Bridges - February 22, 2018 by TBR News Media

BRIDGES A Resource Guide Featuring Many of the Healthcare Services Provided to the Community by Stony Brook Medicine

February 22, 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWS MEDIA

PAGE S2 • SBU BRIDGES • FEBRUARY 22, 2018

MASTER OF ARTS IN

Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics Not just for healthcare professionals, this program serves students from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds, building on a commitment to medical humanism and ethics that has defined education for Stony Brook students for more than three decades. The 30-credit Master of Arts program can be completed in as little as one year.

— Robyn McKeefrey, MA Program Graduate

“ The MA program opened my eyes to new avenues to connect to our patients with respect and compassion. It inspired me to pilot a program for Arts in Medicine, which has made my staff more receptive to the non-medical needs of their patients.” — Linda Bily, MA Program Graduate

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FALL 2018 U.S. Residents: July 15, 2018 International Students: April 1, 2018 For more information or to apply to the program, visit stonybrook.edu/bioethics/masters or email bioethics@stonybrook.edu Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 18011094

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“It is through my Master of Arts in Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics that I was able to enrich my knowledge base to include an ethical, medical and legal approach to often challenging situations.”

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S3

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FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S5

Bridges Times Beacon Record News Media P.O. Box 707 Setauket, NY 11733 Telephone: (631) 751-7744 desk@tbrnewsmedia.com www.tbrnewsmedia.com Publisher Leah S. Dunaief Advertising Director Kathryn Mandracchia General Manager Johness Kuisel Managing Editor Desirée Keegan Editorial Rita Egan Desirée Keegan Alex Petroski Heidi Sutton Sara-Megan Walsh Art and Production Director Beth Heller Mason Art and Production Janet Fortuna Sharon Nicholson Internet Strategy Director Rob Alfano Advertising Elizabeth Bongiorno Jackie Pickle Laura Johanson Robin Lemkin Minnie Yancey

All articles provided by Stony Brook Medicine

From Kenneth Kaushansky, MD Growth in all directions

As I reflect on my message last year about how all healthcare roads lead to Stony Brook and our partner institutions, I can now say with great pride, that these roads are paved with even more newsworthy events and accomplishments to share. Last spring, the road took us west to Commack where we opened Advanced Specialty Care. A state-of-the-art facility with more than 30 specialties staffed by Stony Brook Medicine primary care doctors and specialists, the facility also serves as the home for the Stony Brook World Trade Center Wellness Program, which offers comprehensive, integrative healthcare of 9/11-related illnesses for WTC disaster responders. In August, we headed east to officially welcome Stony Brook Southampton Hospital as a member of our growing health system. Soon after, Stony Brook Medicine opened a new cardiac catheterization laboratory there to provide more immediate lifesaving diagnosis and emergency and elective treatment for residents of the East End. Together in Southampton, we’re also building the Phillips Family Cancer

Center, a comprehensive cancer diagnostic and treatment center, which will finally make critical, top-level cancer care easily available to East End residents when it opens later this year. We’re also working closely with Eastern Long Island Hospital to improve healthcare access and quality on the North Fork. And to cap off a landmark year, we welcomed a new CEO in November. Ernest Baptiste joined Stony Brook Medicine with more than 30 years of experience in hospital administration, most recently as CEO of NYC Health+Hospital/Kings County in Brooklyn. Looking ahead, with the compass now pointed to our own backyard, Stony Brook Medicine expects to complete construction of a multimillion-dollar expansion project later this year. The project consists of a 240,000-squarefoot, eight-story Medical and Research Translation (MART) building. It will be devoted to cutting-edge cancer research and care, as well as innovative, experimental imaging, and will serve as the new location for the Stony Brook University Cancer Center. Also part of this expansion is a 225,000-square-

Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, Senior Vice President, Health Sciences, and Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine

foot, 10-story Hospital Pavilion, which includes a new home for Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. The road ahead continues to looks bright for Stony Brook Medicine.

To learn more about Stony Brook Medicine and its programs, services and physicians, call (631) 444-4000 or visit stonybrookmedicine.edu.

From the publisher The Vietnam War was still in full fury when my husband was discharged and we left Sheppard Air Force base in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he had been the chief of ophthalmology for two years, and headed home. “Home” was a bit problematic. We had grown up in the New York area, where our families still lived. We wanted to settle close to them and had preferences. We wanted a university community for its academic, cultural and worldly aspects. We wanted a top medical community, a village with a sense of its own history and pride in its roots, and a good school district. We also wanted a beautiful place with great recreational activities, near the water. We found such a location and have lived here going on five decades. It has seldom disappointed, in part because of the presence of Stony Brook University. And even as we raised our family here and grew our careers, so did SBU grow in prestige and in what it offers the community. In fact, the scope of its activities is probably beyond any one person’s understanding. There is mutual benefit between town and gown.

To help you, our readers, see what is available on campus and off, we have partnered with the university to bring you a comprehensive resource guide to their events. We also offer the faculty, administrators and university community an overview of the excellent shops and services in our villages that are available to them and to all our readers. So enormous is the story they have to tell that we divided the campus into two halves: east and west. This publication, timed to be distributed at the beginning of the second semester of the academic year, concentrates on the east campus, Stony Brook Medicine, and describes its many facilities, offerings and schedules, including lectures and performances to which the public is enthusiastically invited during the year. This resource guide also presents the outstanding local business community on the university’s doorstep. Called “Bridges,” to symbolize the alliance of campus and community and to encourage further interaction between us, this resource guide is distributed in all

seven of our hometown newspapers along the North Shore of Suffolk County and to faculty, students and administration throughout SBU. Please read about and take advantage of the many opportunities to enhance our lives by using these bridges, and think about our shared good fortune to live here.

Stony Brook Orthopaedic Associates ...............S17 Bariatrics: Diabetes and obesity.........................S17 Innovative approaches for your care Advanced hybrid ORs enhance patient care ...S18 First fully robotic-assisted Whipple on LI .......S18 You need heart surgery. Now what? ..................S20 CardioMEMS for patients with heart failure ..S20 When your heart is out of rhythm ....................S21 Reducing stroke risk for people with AFib ......S21 First “bionic eye” implant in NY metro area...S22 Parkinson’s disease/movement disorders ........S22

Level Four Comprehensive Epilepsy Center ...S23 POEM/advanced endoscopy procedure ...........S23 Advances in prenatal testing and screening ....S24 Minimally invasive OB/GYN surgeries............S24 Pioneering pathology breakthroughs ...............S25 At risk for pelvic congestion syndrome? ..........S25 In an emergency Taking your child to the ER ................................S26 Suffolk County’s Level I Trauma Center ..........S26 Heart attack: Early signs and symptoms.......... S27 Calendar of events .........................................S28-31

Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher Times Beacon Record News Media

Table of Contents Meeting Long Island’s growing healthcare needs Ernest Baptiste, new CEO .....................................S6 Expansion advances research, clinical care.......S6 Transforming healthcare on the East End .........S7 Power of Stony Brook in Commack ...................S7 The Children’s Hospital difference ....................S10 Child-sized surgery is no small feat ..................S12 Keeping Families Healthy ...................................S12 Treating head and neck cancer...........................S14 Concerned about memory loss? .........................S14 World Trade Center clinical care/research ......S16 Access to healthcare made easier ......................S16

PAGE S6 • SBU BRIDGES • FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Bridges

Ernest J. Baptiste named CEO of Stony Brook University Hospital With more than 30 years of experience in hospital administration, Ernest J. Baptiste, Stony Brook University Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), joined Stony Brook Medicine on Nov. 27. His career in the field has been marked by progressive leadership in executive level management and hospital operations. “Stony Brook Medicine has a long history and legacy of achievement,” said Baptiste. “Since my arrival, I have been impressed by the excellence and dedication of our physicians, nurses, staff and volunteers. They are committed to providing highquality and compassionate care for patients living in Suffolk County and beyond.

“While there are many challenges ahead for all hospitals and health systems in a post-healthcare reform environment, I believe Stony Brook Medicine is well positioned as a world-class academic medical center.” Baptiste came to Stony Brook after serving for five years as the CEO of NYC Health+Hospitals/ Kings County, a 627-bed facility in Brooklyn and the main academic clinical campus for SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Prior to his tenure at Kings County Hospital, Baptiste worked at Catholic Health East, a multi-institutional health system covering 11 Eastern states from Maine to Florida. At Catholic Health East, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief

Operating Officer of St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. Baptiste previously worked at Duke University Health System, where he was Chief Operating Officer at Durham Regional Hospital. He also held the positions of Executive Director and Vice President at St. Mary’s Hospital in Brooklyn, as well as Vice President of Operations at North General Hospital in Manhattan. Baptiste embraces the notion of system collaboration, to achieve both hospital and system goals, and he works collaboratively with senior leaders and staff to create a culture that encourages high quality, safety and patient satisfaction in all care and service areas.

Ernest J. Baptiste, CEO, Stony Brook University Hospital

Stony Brook Medicine expands to advance research and clinical care This fall, Stony Brook Medicine expects to complete construction of a multimillion-dollar expansion project, which consists of a 240,000-squarefoot, eight-story Medical and Research Translation (MART) building and a 225,000-square-foot, 10-story Hospital Pavilion, which includes a new home for Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. The MART, devoted to cutting-edge cancer research and care, will serve as the new location for Stony Brook University Cancer Center. It will also house advanced biomedical imaging and biomedical informatics, including a PET/CT scanner; the Kavita and Lalit Bahl Center for Metabolomics and Imaging; and a cyclotron that will enhance diagnostic capabilities and provide a resource for advancing cancer research. Additionally, a significant number of basic research faculty will be recruited to expand cancer research programs at Stony Brook. Clinical areas in the MART are designed to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary cancer treatment in a streamlined outpatient setting with a welcoming environment for patients and family. For pediatric patients, there is child-friendly exam space with private pediatric infusion rooms. Adult patients have multiple setting options for infusions,

Stony Brook Medicine’s Medical and Research Translation (MART) building (left) and Hospital Pavilion (right)

including private rooms, open bays and a central room containing a fireplace to promote conversation among patients. The Hospital Pavilion will contain 150 inpatient beds — all private rooms with private baths. Adult inpatient units within the Hospital Pavilion include Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intermediate Care, Neuro

Critical Care, Neuro Intermediate Care, Surgical Intermediate Care, Trauma Intermediate Care, Surgical Intensive Care and Trauma Intensive Care. Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, which will be located within the Hospital Pavilion, will consist of a Pediatric Special Procedures Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric

Hematology/Oncology Unit and a Pediatric Acute Care Unit for children and adolescents. A dedicated entrance will lead to a secure private lobby and patient rooms. The Children’s Hospital will also house multiple playrooms, a Ronald McDonald Family Room for families, and computer- and Wi-Fi-enabled classrooms for children to keep up with schoolwork. As part of the expansion, Stony Brook Medicine is introducing technology that will be an integral part of the patient’s experience. The idea behind this “Smart Room” technology is to enhance efficiency, keep caregivers at the patient’s bedside and improve patient outcomes. Some of the components of the Smart Room include smartphones for clinicians, an electronic “white board,” enhanced medication dispensing, which allows nurses to send medication requests remotely to the unit’s medication room, electronic signage for patient rooms and patient interactive TVs. To learn more and view a virtual tour of the MART and Hospital Pavilion, visit stonybrookmedicine.edu/ expansion-plans.

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S7

Bridges

Transforming healthcare on the East End Through Stony Brook Medicine’s longstanding relationships with Southampton Hospital and Eastern Long Island Hospital, the hospitals have collaborated to bring healthcare services to the East End of Long Island for many years. More recently, the hospitals have strengthened their collaborations to deliver care in ways that are even more complementary, efficient and effective. Stony Brook University welcomed Southampton Hospital as a member of the Stony Brook Medicine health system this past summer. Now known as Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, the two hospitals are working together to improve healthcare quality and access. Stony Brook Medicine and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital continue to build on their successful collaborations to benefit East End residents, including: • A hybrid operating room with sophisticated imaging capabilities • A provisional Level 3 Trauma Center, with 24-hour coverage by emergency medicine doctors and a trauma surgeon available within 30 minutes • An expansion of blood drawing services at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and its off-site facilities throughout the East End • State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging technology with 3D mammography in East Hampton’s satellite radiology facility • A number of internship and residency programs at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital

lab allows more immediate intervention for serious heart events, such as myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), using sophisticated imaging and computing found in the most advanced facilities. A delay in restoring blood flow through an artery increases the likelihood for significant damage to the heart. By allowing physicians to open a blocked artery in Southampton, without having to first transport a patient to Stony Brook, damage to the heart can be minimized and total heart failure may be prevented.

Bringing lifesaving cardiac care to the East End Stony Brook Medicine has opened a new, fully equipped Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Laboratory at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital to provide emergency and elective treatments delivered by Stony Brook University Heart Institute specialists. By allowing easier, faster access to the highest standard of cardiac care, the lab provides more immediate, potentially lifesaving diagnosis and treatment for residents of the East End of Long Island. The 600-square-foot cath lab is located in the hospital’s Audrey and Martin Gruss Heart & Stroke Center. The cath

Making cancer care more accessible to East End residents Addressing the critical need for cancer services on the East End, Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook University Cancer Center and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital are building the Phillips Family Cancer Center, a comprehensive cancer outpatient treatment center. Staffed by Stony Brook-based physicians and physicians from Southampton, this new facility will make top-level cancer care more easily available to East End residents when it opens in late 2018.

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is now part of Stony Brook Medicine, allowing residents of the East End of Long Island access to primary and specialty services through an integrated healthcare system.

Housed in a two-level 13,800-square-foot building, the Phillips Family Cancer Center will offer the full gamut of cancer services, from diagnostics and treatment to support services. In addition to surgical and medical oncologic expertise, radiation therapy will be given by a state-of-the-art linear accelerator in a radiation oncology suite. Patients will also have access to clinical trials based at Stony Brook Cancer Center, as well as access to top-tier subspecialists in cancer medicine. Branching out to the North Fork Stony Brook has also worked in tandem with the 90-bed Eastern Long Island Hospital (ELIH) to improve healthcare access and quality. Stony Brook and ELIH have received approval from the SUNY Board of Trustees, as well as a certificate of need from the Department of Health — both crucial steps toward affiliation. The proposed collaboration will allow the two hospitals to bring North Fork and Shelter Island residents many of the same benefits that are coming to fruition as a result of the Southampton Hospital affiliation.

The Power of Stony Brook Medicine is now in Commack More than 30 specialities under one roof To serve the growing healthcare needs of western Suffolk County, Stony Brook Medicine has expanded to Commack with a wide range of medical services in a single, convenient location. Called Advanced Specialty Care, the center offers more than 30 specialties (see page 9), staffed by Stony Brook Medicine primary care doctors and specialists. This state-of-the-art facility also serves as the home for the Stony Brook World Trade Center Wellness Program. As part of Suffolk County’s only academic medical center, patients now have access to cutting-edge research, clinical trials and advanced technology. On-site comprehensive imaging services are also available. If surgery or other specialty care is needed, patients can go to Stony Brook University Hospital without any disruption in the continuity of their care. Having so many specialties under one roof provides patients with “one-stop shopping” for most of their healthcare needs. Advanced Specialty Care is located at 500 Commack Road, just minutes away from the Long Island Expressway, Sunken Meadow Parkway (Sagtikos) and Northern State Parkway.

Patients in western Suffolk County now have access to Stony Brook Medicine physicians in a wide range of medical services at Advanced Specialty Care, conveniently located in Commack.

PAGE S8 • SBU BRIDGES • FEBRUARY 22, 2018

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Advanced Specialty Care is now in Commack. More than 30 specialties. All under one roof. • Stony Brook Medicine primary care doctors and specialists • Part of Suﬀolk County’s only academic medical center • Access to cutting-edge research, clinical trials and advanced technology Dermatology (631) 444-4200 Endocrinology (631) 444-0580 Gastroenterology (631) 444-0580 Geriatrics (631) 444-0580 Infectious Diseases (631) 444-0580 Internal Medicine (631) 444-0580 Neurology (631) 444-2599 Neurosurgery (631) 444-1213 Obstetrics and Gynecology (631) 444-4686 Ophthalmology (631) 444-4090 Orthopaedics (631) 444-4233 Pain Management (631) 638-7246 (PAIN) Pediatrics (631) 444-KIDS (5437) Pulmonology (631) 444-0580 Radiology/Imaging (631) 638-2600 Rheumatology (631) 444-0580 Surgery (631) 444-4545 Urology (631) 444-1910, option 2 World Trade Center Health Program (631) 855-1200

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PAGE S10 • SBU BRIDGES • FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Bridges

The Children’s Hospital difference Why should you choose a children’s hospital when your child needs medical care? Being in the hospital is a different experience for a child than it is for an adult. Children have unique physical and emotional needs not all hospitals are equipped to meet. Children’s hospitals have dedicated pediatric specialists and resources helping to ensure children and their families experience the highest quality of care and support. Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, a 104-bed children’s hospital within Stony Brook Medicine, addresses the special needs of young patients as well as their families in numerous ways. With more than 180 specialists trained in every pediatric specialty, along with a large support staff, Stony Brook Children’s provides leading-edge care for just about every diagnosis — from a simple fracture to a kidney transplant. Having a vast number of specialists, state-ofthe-art equipment and the latest technology all contribute to the hospital’s world-class care. As part of an academic medical center engaged in research, Stony Brook Children’s can also offer families access to groundbreaking, often lifesaving, clinical trials for their children. What else makes Stony Brook Children’s unique? • A 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Department (ED), completely separate from the Adult Emergency Department, provides a more comfortable environment for children. The ED has dedicated pediatric emergency medicine specialists, and access to other pediatric specialists as needed, to address virtually any medical emergency. • Patients who require immediate care due to a complex fracture or a life-threatening injury are seen at Stony Brook University Trauma Center, Suffolk County’s only Pediatric and Adult Level 1 (highest level) Trauma Center. • Stony Brook Children’s Division of Pediatric Surgery has five specialty-trained surgeons and pediatric nurse practitioners. It’s also the only hospital in Suffolk that performs minimally invasive surgery on pediatric patients. For more information, see page S12. • The hospital’s active Child Life Program is staffed with certified child life specialists (CCLS) trained to

Up Clinic to ensure their unique medical needs and developmental milestones are being met.

Care designed to address a child’s unique needs is the foundation of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

address a child’s special needs. The Child Life team works with families to help children adjust to their hospitalization. • Stony Brook Children’s focus on “ouchless medicine” helps to minimize the discomfort of procedures like needle pricks, stitches and inserting an IV. Techniques like distraction, as well as a device that makes locating veins easier, all help to lessen pain and anxiety. • While each pediatric patient’s room includes a sleeper chair for a family member, the hospital also houses a Ronald McDonald Family Room. Here, family members can shower, have a meal, do laundry and meet other families, without being far from their children. • Stony Brook Children’s was the first hospital in the nation to have a pediatric multiple sclerosis center: The Lourie Center for Pediatric MS. It also has specialized centers for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, celiac disease, Lyme disease and cystic fibrosis, as well as a Healthy Weight and Wellness Center to addresses childhood obesity. • The all-private room Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides an optimal setting for the developmental care of babies and for family-centered care. After discharge, NICU babies can be seen by specialists at Stony Brook’s NICU High-Risk Follow-

New Kitten Scanner helps children cope with CAT scans In 2017, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital acquired a Kitten Scanner, one of only three in the entire northeast. A toy version of a traditional computer-aided tomography (CAT) scanner, this miniaturized scanner allows children to see firsthand what the experience of a CAT scan or MRI is like. Children select a special toy containing a small chip with information about the toy’s “condition.” The child places the toy on the scanner bed, and slides it into the machine, which reads the chip and launches an animated video showing the child what’s inside. While the Kitten Scanner is fun, it also helps to alleviate the anxiety a child may experience before or during a scan. Understanding the process encourages children to stay calm and quiet — which can result in better images, fewer repeat scans and lower delivered radiation. Calmer, quieter patients are less likely to need sedation, sparing them six to eight hours of recovery time.

Outside the hospital walls Care that goes beyond medical treatment is a hallmark of Stony Brook Children’s. To help children understand what a hospital stay might be like before they ever experience one, Stony Brook Children’s Child Life Specialists and Trauma Injury Prevention Team host fun, educational events for children in the community. Using special dolls as patients, the kids learn how to administer injections, perform x-rays and bandage wounds, which helps them understand what a hospital stay can involve. For children who are ill, or have illness in their family, attending summer camp may not seem possible. With the help of dedicated volunteers, including several Stony Brook Children’s doctors and nurses, many children can attend special camps to learn important strategies for managing the challenges of illness while making friends with kids in similar situations. Stony Brook Children’s also works to make sure hospitalized children don’t miss out on life experiences. In June, the hospital hosted its second annual prom, giving pediatric patients the opportunity to enjoy a special milestone and, for one night, forget about their medical challenges. And holidays are celebrated with decorations, parties and special visitors. The new Stony Brook Children’s Hospital This year, thanks to the support of the Knapp Swezey Foundation and over 3,000 other generous donors from the community, Stony Brook Children’s will open a 71,500-square-foot home in a state-of-the-art 150-bed Hospital Pavilion. This location will feature single-patient rooms, family suites with sleeping and bathing areas, and playrooms and teen relaxation spaces. It will also expand the pediatric research program at Stony Brook Medicine. Stony Brook Children’s has numerous locations throughout Suffolk County, making it convenient for families to access Stony Brook doctors close to where they live. In addition to Stony Brook, practices are also in East Setauket, Center Moriches, Commack, Hampton Bays, Islip Terrace, Patchogue, Port Jefferson Station, Smithtown and Wading River. Learn more at stonybrookchildrens.org.

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S11

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PAGE S12 • SBU BRIDGES • FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Bridges

Child-sized surgery is no small feat When a child needs surgical care, a pediatric surgeon is the right call. When a child requires surgery, an “adult” general surgeon will often perform the operation. However, a surgeon who is trained to treat adults in an adult hospital may not have the specific skills required or the child and family focus to address the unique challenges of children. That’s where pediatric surgeons come in. Stony Brook Children’s Hospital believes that every child in our region who needs surgery — major or minor — should have access to a specially trained pediatric surgeon. The Division of Pediatric Surgery at Stony Brook Children’s comprises five skilled surgeons, all who have completed residency training in general surgery plus additional fellowship training in pediatric surgery. Each of the team’s surgeons meets all the rigorous standards of training required of pediatric surgeons as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Surgeons and the American Board of Surgery. There are also dedicated and certified pediatric nurse practitioners on the team. The division provides general and specialized surgical services to infants, children and young adults who have a wide range of congenital and acquired conditions. With more than 3,000 outpatient visits and more than 1,000 surgeries annually, the division has the largest pediatric surgery program in Suffolk County. In addition, they also direct the Pediatric Trauma Service,

From left, Michelle Ceo, RN, PNP; Helen Hsieh, MD, PhD; Charles Coren, MD; Christopher S. Muratore, MD; Erica Gross, MD; and Richard J. Scriven, MD

which sees more than 300 admissions a year. When surgery is necessary, it is offered in a family-friendly inpatient or outpatient environment. All the pediatric surgeons work closely with pediatric anesthesiologists and other team members experienced in caring for children, who understand not only the unique physical needs of children but also their psychosocial development. Equally important is that the equipment, gowns and other medical supplies are kid-sized and age appropriate, and that the team delivers care not just to the child but to the entire family. In addition, Stony Brook Children’s is the only hospital in

Suffolk County that performs minimally invasive surgery on pediatric patients. A new chief at the helm This year, the Division of Pediatric Surgery was pleased to welcome a new Chief, Christopher Muratore, MD, a renowned surgeon with exceptional experience and outstanding leadership credentials. Dr. Muratore has vast expertise in complicated and innovative procedures in pediatric patients from before birth through age 17 and is also an active scholar. “Our division includes a dedicated team of five specialty-trained pediatric surgeons offering comprehensive care

for children,” said Dr. Muratore. “Having a team of this size helps to ensure that every child, both in Suffolk and beyond, who requires the services of a pediatric surgeon, is able to quickly get the care he or she needs.” The power of innovation An academic children’s hospital is where the newest and most innovative pediatric surgery is being developed, practiced and taught. It’s where the care is provided by a team of the best-trained minds in medicine. This is what families and patients get at Stony Brook Children’s.

Keeping families healthy with personalized home medical visits Like a trusted neighbor offering help and advice, Keeping Families Healthy is a free home visitation program that brings health support and education to families. Participants receive visits from trained community health workers who help them with such challenges as safely caring for newborn babies, keeping track of medications and immunizations, and managing chronic diseases like obesity and asthma. Keeping Families Healthy currently sees 100 families each month. Since it began in 2011, the program has made 6,000 home visits to 900 families. Any patient under age 18 who has been determined by Stony Brook clinicians to be “at risk” may be referred to Keeping Families Healthy. Participation is voluntary. Once a family decides they want to be part of the program, community health workers will provide home visits plus phone/text message support, until the family feels comfortable managing their children’s medical needs independently. Most families stay with the program for four or five months until they’re ready to manage on their own. The Stony Brook Children’s Hospital team has seen

improved outcomes for patients who receive home visits through Keeping Families Healthy: a 50 percent decrease in preventable emergency department visits, and improved vaccination rates by 20 percent in infants and by 16 percent in newborns. Program Director Susmita Pati, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Primary Care and Professor of Pediatrics, said home medical visits can make important differences in the life of a patient and their caregivers.

“Medically, it gives us insights into the challenges the patients might be facing,” she said. For example, if the patient has asthma, the community health worker can observe during the visit whether the house has carpets, or if there are family members in the home who are smokers. And if parents are learning how to take care of a new baby, visiting the home gives the community health worker an opportunity to educate the parents on such things as choosing and setting up a safe crib, or how to make the home environment childproof. Also, Dr. Pati said, some patients are simply more comfortable being seen at home. Community health workers are trained in basic disease prevention techniques. They also help caregivers make medical appointments, teach them how to keep a medication diary and help them understand insurance forms. Keeping Families Healthy won the 2017 Health Care Delivery Award from the American Pediatric Association for effectiveness and innovation in a healthcare delivery program.

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S13

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Bridges

Multiple specialists collaborate to treat head and neck cancers patient may bring a family member or friend along to take notes or ask questions. How does this multidisciplinary appointment work? On the appointment day, one specialist (for example, the surgeon) may explain the specifics of the procedure he or she will provide, and be followed by another (for example, the radiation oncologist) who will discuss that treatment approach. In some instances, two specialists may meet with the patient together to explain how their treatments will coordinate. This collaboration is particularly important in head and neck cancer because they may require consideration of complex factors to be handled at the same time, such as dental, swallowing, speech, cosmetic and other specialized areas of treatment.

From left, Ghassan Samara, MD; Lukasz Czerwonka, MD; and Gerty Fortune, RN

Stony Brook University Cancer Center has used the team approach for many years. Specialists from different areas — surgery, medical oncology, radiation, radiology and nursing — come together as a team to evaluate the best course of treatment for an individual. The Head and Neck Cancer team includes Drs. Ghassan Samara, Lukasz Czerwonka, Kartik Mani and Roger Keresztes, and patient navigator Gerty Fortune, RN, along with multiple other healthcare professionals. Dr. Samara explains that for new patients who have been diagnosed with a head and neck cancer, a designated multidisciplinary clinic will be held on Wednesday

mornings. These patients are now able to see all of their specialists at the same location on the same day in one visit. This will become the new model for all Stony Brook Cancer Center’s cancer management teams in the near future. What makes this program unique? Keeping the patient’s needs and convenience in mind, the navigator will coordinate appointments so the patient can be seen by different professionals on the team in one block of time. They can hear from all the specialists who will be involved in their treatment and will receive all of the information at one time. The

What are the quality-of-life benefits to the patient? The program simply makes things easier by seeing the different cancer specialists at the same time. The patient can take less time off from work. With several appointments on the same day and in the same block of time, it’s easier for those with transportation challenges. For those with other medical conditions that make it difficult to travel, or who need to have someone accompany them to every appointment, a streamlined schedule is more convenient and time efficient for everyone. What makes the Cancer Center’s approach unique? For diagnostics and treatment, all available genetic, molecular or imaging tests are used when appropriate and the results are shared with the patient. At Stony Brook Cancer Center, modern, leading-edge treatment options are offered, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy in a coordinated team approach, focused on the individual’s needs. For more information, call (631) 638-1000.

Concerned about your memory or that of a loved one? Stony Brook Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease can help. Dementia has been called the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century. The term “dementia” describes a wide range of symptoms associated with decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. On Long Island alone, there are over 54,000 people living with Alzheimer’s. While mild memory loss may be part of aging, Alzheimer’s is not. Yet the greatest known risk factor for this irreversible, progressive brain disease is one’s increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. We don’t know how the Alzheimer’s disease process starts, but it appears that damage to the brain starts a decade or more before problems show up. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but early detection and treatment may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms, providing patients and families with the opportunity to plan for the future. If you’re concerned about your memory or that of a loved one, Stony Brook’s Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease can address your concerns and provide answers. As one of only 10 such centers

Nikhil Palekar, MD, Medical Director, Stony Brook Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease, is also the Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at Stony Brook Medicine.

supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health, Stony Brook’s center is the only one serving Suffolk and Nassau counties.

The center’s mission is to provide early diagnosis and enhance the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This is accomplished by offering assistance to physicians, healthcare providers and family members. The center has partners throughout Long Island to effectively serve patients and their loved ones close to where they live. Led by Medical Director Nikhil Palekar, MD, the center’s interdisciplinary team includes a geriatric psychiatrist, geriatrician, nurse practitioner, neuropsychologist and social worker. Services provided to physicians include: assessment and diagnostic services; comprehensive, individualized care plans; management of complex cases; technical help; educational resources for difficult diagnoses and second opinions. For workers in senior centers, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, the center offers continuing professional education about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. And for family members, the center provides recommendations on resources and support, language assistance, information about clinical trials at Stony Brook University and elsewhere and the benefits of participation. The staff also advocates with and on behalf of caregivers. To learn more, call (631) 954-2323 or visit ceadlongisland.org.

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S15

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PAGE S16 • SBU BRIDGES • FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Bridges

World Trade Center clinical care and research at Advanced Specialty Care First responders to the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster, Stony Brook Medicine staff and community members gathered recently for the grand opening of the new World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Long Island Clinical Center of Excellence in Commack. The WTC Health Program — the clinical component of Stony Brook’s WTC Wellness Program — moved to Advanced Specialty Care, Stony Brook Medicine’s new multi-specialty care center at 500 Commack Road. The WTC Wellness Program includes patient care, research, education and outreach. As a component of the Wellness Program, the WTC Health Program provides health monitoring and personalized medical care for 9/11 responders at clinics in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The WTC Health Program serves more than 10,000 patients, many suffering from WTC-related diseases — including cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and pulmonary conditions — through a collaborative care model that integrates healthcare specialties, including pulmonology, radiology, oncology, psychiatry and dermatology. The grand opening also honored K. Melodie Guerrera, WTC Wellness Program’s Deputy Director, who retired after 16 years of service. Dr. Benjamin Luft, Director of the WTC Wellness Program, told the audience at the event how he and Guerrera began the program from the ground up. “Establishing a clinic from nothing requires absolute conviction that you’re doing the right thing,” he said. After the ceremony, Dr. Luft spoke of how the 9/11 responders’ medical needs are changing as time goes on.

A patient being evaluated at the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Long Island Clinical Center of Excellence in Commack (left). Benjamin Luft, MD, Director, WTC Wellness Program (right).

“We have to develop new ways to take care of them,” he said. “We have to be nimble and flexible.” When the World Trade Center disaster occurred, he said, the average age of responders was late 30s to early 40s. Now their average age is 55 years old. “This is the age when a lot of normal aging processes start to complicate the disease process,” Dr. Luft said. Medically, 9/11 was a unique event because tens of thousands of people were traumatized at the same time, Dr. Luft pointed out. “You can expect that 20 to 40 percent of them will have long-term psychological or medical effects,” he said. “These effects will give

rise to a whole host of diseases, like cognitive or cardiac problems, besides the diseases that originally came about.” The WTC Health Program’s research studies include using Stony Brook Medicine imaging to obtain scans of responders’ brains, Dr. Luft said. There are also efforts underway to determine why some of the responders are developing various cancers. Recently the WTC Wellness Program received a fiveyear federal grant of more than $60 million from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Telehealth services make access to quality healthcare easier With increased mobility and connectivity come the expectation of easier access to just about everyone in our lives — including our healthcare providers. It’s just a matter of time before new options are available for how our healthcare is managed. Imagine having access to home monitoring, virtual visits from your doctor, quick electronic transmission of your medical information, and interactive patient selfmanagement tools. Collectively known as telehealth or telemedicine, the use of these hightech methods is something that many people — especially those in more remote or isolated areas — welcome. At Stony Brook Medicine, it’s more than a concept. It’s becoming a reality. Stony Brook Medicine Telehealth is based on the belief that all patients should benefit from the same quality standards of care. Geographic location, public transportation, inaccessibility

and lack of a provider nearby for a particular specialty service will no longer will be a barrier to receiving

timely and efficient quality care. This will be especially attractive for the communities Stony Brook now serves

as a result of its partnership with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and our growing affiliation with Eastern Long Island Hospital. For those who have been recently discharged from a hospital stay, it’s also welcome news. That’s because through a research pilot in home monitoring, Stony Brook Medicine Telehealth is helping to ensure patients’ successful return home and prevent emergency room visits and readmissions to the hospital. Video conferencing with Stony Brook Medicine physicians is also in development across various specialties. Physician-to-physician communication is another benefit of the telehealth method of managing healthcare. Several Stony Brook Medicine physicians are using video conferencing with community physicians who seek out second opinions for difficult cases, early evaluations, transfers, procedures, or for a professional consultation for education purposes.

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S17

Bridges

Stony Brook Orthopaedic Associates: When you’re feeling it in your bones From head to toe you have more than 200 bones in your body. Stony Brook Orthopaedic Associates can take care of all of them. A wide breadth of specialties Stony Brook Orthopaedic Associates is the largest orthopaedic group in Suffolk County, with five locations and 22 fellowship-trained physicians dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all musculoskeletal injuries and disorders in adults and children. With more than 73,000 annual office visits, over 5,600 surgeries each year and a wide breadth of subspecialties, the practice is a trusted resource for worldclass orthopaedic care on Long Island and beyond. Unique divisions for specific conditions Patients with everything from fractures to osteoarthritis to carpal tunnel to back pain have access to physicians trained to treat their conditions. Individualized care

plans take into account each patient’s age, level of activity, lifestyle and goals. • The Foot and Ankle Surgery Division specializes in diagnosis and treatment for a variety of conditions, ranging from sports injuries to trauma to degenerative disease related to the foot and ankle in both adults and children. • Physicians in the University Hand Center treat disorders of the adult and pediatric hand, wrist and elbow. • The Joint Replacement Center is a regional leader in hip and knee joint replacement surgery. • The Division of Orthopaedic Oncology provides treatment for adults and children with benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors and metastatic lesions. • In the Division of Orthopaedic Trauma, orthopaedic traumatologists treat the full spectrum of traumatic orthopedic injuries, from simple fractures to the most complex injuries. • The Division of Pediatric Orthopaedic

Surgery focuses on all orthopaedic aspects of the growing child, from fractures and sports injuries to scoliosis and congenital hip deformities. • Providers within the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery treat patients with injuries to the shoulder and elbow due to trauma, overuse and/ or degenerative processes. • The Spine and Scoliosis Center specializes in the treatment of all spinal disorders. The goal of treatment is the restoration of patients to an active lifestyle that enables them to return to work.

• The Division of Sports Medicine is dedicated to the comprehensive care of all athletes. A team approach to both non-operative and operative care is delivered with special attention to the demands of athletes of all levels. Stony Brook Orthopaedic Associates has five offices in Suffolk County — including its newest Commack location at 500 Commack Road. For information or an appointment, call (631) 444-4233.

Stony Brook offers a cure for diabetes in patients struggling with obesity Diabetes and obesity often occur together, and their impact on health and life expectancy can be devastating. Fortunately, there’s a solution. “Surgery to reduce obesity can also reverse diabetes,” said bariatric surgeon Konstantinos Spaniolas, MD, Associate Director of Stony Brook’s Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center, and Medical Director of Brookhaven Memorial Hospital’s bariatric surgery program. “For people struggling with both these conditions, we offer the chance for a cure.” Dr. Spaniolas said that after bariatric (weight loss) surgery, most patients experience rapid, sometimes immediate, diabetes control and remission — even before the weight is lost. “Typically they are able to reduce or discontinue their medications and still maintain blood glucose control,” he said. Stony Brook’s results echo those of at least five randomized clinical trials showing bariatric surgery’s efficacy against diabetes. This body of evidence prompted 45 international professional organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, to issue a joint statement urging that metabolic surgery be recommended or considered as a

From left, Andrew Bates, MD; Aurora Pryor, MD; Konstantinos Spaniolas, MD; and Salvatore Docimo Jr., DO

treatment option for certain categories of people with diabetes. All four of the program’s fellowshiptrained bariatric surgeons work closely with the Division of Endocrinology of the Department of Medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, an internationally recognized research and clinical leader in the field of diabetes medicine. About 20 percent of Stony Brook’s bariatric surgery patients have

some form of diabetes, according to Dr. Spaniolas. Each bariatric surgery patient is individually counseled about the best approach to his or her medical issues, including today’s most advanced surgical and nonsurgical weight loss procedures. The program’s highly credentialed, multidisciplinary team also offers medical management, advanced nutrition and exercise plans, counseling, behavior modification and group support.

Outpatient services, including free educational informational sessions for the community, are available at 23 S. Howell Avenue in Centereach, and at Advanced Specialty Care located at 500 Commack Road in Commack. “Curing diabetes through surgery is truly gratifying,” said Dr. Spaniolas Learn more at bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

PAGE S18 • SBU BRIDGES • FEBRUARY 22, 2018

Bridges

State-of-the-art hybrid operating rooms enhance patient care Stony Brook University Hospital has installed two fully equipped hybrid operating rooms (ORs) to provide patients with minimally invasive surgical procedures that are shorter, safer and more convenient. The hybrid ORs feature the most up-to-date, technologically sophisticated equipment. Called the Siemens Artis Pheno, it has the most cutting-edge imaging capabilities available today. Stony Brook is the first hospital in the Northeast — and the third hospital in the country — that uses this type of imaging equipment. The hybrid ORs, which are each about twice as large as traditional ORs, have the usual surgical equipment plus a large complement of very sophisticated imaging technology that normally isn’t located in a traditional OR. Having leading-edge imaging capabilities, such as the latest CT scanners, in the OR allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with real-time image guidance. Hybrid ORs are specially designed and equipped to make today’s surgeries safer and easier for patients and the medical professionals who are in the OR with the patient. The newest technologies require less radiation and less contrast material — the dye that is needed to give doctors a better view of tissues. This means greater safety for patients. Results for patients also may be enhanced due to the shorter surgical times, smaller incisions needed for minimally invasive procedures and the greater imaging accuracy. If surgeons determine that other procedures, including traditional open surgery, are needed, the open surgery can be done safely and immediately in the same room. Stony Brook’s new hybrid ORs are predominantly used for cardiac and vascular procedures, but will also be equipped for trauma, spine and urology surgeries. The technology in these specialized ORs allows cardiovascular surgeons to safely and efficiently perform minimally invasive procedures, such as:

From left, Jonathan Weinstein, DO, Interventional Cardiologist; Eric Rashba, MD, Director, Heart Rhythm Center; Joanna Chikwe, MD, Director, Stony Brook University Heart Institute and Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery; Apostolos Tassiopoulos, MD, Director, Stony Brook Vascular Center, and Chief, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery; Wayne Waltzer, MD, Chair, Department of Urology, Stony Brook University Cancer Center; David Fiorella, MD, PhD, Co-Director, Stony Brook Cerebrovascular and Stroke Center, Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute

• Percutaneous (through the skin) valve replacements or repairs, such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) that are done instead of open heart surgery • Cardiac catheterization and coronary interventions — to identify and open a blocked artery in the heart with angioplasty and stenting • Electrophysiology — tests to assess and treat the heart’s electrical system • Endovascular procedures (using a catheter inserted through the skin to diagnose and treat vascular disease), such as endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms in the abdomen or chest (EVAR, TEVAR); endovascular repair of aortic dissections; stent graft implantations; endovascular treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) with angioplasty and stenting; embolization of visceral artery aneurysms and vascular malformations

and hybrid (part open and part endovascular) intervention to treat complex vascular problems. Depending on the procedure, patients may have sedation or general anesthesia. Some will be able to go home the same day, and others will stay in the hospital for a short time. The hybrid ORs are part of Stony Brook’s commitment to offer high-quality care for patients. The new ORs are staffed by a multidisciplinary team of highly trained and experienced specialists, including surgeons, interventionalists, nurses, anesthesiologists and technicians. The new rooms are located in the University Hospital, on the fourth floor adjacent to the traditional OR. Stony Brook also has a hybrid OR at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital.

First fully robotic-assisted Whipple procedure on LI In September 2017, Stony Brook’s Surgical Oncology team became the first on Long Island to perform a fully robotic-assisted Whipple surgery. The procedure was performed by two surgical oncologists, Joseph Kim, MD, and Georgios V. Georgakis, MD, PhD, who used the da Vinci® S HD™ Surgical System to operate on a patient with pancreatic cancer. Because of the location of the pancreas, the Whipple surgery is considered one of the most difficult GI operations to perform. It involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, the duodenum and the gallbladder, as well as portions of the stomach and the bile duct. The procedure is the only treatment option that has any chance to offer a cure for patients with pancreatic cancer. “Traditionally, this procedure is performed by conventional open surgery,” said Aaron R. Sasson, MD, Chief, Surgical Oncology, at Stony Brook University Cancer Center, who has performed more than 500 Whipple resections. “We had the ideal set of circumstances to be able to perform this procedure. First, we had the surgeons. Dr. Kim has extensive experience in both open surgery and in overall GI robotic-assisted surgeries, and Dr. Georgakis has extensive robotic cancer surgery training. Second, we had a patient who fit the medical criteria perfectly.”

Our patient’s story When a 68-year-old woman complained about abdominal pain, she was referred to Dr. Kim by a community physician after a CT scan revealed a growth in her pancreas. A Stony Brook gastroenterologist performed a biopsy, which confirmed that the patient had stage II pancreatic cancer and needed immediate surgery. The patient’s son was to be married within a few days of her diagnosis. She wanted to be able to attend his wedding and was highly motivated to have the fastest recovery possible. The robotic-assisted surgery offered that opportunity. Patients stand to gain significant benefits from this procedure. By using the robot, the surgeons are able to make significantly smaller incisions compared to the traditional open Whipple. This helps to reduce pain, shorten recovery time and achieve a better cosmetic result. Some aspects of this surgery have been done robotically in the U.S. “But, for the fully robotic surgery, it requires the surgeon to know how to do the standard open operation in addition to having the robotic skills,” Dr. Kim said. “Due to its complexity, this operation has been successfully completed from beginning to end in less than five hospitals across the country.”

From left, Joseph Kim, MD; Aaron Sasson, MD; and Georgios Georgakis, MD, PhD

A team effort “Patients with pancreatic cancer go through a whole host of issues that are of great concern,” said Dr. Sasson. “That’s why we take a team approach, including gastroenterologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. We all work together to provide optimal medical care based on each individual case.” For more information, call (631) 444-8086.

FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S19

HELPING YOU NAVIGATE TO OPTIMAL HEALTH

David Dunaief, M.D. Integrative Medicine

• A Whole Body Approach • Reversing, Preventing & Treating Chronic Disease and Managing Weight by Connecting Conventional Medicine with Lifestyle Modifications Our Philosophy is simple. We believe wellness is derived through nutritional medicine and lifestyle interventions that prevent and treat chronic diseases. Medications have their place - and in some cases can be lifesaving. However, there’s no medication without side effects. The goal should be to limit the need for medications - or minimize the number of medications you take on a regular basis. You are not limited by your genes. Fortunately, most diseases are based primarily on epigenetics, which are environmental influences, and not on genetics. Epigenetics literally means above or around the gene. In epigenetics, lifestyle choices impact gene expression. Just because your first degree relatives may have had a disease, you are not predestined to follow suit. We are specialists who will partner with your primary care physician. A standard medical education does not integrate enough nutritional medicine and other lifestyle interventions. We bridge that gap.

We use evidence-based medicine to guide our decision-making. The amount of research related to nutrition and other lifestyle issues continues to grow rapidly, with many studies showing significant beneficial effects on health. We treat each patient as an individual. We will work with you to develop a plan that allows you to take a proactive role in managing your own health. The health outcomes are worth the effort. Is disease reversal possible? Absolutely! Study evidence has found this to be true, and many of our patients have experienced reversal of diabetes, autoimmune disorders, migraines, and cardiovascular disease, just to mention a few. In many cases, because of their exceptional results, our patients have been able to reduce or eliminate their medications. Read more common questions and answers on medicalcompassmd.com. Dr. Dunaief has written over 2,000 medical research articles that have been published in Times Beacon Record Newspapers.

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David Dunaief, M.D.

Clinician, Researcher, Author and Speaker Dr. Dunaief was also recently published in The New York Times and appeared on NBC, News 12 Long Island and News 12 Brooklyn.

Preventing and Reversing Chronic Conditions and Diseases Including: High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol/Triglycerides Heart Disease • Stroke Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 Obesity Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Rheumatoid Arthritis Hypothyroid • Hyperthyroid Lupus • Multiple Sclerosis Sjogren’s Syndrome Raynaud’s Syndrome Inflammatory Bowel Disease Ulcerative Colitis • Crohn’s Disease Psoriatic Arthritis Celiac Disease Psoriasis Sarcoidosis

“I lost 135 lbs and have kept it off for several years with the guidance, recipes and encouragement that Dr. Dunaief has provided. Also my inflammation has been reduced significantly. This means I was able to stop my two immunosuppressives for rheumatoid arthritis. I have no more pain or swelling in my joints and can move my fingers normally. This is a surreal experience. I also have reduced my CA125 by tenfold to well within the normal range associated with my BRCA1 overian cancer.” – C.H.

Dr. Dunaief builds a customized plan for each patient - he knows that “no body is the same.”

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You’ve been told you need heart surgery. Now what? Thousands of heart surgeries are performed every day in the United States. Changes in heart surgery have truly been transformative, resulting in better quality of life, better outcomes and more people being eligible for minimally invasive approaches. The key to getting optimal results starts with choosing the right surgeon. How to choose a cardiac surgeon One of the best ways is to ask your cardiologist or general practitioner who he or she thinks would be the right surgeon for your particular procedure. Find out who they trust most to take the best care of their patient. “The cardiologists on Long Island know all the cardiac surgeons individually. They know what each surgeon does best, what their success rates are, and how good their teams are,” said Joanna Chikwe, MD, Director, Stony Brook University Heart Institute and Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery. “And these cardiologists come to visit their patients after surgery, so they really get to know the doctors, nursing staff and hospitals.” Once a patient has a few recommendations, it’s okay to “interview” each surgeon to ask: • How much experience does the surgeon have in treating your specific condition? • How many procedures has the surgeon performed to treat the condition?

From left, cardiothoracic surgeons Allison McLarty, MD; Thomas Bilfinger, MD; Vinay Tak, MD; Director Joanna Chikwe, MD; and Henry Tannous, MD

• What is the surgeon’s success rate for the procedure? Be aware that information on the internet may be out of date, so it’s best to confirm what you read directly with your doctors. Advanced treatment at Stony Brook Heart Institute Stony Brook Heart Institute is a leading center for cardiovascular medicine and advanced treatment options. Established in 1982, the Heart Institute successfully treats cardiac conditions ranging from heart attacks, arrhythmias and valve disease to long-term heart failure. Its team of cardiac specialists is dedicated to prevention and management

of heart disease, providing exceptional care in state-of-the-art hospital facilities, as well as in the community and in your own home. The Heart Institute brings expertise to Long Island so that patients no longer have to travel outside the area to obtain the best care available. The Heart Institute team has successfully performed thousands of coronary artery bypass operations, complex and reoperative cardiac surgery procedures, and has treated over 100 patients with advanced heart failure with ventricular assist devices. Some of the greatest transformations are taking place in the way heart valve disease is being treated. For example, the Heart Institute team of cardiothoracic surgeons

and interventional cardiologists now offer advanced treatment options to patients with aortic and mitral valve disease. Stony Brook’s Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program has achieved an exceptional safety record, allowing valve surgery to be performed without conventional open-heart surgery. This minimally invasive procedure allows the insertion of a replacement valve into a patient’s defective aortic valve, resulting in a better-functioning valve and a very rapid recovery — most patients are able to go home the next day. And, for patients needing mitral valve surgery, Dr. Chikwe and her team perform mitral valve repair — not replacement — for most patients. This less invasive approach uses a patient’s own tissue to reconstruct the mitral valve, reducing stroke risk and reducing or eliminating the need for long-term blood thinners. Most importantly, long-term outcomes with mitral valve repair have been shown to be superior to replacement, increasing life expectancy and quality of life. For residents on Long Island, these groundbreaking new developments can provide exceptional outcomes to a wider range of people, including older and sicker patients, with greater safety and quicker recovery. For more information, call (631) 444-1820 or visit heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

How a monitoring device helps patients with heart failure Heart failure means that the heart is not pumping blood as well as it should, so the body isn’t getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs. In the early stages, patients may not have any symptoms. But as heart function worsens, people can have shortness of breath (at rest or with activity), bloating, swelling, weight gain and/or fatigue. If left untreated, the disease is life-threatening with many patients requiring hospitalization to help get their symptoms under control. Mr. Thomas Indence is one such patient whose heart failure had been steadily getting worse. When he was hospitalized in June 2017, Michelle Weisfelner Bloom, MD, Director, Outpatient Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center, discussed an advanced monitoring system, called CardioMEMSTM, with Mr. Indence to provide daily monitoring of his condition with the goal of preventing worsening symptoms. “The CardioMEMS Heart Failure Monitoring System lets us keep track of a patient’s heart function, so we can spot early signs that someone with heart failure is getting sicker and treat them without admitting them to the hospital,” said Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD, Chief of Cardiology and Director, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center, Stony Brook University Heart Institute. “The CardioMEMS device is small, about the size of a dime, and is implanted via a catheter (a thin, flexible tube). It permanently resides in a blood vessel to detect pressure pushing back on the lungs from the heart,” said Puja

From left, Michelle Weisfelner Bloom, MD, Director, Outpatient Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center; Thomas Indence, who is monitored with the CardioMEMSTM device; Lauren Pilato, NP; and Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD, Chief of Cardiology and Director, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center

Parikh, MD, MPH, Director, Structural Interventional Program, Stony Brook University Heart Institute. Once the patient receives the implanted device, the patient lies down on a specialized pillow for only a few minutes each morning to collect and transmit information from the implanted CardioMEMS device to the patient’s care team at the Heart Institute. Nearly automatically, the device transmits information on the patient’s fluid retention and heart pressure securely over the internet, without the need for the patient to leave their home.

“The device can alert the patient and their care team of critical changes to the patient’s condition — often before the patient notices symptoms such as swelling or weight gain,” said Dr. Skopicki. “This allows us to make proactive adjustments early to help our patients enjoy an improved quality of life.” “It’s very common for people with heart failure to not notice the more subtle signs of a worsening condition,” said Lauren Pilato, Nurse Practitioner, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center. “CardioMEMS allows us to watch the trends of each patient’s specific numbers very closely, so the care is very personalized.” Mr. Indence received the CardioMEMS device in August of 2017, and he and his wife, Vicky, are happy that they can lead a normal life with a lot less worry — knowing that there is someone on the other end watching his symptoms and calling when a change is needed. “We travel to Florida often and Tom finds the pillow easy to use and to travel with. It’s part of his daily routine,” said Mrs. Indence. “We both a have a new sense of confidence. Stony Brook’s cardiologists and Heart Failure Team are like family to us, and we are grateful for their watchful eyes.” To find out how we can help patients with advanced or early cardiac disease, call the Stony Brook Heart Institute at (631) 444-9746 (option 4).

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When your heart is out of its normal rhythm Sometimes people with an irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation (AFib) have no symptoms at all and others may feel like their heart is racing or fluttering, even when at rest. For those with a healthy heart, this could be an isolated event. But sometimes these symptoms can be caused by an arrhythmia or heart rhythm disorder — a common but serious and treatable cardiac condition. AFib usually involves a rapid heart rate, where the upper heart chambers (atria) are stimulated to contract in a disorganized and abnormal manner. Persistent AFib can significantly weaken the heart and cause heart failure. And, even if you have no symptoms, AFib puts you at a significant risk for stroke. That’s why it is important to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Typical symptoms include a sensation of the heart racing, fluttering or “thumping” in the chest (often described as a fish flopping), but some patients have more subtle symptoms such as shortness of breath, general fatigue or dizziness. While fluttering and palpitations are key symptoms of AFib, many heart problems, including heart attack, have similar warning signs. If you are experiencing symptoms, it is important to not delay. Get emergency help immediately by calling 9-1-1. For the five million people living with AFib in the U.S. today, the good news is that there are several options for medical management, including several types of blood thinners to prevent stroke and medications that prevent AFib. However, these medications do not work for everyone and can have side effects. For people who have AFib that is not well controlled by medications, Eric J. Rashba, MD, Professor of

From left, Puja Parikh, MD, Interventional Cardiologist; Smadar Kort, MD, Director, Cardiovascular Imaging; Eric Rashba, MD, Director, Heart Rhythm Center; Beverly Gill, RN, Electrophysiology Lab; Meiyee Vivien Lee, RN, Electrophysiology Lab; and Slawomir Oleszak, MD, Anesthesiologist

Medicine and Director of the Heart Rhythm Center at Stony Brook University Heart Institute, describes these additional approaches to treatment: Radiofrequency ablation involves cauterization or sealing off the electrical pathways in the heart that trigger the arrhythmia. At Stony Brook, we use an advanced mapping tool to find additional circuits that cause the arrhythmia in patients with more persistent AFib. Cryoablation is a very effective treatment for patients with early-stage paroxysmal (an episode of uncoordinated movement of the atria that occurs

occasionally and then stops) AFib. A freezing balloon in each pulmonary vein electrically isolates the impulses that are causing the arrhythmia. At the Stony Brook Heart Rhythm Center, the physicians are constantly working to improve the outcomes and quality of life for patients with AFib. Research is also directed at better understanding the underlying causes to better target treatment. Questions about your heart’s rhythm? Call Dr. Rashba at (631) 444-3575. Or, call (631) 44-HEART (444-3278) or visit heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Reducing stroke risk for people with atrial fibrillation People with an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation (AFib) have a five to seven percent increased risk of having a stroke compared to people without AFib. To help prevent strokes, blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin®) are prescribed. Most people do well, but some experience bleeding problems or have other reasons why blood thinners aren’t the best option. At Stony Brook University Heart Institute, people with AFib who can’t tolerate blood thinners long term now have a new way to reduce stroke risk. Heart rhythm specialists at the Heart Institute are treating appropriate patients with AFib with an implantable heart device, called WatchmanTM, to offer lifelong protection against stroke. The Watchman device offers protection from strokes for people who have AFib that’s not caused by a heart valve problem. It provides an alternative to the lifelong use of blood thinners (anticoagulants) for people with AFib by blocking blood clots from leaving the heart and possibly causing a stroke.

The heart rhythm specialists at Stony Brook Heart Institute use an implantable heart device, called WatchmanTM, to offer appropriate patients lifelong protection against stroke.

“With AFib, the upper chambers of the heart beat in an irregular rhythm,” said Eric Rashba, MD, Director, Heart Rhythm Center at Stony Brook Heart Institute. “This disrupts how the heart pumps blood, which can result in blood

possibly forming clots in a chamber of the heart called the left atrial appendage, or LAA for short. If a clot leaves the LAA, it can block blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.” More than 90 percent of stroke-causing blood clots that arise in the heart come from the LAA. The FDA-approved Watchman device is about the size of a quarter. When it is inserted into the LAA, the device expands like an umbrella so no blood can leak out. Then, over the next 45 days, cardiac tissue grows over the implant to permanently block off the LAA. “Watchman effectively provides protection equivalent to anticoagulants for preventing strokes and avoiding the risk of serious bleeding,” said Dr. Rashba. “This can save our patients’ lives and improve their quality of life.” For information about heart rhythm disorders and treatment, call (631) 44-HEART (444-3278).

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Stony Brook first in New York Metro Area to implant FDA-approved “Bionic Eye” Recently Stony Brook Medicine became the first will be able to see shapes of family members again, or be hospital on Long Island and in the New York metropolitan able to see doorways and crosswalks, or see shapes.” area to implant a new, commercially available retinal After 20 years of blindness, the first patient, Linda device. This “bionic eye” provides artificial vision for Kirk, 67, of Port Jefferson, can now distinguish light patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative genetic from dark, some shapes, and movements. disorder that breaks down cells in the retina and leads to “She was living in a world where she may have partial or full blindness. been able to see only a flicker of light, Stony Brook is one of 19 sites that do this using any residual functional retina she procedure in the United States. The surgery had,” Dr. Chaudhary said. “We ended up was performed by Khurram Chaudhary, surgically implanting the retinal prosthesis MD, a retinal surgeon in the Department of successfully, and thankfully she has not Ophthalmology at Stony Brook University had any post-operative complications.” School of Medicine. “Now the real hard part begins,” Dr. Chaudhary has since performed the Dr. Chaudhary said. “Linda needs to procedure on additional patients, who are understand how to use all of these new experiencing the benefits of this innovative visual stimulations and understand the approach to treating retinitis pigmentosa. Khurram Chaudhary, MD world around her using this new ‘artificial He is currently screening additional patients vision.’ This will take several sessions of for the surgery. visual rehabilitation and therapy post operatively. She Dr. Chaudhary said that what he and his team hope to will then be able to use these sensations to ‘visualize’ achieve with the device, the Argus II retinal prosthesis the world around her and help guide her from now on.” system, is have patients gain some vision. “To give back any sort of vision to these patients, “This innovation can give people a little bit more who have no visual perception, is amazing,” said independence than they had before,” he said. “We hope Dr. Chaudhary. “It’s a beautiful way, for me and my that after patients have the retinal device implanted, they team, to help people.”

Stony Brook Medicine retinal surgeon Khurram Chaudhary, MD (left), with patient Linda Kirk as her retinal implant device (“bionic eye”) is activated. She is now able to distinguish light from dark, some shapes, and movements.

Once Dr. Chaudhary and his team obtain long-term results on how patients are doing with the implanted device, he will start clinical studies of the device’s use and effectiveness, he said.

Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders: Restoring function and improving quality of life When your limbs are rigid and you have trouble walking and maintaining your balance, your hands shake, your muscles contract when you don’t want them to, or your arms, legs, head and upper body move uncontrollably — these may be signs of a movement disorder that can severely affect your daily life. While many people are familiar with the term Parkinson’s disease, there are many other movement disorders to consider as well, such as essential tremor, dystonia, Huntington’s disease and Tourette’s syndrome. And it takes a neurologist specializing in movement disorders to correctly evaluate you. The Stony Brook Movement Disorders Center provides patients from throughout Long Island and New York City with the needed expertise in making the correct diagnoses and treating a wide spectrum of movement disorders. Our team of experts includes dedicated fellowship-trained movement disorders neurologists, a neurosurgeon with expertise in minimally invasive surgical treatment of movement disorders, a neuropsychiatrist, neuropsychologist and physical-occupation therapists. At the patient’s initial evaluation, one of our movement disorders neurologists performs a complete neurological examination. This typically includes performing tasks such as writing, walking across the room, pouring water, drinking water and drawing spirals. “By examining these seemingly simple tasks, our neurologists are able to gain key information about the particular movement impairment, to make a diagnosis and provide recommendations for further testing,” said Guy Schwartz, MD, a movement disorders

neurologist and co-director of the center. The team works collaboratively to care for and manage each particular movement disorder and its symptoms, using the most advanced, evidence-based treatments. These include physical therapy, botulinum toxin injections, and a range of medications. If symptoms cannot be managed appropriately with less invasive means, a patient may be eligible for brain surgery. Deep brain stimulation surgery Patients who are on medication but still suffering from the symptoms of their movement disorders are potential candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. There are two forms of this pioneering surgery — standard DBS and directional DBS. Both are performed by the team’s neurosurgeon, Chuck Mikell, MD, who is also co-director of the center. Our DBS program for Parkinson’s disease, essential

tremor and other movement disorders is the first of its kind in Suffolk County, and Stony Brook was the first center on Long Island to perform directional DBS. In 2017, Dr. Mikell received an Achievements in Health Care Award from Long Island Business News for his expertise in directional DBS. DBS entails placing small wires into the brain to stimulate it with electrical current supplied by a batteryoperated generator that is similar to a cardiac pacemaker. Directional DBS, which can help people who would not otherwise be helped by standard DBS, allows precise steering of the current, which has shown to lead to less post-operative care and a decrease in side effects. “DBS and directional DBS have enabled our patients to move with less stiffness and tremor and helped them to significantly decrease the medications they take,” said Dr. Mikell. Huntington’s Disease Clinic If you or a family member are affected by or at risk for developing Huntington’s disease, experts at our center’s Huntington’s Disease Clinic can help. In addition to providing expertise in treatment for symptoms of the disease, the clinic offers genetic counseling and testing, preimplantation genetic screening with in vitro fertilization, social services, long-term planning, rehabilitation therapy and opportunities to volunteer in research. To schedule an appointment with one of our movement disorders neurologists, please call (631) 444-2599. To schedule an appointment with our movement disorders neurosurgeon, call (631) 444-1213. neuro.stonybrookmedicine.edu/centers/movement

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What it means to have a Level Four Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in the community Last March, the National Association of Epilepsy Centers designated Stony Brook Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center. This is the highest level an epilepsy center can achieve. To attain this level, an epilepsy center must have the professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with refractory epilepsy. By refractory epilepsy, we mean patients who have persistent, recurrent, uncontrollable seizures despite being on seizure medications. And of the nearly three million Americans estimated to have some form of epilepsy, 30 percent fall into this category. But before going any further, it’s helpful to first understand the difference between what a seizure is and what epilepsy is. Seizures happen when your nerve cells fire more rapidly and with less control than usual, affecting how you act and feel. And they’re not always related to epilepsy. They can be a symptom of a high fever in children or metabolic disarray (when abnormal chemical reactions alter one’s metabolism). We can all be at risk for seizures if our metabolism is out of

Mary Andriola, MD, a nationally recognized and respected pediatric and adult epileptologist, and founder of the Stony Brook Comprehensive Center for Epilepsy with a patient.

balance, for example, due to reduced sodium. In epilepsy, seizures occur due to an innate problem in the brain, such as structural abnormalities of the brain, brain metabolism, an infection of the brain, trauma, tumors or stroke. Under the leadership of Rebecca Spiegel, MD, Director of the Stony Brook Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, the team’s highly skilled adult and pediatric epileptologists, neuro-psychologists, radiologists and neurosurgeons enable

Stony Brook Medicine to provide the highest quality care for patients, regardless of the complexity of their epilepsy. This is important, because seizures and epilepsy can involve and affect multiple body systems, so having a team of specialists readily available helps achieve more effective treatment plans. Of special mention is Mary Andriola, MD, a nationally recognized and respected pediatric and adult epileptologist, who founded the center and still plays a very pivotal role in it.

The center offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical techniques for patients with epilepsy and is the go-to resource for community physicians when epilepsy is suspected but not confirmed. Diagnostic techniques include brain MRI modalities, functional brain MRI and other state-of-the-art MRI techniques as well as positron emission tomography (PET), or combined modalities such as PET-MRI, that are done at the same study session, and are sometimes used to detect brain lesions that may not have been detected previously. The center also offers laser ablation as treatment for uncontrolled seizures (i.e., intractable or refractory epilepsy). As part of an academic medical center, Stony Brook’s Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Center also has access to research, including clinical trials for new treatments. Patients and their families benefit from the center’s support and education services, which include a nurse practitioner and a support group that is co-run by a Stony Brook physician and an epilepsy social worker. To learn more, call (631) 444-4000 or visit neuro.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

First in Suffolk County: POEM procedure performed by Stony Brook Medicine physician This past October, Stony Brook Medicine gastroenterologist Lionel S. D’Souza, MD, performed Suffolk County’s first POEM procedure — a stateof-the-art, incision-free treatment for achalasia. Achalasia is a rare, potentially debilitating swallowing disorder that makes it hard for the food and drink you consume to enter the stomach. With achalasia, the esophagus and the esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle like a valve that opens to let the food pass into the stomach) don’t work properly, so food and liquids get “backed up” in the esophagus. When food sits in the esophagus for long lengths of time, the esophagus lining becomes inflamed and causes symptoms, which vary depending on the severity of the disorder. Symptoms include heartburn, weight loss, nausea, regurgitation, vomiting, chest pain and a low quality of life because eating and drinking are so difficult. The POEM procedure POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) is a minimally invasive endoscopic

procedure that can permanently cure achalasia. There are no incisions on your body — everything is done internally with a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) that goes through your mouth and into the esophagus. A doctor trained in the procedure uses a small knife at the tip of the endoscope to open the passageway so food can travel from your mouth to the stomach. POEM is the most advanced treatment currently available for achalasia. It’s done with general anesthesia in the Endoscopy Unit or in the operating room. The procedure takes about an hour, and the patient usually goes home the following day. For most patients, POEM has a short recovery time and low risk of bleeding and infection. It is a good alternative to the traditional surgery, called a Heller myotomy, which is a minimally invasive surgery that requires multiple incisions in the abdomen. The first POEM in Suffolk The first patient to receive POEM at Stony Brook Medicine was a 55-yearold male police chief from the East End

Lionel S. D’Souza, MD, prepares for the POEM procedure with the endoscopy team from left, Tin Lynn Win, CRNA; Kelly Van Ness, RN; and Elizabeth DiFrietus, RT.

of Long Island who was having severe symptoms. The patient did extremely well, and is enjoying a much better quality of life since the surgery. Although this was the first POEM performed in Suffolk County, it was not the first that Dr. D’Souza has completed. Prior to joining Stony Brook, he had extensive training in the POEM technique, and he has successfully performed nearly 50 procedures. Dr. D’Souza is currently teaming up with Salvatore Docimo Jr., DO,

in the Department of Surgery at Stony Brook University School of Medicine to provide these procedures for all patients who need them, and collaborating on cases inside and outside the Endoscopy Unit. “Because POEM requires a high level of technical expertise, very few centers provide this option to patients. We’re happy to now offer this choice to our patients,” said Dr. D’Souza. To learn more about POEM, call (631) 444-5220.

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Advances in prenatal testing and screening It wasn’t until the 1960s and early ’70s that screenings and diagnostic testing such as amniocentesis and chorionic villi sampling (CVS) for chromosomal issues, as well as blood tests for conditions such as open neural tube defects and cystic fibrosis, began to be used regularly. In the mid 1990s, doctors began to routinely use ultrasound testing to determine if the fetus was developing properly and if any abnormalities were evident. A leap forward As technology has advanced, so has the usage, breadth and accuracy of testing. Today a wide range of sophisticated options makes it possible to detect numerous physical, genetic and chromosomal disorders before a child is born. Some tests are considered routine. Others are only performed when it is determined that there’s an increased risk for a problem based on age, ethnic background or other risk factors. Stony Brook’s genetic counselors are available to help families determine their risk factors for inherited disorders and to provide guidance.

In most cases, test results reassure parents that their baby is fine. If there is a problem, testing allows parents to be prepared and seek out resources to help them with next steps. If a birth defect is found, Stony Brook’s team of obstetricians, neonatologists and pediatric surgeons meet to discuss the case prior to birth in order to optimize outcomes. At Stony Brook University Hospital, a wide range of prenatal tests (blood, ultrasound and fluid aspirations among others) is available. Here are some of the most common: Amniocentesis is an amniotic fluid collection test used to detect neural tube and genetic defects (i.e., rearrangements of chromosomes). Chorionic villi sampling (CVS) collects a small sampling of placental tissue to detect genetic defects (i.e., rearrangements of chromosomes). Nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound used in combination with a blood test to detect possible genetic defects (i.e., rearrangements of chromosomes).

Cell-free DNA screening tests a fetus’s DNA through the mother’s blood sample to detect possible genetic defects (i.e., rearrangements of chromosomes). Heredity screening is conducted by obtaining blood to determine if parents may be carriers of disorders, including cystic fibrosis or Fragile X before or during pregnancy. Group B Strep (GBS) is a swab test for bacteria than can cause serious illness in a newborn. The Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention recommends testing at 36 weeks of pregnancy and treatment for those who test positive. Other tests may be specifically indicated for a patient’s particular circumstance, either at their request or at the suggestion of their physician. For more information about the obstetrical testing offered at Stony Brook, visit womenshealth. stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Minimally invasive OB/GYN surgeries Before the mid 1990s, a woman who underwent a surgical procedure for a gynecologic disorder or cancer generally had to have invasive open surgery, stay in the hospital for several days at least and endure a long recovery period. However, with major advances in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques over time, minimally invasive procedures for most gynecologic surgeries are starting to become standard practice and even less invasive every year. At Stony Brook Medicine, a team of skilled and experienced surgeons has been specially trained to perform both routine and complex minimally invasive surgeries for both benign and cancerous gynecologic conditions. These highly trained doctors use laparoscopic procedures, robotic, vaginal or minilaparotomy techniques — each of which involves small incisions, reduced blood loss, little scarring and a far faster recovery time. Frequently, patients can go home the same day of their surgery and often be back at work in less than two weeks. Among the minimally invasive procedures performed by these Stony Brook specialists are surgical treatments for endometriosis, infertility, fibroid tumors, incontinence, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. Biopsies to help identify cancer and determine the stage level can also be done with these techniques. Three types of minimally invasive entryways are common in gynecologic surgery. Depending on the type of procedure required, the physician may make the incisions just above the pubic hairline, in the abdomen and/or navel, or through the vagina. Laparoscopic versus robotic While both laparoscopic and robotic equipment

enable physicians to perform minimally invasive procedures, they each have their own unique capabilities. Laparoscopic tools are rigid, with cameras that provide two-dimensional views for the physicians. Laparoscopic procedures are generally used for more routine surgeries. Robotic-assisted surgical tools, on the other hand, offer more flexibility and a three-dimensional view, making them appropriate for more complex procedures. Expertise and experience What sets Stony Brook Medicine apart in this arena is the experience and training of its physicians. These specialized surgeons have completed additional formal

training in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery either through a fellowship in gynecologic oncology, which typically takes three to four years, or through a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery fellowship that generally takes two to three years. Stony Brook doctors also train other surgeons on both a national and international basis. And while the average OB/GYN in New York State performs five to six hysterectomies annually, the physicians in the Department of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Stony Brook perform more than 100 each year. Even though minimally invasive surgeries are more commonplace now, there are still situations and conditions that may require traditional open surgery. An example would be when a tumor has grown too large to be removed by minimally invasive methods. However, more and more frequently, open invasive surgeries in this field are becoming a thing of the past. The doctors at Stony Brook Medicine advise that patients who need gynecologic surgery speak to their own doctors about their prospects for minimally invasive procedures, and if the doctor doesn’t offer it, to seek a second opinion and to become knowledgeable about the techniques. Helpful patient information may be found on the websites for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (acog.org), the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (sgo.org) and the AAGL — Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide (aagl.org). For more information about general OB/GYN surgery, call (631) 444-4686, or for information about gynecologic oncology surgery, call (631) 444-2989. You can also visit womenshealth.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

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Pioneering pathology breakthroughs Three decades ago, photographic film was used to capture and view a great majority of radiographic studies. Radiology studies such as standard radiographs, MRIs, ultrasound and CT scans are now all captured, stored and displayed as interactive digital images. These images are now routinely archived in storage systems and shared among physicians via specialized radiology workstations and standard internet browsers. Now, thanks to pioneering work at Stony Brook Medicine, the last major frontier in digitizing medical images is being addressed with the development of digital solutions for pathology slide specimens. Joel Saltz, MD, PhD, Founder and Cherith Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Stony Brook Medicine and a board-certified clinical pathologist with a PhD in computer science, along with a team of physicians and technologists from Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, Ohio State, Emory University and Stony Brook Medicine, is at the forefront of this major breakthrough. This research was initially motivated by the need to analyze, visualize and query from satellites and from basic and applied earth science applications. Their groundbreaking work in digital image viewing and archiving systems for pathology images set into motion technology developments that ultimately led to the FDA’s recent approval of using digital surgical pathology slides for interpretations. Pathology — the study of the nature of diseases and the structural and functional changes that they cause — has traditionally relied on human expertise for interpretation. Pathologists use microscopes to examine tissue specimens prepared on glass slides, and make diagnoses based on keen observation. There is increasing evidence that only a small fraction of the information locked in a glass slide is used in medical care, which can result in lost opportunities to steer treatment and missed opportunities to flag potentially aggressive cancers. It is also common for equally skilled pathologists to each have their

Joel Saltz, MD, PhD

own unique interpretations of the same slide, which can result in varying diagnoses, and potentially, even different treatments for the disease. Digitizing pathology slides can help improve consistency in readings by allowing for machine (meaning artificial intelligencebased) analysis that can interpret more data than human observers. Digitizing the slides also allows for easier sharing of pathology data among physicians and leads to timesaving as well as more accurate diagnoses and treatments. While the use of this technology in clinical care is not yet widespread, Dr. Saltz anticipates that it won’t be long before digital imaging and artificial intelligence-based analytics in pathology becomes the new normal, bringing with it the promise of truer diagnoses, more uniformity in treatments, and the ultimate goal — better outcomes for patients at Stony Brook and beyond.

Are you at risk for pelvic congestion syndrome? Know the facts. Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), is a complex medical condition, which accounts for approximately 10 to 15 percent of gynecologic visits in the United States. It is one of the causes of chronic (lasting longer than six months) pelvic pain, a condition that affects approximately onethird of all women. Most women with PCS are younger than age 45 and in their childbearing years. Certain factors increase a woman’s risk for the condition, including: multiple (two or more) pregnancies; presence of a “tipped” (retroverted) uterus, leg varicose veins, polycystic ovaries and hormonal increases or dysfunction. Because there are so many different causes of chronic pelvic pain, it can make diagnosis of PCS difficult. In fact, a diagnosis of PCS is often missed because most physicians are unaware of the disease. If the pain you are experiencing worsens when you are sitting or standing and is relieved when you are laying down,

or if you experience pain with urination or during/after sexual activity, you should be evaluated for PCS. If pelvic varicose veins are present, your ovarian veins should be evaluated to see if there is any reflux present. If not properly diagnosed and treated, PCS can potentially lead to significant disability. The team of board-certified vascular surgeons at the Stony Brook Medicine Center for Vein Care are experts in

determining if the pelvic pain you are experiencing is PCS. Led by Tony Gasparis, MD, the Center for Vein Care uses the latest diagnostic tools: ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and pelvic venography. They offer minimally invasive treatment — pelvic/ovarian vein embolization, which achieves excellent relief, without significant side effects and without triggering early menopause. With several locations across Long Island, including the newest in Commack, the Center for Vein Care can significantly improve symptoms and enhance quality of life if you suffer from PCS. They also offer a wide range of treatments for varicose/ spider veins or other form of vein disease. Many treatment options are performed right in the office, using local anesthesia or mild sedation, for a pain-free experience. For more information, call (800) 345-VEIN (8346) or visit vein.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

$8 million grant awarded to further cancer research Today, the war against cancer is being fought in new ways, with technology among the weapons on the front lines. Recently, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded Stony Brook Medicine’s Joel Saltz, MD, PhD, together with a team of researchers from the University of Arkansas and Emory University, an $8 million grant. The team will use the grant over the next five years to develop a combined radiology/pathology data collection that will enable research to help develop new diagnostics and novel ways to steer cancer treatment. Dr. Saltz is leading the pathology component of the project. Yusuf Hannun, MD, Director of the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Vice Dean for Cancer Medicine and Joel Strum Kenny Professor in Cancer Research, believes the collaboration has great potential. “This is a very important effort that builds on several areas of outstanding strengths at the Cancer Center,” said Dr. Hannun. Dr. Saltz is the Vice President for Clinical Informatics, and founder and Cherith Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics, which is jointly administered by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He is also Associate Director for Cancer Informatics at Stony Brook Cancer Center. Dr. Saltz is also a pioneer in the biomedical informatics field, which uses computational methods to extract meaning from large data sets. His groundbreaking work in digital image archiving systems for pathology images led to the FDA’s approval of using digital surgical pathology slides for interpretations. The work is expected to dramatically improve the NCI’s Cancer Imaging Archive, a major resource for cancer researchers and clinicians, by enabling digital pathology imaging to enhance the existing radiology effort. “Cancer is a complex disease state. Our ability to anticipate and steer treatment results will require us to combine information from multiple sources,” said Dr. Saltz. “Digital data collection will make that information more readily available. By gathering more information, researchers can understand better what’s happening, what might happen and how best to treat cancer.”

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Five facts about taking your child to the Emergency Room Should your child need emergency care, you don’t always get to choose where to go. Emergency medical services may be directed to take your child to the nearest hospital. But when you do have a choice, here are a few things to consider: Children’s emergency medicine is different. Stony Brook knows that children are not small adults. That’s why Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has a dedicated, 24/7 Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) — separate from the adult ED — that provides special access to childand family-centered resources. Their pediatric emergency medicine-trained physicians, acute care pediatricians and pediatric nurses know how to immediately handle nearly every type of pediatric emergency illness or injury.

Not all trauma care is the same. Stony Brook University Trauma Center is the only Pediatric and Adult Level 1 (highest level) Trauma Center in Suffolk County. This means the most severely injured patients who need immediate critical care are directed to Stony Brook. Not all hospitals have a wide range of pediatric specialists on hand. Emergencies and trauma often require a collaborative approach among subspecialist physicians and teams. For example, a child who was in a car accident may have damage to multiple organ systems and require the services of numerous specialists. With more than 180 pediatric specialists available at Stony Brook Children’s representing all pediatric specialties, your child can get the kind of care required.

Ensure that the focus stays on the child. There are many ways to make the emergency experience safer and more comfortable for your child. The Stony Brook teams do everything they can to reduce or eliminate pain and anxiety. This includes using numbing cream for IVs, shots and blood draws; intranasal spray medicines for pain; partnering with the Child Life Services Department to use distracting techniques; and allowing parents to be with their child at all times. In an emergency, every second counts. You want to make sure you get your child to the place that can best meet his or her needs both at the time, and if complications occur, later on. Having to transfer from a community hospital ED to a Level 1 Trauma Center or a specialized ED for children can result in

a longer time finding the right diagnosis and a delay in lifesaving treatment. When you start at Stony Brook, you’re already starting in the right place. Learn more at stonybrookchildrens. org/pediatric-emergency-department.

Suffolk County’s one and only: The Level 1 Trauma Center difference At Stony Brook University Trauma Center, Suffolk County’s only verified Level 1 Trauma Center for adults and children, we not only treat the most complex traumatic injuries, we’re also committed to educating and empowering the community on how to deal with trauma with an emphasis on injury prevention. Level 1 Trauma Centers are the highest-level centers, capable of providing a full range of services to the most severely injured patients. Stony Brook Trauma Center is made up of a team of trained professionals using specialized skills and resources to provide comprehensive care to people who are seriously injured. Physicians are trained both in surgery and critical care, and are immediately available 24/7 to ensure that care is available when needed. Led by James Vosswinkel, MD, Trauma Medical Director, and Richard Scriven, MD, Pediatric Trauma Director, Stony Brook Trauma Center cares for close to 2,000 patients annually — adults and children, who have sustained blunt, penetrating or burn injuries. Ninety-five percent of these patients have sustained blunt injuries — the majority from falls or from motor

vehicle crashes. Twenty-five percent of the center’s patients are transferred in from one of Suffolk County’s 10 other hospitals for the specialized care only a Level 1 Trauma Center can provide. And every day Stony Brook Flight Paramedics are on board Suffolk County Police Department helicopters, providing timely and advanced care directly at the scene of an injury. Comprehensive, excellent trauma care can save lives. Stony Brook Trauma Center is leading the way with research on the care of trauma patients and continues to shine with top quality scores as compared to the more than 300 trauma centers nationwide. In the most recent national quality reports, patient outcome results at Stony Brook were better than at most centers. That means patients with serious injuries treated in our trauma center had a better chance of survival and were less likely to develop major complications than patients treated elsewhere. Stony Brook Trauma Center is committed to not only treating injury but to preventing injury from occurring. The Trauma Center regularly conducts many

As the only Level 1 Trauma Center in Suffolk County, Stony Brook University Trauma Center offers the highest level of trauma care when every second counts.

community prevention programs in partnership with other local agencies. These programs include teddy bear clinics, senior fall prevention programs, traffic violator education programs and courses that teach bleeding control for the injured. Stony Brook also provides sports safety clinics, teen driving initiatives, Safe Kids “Safety Games,” parent information sessions and more to organizations in the community — all free of charge. To learn more about Stony Brook University Trauma Center, visit trauma.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Learn to ‘Stop the Bleed’ and save lives When there’s a catastrophic event causing traumatic injury and uncontrolled bleeding, there may not be time to wait for medical help to arrive. Whether from a mass casualty, an active shooter incident, explosion, or as a result of an accident at home or work, recognizing life-threatening bleeding and knowing what to do until emergency responders arrive can save lives. Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign that launched in October 2015 and encourages bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.

Free B-Con training in action.

As part of this emergency preparedness campaign, Stony Brook University Trauma Center offers a 90-minute American College of Surgeons’ Bleeding Control Basic (B-Con) training session to the public. During B-Con sessions, which are offered free of charge, community members learn key lifesaving skills, including hands-only CPR, tourniquet use and wound treatment. To find out about the next B-Con training session offered by Stony Brook University Trauma Center, call (631) 638-2861.

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Heart attack: Know the early signs and symptoms With Long Island’s only accredited Chest Pain Center — and one of only nine statewide — Stony Brook University Heart Institute is a leader in saving the lives of heart attack victims. “Since 85 percent of heart damage occurs within the first two hours of a heart attack, it is critical to treat patients as fast as possible, so less heart muscle is damaged,” said Pamela Kostic, RN, CCCC, Heart Institute Certified Cardiovascular Care Coordinator. And educating the community to recognize possible heart attack symptoms — and take action — is a vital part of that. What is a heart attack? A heart attack occurs when an area of the heart muscle dies or is permanently damaged because of inadequate blood and oxygen supply. Immediate attention is necessary; the faster the artery can be opened, the less damage to the muscle and the more quickly the heart can recover. The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association guidelines are to open the blockage in 90 minutes or less (called door-toballoon time, which spans arrival at the hospital until the blockage is cleared). Stony Brook Medicine has achieved an average time of 55 minutes, well below this target. Early heart attack symptoms don’t always involve the chest. Although chest pain is a classic symptom, other signs can be subtler. There may be discomfort you wouldn’t define as “pain” and it may be felt in other places, like the inner arm — often, but not always, the left arm — or in the jaw or teeth. It may get worse with activity

and improve with rest. It may come and go, increasing a bit each time it comes. It may feel like indigestion or the flu. You may feel extra tired, short of breath or sweaty. Or you may feel anxious, like something is wrong. And these signs can occur, hours, days, even weeks before the heart attack. Symptoms differ for men and women. Men tend to have their blockages in their main arteries and often — but, not always — feel the classic symptoms of chest pressure, squeezing or heartburn. For more than 70 percent of women who have heart attacks, the first symptoms are unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, a feeling of anxiety, indigestion or back pain.

Ambulances are equipped with defibrillators, which can save your life if your heart attack triggers an unstable heart rhythm. Most Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are equipped with 12-lead EKGs, which means they can transmit results to the hospital electronically en route. At Stony Brook, we assemble the treatment team and equipment you need before you arrive. Why a chest pain center matters. If you’re having a heart attack, a chest pain center is where you want to be because it is intentionally designed to provide the most effective and efficient assessment, diagnosis and treatment. At Stony Brook’s Chest Pain Center, you’ll find:

Kostic cautions that symptoms • A trauma room just for patients with can vary. heart attack symptoms. And if the “A 52-year-old woman with a history patient has already been recognized of high cholesterol was feeling chest through a pre-transmitted EKG as having burning and woke up at 2 am with severe one of the most lethal and common types upper back pain,” she said. “The patient of heart attacks, we have a specially attributed her pain to GERD. After four trained team there waiting for them. hours with the same symptoms, she called 911 and upon arrival at Stony • EKG transmitted directly from the Brook, she was rushed to the Cath Lab EMS team. This enables our doctors based on her symptoms and abnormal to prepare appropriately, ahead of EKG (electrocardiogram) test results. She your arrival. received a cardiac stent and is doing well.” • Instant EKG in the ER. If you go to Stony Brook’s Emergency Room with If you suspect a heart attack, what chest pain or heart attack symptoms, the should you do? first person you will see is a paramedic, It’s best to call 911, rather than drive or get a ride to the hospital. There are and an EKG will be performed within two main reasons for this: five minutes of arrival.

Stony Brook is Long Island’s only accredited Chest Pain Center with 24/7 PCI. The PCI designation means that we use a specialized treatment called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) — ensuring that patients experiencing an acute heart attack receive rapid treatment in the cardiac cath lab to minimize damage to the heart muscle.

When an EKG doesn’t give the full answer, a super-fast CT scanner in the ER can confirm whether or not you are in danger of having a heart attack, and often prevent it before it happens. The onset of a heart attack may be difficult to predict, but at Stony Brook, with our fast 320-slice CT scanner, we can tell if a patient is in danger or not, then treat that patient immediately and appropriately. The CT scan can also reveal partial blockages and the presence of plaque that indicates the need for outpatient treatment. Patients receive information about the early signs of disease that they can then work to control.

HeartSaver/AED CPR Class Wednesday, March 28, April 25 or May 30 • 4 to 7 pm Stony Brook University Hospital 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook Learn lifesaving skills from nurse educators at Stony Brook University Heart Institute. The class is free, but for those who would like a two-year American Heart Association CPR card, there is a $20 fee. Participants will learn how to respond to an adult, child and infant who is unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Demonstrations on the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and how to respond to choking emergencies are also covered. Registration is required. (Same-day registration is possible, but please call first.) To register, call Yvonne Leippert, RN, MS, CCRN, at (631) 444-3322.

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Staller Center 2018 season

Experience the best entertainment close to home. The Staller Center for the Arts is Suffolk County’s premier destination for the performing arts. All events are held in the Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook. For more information and tickets on the events below, visit stallercenter.com or call (631) 632-ARTS (2787).

Gala 2018: Jay Leno with Special Guest The Doo Wop Project

Saturday, March 3, 8 pm Main Stage, $75 Acclaimed television late-night show host Jay Leno takes the stage for Staller Center’s Gala. He is an admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, indemand corporate speaker, lovable TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, as well as philanthropist. Jay Leno is one of comedy’s most accomplished stars.

Starry Nights Spring

Wednesday, March 7, 8 pm Recital Hall, $38 The stars of Starry Nights are artistsin-residence, professors of music and doctors of musical arts musicians who come together for a unique concert.

Dublin Irish Dance

Saturday, March 10, 8 pm Main Stage, $46 Dublin Irish Dance brings the epic tale of Celtic culture to the stage. The journey begins in rural Ireland, prior to the Famine, where creative artists met in kitchens, barns and fields celebrating traditional melodies and dance. As the Great Hunger closes in, the people look west, across the ocean, to New York City.

Spherus

Sunday, March 18, 4 pm Main Stage, $20 International Juggling champion Greg Kennedy uses music as a background for his unique tricks with light, super cool props and his acrobatic duo of aerial dancers. Spherus is certain to fascinate with its stunning effects.

Emerson String Quartet #3 with Christina Dahl

Tuesday, March 20, 8 pm Recital Hall, $48 The Emerson Quartet’s March concert includes “a fearless embrace of the new and the unusual as well as the classics” (Seattle Times). Enjoy an exciting mix of music from the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries. Pianist Christina Dahl joins the Emerson for the Bolcom Quintet.

Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp Acoustically Speaking

Sunday, March 25, 7 pm Recital Hall, $42 An intimate, unplugged show featuring original Rent stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp as they celebrate over 20 years of friendship. Adam and Anthony deliver solo sets featuring both original tunes and songs that have influenced their lives, capped off by some of the iconic hits from the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning musical Rent.

Singer and actress Audra McDonald performs at the Staller Center on Saturday, April 21.

Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Saturday, April 7, 8 pm Recital Hall, $38 Sponsored by Renaissance Technologies Big Sam’s Funky Nation plays big band funk inspired by the thrills of their New Orleans hometown. The band is led by trombone powerhouse, Big Sam Williams, who the San Francisco Chronicle calls “the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz.” The band’s performances are filled with blasts of brass, bursts of electric guitar and the charisma of Big Sam, the frontman who sings, plays, dances and involves the audience in everything he does.

Catapult

Saturday, April 14, 8 pm Main Stage, $40 Sponsored by Jefferson’s Ferry Lifetime Retirement Community Founded by Pilobolus Dance Theatre’s former creative director, Adam Battlestein, Catapult is all about surprising transformations.

Audra McDonald

Saturday, April 21, 8 pm Main Stage, $54 Sponsored by Hilton Garden Inn – Stony Brook Singer and actress Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry. With a record six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award and a long list of other accolades to her name, she is among today’s most highly regarded performers (Ragtime, Private Practice, Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Twelfth Night and Shuffle Along.)

Parsons Dance Company

Saturday, May 5, 8 pm Main Stage, $42 Eight dancers of talent and passion bring sexy athleticism, exuberant personality and joyous movement to Parsons Dance. Choreographed by David Parsons, the company’s style is a fusion of the gesture and movement that makes up the modern dance vocabulary.

Events at Stony Brook University: Music is in the air The Department of Music at Stony Brook, which is celebrating 50 years of music, is proud to present its 2018 spring season featuring its students, faculty and professional guests. These shows, many of which are free to the public, are in addition to what is offered by the Staller Center for the Arts. Please note this schedule is subject to change. All programs are held in the Staller Center. To order tickets, visit stallercenter.com, call (631) 632-ARTS (2787) or visit the box office in the lobby of the Staller Center, Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm. Visit stonybrook.edu/music for updates.

Stony Brook Opera and Baroque Ensemble

Friday, March 2, 8 pm, and Sunday, March 4, 3 pm Recital Hall, $10/$5 Stony Brook Opera joins with the Stony Brook Baroque Players to present a staged production of Rameau’s celebrated Pygmalion, an opera-ballet in one act, based on the story of Pygmalion from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.” Arthur Haas conducts the Stony Brook Opera cast and Stony Brook Baroque Players; Catherine Turocy directs.

Stony Brook Composers

Monday, March 5, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free The talented student composers at Stony Brook work side by side with the stellar performers of the Contemporary Chamber Players to present new music in a colorful range of styles.

Family Orchestra Concert

Tuesday, March 6, 7:30 pm Main Stage, $5 “Adventures in Orchestral Music”: This one-hour concert will feature pieces by well-known classical composers, including John Williams. Featuring the winner of the 2017 Young Artist Concerto Competition and conducted by Susan Deaver.

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Monday, April 30, 8 pm Recital Hall, $10/$5 The Stony Brook Chorale performs Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs with Stony Brook University voice faculty member Randall Scarlata. The Camerata Singers perform a set of classic and contemporary choral works. Conducted by Shoshana Hershkowitz. The Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra performs on March 24 at the Staller Center.

Starry Nights March

Wednesday, March 7, 8 pm Recital Hall, $38 The stars of Starry Nights — artists-inresidence, professors of music and doctors of musical arts — come together for a unique concert.

Contemporary Chamber Players

Thursday, March 8, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free One of the country’s finest collegiate contemporary music ensembles performs Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians, the piece that shaped minimalism. The evening will feature constant hypnotic pulses, human breath pulses and 11 chords in a continuous hourlong performance. Directed by Eduardo Leandro.

New Morse Code

Thursday, March 22, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free Cellist Hannah Collins and percussionist Michael Compitello are New Morse Code, a chamber group devoted to bold and engaging performances that champion the compelling works of young composers; featuring the premiere of a new work by Stony Brook composer Matthew Barnson.

Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, March 24, 8 pm Main Stage, $20/$10 Program: Berlioz, Overture to Béatrice et Bénédict; Saint-Saëns, Violin Concerto No. 3, featuring Dami Kim, winner of the 2016 Concerto Competition; Beethoven, Symphony No. 2. Conducted by Larry Rachleff. Free pre-concert lecture with Michael Hershkowitz at 7 pm in the Recital Hall.

Piano Project

Tuesday, March 27, 5 pm, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free The Stony Brook Piano Project is an annual collaboration between more than 25 graduate pianists at Stony Brook University who put together a marathon concert series of solo, four-hand and duo piano music centered on a single theme or group of composers.

Stony Brook Composers

Tuesday, April 3, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free The talented student composers at Stony Brook work side by side with the stellar performers of the Contemporary Chamber Players to present new music in a colorful range of styles.

Joanne Shenandoah in Concert

Wednesday, April 11, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free The Associated Press called Joanne Shenandoah one of “America’s most celebrated and critically acclaimed Native American musicians of her time.” She has garnered a Grammy Award and more than 40 additional awards for work that runs the gamut from solo songs to symphonic pieces and is captured on 18 recordings. She will perform original music that represents her work as a peace advocate. This event is co-sponsored by the Stony Brook Department of Music and the Stony Brook University Libraries, and is supported by a Stony Brook Presidential Mini-Grant for Departmental Diversity.

Sonic Spring

Friday, April 13, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free Experience the sizzling energy and subtle expressions of electronic sounds and “musique concrete.” This dazzling program includes electronic music sound sculptures, virtuoso instrumental performance and video projection.

Contemporary Chamber Players

Tuesday, April 17, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free “Young America, Let’s Do It Again!” This annual concert features works by American composers, including Christopher Cerrone, Alex Mincek, Paula Matthusen and others. Directed by Eduardo Leandro.

Stony Brook Wind Ensemble

Wednesday, April 18, 8 pm Main Stage, $10/$5 “Child’s Play”: This performance features music from the opera Hansel and Gretel and excerpts from The Nutcracker, plus music from the film E.T. The ExtraTerrestrial and a medley of music from The King and I. Conducted by Bruce Engel.

University Orchestra Christina Dahl and Oksana Ezhokina

Thursday, April 19, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free Sergei Rachmaninoff composed three major works for two pianos, which spanned the entirety of his compositional life and reflected his nostalgia for his Russian roots. Longtime Stony Brook faculty member and alumna Christina Dahl and alumna Oksana Ezhokina, currently chair of the piano faculty at Pacific Lutheran University, have embarked on a recording project of these towering works. They present all three in concert and honor the 50th anniversary of the Department of Music.

Baroque Sundays

Sunday, April 22, 3 pm Recital Hall, Free The Stony Brook Baroque Players brings its season to a rousing finale with vocal and instrumental treasures, featuring virtuoso graduate students performing music from the early 17th century to the late Baroque.

Jazz and New Music Night

Tuesday, April 24, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free Small jazz and improvising music groups led by Ray Anderson perform new works and jazz standards. Come hear the “Bright Moments.”

Jazz Ensemble

Friday, April 27, 8 pm Recital Hall, $10/$5 Stony Brook University’s famed big band, The Blowage, swings the night away with original charts, sizzling classics and hot soloists, featuring Ray Anderson.

Stony Brook Opera

Saturday, April 28, 8 pm, and Sunday, April 29, 3 pm Main Stage, $20/$15 Die Fledermaus: The Stony Brook Opera and Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra present a staging of Johann Strauss’ popular comic operetta Die Fledermaus (The Bat), sung in English with projected titles. David Lawton will conduct the Stony Brook Opera cast and Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra, and Brenda Harris will direct the production.

Tuesday, May 1, 8 pm Main Stage, $10/$5 Coriolan Spotlighting Beethoven, Overture, and Brahms, Symphony No. 4. Featuring the winner of the 2018 Undergraduate Concerto Competition and conducted by Susan Deaver.

Spring Chamber Music Festival

Wednesday, May 2, through Saturday, May 5 Recital Hall, Free Faculty, students, guest artists and members of the Emerson String Quartet will perform chamber works of all genres, style periods and configurations. Visit stonybrook.edu/music for the complete list of concerts and repertoire.

West African Drumming Ensemble (Volta)

Thursday, May 3, 5:30 pm Staller Center Steps, Free (Rain location: Recital Hall) Stony Brook’s West African music student ensemble, VOLTA, will perform a selection of dance drumming pieces from Togo, Ghana and Benin. Featuring guest artists Nani Agbeli from Ghana and the Gnonlonfoun brothers from Benin.

Undergraduate Recitals

Wednesday, May 9, 5 pm, 8 pm; Thursday, May 10, 5 pm, 8 pm; and Friday, May 11, 5 pm, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free Undergraduate music majors perform select solo and chamber works.

Ackerman Honors Chamber Concert

Saturday, May 12, 8 pm Recital Hall, Free The Lauren V. Ackerman Memorial Chamber Concert was endowed by Dr. Ackerman’s family as a tribute to his memory and a continuing reminder of the arts that he cherished. Beginning in 2010, the Department of Music established a competition for the purposes of identifying a particularly worthy group to receive a prize and to perform at this concert.

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Events and support groups at Stony Brook Medicine Stony Brook Medicine offers a wide range of programs, lectures, workshops, support groups and other events throughout the year to help you, your family, friends and neighbors take better care of your health and enhance your well-being. Most events are free, and in many cases, registration is required. Unless otherwise noted for more information, call (631) 444-4000.

Bariatric Surgery Seminar

Monday, March 5, 5 to 6 pm Stony Brook Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center 23 S. Howell Avenue, Suite D, Centereach Freedom from obesity is attainable with the right combination of tools and support. Learn about the impact of obesity, causes, health risks and treatment. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s individual needs, lifestyles and goals. Options include behavior modification, nutritional counseling, exercise, group support, medical management and bariatric surgery. The team, led by Aurora Pryor, MD, are well known experts in the field of bariatric surgery, and offer a full range of surgical options. For more information or to register for an educational session, call (631) 444-2274 or (631) 444-4000, or visit bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Class

Tuesdays, March 6, 13 and 27, 5:30 to 7:30 pm; March 20, 5:30 to 8:30 pm Stony Brook Education Center 14 Technology Drive, Suite 1 East Setauket This comprehensive program provides adults with diabetes and their families the knowledge, skills and tools needed to successfully manage diabetes and avoid the many associated complications. A physician referral and an assessment visit with a certified diabetes educator are required prior to attending class. To schedule the assessment visit, call (631) 444-0580. Classes are ongoing throughout the year, and pre-registration is required. For information about classes, call Patty Skala, RN, CDE, Program Coordinator, at (631) 444-9954 or visit stonybrookmedicine.edu/diabetes.

Stroke Support Group

Friday, March 9, 10:30 am to noon Stony Brook University Hospital, Lobby Conference Room 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook This monthly support group offers educational and therapeutic opportunities for survivors, family members and caregivers. Meets the second Friday of every month. Parking will be validated. Valet parking not included. For more information, call (631) 638-2638.

Varicose Vein Screening

Saturday, March 10, 8 am to 2 pm Center for Vein Care 23 S. Howell Avenue, Suite G, Centereach This free screening is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 80 who suffer from large varicose veins that are causing pain and/or swelling. A brief, noninvasive examination of the lower legs will be provided by board-certified vascular surgeons. Registration is required by calling (631) 444 -VEIN (8346).

Gastric Balloon Seminar

Monday, March 12, 5 to 6 pm Stony Brook University Hospital, Lobby Conference Room 1 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook The gastric balloon, a nonsurgical weightloss procedure, is currently being offered at Stony Brook Medicine’s Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center. The gastric balloon works by taking up space in the stomach, helping you decrease portion sizes. The program requires a 12-month commitment to diet and exercise. Our team of experts — bariatric surgical specialists, dietitians and medical staff — will be with you every step of the way. Attend an educational session and meet our surgical experts, who will lead the discussion and answer questions about this new, noninvasive weight-loss option. For more information or to register, call (631) 444-2274 or visit bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Cancer Wise Café

Saturday, March 17, 8:30 am to 3 pm Charles B. Wang Center Stony Brook University 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook Learn about the latest advances in the prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of cancer. This full-day program features presentations from experts at Stony Brook University Cancer Center, interactive workshops, displays and information from community organizations. The event is free and includes lunch. Registration is required. Not recommended for guests under age 16. Call (631) 444-4000 for information.

Stony Brook Medicine hosts many events aimed at helping members of the community stay healthy.

Stroke Support Group

Tuesday, March 27, 7 to 9 pm Neurology Associates of Stony Brook 181 Belle Mead Road, East Setauket This monthly support group offers educational and therapeutic opportunities for survivors, family members and caregivers. Meets the last Tuesday of every month. For more information, call (631) 638-2638.

Mall Walkers

Wednesday, March 28, 8 to 10 am Smith Haven Mall, Food Court Lake Grove Enjoy a morning of exercise, complimentary snack, blood pressure screening and an informative health lecture by a Stony Brook Medicine expert. For more information about the Mall Walkers program, call (631) 444-4000.

HeartSaver/AED CPR Class

Wednesday, March 28, 4 to 7 pm Stony Brook University Hospital 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook Learn lifesaving skills from nurse educators at Stony Brook University Heart Institute. The class is free, but for those who would like a two-year American Heart Association CPR card, there is a $20 fee. Participants will learn how to respond to an adult, child and infant who is unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Demonstrations on the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and how to respond to choking emergencies are also covered. Registration is required. (Same-day registration is possible, but please call first.) To register, call Yvonne Leippert, RN, MS, CCRN, at (631) 444-3322.

Bariatric Surgery Seminar

Monday, April 2, 5 to 6 pm Stony Brook Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center 23 S. Howell Avenue, Suite D, Centereach Freedom from obesity is attainable with the right combination of tools and support. Learn about the impact of obesity, causes, health risks and treatment. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s individual needs, lifestyles and goals. Options include behavior modification, nutritional counseling, exercise, group support, medical management and bariatric surgery. The team, led by Aurora Pryor, MD, are well known experts in the field of bariatric surgery, and offer a full range of surgical options. For more information or to register for an educational session, call (631) 444-2274 or (631) 444-4000, or visit bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Class

Tuesdays, April 3, 10 and 24, 9:30 to 11:30 am; April 17, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm Stony Brook Education Center 14 Technology Drive, Suite 1 East Setauket This comprehensive program provides adults with diabetes and their families the knowledge, skills and tools needed to successfully manage diabetes and avoid the many associated complications. A physician referral and an assessment visit with a certified diabetes educator are required prior to attending class. To schedule the assessment visit, call (631) 444-0580. Classes are ongoing throughout the year, and pre-registration is required. For information about classes, call Patty Skala, RN, CDE, Program Coordinator, at (631) 444-9954 or visit stonybrookmedicine.edu/diabetes.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2018 • SBU BRIDGES • PAGE S31

Bridges Continued from page S30

Gastric Balloon Seminar

Monday, April 9, 5 to 6 pm Stony Brook University Hospital, Lobby Conference Room 1 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook The gastric balloon, a nonsurgical weightloss procedure, is currently being offered at Stony Brook Medicine’s Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center. The gastric balloon works by taking up space in the stomach, helping you decrease portion sizes. The program requires a 12-month commitment to diet and exercise. Our team of experts — bariatric surgical specialists, dietitians and medical staff — will be with you every step of the way. Attend an educational session and meet our surgical experts, who will lead the discussion and answer questions about this new, noninvasive weightloss option. For more information or to register, call (631) 444-2274 or visit bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

on how some forms of immunotherapy are showing transformative promise in fighting disease. Learn about the many active clinical trials and research initiatives dedicated to using immunotherapy to reduce disease and deaths in our lifetime. For information, call (631) 363-6133.

Mall Walkers

Wednesday, April 25, 8 to 10 am Smith Haven Mall, Food Court Lake Grove Enjoy a morning of exercise, complimentary snack, blood pressure screening and an informative health lecture by a Stony Brook Medicine expert. For more information about the Mall Walkers program, call (631) 444-4000.

HeartSaver/AED CPR Class

Saturday, April 14, 8 am to 2 pm Center for Vein Care 23 S. Howell Avenue, Suite G Centereach This free screening is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 80 who suffer from large varicose veins that are causing pain and/or swelling. A brief, noninvasive examination of the lower legs will be provided by board-certified vascular surgeons. Registration is required by calling (631) 444 -VEIN (8346).

Wednesday, April 25, 4 to 7 pm Stony Brook University Hospital 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook Learn lifesaving skills from nurse educators at Stony Brook University Heart Institute. The class is free, but for those who would like a two-year American Heart Association CPR card, there is a $20 fee. Participants will learn how to respond to an adult, child and infant who is unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Demonstrations on the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and how to respond to choking emergencies are also covered. Registration is required. (Same-day registration is possible, but please call first.) To register, call Yvonne Leippert, RN, MS, CCRN, at (631) 444-3322.

Fight Disease with Your Immune System

Port Jefferson Health and Wellness Fest

Varicose Vein Screening

Tuesday, April 17, 1 to 2 pm Bayport-Blue Point Public Library 203 Blue Point Avenue, Blue Point Immunotherapy is the cutting-edge treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to destroy or disable diseased cells. Join us as Stony Brook Medicine expert Jules Cohen, MD, provides an update

Saturday, April 28, 9 am to 1 pm Earl L. Vandermeulen High School 350 Old Post Road, Port Jefferson This free health fair features medical experts from Stony Brook Medicine who will provide the latest information on cancer care, children’s health, digestive health, heart health and neurology.

Health screenings will be offered. For Mall Walkers information, call (631) 473-1414 or visit Wednesday, May 30, 8 to 10 am portjeffhealth.com. Smith Haven Mall, Food Court Lake Grove Bariatric Surgery Seminar Enjoy a morning of exercise, complimenMonday, May 7, 5 to 6 pm tary snack, blood pressure screening and Stony Brook Bariatric and Metabolic an informative health lecture by a Stony Weight Loss Center Brook Medicine expert. For more informa23 S. Howell Avenue, Suite D, Centereach tion about the Mall Walkers program, call Freedom from obesity is attainable with (631) 444-4000. the right combination of tools and support. Learn about the impact of obesity, causes, HeartSaver/AED CPR Class health risks and treatment. Treatment plans Wednesday, May 30, 4 to 7 pm are tailored to each patient’s individual Stony Brook University Hospital needs, lifestyles and goals. Options 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook include behavior modification, nutritional Learn lifesaving skills from nurse educators counseling, exercise, group support, medical management and bariatric at Stony Brook University Heart Institute. surgery. The team, led by Aurora Pryor, The class is free, but for those who would like MD, are well known experts in the field of a two-year American Heart Association bariatric surgery, and offer a full range of CPR card, there is a $20 fee. Participants surgical options. For more information or will learn how to respond to an adult, to register for an educational session, call child and infant who is unresponsive and (631) 444-2274 or (631) 444-4000, or visit in cardiac arrest. Demonstrations on the use of an automated external defibrillator bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu. (AED) and how to respond to choking emergencies are also covered. Registration Gastric Balloon Seminar is required. (Same-day registration is Monday, May 14, 5 to 6 pm possible, but please call first.) To register, Stony Brook University Hospital, Lobby call Yvonne Leippert, RN, MS, CCRN, at Conference Room 1 (631) 444-3322. 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook The gastric balloon, a nonsurgical weightloss procedure, is currently being offered at Stony Brook Medicine’s Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center. The gastric balloon works by taking up space in the stomach, helping you decrease portion sizes. The program requires a 12-month commitment to diet and exercise. Our team of experts — bariatric surgical specialists, dietitians and medical staff — will be with you every step of the way. Attend an educational session and meet our surgical experts, who will lead the discussion and answer questions about this new, noninvasive weight-loss option. For more information or to register, call (631) 444-2274 or visit bariatrics. stonybrookmedicine.edu.

National Cancer Survivors Day

Sunday, June 3, 11:30 am to 3 pm Stony Brook University Cancer Center 3 Edmund D. Pellegrino Road Stony Brook Stony Brook University Cancer Center hosts its 14th annual celebration for cancer survivors and their friends and families, and Stony Brook staff. Full of inspiring stories of survival, the afternoon also includes live music, the Parade of Survivors and fun activities, including dunk-a-doc, face painting and caricatures. The event is free, but reservations are required. Online registration will be available by May 1 at cancer.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

Volunteer for Hospital’s HELP Program Do you enjoy socializing with older adults — playing cards and reading? Become a volunteer in Stony Brook University Hospital’s new Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). HELP assists older patients improve their quality of life while they are in the hospital. As part of a national, gold-standard program, Stony Brook’s HELP uses different activities and techniques to help patients be more aware of their surroundings and stimulate healthy thinking. The program runs Mondays through Fridays during two volunteer shifts: 9 am to 1 pm and 2 to 6 pm. To learn more, call the Stony Brook University Hospital Volunteer Office at (631) 444-2610.

PAGE S32 • SBU BRIDGES • 22, 2018

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