTIVITY AREAINPATIENT BUILDING

Outdoor areas will be designated for relaxation, family visits and exercise.



U S News & World Report recognized The Zucker Hillside Hospital as one

of the nation’s top psychiatric facilities and North Shore University Hospital among the best for geriatric services in its “America’s Best Hospitals” issue.

“US News & World Report’s recognition is an indicator of our strong efforts toward continually working to serve our patients’ needs,” said John Kane, MD, vice president of behavioral health and chairman of psychiatry at the North Shore-LIJ Health System. “It is a testament to the quality of our services and the positive impact we have on our patients’ lives. It also reflects the effect that our academic efforts have had on the field of psychiatry.”

The Zucker Hillside Hospital ranked 19th in the US for psychiatric services; it is the third time in four years that the organization has appeared in the “America’s Best Hospitals” issue.

This was the first time US News recog-nized North Shore University Hospital for its geriatric services, ranking the hospital 45th in the nation for its expertise in that rapidly growing field. “North Shore University Hospital’s exceptional ranking is a reflection of the quality of care provided by our multidisciplinary approach to geriatric services,” said Howard Guzik, MD, chief of geriatrics at North Shore and medical director of the Stern Family Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation. “It is

truly a reflection of the teamwork and dedication that characterizes our entire staff of clinicians and other support staff.”

For 2010 through 2011, US News & World Report ranked hospitals in 16 different specialties, evaluating them on reputation, mortality rates, patient safety and such care-related factors as nursing and patient services. Out of 4,852 hospitals, the magazine determined that only 152 performed well enough to rank in any specialty. The Best Hospitals rankings were produced for US News by RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Earlier this year, the publication’s “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” edition ranked the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York among the nation’s top pediatric facilities. n

US News recognizes the Zucker Hillside Hospital and north shore University Hospital

< a variety of opportunities to support building projects or individual hospitals, to make a gift in honor of a loved one and more;

< campaign pages with news about exciting changes throughout the health system;

< expanded coverage of foundation and health system events, including the opportunity to purchase event and raffle tickets online; and

< photo albums featuring our supporters.

Caring for Today, Planning for Tomorrow

community members over age 18 can get involved in genetic research through the genotype and phenotype (gap) registry. thanks to a $2.2 million federal grant, the gap registry is now expanding to become a national resource to scientists.

the program is enrolling healthy volunteers who provide a Dna sample in addition to a limited health history. collection of a Dna sample and health history allows for the selection of control subjects on the basis of geno-type, as well as demographic informa-tion or health history. scientists can extract Dna from a saliva sample and use it anonymously in research.

More than 3,700 volunteers have already enrolled; the long-term goal is to attract 10,000. Metro new York area residents are encouraged to participate. Volunteers may be contacted about voluntary participation in additional studies.

For more information about the study, visit gapRegistry.org or call 516-562-1175 and ask about the gap Registry.

Harnessing the Power of Genetics

the north shore-liJ Health system foundation’s Web site features an attractive, user-friendly design. NorthShoreLIJ.com/foundation offers:

The Zucker Hillside Hospital ranked 19th in the US for psychiatric services. North Shore ranked 45th nationwide for geriatric expertise.


For a year and counting, Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center had

zero central-line infections in its surgical intensive care unit (SICU) — a significant accomplishment.

Central-line infections are bloodstream infections introduced through large intrave-nous (IV) catheters that deliver nutrition, medications and fluids to patients in critical care units.

“This milestone for LIJ could only be made possible with enormous teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration among our medical staff members,” said Chantal Weinhold, executive director of LIJ. “Thanks to the efforts of our highly committed staff, the surgical ICU and hospital are made safer every day for our patients.”

From July 25, 2009 until July 25, 2010, LIJ’s SICU staff admitted nearly 750 patients for a total of more than 3,300 central-line days (that is, days when SICU patients had the IV catheter inserted).

“Using evidence-based strategies, a daily process and collaboration among the critical care team, we eliminated central-line infections in the SICU and decreased them throughout the hospital,” said Rafael Barrera, MD, director of the hospital’s SICU.

Before LIJ started the infection prevention initiative, the central-line infection rate was 1.26 per 1,000 central-line days. According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, there are approximately 5.3 central-line bloodstream infections per 1,000 central-line days in intensive care units nationwide. While LIJ’s central-line infection rate was lower than the national average, catheter-related blood-stream infections are a serious concern for patients and hospitals. This summer, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology released a report to more than 2,000 health providers — mostly hospital infection preventionists — estimating that about 80,000 central-line infections occur

each year in hospitals, resulting in approxi-mately 30,000 deaths. In addition, the average cost of treating an infected patient was $30,000, costing the US healthcare system more than $2 billion annually. STRICT pROTOCOLS To prevent central-line infections, LIJ’s SICU critical care team used a checklist for the safest and most sterile way to insert IV catheter lines. “To ensure that all central lines are placed correctly, physicians and surgical physician assistants use ultrasound guidance and adhere to strict protocols for insertion,” said Dr. Barrera. The LIJ team implemented other key steps to prevent central-line infections, including proper line maintenance and continuous surveillance.

“Nurses monitor lines daily, and each time we need to use the central line, we thoroughly clean the catheter port for at least 20 seconds [known as “scrub the hub”], which further reduces a chance of infection,” said Dr. Barrera. “Staff members also inspect central lines twice a day. And as soon as a line is no longer needed, we remove it. The longer a line is left in, the higher the risk of infection.”

Adding to the success at LIJ, Dr. Barrera said that a designated nursing IV team, supported by the surgical continuum of care of physician assistants, follows patients with central lines who are transferred to other areas of the hospital in order to monitor lines daily and maintain them to further prevent infection. As a result, central-line infection rates in LIJ’s noncritical care areas have also decreased dramatically.

The entire team — SICU staff, the IV team and the physician assistants providing surgical continuum of care at LIJ — is accountable and takes ownership of the central-line process, said Dr. Barrera. “Everyone knows their roles,” he said. “It’s a lot of coordination and teamwork, and now that the process is in place, it is seamless.” n

surgery: Another Good Reason to Stop Smokingone of the best things smokers can do to prepare for surgery is to quit puffing. Why? stopping smoking prior to surgery may:

< help prevent lung problems during and after the procedure;

< reduce the risk for infections after surgery;

< help surgery-related wounds heal better; and

< improve the success rate of some procedures, including bypass surgery and angioplasty.

if you’re ready to quit, ask your doctor for help. to boost your chances of success, your doctor may suggest nicotine replacement therapy. nicotine gum, patches and lozenges are available over the counter. other options, such as the medicine bupropion and the nicotine nasal spray and inhaler, are available by prescription.

liJ eliminates surgical icU central-line infections for one Year by Betty olt



This fall, North Shore-LIJ Health System opened three new outpatient centers

— two in Queens and one in Nassau County — that provide disease-focused outpatient specialty services, advanced medical imaging/testing and convenient access to high-quality physicians.

In Queens, the two North Shore-LIJ Medical Group offices are located in Flushing and Whitestone, meeting the diverse cultural and medical needs of local residents. The Nassau location is in Garden City. Each new North Shore-LIJ Medical Group location is anchored by internal medicine and cardiol-ogy programs and other specialty care

services. The new initiative is a continuation of the health system’s already impressive roster of inpatient and outpatient services throughout Long Island and New York City. All three facilities opened within weeks of each other in September and October.

“The opening of these new outpatient facilities is in keeping with our strategy of locating clinical services in convenient locations in the communities where our patients live and work, rather than in our hospitals,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the health system. “We’re confident that both physi-cians and patients will view these new North

Shore-LIJ Medical Group locations as vital healthcare resources for their communities.”

Mark Solazzo, executive vice president and chief operating officer at North Shore-LIJ, noted that the clinical services being provided at the three locations are designed to meet the specific health needs of area residents, with the overarching goal of providing a superior patient experience. “Providing a superior patient experience means understanding the specific needs of each community,” he said. “Our responsiveness to patient, physician and community needs is paramount to delivering the best quality care.”

The new sites complement North Shore-LIJ Health System’s existing inpatient programs and services in Queens and are staffed by multilingual clinicians representative of their community.

Community input was helpful in opening all of the new locations. In Whitestone, an area that serves a large Greek-American population, North Shore-LIJ administrators and physicians reached out to the commu-nity through Greek Orthodox churches and local businesses and are also partnering with local organizations to best meet the growing health needs of the community through educational programs and health screenings. In Flushing, the health system reached out to Asian-American community leaders; it took a similar approach in planning the Garden City site. n

three new Medical group locations offer community-tailored care by Brian Mulligan

North Shore-LIJ Health System charitable gift annuity rates are increasing. If you are age 55 or older, you can receive a fixed income for the rest of your life by making a gift of $10,000 or more.

You will receive a steady income, part of which is tax-free. The amount of the gift that remains is used to benefit North Shore-LIJ. For example, if you are 72 years old and donate $10,000 in

cash, you can lock into a fixed rate of 6.5 percent and receive $650 of guaranteed annual income, $440 of which is tax-free for about 14 years. You would also be eligible to claim a charitable income tax deduction of about $3,560.

for more information and a no-obligation personalized illustration of benefits, contact Alexandra Brovey, senior director of gift planning, at 516-465-2610 or [email protected].

SAmPLe RATeS as of July 1, 2010*One-Life Rates Two-Life Rates

Age Rate Ages Rate

55 5.5 percent 55/55 5.1 percent






90 10 percent 90/90 8 percent

* Rates may change.

Charitable Gift Rates Are Up

stern family cecr reaches the pinnacle

The Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) has recognized the Stern Family Center for Extended Care and

Rehabilitation (CECR) for significantly reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The CECR received the 2010 Pinnacle Award for Quality and Patient Safety at HANYS’ recent annual conference in Bolton Landing, NY.

Out of more than 130 nominated projects, the CECR’s initiative to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections — a common healthcare-acquired bacterial infection — was judged among the best in the state. The CECR created a multidisciplinary task force and implemented a facilitywide plan to address the problem. The effort resulted in a 75 percent reduction in the CECR’s number of catheter-associated urinary tract infections from 2006 to 2009.

“I applaud the diligence of our entire medical, nursing, quality and infection control staff in reducing and preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and improving the quality and safety of the care that we deliver to patients,” said Maureen McClusky, executive director of the Stern Family CECR. “As a result of the initiative, we also decreased patients’ length of stay, reduced the cost of treatment and increased the efficiency of our nursing staff.”

To reduce facility-acquired urinary tract infections, the project included:

< revising policy and procedures; < creating a standard of practice to remove catheters within 24 hours; < educating interdisciplinary staff; < adhering to strict infection control protocols; and < continuously assessing long-term catheter use. n


the Hospice care network (Hcn), part of north shore-liJ Health system, has been providing compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families since 1988. now, two foundations with a longstanding commitment to improving the lives of long islanders have pledged major philanthropic support to help Hcn expand the reach of its vital services.

the fay J. lindner foundation, an advocate for social welfare and a supporter of north shore-liJ (including Hcn) for many years, recently made a significant gift to Hcn’s Bereavement program. the program provides counseling, education, social activities and other important resources for adults of any age and children as young as four years old following the death of a loved one. in honor of the founda-tion’s generosity, the program has been renamed the fay J. lindner foundation Hope and Healing center for family and children’s Bereavement.

Hcn also recently received a substantial gift from the Miracle foundation. originally introduced to Hcn by the north shore-liJ Health system foundation, the primary mission of the Miracle foundation is to make a positive difference for cancer patients and find a cure for this devastating disease. the foundation’s support will enable Hcn to fill a need in the community by establishing the Miracle foundation palliative care center, allowing for more effective intervention into the lives of patients and their families immediately following the diagnosis of a serious illness.

To learn more about how to support North Shore-LIJ’s many hospitals, facilities and programs, visit northshorelij.com/foundation.

Hospice Care Network Benefits from Two Acts of Generosity

The Stern Family CECR employs numerous programs to ensure safety.


LIgHTEN up!

Whole wheat flourcooking spray1 can (10 oz.) refrigerated

pizza crust2 tbsp. olive oil½ cup low-fat ricotta cheese½ tsp. dried basil1 small onion, minced2 cloves garlic, minced¼ tsp. salt (optional)4 oz. shredded part-skim

mozzarella cheese2 cups chopped mushrooms1 large red pepper, cut into strips

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.2. Spread whole wheat flour over working

surface. Roll out dough with rolling pin to desired crust thickness.

3. Coat cookie sheet with cooking spray. Transfer pizza crust to cookie sheet. Brush olive oil over crust.

4. Mix ricotta cheese with dried basil, onion, garlic and salt; spread this mixture over crust.

5. Sprinkle crust with mozzarella cheese. Top cheese with mushrooms and red pepper.

6. Bake at 425 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes until cheese melts and crust is deep golden brown.

7. Cut into eight slices.

Yield: four servings Each serving provides: 351 calories, 16 g fat, 34 g carbohydrate and 18 g protein.

Two-Cheese Pizza

1 whole wheat flatbread (pita without the pocket, about 8 inches in diameter)

2 tbsp. roasted red pepper, the kind that comes in a jar packed in water

2 tbsp. thinly sliced red onion2 tbsp. flavored tomato paste, with

pesto, roasted garlic or italian seasonings

¼ cup finely shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatosprinkle of crushed dried red pepper, basil, garlic or other seasoning to taste

Put the flatbread spread with the top-pings on an oven tray and use the “top brown” setting. It’s ready when the cheese bubbles — three to five minutes.

Yield: one servingEach serving provides approximately: 367 calories, 13 g fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 905 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber and 16 g protein.

All Red and Ready-to-Go Pizza

Tortilla Pizzas12 small corn or flour tortillasVegetable oil or margarine1 (16 oz.) can refried beans¼ cup chopped onion2 oz. fresh or canned green chili

peppers, diced6 tbsp. red taco sauce3 cups chopped vegetables, such as

mushrooms and bell peppers½ cup (2 oz.) shredded part-skim

mozzarella cheese½ cup chopped cilantro (optional)

1. Brush one side of each of two tortillas with water. Press the wet sides together to form a crust for the pizza.

2. Brush the outside of the tortillas with oil or margarine. Evenly brown both sides in a heated frying pan. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Set aside.

3. Heat refried beans, chopped onion and half of the chili peppers in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

4. Spread about 1⁄3 cup of the bean mixture on each tortilla pizza. Sprinkle with one table-spoon of taco sauce, then top with ½ cup of the chopped vegetables, one teaspoon of diced chili peppers and one tablespoon of cheese for each pizza. Return to frying pan and heat until cheese melts.

5. Top with cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately.

Yield: six servings; serving size is one pizzaEach serving provides: 270 calories, 7 g fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 370 mg sodium, 42 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 2 g sugars and 9 g protein.

Pizza can be low in calories and fat when topped with the right ingredients.


Winter can be a trying season for those with asthma. lungs that are already sensitive are especially susceptible to irritation from cold winter air.

the first step in fighting the effects of cold weather on asthma is to make sure your condition is under control as winter approaches. Use medication as directed by your doctor and, as often as possible, avoid triggers that make your asthma worse.

if you can control your asthma, you should be able to carry out normal

activities — including climbing stairs and exercising — without symptoms. see your doctor if you need additional help with asthma control.

Here are some tips to help you brave chilly weather:

< always carry your emergency asthma medicine with you when you go out-doors, even if it’s just to take out the garbage or walk the dog.

< Dress for the weather. retaining your body’s heat will keep your lungs warmer. Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose so

you’re breathing warmer, moister air. <outdoor activities like snow shoveling

or exercising call for extra caution because the faster you breathe, the more likely your lungs are to react by constrict-ing and causing asthma symptoms. ask your doctor about using a short-acting inhaler before outdoor physical activity.

a final note: Wintertime illnesses like colds and flu can make asthma worse. take precautions to prevent them by frequently washing your hands, getting enough rest and receiving a flu shot.

DON’T LeT WINTeR WeATHeR STOP YOU COLD

HEALTH BYTES

Beat dry Skin This winter

Winter’s cold winds and dry air can sap water and oil from your skin, leaving it cracked, dry and itchy. stress, aging and smoking also contribute.

to put a damper on dry skin: < limit showers and baths to 10 minutes. Hot water strips the skin’s

oils, so keep it lukewarm. Use a mild soap or nonsoap cleanser. < apply a moisturizing cream immediately after bathing to lock in moisture.

thick products containing urea, aloe vera extract or lactic acid work best. < Drink plenty of water. < Use a humidifier if you have forced-air heating or if the air in your

home feels dry.if severe dry skin lasts longer than two weeks, appears red and

swollen or oozes, contact a dermatologist. You may have an infection or other condition.

You’re under the weather — but you can’t miss that big meeting or child’s birthday party just because of a cold. Here’s how to make it through the day:

< Use saline nasal drops to help clear out your nose and moisten raw skin. Petroleum jelly also can relieve dry skin on your nose.

< Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke.

< Drink plenty of water and eat soup — clear liquid can loosen mucus and prevent dehydration.

< Soothe a sore throat with sprays or lozenges. Or try gargling with salt water a few times a day.

< Take aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve pain and fever. However, don’t give aspirin to children or teenagers.

< Take over-the-counter medicines to help relieve symptoms such as watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion and coughing.

< If you have the flu, ask your doctor about antiviral medications.

< If you have a fever, chills, body aches or a severe cough — or your symptoms came on suddenly — it’s best to stay home or go home if possible. You may have a more serious viral infection. It’s also a good idea to stay home if you feel you may be contagious or pose a danger to others.

Can’t Stay Home with a Cold or Flu? Feel Better Now

TIp: Sleep Keeps Colds at Baypeople who get less than seven hours of sleep a night are nearly three times more likely to catch a cold than those who get eight hours or more, reports a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. restless sleepers — people who have a hard time falling asleep or wake up during the night — are five times more likely to get sick.

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage

PAID NSLIJHS

Michael DowlingPresident and CEO, North Shore-LIJ Health System

Dennis DowlingRegional Executive Director

Susan SomervilleExecutive Director, North Shore University Hospital

Chantal Weinhold Executive Director, Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Terry LynamVice President, Public Relations

Maria ConfortiManaging Editor

Vitality is published by the Public Relations Department of the North Shore-LIJ Health System (516-465-2600). The information within this publication is intended to educate readers about subjects pertinent to their

health and is not meant to be a substitute for consultation with a personal physician. Produced by StayWell Custom Communications, evanston, IL. © 2010. Printed in USA

NORTH SHORE-LONG ISLAND JEWISH HEALTH SYSTEM, INC.300 Community DriveManhasset, NY 11030

VIT

ALI

TY

NORTH SHORE-LIJ HEALTH SYSTEM HOSpITALS: nortH sHore UniVersitY Hospital • long islanD JeWisH MeDical center • coHen cHilDren’s MeDical center of neW YorK • ZUcKer HillsiDe • franKlin • glen coVe • sYosset • plainVieW • soUtHsiDe • HUntington •

forest Hills • staten islanD UniVersitY Hospital • lenoX Hill Hospital • affiliate: nassaU UniVersitY MeDical center

NEED TO FIND A DOCTOR? 888-321-DOCS • NORTH SHORE-LIJ HEALTH SYSTEM

Hope lives here.SM

northshorelij.comneed to find a doctor? call 888-321-dOCS

940MPlease recycle this magazine.

Urgent care centers to open in nYc and QueensThe North Shore-LIJ Health System and

VillageCare have reached a clinical affiliation agreement to deliver a range of new healthcare services in Lower Manhattan, including a 24-hour urgent care center (urgicenter). Pending approval by New York State, the urgicenter will open at 121A W. 20th Street in a two-story building where VillageCare operates a primary care center Monday through Saturday.

“We are extremely pleased that North Shore-LIJ has reached an agreement with VillageCare to provide an urgicenter in the community that was served by St. Vincent’s hospital,” said New York State Health Commissioner Richard Daines, MD. “The state Health Department fully expects to approve this project quickly so that residents will have access to these services. We look forward to working with North Shore-LIJ to make this come to fruition as quickly as possible.”

Deploying its physicians and nurses, North Shore-LIJ will occupy about 5,000 square feet of the 10,000-square-foot building for an urgicenter that will be open to community residents 24/7.

The state approved a $9.4 million grant last spring to establish an urgicenter in the St. Vincent’s catchment area. The new urgicenter will provide community residents with all of the healthcare services promised

by North Shore-LIJ in its original proposal to the state Department of Health. In fact, it will allow for greater continuity of care because of the relationship with VillageCare. As part of the new agreement, North Shore-LIJ will work closely with VillageCare to enhance the existing primary care services at the 20th Street location, adding outpatient pediatric care, imaging services and subspecialty care as needed, such as ear, nose and throat, urology, cardiology and neurology.

The new arrangement will be especially beneficial for urgent care patients, who will have access to ongoing, follow-up care provided by VillageCare at the same location. In addition, patients will be referred for a range of other services that VillageCare provides in nearby locations, including adult day healthcare, day treatment, shortstay rehabilitation and palliative care. In keeping with the goals of health reform, North Shore-LIJ and VillageCare will also develop programs to promote wellness in surround-ing communities and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes that are affected by lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor eating habits and physical inactivity.

REgO pARk uRgICENTERQueens residents experiencing a non-life- threatening emergency now have an

alternative to visiting an emergency depart-ment. Thanks to a grant from HEAL NY (Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law of New York State) a new 6,700-square-foot urgicenter opened this fall at 95-25 Queens Blvd. in Rego Park, near the site of the old St. John’s Hospital.

The HEAL NY grant was offered because of the closures of St. John’s and Mary Immaculate Hospital in that area in Queens. The grant is designed for funding additional access to unscheduled acute care and urgent care services for the community. “The volume in our Emergency Department has increased by 36 percent,” explained Forest Hills Hospital Execu-tive Director Geralyn Randazzo, RN. “Despite having already opened a fast track and a holding area, additional space is required.”

“There is a real need for an urgicenter in this neighborhood,” said Andrew Sama, MD, senior vice president of North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Emergency Services. “People with mild-to-moderate illnesses will be able to get an immediate resolution, as opposed to waiting for an appointment with their doc-tor.” Dr. Sama added that the new urgicenter can offer more services than a doctor’s office, such as wound care, fracture care, lab testing and extended hours. To contact the Rego Park Urgicenter, please call 718-925-6565. n

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