Promotions, Announcements & Appointments

Boyd to lead genome research at Northwell

The Northwell Health Cancer Institute has recruited Dr. Jeff Boyd, a renowned expert in cancer genetics research and clinical molecular diagnostics, as vice president and chief scientific officer and director of the Cancer Institute’s Center for Genomic Medicine.

“Genomics has become an important piece to helping us understand the genetic roots of the various forms of cancer, which is why it has become an important area of investment for Northwell Health,” said Dr. Richard Barakat, physician-in-chief and director of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute. “We are extremely fortunate to have such an esteemed cancer researcher join the leadership team.”

In his new role, Boyd will develop a state-ofthe-art Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory for Northwell’s Cancer Institute to deliver pointof-care genomic testing designed to provide the best possible treatment options to cancer patients.

He will also foster academic relationships with Northwell’s scientific collaborators, including the basic cancer researchers at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cancer Center, the oncology researchers at the health system and at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

Boyd is an innovator in his field with more than 30 years of cancer research experience, most recently serving on the executive leadership team of the Miami Cancer Institute at Baptist Health South Florida as associate deputy director for Translational Research and Genomic Medicine.

Boyd holds memberships in numerous scientific and medical societies, has served on the editorial boards of eight scientific and medical journals, and has participated extensively as a member of scientific review groups.

Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology. BOYD

Mayor nominates Calise for MTA Board

Mayor Bill de Blasio today nominated Victor Calise for appointment to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Board.

The Ozone Park native has served as commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities since 2012, and is a recognized expert on accessibility.

“Victor believes in his heart that it is our civic and moral duty to make our subways, buses and Access-A-Ride services more inclusive for everyone,” said de Blasio. “From his rich personal history and longtime advocacy for the disability community, Victor will make a great addition to this Board.”

As commissioner, Calise has been an advocate for people with disabilities in both the Bloomberg and de Blasio Administrations. He advises the mayor and agency partners on accessibility issues, spearheads public-private partnerships, and chairs the Accessibility Committee of the city’s Building Code.

Calise began his city service working with the Capital Projects Division of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Prior to working in New York City government, he was a disability advocate in the nonprofit sector.

A recognized expert on disability, he regularly consults with high-level public and private stakeholders about inclusive best practices. He is frequently invited to national and international conferences.

Calise received a B.S. in Sports Management from St. John’s University and an M.A. in Urban Affairs from Queens College. An avid athlete, he competed in the 1998 Paralympic Games in Japan as a member of the first U.S. national sled hockey team.

“I am honored to be nominated to the MTA Board by Mayor de Blasio,” said Victor Calise, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.

“To be the only person with a self-disclosed disability currently on the MTA Board is an important responsibility that I will not take lightly,” Calise said. “I pledge to advocate for a transit system that works well for everyone, including the millions of New Yorkers and visitors who have intellectual/developmental, vision, hearing or physical disabilities.” CALISE

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, one of the nation’s leading realtors, announced that Daren Debel has joined the organization as sales manager of its Astoria/Long Island City office. Debel tapped to join Sotheby’s LIC office

“Daren Debel is a dynamic professional with a proven record of success over his years of operational and sales team management experience in New York City,” said CEO Deirdre O’Connell. “We look forward to working with Daren as we continue to expand our footprint in Queens and other markets.

Debel launched his real estate career in 2009 when a Florida-based real estate firm opened its first New York City office. From there he headed to Citi Habitat, where he became a top producing agent.

In subsequent years, Debel built upon his success, branching into sales management. He’s helped agents learn to grow their careers through strategies that include working with for sale by owner and expired listings, empty nesters, and first-time homebuyers, as well as establishing an overall neighborhood presence.

He successfully recruited 200 agents within a two-year period and coached more than 50 agents to individual and team success.

Originally from Long Island, Debel is equally at home working New York City’s urban and suburban markets.

“His experience, along with his commitment to professionalism, integrity and customer satisfaction, will be a great asset to our team,” O’Connell added. DEBEL

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PROMOTIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & APPOINTMENTS

Garden announces changes to Board

The Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) welcomed four new members to its Board of Trustees. They include Edward M. Ip, Raymond D. Jasen, Dr. Ari I. Jonisch, and Li Li.

They will join a team of 15 talented board members who support the garden’s mission. ”I’m thrilled to welcome an outstanding group of individuals excited about helping the garden grow,” said QBG board chair Neil Fleischman.

Edward M. Ip

Ip is founder and CEO of POS.com, a financial technology startup that presents solutions for the retail, healthcare, and hospitality industries with offices in New York and Florida.

A Long Island City resident, Ip is an active member of Mensa and Entrepreneur Organization of NY, and serves as advisory board member to several private companies and nonprofit organizations.

Some of the current and past nonprofits include the American Cancer Society, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York Lions Club, and Taste of Tribeca.

“Over the years, the organization hosted millions of visitors and continues to charm and surprise them with its inspiring gardens, cultural events, and innovative community-oriented educational programs that celebrate people, plants, and cultures,” said Ip

Raymond D. Jasen

Jasen is partner-in-charge of Tax of KPMG’s New York Financial Services business unit, covering multiple offices and approximately 500 tax professionals.

Over 27 years in the financial services industry, he has led in-house teams of 15 to over 250 tax professionals and staff in the areas of tax planning, financial reporting, income tax compliance, tax controversy and litigation, regulatory relations, tax transformation, tax technology, and operational risk management.

Jasen is a graduate of Harvard Law School and currently serves as a board member at Flushing Town Hall. A Great Neck resident, he visits the garden almost every Sunday to read and relax on the bench he adopted in honor of his grandparents.

“Fueled by the blending of cultures, and the sights, sounds, and smells of the world, Flush

Pictured with the four new board members is QBG executive director Susan Lacerte (far left) and Board president Neil Fleischman (far right).

ing seems to be running at full throttle 24 hours a day,” said Jasen. “In the midst of all of this energy, Queens Botanical Garden provides the people of Flushing with a serene and beautiful haven for peaceful contemplation and a place to recharge and become reacquainted with the wonders of nature.”

Dr. Ari I. Jonisch

Jonisch is president of Main Street Radiology and CEO of Radiology Associates of Main Street. He is chairman of the Department of Radiology at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and chief of the Musculoskeletal Section of Main Street Radiology.

Jonisch also serves as clinical assistant professor in Radiology at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, and received his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He has four children and currently resides in Harrison.

“Having this botanical experience in the heart of Queens is a tremendous asset for the borough and the city,” said Jonisch. “Hopefully I can contribute in some small way.”

Li Li

Li is branch manager at Dime Community Bank on Main Street in Flushing. She has over 19 years of experience in retail and commercial banking, having worked previously at HSBC, Sovereign Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, among others.

Li is a graduate of Binghamton University with Bachelor of Science degree in Management. She is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Fujianese, and English, and has two children and lives in College Point.

“The Garden is a true hidden gem in our community,” Li said. “Let’s make it shine.”

Board Members taking up new officer roles are Tricore regional director Neil Fleischman (board chair) and Regional Director, Tricore

Michelle Stoddart, QBG Vice Chair and director of Community Development for Resorts World Casino New York City Michelle Stoddart (vice chair), Stillman Management senior property manager Edward Potter (treasurer) and Dr. Ming-der Chang (secretary of NewYorkPresbyterian Queens.

In addition to welcoming new members, QBG executive director Susan Lacerte thanked former board members who have completed their terms of service, but will continue to support the garden by joining its Advisory Council.

They include Pauline Huang, Suzanne Brienza, Michael Bronstein, and Bianca Ng.

“As we look ahead in 2020, ‘more’ is the theme that drives us forward - more flowers, trees, visitors, members,” said Lacerte. “To do all that, we need passionate people helping to lead the garden.”

COMMUNITY PROFILES

QUEENS BOY DOESN’T LET ILLNESS SLOW HIM

BY BENJAMIN FANG

The last four years have not been easy for six-year-old King Singh and his family.

In April 2016, at just two years old, Singh was diagnosed with G6PD, a rare enzyme deficiency and blood disorder that is lifelong and incurable.

The disorder is set off by a long list of chemical, food and stress triggers, including soy, beans, artificial blue dyes and viruses.

Michael Singh, King’s father, said when his son is most stressed or agitated, his body goes into what he calls a “crisis mode.” His blood cells rapidly burst, releasing so many chemicals that his kidneys would not be able to handle it and shut down.

G6PD appears to be a genetic condition, Singh said. King’s mother, Shameeza, also has it, as does his young brother, Mesiah. King’s youngest sibling, his two-year-old sister Faith, will most likely have it as well.

“That’s something he and his brother have to live with forever,” Singh said.

When King first got sick four years ago, doctors found out it wasn’t a “common disease,” his father said. He had multiple blood transfusions before seeing a hematologist and being diagnosed with the enzyme deficiency.

To avoid the triggers, King has a restricted diet. He does not have beans or tofu, and usually sticks to organic chicken with no hormones added.

His oncologist said the goal is to keep King away from viruses, so he and Mesiah are home-schooled. Faith, meanwhile, does not go to daycare to avoid bringing back any illnesses.

Michael, who has a nursing background, stays home to care for his three children. He said that’s easier than hiring outside help, like a babysitter, who can struggle keeping up with the dietary restrictions, triggers and medications.

Just two months after King was diagnosed with G6PD, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). For threeand-a-half years, he went to daily chemotherapy treatment. He has had countless spinal taps and 75 pills of medication every month.

“We were all screaming and crying, we couldn’t believe it,” Singh said after they learned King had leukemia. “We accepted [G6PD], this is what we have to do, and then boom, here comes another one.”

Just prior to King’s cancer, Singh said, Mesiah was born premature at 27 weeks. He was also born with other medical issues, and had surgery at three months old.

“We went from one medical crisis to another,” he said. “It just got more severe.”

Shameeza said Faith also has chronic eczema. She would itch her skin “until it bled.”

Despite all of their children’s medical issues, the Singh family is counting their blessings.

“We’re just happy to open our eyes everyday,” Michael said.

“We take it minute by minute, there’s no other way,” Shameeza added. “If you think about it as a whole, it’s a lot and it’s overwhelming.

King’s chemotherapy treatment finished on October 21. His bone marrows and cells have been “suppressed” as a result of the chemo, his father said. At one point, he could not walk or talk.

“He’s basically like an infant,” Singh said. “He’s starting back over.”

The chronic, long-term side effects from the chemotherapy are considerable. King has suffered neuropathy, or brain damage, and leukoencephalopathy, which is brain swelling. He also has white brain matter loss from the toxicity of the treatment.

“Every single thing that he’s been through, he’s fought through it,” Michael said, “and made us strong in the process.”

“The pain and suffering they have to go through is heartbreaking,” Shameeza added. “There’s

King Singh (front right) with members of his family.

nothing you can do, so you try to enjoy the good times as much as you possibly can.”

The total costs of daily hospital visits, chemotherapy and medication have taken a toll on the Singh family. They had to sacrifice one income so Michael can stay home to care for the children and ensure King stays alive.

Shameeza, who works at LaGuardia Community College, spends most of her lunch breaks researching foundations and trying to figure out savvy ways to help the family keep afloat with their expenses.

She said she’s grateful that her health insurance covers roughly 70 percent of medical care costs. The family has to pay the other 30 percent out of pocket.

“MRIs, spinal taps, chemotherapy for three and a half years, it all adds up,” Michael said.

The Singh family is now in over $80,000 of medical debt, and is struggling month to month to pay their bills, keep the lights on and put food on the table.

Shameeza noted that they don’t qualify for any government help. King was also denied four times for Social Security, she said.

They started a GoFundMe last August to raise money to help defray some of the costs. The online fundraiser raised $7,808 from 153 donors, but fell short of their $100,000 goal.

“Even after treatment, the bills don’t go away,” she said.

King’s parents noted that G6PD is not prominent in the United States, so there’s not enough research done on the disorder. Even with the Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Michael noted, doctors are still learning about late effects on children.

He said in the past 20 years, children have lived longer with the advances in pediatric cancer treatment. But doctors never knew children would have these late side effects, he said, so King’s story will be “part of the research” that will be helpful moving forward.

King started chemotherapy at Cohen’s Children Medical Center right on the border of Queens and Nassau County, which was close to the Singh family’s home in Queens Village.

But when the cancer did not go

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