Summer 2010

NEW INITIATIVE SERVES THE HEALTHCARENEEDS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY’S CHILDREN

IN THIS ISSUE

Pediatric ED Opens 2

Drug Receives Approval 3

Stem Cell Treatment Study 5

Ask the Expert 6

New Outpatient Procedure 8

Key to Patient Safety 9

Comprehensive Care of9/11 First Responders 10

Keeping Teen Drivers Safe 11

Stroke Awareness 12

Bone Marrow Transplant 14

Classes and Programs 16

Research Studies 18

Dean Makes Gift 19

Hospital Auxiliary Award 19

BetterHealthBetterLiving

Health information for the community

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Stony Brook is building on the strong foundationof our pediatric expertise with a “hospital-within-a-hospital” approach. Our newly named pedi-

atric services, “Stony Brook Long Island Children’sHospital,” encompasses more than 100 pediatric specialists and 30 clinical specialties. Our goal is tocontinually raise the standard of children’s healthcareon Long Island with a full range of medical services.

The services at Stony Brook Long Island Children’sHospital, under the leadership of Physician-in-Chief,Margaret McGovern, MD, PhD, provide the mostadvanced pediatric healthcare in the region within a family-centered model of care. In taking this step to bring our pediatric services together under Stony Brook Long IslandChildren’s Hospital, we aim to be the first choice of families in Suffolk County for pediatricand adolescent care. Stony Brook Children’s will initially be located within Stony BrookUniversity Hospital, and will continue to grow with the goal of constructing a new facilityto house select pediatric services. Stony Brook was recently accepted as an associate member to the prestigious National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Insti-tutions (NACHRI), which is committed to excellence in providing healthcare to children.

Earlier this year, Stony Brook officially opened a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department, the only one of its kind in Suffolk County (see page two for details). StonyBrook’s NICU—the County’s only Level III unit, offering the highest level of care—will benewly modernized next year. These facilities join the many specialized children’s services,including the Adolescent Medicine Program, Child Psychiatry, the Cody Center forAutism and Developmental Disabilities, Cystic Fibrosis Center, Diabetes Center, NationalPediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center, Pediatric Cardiology Program, Pediatric Hematol-ogy/Oncology Program, and the Pediatric HIV and AIDS Center. And, Stony Brook does-n’t only provide advanced pediatric care, it also advances pediatric research with clinicaltrials in asthma, autism, cardiology, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and many other areas.

Pediatric expertise, state-of-art technology, and leading-edge research—all in a child-friendly environment. As part of an academic medical center, Stony Brook Children’s isdedicated to expanding services and building a hospital around the kids of Long Island.

A Message from Steven L. Strongwater, MD Stony Brook University Hospital CEO

2 www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org

The standard of emergency carefor children in Suffolk Countytook a giant step forward with

the recent opening of Stony BrookUniversity Medical Center’s new Pediatric Emergency Department(ED). With state-of-the-art technologyand a child-centered approach, thisdepartment delivers highly special-ized pediatric emergency services in asafe, comfortable, and age-appropriateenvironment.

What does this mean for Suffolk County?“First and foremost, it means that chil-dren can have access to the highestlevel of emergency care in their owncommunity,” says Margaret McGov-ern, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair,Department of Pediatrics at StonyBrook University Medical Center. “It also means that, because we are atertiary care hospital with the fullspectrum of specialties, including oneof only two pediatric intensive careunits in Suffolk County, children donot need to be transferred to another

facility for follow-up treatment, whichis important for the child’s health andthe family’s well being.”

“In addition, starting in 2011, we willbe the only Pediatric EmergencyDepartment in Suffolk County with afellowship training program for physi-cians. This means that not only will webe training the next generation of topdoctors, we will also be immersed inthe latest clinical protocols, a livelyexchange of ideas among medicine’stop minds, and a continual focus onraising the standard of care in thecommunity.”

Children’s Medicine Is DifferentWhy a separate Pediatric EmergencyDepartment? It is important for anumber of reasons, the most basicbeing the core premise that childrenare not small adults. As Eric Niegel-berg, Administrative Director of theEmergency Department at StonyBrook, explains: “In medicine, onesize does not fit all. Children need adifferent focus, which includes added

resources, child-sized equipment, andspecially trained staff. At Stony Brook,we are experts on the social and psy-chological aspects of emergency care,with an emphasis on what a childneeds at every developmental stage,from infancy through adolescence.”

THE NEW PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTAT STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

continued on page 4

Setting the Standard for Pediatric Emergency Care in Suffolk County

Mother and son in the waiting room ofthe Pediatric Emergency Department.Below, left: a patient room; Below, right:a physician examines a baby prior tobeing discharged.

The Cystic Fibrosis Center andDepartment of Pediatrics at StonyBrook are advancing services withnew specialized infant pulmonaryfunction testing (iPFT) equipmentcapable of measuring the lung func-tion of tiny premature babies, infants,and toddlers. The Division of PediatricPulmonology, led by Dr. CatherineKier, who is also Director of the CysticFibrosis Center, has received a generous gift from the Stony BrookUniversity Hospital Auxiliary whichwill be used to purchase new iPFTequipment, valued at approximately$100,000.

“Very few cystic fibrosis centers in thecountry have infant pulmonary testingequipment, and we are so grateful tothe Auxiliary for their generosity, andrecognizing this important need,” saidDr. Kier. “This technology will give usmore answers for babies with breath-ing problems, especially for childrenunder two years of age and prematureinfants.” Dr. Kier explained that thenew iPFT machine will also helpassess the smallest premature andmost vulnerable patients with bron-chopulmonary dysplasia, congenitalabnormalities like diaphragmatic hernia, and bronchiolitis.

To further broaden services, the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology has appointed Khalid S. Ahmad, MD,and Kevin N. Kuriakose, MD. Dr.Ahmad specializes in the diagnosisand management of pediatric sleepdisorders including sleep apnea,insomnia, parasomnias (night terrors,sleep walking), and delayed sleepphase syndrome. Dr. Kuriakose’s clinical interests are in pediatric asthma management and education.

Call (631) 444-4000 3

DRUG DISCOVERED BY SBUMC ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCHERSRECEIVES FDA APPROVAL

CYSTIC FIBROSIS CENTER EXPANDS PULMONARY SERVICES

With recent approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the new drug, Xiaflex®, Stony Brook University Medical Center (SBUMC)researchers have accomplished something that Lawrence C. Hurst, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, characterized as“very rare”; that is, they developed a new nonsurgical drug therapy that maychange how Dupuytren’s disease is treated. Obtaining FDA approval for use of a drug is often the pinnacle of success in a bench-to-bedside journey. Xiaflex is manufactured by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Pennsylvania.

For more than 15 years, Dr. Hurst and Marie A. Badalamente, PhD, from the Department of Orthopaedics, led the research team working to develop a novel treatment for Dupuytren’s disease and frozen shoulder. Dupuytren’s disease, also known as Dupuytren’s contracture, affects millions of people worldwide. It is a debilitating hand disorder that deforms fingers, such thatpatients are unable to fully extend their fingers and limits motion caused by an accumulation of collagen, called “cords.” [See the fall 2009 issue of BetterHealth, Better Living for a feature story at www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org/medicalcenter/publications.] They came up with the idea that the enzyme, collagenase, might work as a nonsurgical treatment for Dupuytren’s disease,since the disease involves collagen tissue.

Drs. Hurst and Badalamente co-hosted a Dupuytren’s Disease InternationalSymposium, a Continuing Medical Education (CME) event, at Stony Brook University in April. The Department of Orthopaedics at SBUMC will soon openthe “Dupuytren’s Institute.” The Institute will help educate physicians, surgeons, and therapists about Dupuytren’s disease, and further support patient care, research, and educational aspects of the disease.

Currently, Dr. Badalamente and Edward Wang, MD, of Stony Brook Orthopaedics,continue to develop the use of Xiaflex for treating frozen shoulder syndrome in FDA-regulated clinical trials. Patients who have frozen shoulder, also called adhesivecapsulitis, cannot lift their arms above the 90-degree mark and are often in pain.

Stony Brook has the most active and successful technology licensing program inthe SUNY system and is consistently ranked within the top 25 programs nationallyaccording to the Association of University Technology Managers, with Stony Brook faculty responsible for more than 1,400 inventions and 400 active patents.Stony Brook University accounts for more than 95 percent of the aggregate licensing revenues system-wide. Stony Brook co-manages Brookhaven NationalLaboratory, joining an elite group of universities, including Berkeley, University of Chicago, Cornell, MIT, and Princeton, that run federal research and develop-ment laboratories. The Offices of the Vice President for Research include theOffices of Sponsored Programs, Grants Management, Multidisciplinary Research,Research Compliance, Economic Development, and Technology Licensing and Industry Relations. For more information about Stony Brook’s research enterprise visit www.stonybrook.edu/research/.

BEST IDEA

Summer Safety Tips• Limit sun exposure. Wear sun-screen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply as needed.

• Swim only in designated areasand never swim alone. A respon-sible adult should be within arm’slength of an infant or toddler.

• Use insect repellents to preventLyme disease and West Nilevirus. Check repellent restrictionsfor young children.

“Another thing that is different aboutchildren’s medicine is the level of family involvement,” he says. “Parentsand other family members need to beinvolved in the decision making. AtStony Brook, we make them part ofthe team. Our new ED not onlyaccommodates families, it wasdesigned to make them comfortablefor the duration of the child’s visit.”A key element of the new PediatricED is its dedicated entrance that iscompletely separate from the generalED. This ensures that children are notexposed to seeing cases that are typi-cal to adult emergency rooms. “Wewant children to feel safe and protect-ed here,” says Mr. Niegelberg.

What You Can Expect: Comfort, Convenience, andClinical ExpertiseAt Stony Brook, you can always expectthe best possible care and a host ofthings you can consistently rely upon:compassionate delivery of care, a family-centered approach, the latesttechnology, continual innovation, and access to some of the most experi-enced and highly trained physicians inthe region.

Newly recruited, nationally recog-nized physician Sergey Kunkov, MD,MS, is Chief of the Pediatric ED. Heleads a healthcare team consisting of board-certified pediatric emer-gency medicine physicians and anexperienced staff, including nurses,physician assistants, and technolo-gists with specialty pediatrics training,and all are trained in pediatricadvanced life support.

The Pediatric ED has been designed tomeet both the needs and expectations

of children and families. It includes:• Nine private treatment rooms that

protect patient privacy and accommo-date up to two family members withthe child. The medical equipment is hidden behind sliding panels to further “normalize” the situation forchildren.

• Child-sized equipment, gowns, IVs,airway management tools, and othermedical necessities.

• A new 320-slice CT scanner, thefastest in Suffolk County, thatimproves the speed so much thatmost children will no longer needsedation when undergoing diag -nostics. Because of new protocolsdeveloped at Stony Brook, the scanner also delivers the lowestdose of radiation possible, which isparticularly important for childrenwho are still developing.

• Negative pressure isolation roomsfor the evaluation of children withpo tential airborne infectious diseases.

• An efficient check-in, evaluation,and treatment process. Children areseen immediately by a triage nurse,placed in the next available room,and seen as quickly as possible.

Of course, when treating children, it isnot all about equipment and medicalskill. It is also about comfort. Our newPediatric ED was designed with kid-friendly decor, child-sized furniture, anaquarium, and a waiting room stockedwith toys. As for parents, free valetparking is provided so they can focuson their child without distraction.

The Pediatric Emergency Depart-ment’s commitment to children goesbeyond emergency and trauma care.The Department is also involved in a

number of outreach efforts and initia-tives, including bicycle helmet safetyand making teen driving safer. Sowhether it is providing advanced trauma care to the most ill or injured,or sharing information with the com-munity about ways to prevent injury,Stony Brook University Medical Center’s Pediatric Emergency Depart-ment is keenly focused on its primarymission—to keep the children of Suffolk County safe and provide themwith the highest standard of care.

4 www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org

NEW PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTcontinued from page 2

Patient examined in the triage area of thePediatric Emergency Department

Stony Brook University Medical Center(SBUMC) is one of just two sites in NewYork State—the only one on LongIsland—participating in a clinical trial totreat people who have had a first heartattack, or myocardial infarction (MI),using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).The study, officially titled the OSIRIS403 Study, is part of a multi-nationalNational Institutes of Health (NIH)-approved clinical trial, involving 40 sitesacross the United States and Canada.The Division of Cardiology is conducting the SBUMC arm of the study.

The American Heart Association estimates that in the course of thisyear, 600,000 Americans will experi-ence a first MI. Some individuals suffer permanent cardiac damage,and approximately 18 percent of menand 23 percent of women over the ageof 40 will die within a year after experi-encing a first MI. Many patients withan MI can undergo coronary interven-tions to help limit damage to the heart,providing they get to a hospital soonenough after the event, usually within6 to 12 hours. However, only a minori-ty of MI patients reach the hospitalwithin the allotted time. Consequent-ly, many may have permanent cardiacdamage that can lead to heart failure.

Luis Gruberg, MD, SBUMC’s Directorof the Cardiovascular CatheterizationLaboratories, and Professor of Medi-cine in the Division of Cardiology, isthe Principal Investigator of the study.“Although mesenchymal stem cellsare not completely understood, thereis evidence from research that thesecells seek out and move to damagedareas of the body to aid in repair ofdamaged tissues,” says Dr. Gruberg.“We hope that the MSCs will help the

heart muscle recover following amyocardial infarction by reducing theinflammation, as well as repairing thedamaged heart tissue.”

Dr. Gruberg explains that MSCs,which reside in human bone marrow,have shown potential in treating manytypes of diseases and conditions,including cancer, heart, orthopedic,and gastrointestinal. The nature ofMSCs is that they differentiate intovarious cell types, including those fornerves, bone, and muscle. And,because they are considered universalstem cells, MSCs are not likely to pro-voke an immune response.

Dr. Gruberg adds that a number ofpreclinical studies suggest that MSCs

could limit pathological changes tothe heart muscle and preserve orimprove cardiac function.

Approximately 220 patients will beenrolled in the study. Men and womenwho have had a first MI and arebetween the ages of 21 and 85 are eligible. To qualify, all patients musthave ex perienced a first MI withinseven days prior to trial entry andhave an infarct-related artery con-firmed by coronary angiography atthe start of the trial.

Patients participating in the trial willreceive either MSCs or a placebothrough an intravenous line as treat-ment. All will be followed for twoyears and undergo follow-up exam -inations at SBUMC, including lungfunction tests, echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging,and stress tests.

According to Dr. Gruberg, the studyis a highly demanding one, requiringcareful collaboration among allbranches of Cardiology and otherSBUMC departments, includingteams from Bone and Marrow StemCell Transplantation, CardiovascularMedicine, and Echocardiography.

“We are fortunate to have the highlyqualified staff at Stony Brook Uni -versity Medical Center necessary to support this kind of research,which has the potential to greatlyadvance the care offered to patientseverywhere.”

For more information about the clinical trial of MSCs for patients witha first MI, call (631) 444-7238.

Call (631) 444-4000 5

SBUMC STUDY INVESTIGATES STEM CELL TREATMENT FOR TISSUEREPAIR IN HEART ATTACK PATIENTS

Dr. Luis Gruberg

6 www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org

Recently, Stony Brook UniversityMedical Center became the first onLong Island to have a 320-slice CTscanner installed in its EmergencyDepartment (ED) for use, in particu-lar, with patients who have chest painor a suspected heart attack. World-renowned cardiologist and imagingspecialist Michael Poon, MD, explainswhat this means for both individualsand the community.

What is a 320-slice CTscanner and how does it

differ from other CT scanners?In essence, a 320-slice CT scanner is afaster and more accurate CT scanner.Where typical CT scanners take 10 to 20 seconds to get an image of theheart, this state-of-the-art technologyacquires it in less than one second—in a single heartbeat. In addition, anextremely low dose of radiation isdelivered due to the way we are usingthese machines at Stony Brook.

Why is this speed so important?

Speed is important for several reasons.One is that the longer you scan some-one, the more radiation he or she isexposed to, making a faster imagingtechnique a safer one. Second, becausethe scan takes just one second, it willobtain a more accurate image. Duringa scan, a patient must not breathe,blink, or swallow. It is a lot easier to do this for just one second’s duration

than for the typical 10 to 20 secondsthat less advanced machines take. If a patient moves, we have to repeatthe scan, which exposes them to more radiation.

What’s the reason for placing this equipment in

the Emergency Department?This is the perfect location becausechest pain is one of the most commonreasons people come to the emer-gency room. In fact, there are almostsix million visits to the ED across thecountry each year by people withchest pain symptoms. In many cases,heart attacks are difficult to diagnose,but with the 320-slice CT scanner wecan tell if a patient has had a heartattack or not, then treat that patientimmediately and appropriately.

To illustrate what a difference thistechnology makes, I need to firstexplain how emergency rooms typi-cally treat chest pain. Most take what I call a “one-size-fits-all” approach,which can keep someone at the hospi-tal for up to 24 hours. Typically,patients who complain of chest painwill first have an EKG (electrocardio-gram). If a blockage is revealed, thepatient will be sent to the cardiaccatheterization lab for treatment. Ifthe EKG is normal, patients then havea blood test that looks for evidence ofheart damage through the presenceof certain enzymes. If this test is

inconclusive, patients are kept at thehospital in order to repeat the bloodtest six hours later. If that is still incon-clusive, doctors will schedule a stresstest, which is done only during busi-ness hours. This may mean anovernight stay at the hospital, thenmore blood work. It can be a long,stressful, and disruptive process.

At Stony Brook, however, after thefirst blood test, patients can have theCT scan. If it is negative, they can gohome knowing that they did not have aheart attack. The CT scan can alsoreveal other conditions, such as block-ages and the presence of soft plaquethat hasn’t yet hardened. This pro-vides patients information about theearly signs of disease that they canthen work to control. In addition, theentire process from admittance to theED to discharge typically takes aboutsix hours, which is more than two-thirds less time than the more conven-tional approach, and it also involvesless stress and less disruption to apatient’s life.

Why is Stony Brook theonly ED in Suffolk

County to have this technology?It comes down to a couple of keythings: The Hospital’s focus on stayingon the cutting edge of technology,Stony Brook’s commitment to being a community resource, and theexpertise of the people who run the

Q.

Q.

Q.

ASK THE EXPERTMichael Poon, MDProfessor of Medicine and RadiologyDirector of Cardiac Imaging

Expertise and State-of-the-Art TechnologyAdvance Emergency Care

Q.

program and operate the equipment.When I was recruited to Stony Brooka year ago, I began building a pro-gram—training nurses, technologists,physician assistants, and other supportstaff, and putting protocols in place—so we could maximize the CT scannertechnology. We started performingcardiac CT scans every day and docu-mented the difference it made inpatient care, outcomes, and costs. Wepurchased a 320-slice CT scanner forthe ED because of the vast benefits itoffers, and it has changed the way theED assesses chest pain.

So you are saying the realStony Brook difference in

this case is the expertisebehind the equipment?Absolutely. At Stony Brook UniversityMedical Center, every cardiac scan iseither done by me or in the presenceof a physician trained by me in low-dosecardiac imaging. Since I joined StonyBrook, I have been available 12 hoursa day, 7 days a week to either performor oversee and read every scan.

It is critically important to have anexperienced physician perform and

read the scan versus a technologist. It takes years of study to perfect theprecise nuances of delivering the lowest dose possible for each individual patient. It is a very particu-lar specialization that takes intoaccount a number of factors. A trained eye and extensive experience are necessary for optimal results.

Since January 2009, more than 600scans have been performed at StonyBrook University Medical Center forevaluation of acute chest pain, with noadverse outcomes to our patients.

Call (631) 444-4000 7

Q.

With the Only Accredited Chest Pain Center on Long Island, Stony Brook Offers Advanced Care

For patients with chest pain and other heart attack symptoms, there is no question that Chest Pain Centers, which offerfast, appropriate intervention during the critical early stages of heart attack, are a good choice. The question thenbecomes, how do you know which one to go to?

Look for accreditation by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, the only national organization that accredits Chest Pain Centers. Currently, Stony Brook University Medical Center’s Chest Pain Center is the only one on Long Island to earnthis accreditation. It was first accredited in 2005, and then reassessed in 2008, again receiving full Cycle III accreditationwith PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) from the accreditation review committee. This means that Stony Brookdemonstrates expertise in:

• Integrating the Emergency Department with the local emergency medical system

• Assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients quickly

• Effectively treating patients with low risk for acute coronary syndromes and no assignable cause for their symptoms

• Continually seeking to improve processes and procedures

• Ensuring Chest Pain Center personnel competency and training

• Maintaining organizational structure and commitment

• Having a functional design that promotes optimal patient care

• Supporting community outreach programs that educate the public to promptly seek medical

care if they display symptoms of a possible heart attack

If you experience chest pain or other signs of a heart attack, call 911 or go the nearest accredited Chest Pain Center. Stony Brook’s Chest Pain Center is located within its Emergency Department.

7Call (631) 444-4000

How to SafeguardAgainst Falls

Are you or someone you know atrisk for a fall? Certain medical conditions, medications, anddecreasing activity and balanceproblems associated with aging canall contribute to the risk of falling.

Regular physical activity can helpprevent a fall. Check with yourphysician before beginning an exer-cise program. Proper fitting shoescan help with balance and stability.Be diligent about your eyesight andeye health by having your eyeschecked regularly. Take your timeand plan your activities in a safemanner.

About half of all falls occur at home.To help safeguard against a fall,remove tripping hazards such assmall throw rugs and clutter. Installgrab bars in the bathroom andhandrails for all steps. Be mindful ofpets underfoot. Improve the lightingin and around your home. Keepyour yard free of debris. In winter-time, make sure that walkways areclear of snow and ice.

If you have difficulties with balanceor dizziness, or have fallen, talk toyour doctor. You may benefit fromtherapy. At Stony Brook UniversityMedical Center, physical therapistswill assess your strength, balance,flexibility, walking, and other factors. Occupational therapy isavailable if you are experiencing difficulties carrying out daily activities, or having problems withmemory or cognition. We offerstate-of-the-art balance testing andtreatment, including the NeuroComBalance Master® and a body weight-supported treadmill. Aquatic therapy is available, as is therapeu-tic yoga. For information or toschedule an appointment, pleasecall (631) 444-4240.

You may never have heard ofBarrett’s esophagus, but ifyou have gastroesophageal

reflux disease (GERD), you’re at risk,and may want to learn about the condition. Barrett’s esophagus is apremalignant condition that occurswhen the cells of the esophagus arereplaced by precancerous cells. Itdoesn’t mean you have cancer, butyou could develop it over time.Esophageal cancer is difficult to treatand carries a poor outcome and agreatly compromised quality of life, sopreventing it is key, which is exactlywhat a new procedure at Stony BrookUniversity Medical Center calledradiofrequency ablation can do.

Performed on an outpatient basis, thisminimally invasive procedure useshighly targeted heat energy to irradi-ate and eliminate the precanceroustissue in the esophagus. Studies show that this treatment completelyeliminates the precancerous tissueassociated with Barrett’s in 98.4 percent of patients, and that it remainseffective for at least five years—the“magic number” when it comes tobeing declared cancer-free.

Stony Brook is currently the only hospital in Suffolk County to offerthis treatment, thanks to the recruit-ment last year of Satish Nagula, MD,and Gina Sam, MD, MPH, to theDivision of Gastroenterology andHepatology. Each have advancedtraining and experience in the procedure. “This is a procedure with no significant drawbacks,” saysDr. Nagula. “It is safe and effectivewith no side effects other than asmall bit of discomfort in the chestthat disappears after a few days.

Most important, it really does elimi-nate the precancerous cells.”

Adds Dr. Sam, “Nearly everyone withthe condition is eligible for the proce-dure. It’s that safe. As with everythingwe do, though, we take an individual-ized approach with each patient.”

Barrett’s esophagus has no symptoms.It is usually discovered only during anendoscopic evaluation of long-termreflux. At Stony Brook, evaluationstake place in the Endoscopy Center,which has been recognized by theAmerican Society for GastrointestinalEndoscopy (ASGE) for promotingquality and safety in endoscopy.

Esophageal cancer rates are growingrapidly, and the number one risk factor is long-term reflux. If you’vehad reflux for six months or more,check with your physician, who canrefer you to a gastroenterologist orStony Brook’s endoscopy program for evaluation.

8 www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org

ELIMINATING CANCER BEFORE IT TAKESHOLD: NEW OUTPATIENT PROCEDUREADDRESSES BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS

The Reflux IndexPeople who have GERD—in par-ticular Caucasian males over age40—are at high risk for developingBarrett’s esophagus. Here arethe symptoms to watch for:

• Burning sensation after eatingcertain foods

• Sour taste in mouth

• Excessive burping

• Chest pressure or chest pain

• Burning sensation in stomachor chest

At Stony Brook UniversityMedical Center (SBUMC),when we hear the words

“patient safety,” we immediately think“communication”—clear, effectivecommunication. To enhance commu-nication, SBUMC recently kicked off anew initiative, “Patient Safety Fridays.”While patient safety is practiced everyday, Friday is the day set aside to meas-ure progress hospital-wide, discoverareas for improvement, and gain a bet-ter understanding of just how goodour patient care is. On Patient SafetyFridays nearly 200 physicians, nurses,and administrators visit inpatient unitsand outpatient areas to focus on spe-cific patient safety issues. The groupreconvenes to report their findings,with a goal toward developing andinstituting plans of action quickly andeffectively.

Of course, attention to patient safety isnothing new at SBUMC. Among themany measures in place to ensurepatient safety are:• Safe Surgery Checklist. The sur -

gical team and the patient or a family member confirm and recon-firm a patient’s identity, the surgerysite, type of procedure, and consentprior to the beginning of surgery.

• Falls Prevention. Every patient isviewed as an assumed risk for fallsfrom the moment they’re admittedto the moment they’re discharged.The healthcare team performs asafety check of each patient’s room,the results of which can be adaptedto at-home situations upon discharge.

• Safety Huddles. Held twice daily,huddles require the nursing staff to meet to ensure that the safetymeasures put in place remain inplace at all times.

• Infection Control. The Hospital’sInfection Control Team carefullymonitors what goes on in each unit,and provides ongoing training foreach patient-care task performed,including even the most basic, likehand hygiene. Employees aretrained to follow infection controlsafety protocol at all times. For themost ill patients, intensive care unitstaff work around the clock to helpprevent ventilator-associated pneu-monia and central line infection.

• Early Warnings. Adult, Pediatric,and Obstetric Modified Early Warning Systems (MEWS, PEWS,and OB-EWS respectively) monitorpatients for change in vital signsthat may signal an at-risk situation.

• Rapid Response Team.During avisit, a family member or friend cancall for assistance if they sense arapid deterioration in the patient’scondition. The Hospital’s RapidResponse Team (RRT), a group ofcritical care experts, will arrive atthe patient’s bedside within minutesto assess the situation and step upmedical care, if needed. The RRT isalso used by Hospital staff to bringhelp quickly to the bedside.

• Medication Safety.When a patientis admitted, moved from one settingto another, or discharged, the nameof each medication they’re taking,dosage, and frequency are notedand compared with any previous listavailable for that patient. Patientsand their families are asked to par-ticipate in this “medication reconcil-iation process.” It is important thateveryone keeps a copy of his or hermedical history and keeps theirhealthcare pro viders informedabout the medications taken.

Because communication is so key topatient safety, SBUMC has resourceson its Web site to help patients maintaintheir medication and medical histories,along with more in depth informationabout each of the patient safety initiatives mentioned here. Visit www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org/QualityandSafety/patientsafety.

Everyone who visits Stony Brookshould expect a world-class organiza-tion, and experience the peace of mindthat comes with it…every minute, every hour, every day. So let’s all keepcommunicating!

Call (631) 444-4000 9

Communication—Key to Patient Safety

Call (631) 444-4000Call (631) 444-4000

Proper documentation helps ensure medication safety.

BEST IDEABEST IDEA

Patient Safety TipsOne of the best things you can do asa patient is to pay attention to thecare you receive. Always make sureyou are getting the right treatmentsand medicines by the right health-care professionals. Speak up—anddon’t assume anything. [The JointCommission, Speak Up brochure]

For many Long Islanders, theaftereffects of September 11are a day-to-day struggle.

Those who answered the immediatecall for help, whether uniformedresponders, laborers, or everyday citizens, are today suffering healthconsequences as a direct result oftheir selfless acts and heroism.

Stony Brook University Medical Center’s (SBUMC) World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treat-ment Program (WTCMMTP) openedits new site in Islandia in June 2009.Medical staff, patients, and govern-ment officials attended a ribbon cutting of the state-of-the-art facility,which will serve as the permanenthome for the program. The new siteholds double the clinical space of theprevious location, with added officesfor patient consults and additionalspace for administration and collaboration among on-site SBUMCphysicians and other healthcare professionals. Long Island WTCMMTPclinics are also located in NassauCounty, in East Meadow and inHicksville.

The WTCMMTP was establishedsoon after 9/11 to provide the muchneeded and specialized care for firstresponders. A federally funded program, WTCMMTP is largely sup-ported by the National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health(NIOSH), an arm of the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention. TheSBUMC program is part of a consor-tium of healthcare institutions in thetri-state area. Its mission is to identifyWorld Trade Center-related medicalconditions and to develop and providenew treatment modalities. There are a

total of eight clinical locations, includ-ing the three on Long Island adminis-tered through the SBUMC program.

Many who immediately responded tothe disaster—the likes of which hadnever before been experienced—con-tinue to suffer a multitude of illnesses.Referring to the need for the medicalmonitoring program and its subse-quent growth, Benjamin J. Luft, MD,Medical Director of Stony Brook’sWTCMMTP, explains, “We decided todedicate ourselves to the care of thosewho so valiantly responded.” He des -cribes his work with the program asthe most satisfying of his career, andemphasizes that those who work atthe center, from the receptionists whogreet the patients to the social work-ers, nurses, and physicians, are allpart of a unique coordinating health-care team whose mission is to treatthe many conditions and diseasesexperienced by first responders andto help prevent other health prob-lems. The program has specialists inpulmonology, psychiatry, radiology,orthopedics, neurology, gastroenterol-ogy, radiology, and neurology, and allpersonnel receive special training.

To date, Stony Brook’s WTCMMTPteam has cared for approximately5,000 Long Islanders who were firstresponders. Among them are policeofficers, firefighters, and constructionworkers, who suffer from such thingsas asthma, pulmonary conditions,post-traumatic stress disorder, andother conditions related to their workat Ground Zero. The program assists25 to 30 new patients on average eachmonth. It has an annual budget ofmore than $8 million. Initially, StonyBrook’s program was voluntary,

however, it received continuous support through federal, state, and private (American Red Cross)agencies. Federal funding during fiscal year 2009 reached approximate-ly $6.5 million. Total NIOSH funding,including a 2009 grant, will reach $21 million during 2010.

“I am not sure where I would be in lifewithout the Stony Brook doctors andother medical professionals who havecared for me through the medicalmonitoring and treatment program,”said Mike Valentin, a disabled NewYork Police Department detectivewho has multiple and chronic healthconditions resulting from many hoursand months working at Ground Zeroafter the attacks. He added, “We don’tknow what all the long-term healtheffects from our exposures will be,which is another important reasonwhy this medical program needs tocontinue for many years to come.”

For more information, visitwww.wtcexams.org or call the Islandiaoffice at (631) 855-1200.

10 www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY DEDICATED TO COMPREHENSIVE CARE OF 9/11 FIRST RESPONDERS

First responder at Ground Zero.

Fact: The number one killer of chil-dren is not cancer or heart disease,but injuries, a high percentage ofwhich are sustained in motor vehicles.

Fact: Teen drivers represent just 6percent of the population in SuffolkCounty but account for 12 percent ofmotor vehicle fatalities.

Fact: Between 2004 and 2006, 15- to19-year-olds in Suffolk County had thehighest crash rate per 1,000 in all ofNew York.

Another fact is that almost all of theseinjuries and fatalities can be avoided.That’s the focus of the outreach andprevention program that Stony BrookUniversity Medical Center has spear-headed in conjunction with other keycommunity groups, including SuffolkCounty Safe Kids and the SuffolkCounty Regional Trauma AdvisoryCommittee. According to Thomas K.Lee, MD, Chief of Pediatric Surgeryat Stony Brook University MedicalCenter, three proven strategies promote safe driving among teens:graduated licensing laws; enforcement

by area law enforcement agencies andschools; and parental controls. It isthis last that Dr. Lee believes canmake a significant difference. “We doso much to keep infants and childrensafe, but when a child turns 16, wehand them the keys to the car afteronly about 20 hours of driving train-ing! Further, the part of their brainthat can evaluate consequences andrisks will not be fully developed untilage 25. It is a recipe for potential disaster. Parents need to get moreinvolved in the decision makingaround teens and driving.”

Dr. Lee and Jane McCormack, RN,Trauma Nurse Coordinator at StonyBrook, have developed a programaimed at educating parents about specific risks. “Parents tend to worryabout driving and alcohol and thatmessage has been effective; what they may not think about are speed-related crashes, or the fact that eachpassenger in the car with a teen driverincreases the risk of a crash. It is estimated that 100 lives a year wouldbe saved if teens drove alone,” saysMs. McCormack.

Call (631) 444-4000 11

KEEPING TEEN DRIVERS SAFE: WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

Advice for Parents

Here are recommendations from Dr.Lee and Ms. McCormack:• Limit distractions. Do not allow cell

phones or text messaging while driving. Don’t ask your teen to callyou “on the way home.” Restrict theuse of a GPS. If your teen does notknow where he or she is going, he or she shouldn’t be driving.

• Restrict the number of passengers in a car driven by a teen driver. Passen-gers are the biggest distraction fornew drivers.

• Be involved in the decision to drive.Don’t provide a vehicle to your teenuntil he or she has several monthsexperience. Parents should evaluateon a case-by-case basis if using the caris appropriate for a new driver. Teensshould have to “ask” to use the car.

• Require your teen (and all passen-gers) to wear seatbelts at all times.Seatbelts should be used in the backseat as well as in the front.

• Talk with other parents and supporteach other. Agree that you will callthem if their teen is not wearing aseatbelt if they will do the same.

• Consider the use of a written contractfor your teen driver. Such a contractspells out the rules and the conse-quences. For a copy of a contract, callJane McCormack at (631) 444-3116.

Want More Information?The parental education program runsfor about 45 minutes and has beenpresented at a number of venues fromlibraries, houses of worship, andschools to workplaces. It may soon beavailable at pediatric physician officesas well. If you are interested in having apresentation at your organization, weare happy to arrange it. Simply call(631) 444-4000. Before handing over the keys, young drivers should have sufficient experience and be

educated about safe driving.

Stroke is the third leading causeof death—behind heart diseaseand cancer—in the U.S., and the

leading cause of serious, long-term dis-ability. Yet most people are not awareof the warning signs or what to do ifthey suspect a stroke. We asked two of Stony Brook University MedicalCenter’s most esteemed physicians,cerebrovascular and endovascular neu-rosurgeon Henry Woo, MD, and neu-roradiologist and neurointerventionalradiologist David Fiorella, MD, PhD,about what people need to know to pro-tect their health and make the smartchoices about treatment, if needed.

1. Familiarize Yourself withStroke’s Warning SignsTypical warning signs of ischemicstroke, which accounts for 80 percentof stroke cases in Suffolk County, areparalysis, particularly on one side of thebody, difficulty with speech or vision,overall weakness, or total loss of con-sciousness. People also may experiencemore subtle signs, such as numbnessand tingling, which may indicate whatis commonly called a mini-stroke, ortransient ischemic attack (TIA). TIAstend to quickly resolve themselves.Often a precursor to a major stroke, itis important to take TIAs seriously andsee a doctor if you suspect you had one.

2. Fast Action and Early Intervention Are KeyLike a heart attack in which timeequals heart muscle, with a stroke,time equals brain cells. And like heartmuscle, brain cells do not grow back.In a now classic study called “Time IsBrain Quantified,” researchers foundthat 1.9 million neurons are lost everyminute during a stroke and that thebrain ages 3.6 years for every hour a

stroke remains untreated. “Unfortu-nately, people may delay seeking med-ical treatment because they are not insevere pain, but every hour you delaytreatment after the onset of symptomsdecreases your chances of full recov-ery,” says Dr. Fiorella.

There are two kinds of strokes:ischemic, in which a blockage preventsblood flow to the brain, and hemor-rhagic, in which there is bleeding inthe brain. In the case of ischemicstroke, it is most important to unblockthe artery, either through medicationor direct intervention, and get oxygenvia the blood, back to the brain.Although this cannot revive the deadbrain cells, it restores blood flow andprevents further damage. With hemor-rhagic stroke, a painful condition oftendescribed as “the worst headache ofmy life,” survival odds are lower—10 to15 percent of the individuals with thisform of stroke can die instantly, with

up to another one-third dying uponarrival to the hospital due to the severi-ty of the initial injury—so it is impor-tant to get treatment immediately, andto get it at a place that specializes inadvanced neurosurgical procedures.Far preferable is to treat the conditionbefore a rupture or bleeding occurs.

3. Where You Go for TreatmentMakes a DifferenceSince speed of treatment is so criticalfollowing a stroke, being at the rightplace at the right time is key. The Cere-brovascular Center at Stony Brook isdesignated by The Joint Commissionas a Primary Stroke Center. Staffed byspecialized and highly trained endovas-cular teams, the Center offers the latest equipment including threeangiography suites that have the capac-ity to cover all of Suffolk County 24/7;leading-edge procedures includingevery FDA-approved minimally inva-sive stroke intervention technique;high-tech diagnostics, including a newmobile CT scanner; and access to virtu-ally all the major ongoing clinical trialsin the U.S.—in fact, many patientstreated at Stony Brook’s center areoffered enrollment in clinical trials withthe newest devices available.

Some of the innovative interventionsavailable at Stony Brook are: • Intravenous tPA (tissue plasmino-

gen activator) to break up blockages• Intra-arterial therapy, in which a

catheter is inserted in the femoralartery into the brain, deliveringmedicine to destroy the clot at 1,000times the concentration of medi-cines delivered via the bloodstream

• Revascularization proceduresincluding the opening or stenting ofnarrowed or blocked arteries

12 www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org

The Four Things Everyone Should Know About Stroke

BEST IDEA

Signs of StrokeTo help identify if someone is having a stroke, use the firstthree letters of the word “stroke”as follows:

S (Smile) Ask the person tosmile.

T (Talk) Ask the person to speakcoherently by repeating a sim-ple sentence like “Today is asunny day.”

R (Raise) Ask the person to raiseboth arms.

If the person has trouble doingany of these tasks, call for medical assistance immediately.

• Mechanical thrombectomy devicesthat can grab onto a blood clot toeither pull it out or break it up

• Repair of aneurysms, including previously untreatable ones

4. It Is Possible to Prevent aStroke Through Intervention“Good screening is key. Even if youhave minor symptoms, you can getimaged to see if you are at high riskfor a future stroke,” says Dr. Woo.Typically, coronary artery disease,hypertension, diabetes, and familyhistory of stroke put you at higherrisk; this is when you should workwith your primary care physician tomanage your risk factors. If testingreveals a blockage, it can be removedbefore stroke occurs through severalminimally invasive techniques, mostof which are offered only at StonyBrook. This includes opening thecarotid artery with a stent or throughsurgery.

Conditions that could cause bleedingon the brain, such as an aneurysm orarteriovenous malformation, can betreated before vessels rupture. Oneway is an open surgical technique thatclips and repairs the aneurysm.Another is a minimally invasive tech-nique that drives a catheter into theaneurysm, inserts a platinum coil,then fills and repairs the aneurysm.While the first is major brain surgery,the second is a minimally invasive,one-day procedure that involves asmall puncture in the femoral artery.Patients can usually return to work inone to two days. “This is the mostinnovative technique, viable for bothruptured and unruptured aneurysms,”says Dr. Woo. “The kinds of innovationswe are pioneering at Stony Brook.”

Call (631) 444-4000 13

Meet Our Internationally Recognized Stroke Experts

If it’s a pioneering treatment or a minimally invasive innovation for stroke,chances are that Stony Brook’s Dr. Henry Woo and Dr. David Fiorella have had ahand in it. Over the past decade, these acclaimed endovascular experts havebeen leaders in North America, first at the Cleveland Clinic, and today at StonyBrook University Medical Center. They rank among the most experienced in theworld, and they continue to innovate and bring novel approaches to the field.

Dr. Woo is a world-renowned expert on the treatment of aneurysms and vascularmalformations of the central nervous system, and is one of the few neurosur-geons in the country trained in performing both open surgical and endovasculartechniques. He holds a number of patents and was the first physician on LongIsland to use the WingspanTM Stent System with GatewayTM PTA Balloon Catheterto open blocked arteries in the brain.

Dr. Fiorella is one of three co-principal investigators in the U.S. running a five-yearNational Institutes of Health multisite clinical trial called Stenting and AggressiveMedical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis(SAMMPRIS). This landmark trial, which compares using medication versus usingmedication along with angioplasty and stenting, will help establish a foundationfor evidence-based practice. Stony Brook is the only medical center on LongIsland participating in the study, which will be open to patients through 2013.

Dr. Henry Woo (left) and Dr. David Fiorella

Aconstant infusion of newideas. Pioneering medical andsurgical advancements. Best-

in-field physicians. Access to clinicaltrials and leading-edge treatments.This is what you find at an academicmedical center. And this is why theoncology program at Stony BrookUniversity Medical Center (SBUMC)can offer such comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer care.

At the heart of the oncology programis a commitment to advancing thestandard of cancer care not just in the community, but throughout theregion and even the nation and theworld. Two doctors at Stony Brookare doing just that.

Breakthroughs in PancreaticCancer TreatmentSurgical oncologist Kevin Watkins,MD, Chief of the Upper Gastrointesti-nal and General Oncologic SurgeryGroup at SBUMC, became the firstsurgeon in the world to treat a pancre-atic tumor with a technique called irreversible electroporation (IRE),also known as the NanoKnife®, thatkills cancer cells with electrical pulses.

This surgical technique disrupts thecell membrane by using brief and controlled electrical pulses to openmicroscopic pores in the cells of thetargeted area. As a result, the micro-scopic damage to the cells kills themoff, and the body rids itself of the deadcells permanently. Since IRE works atthe cell membrane level, it does notdamage the surrounding supportstructure, which allows a lattice fornew cell in growth. This also almostcompletely eliminates local scarringand helps promote faster recovery.

“It’s a remarkable technique becauseit opens doors for us to offer treat-ment to patients we have previouslyhad no options for,” says Dr. Watkins.“However, it is important to keep inmind that while a breakthrough, theprocedure is not magic. Right now wecan only use it on localized tumors. Itwill not be effective if the cancer hasalready metastasized.”

That said, the procedure is an enor-mous boon for patients. “Quality of lifeis of utmost concern for people suffer-ing from pancreatic cancer,” explainsDr. Watkins. “Many have limited lifeexpectancies, so our hope is this procedure will allow them to enjoy the time they have.”

Although Dr. Watkins was the first to use IRE for pancreatic cancer, it has been used in the treatment of liver, colon, renal, urologic, and lungcancers. “It is ideal for getting tumorsin hard-to-reach locations or fortumors close to vital structures suchas large blood vessels that could bedamaged by conventional surgery,”says Dr. Watkins.

Dr. Watkins’ group is also at the forefront of other leading-edge cancer treatment strategies such as regional perfusions. These strate-gies involve infusing high doses ofchemotherapy directly to a tumorbearing area but removing the drugbefore it reaches the systemic circu-lation. This allows for higher dosesto be delivered to the tumor with lessside effects to the rest of the body.His group is among a few in thenortheast utilizing Heated Intraperi-toneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) forintra-abdominal cancers. This proce-dure occurs during surgery after thesurgeon has removed the grosstumor. Chemotherapy is theninfused through a catheter directlyinto the abdomen to “kill off” anymicroscopic residual cancer cells. It can be highly effective if the grosstumor can be completely extracted.

Creating a World-Class BoneMarrow Transplant ProgramOver the last 20 years, Michael Schuster, MD, has devoted himself to building state-of-the-art bone marrow transplant and hematologicmalignancy programs in New York.More than 12 years ago, he startedthe allogeneic transplant program atthe NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattanand before that, the adult transplantprogram at North Shore UniversityHospital. Most recently, he wasrecruited to Stony Brook UniversityMedical Center to dramaticallyexpand the existing program by bringing not only his own expertise,but also that of the team that he hasworked with for the better part of two decades.

14 www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org

GROUNDBREAKING TREATMENT AND RENOWNED BONE MARROWTRANSPLANT TEAM ADVANCE CANCER CARE

Dr. Kevin Watkins

“The most important thing about theprogram we are building is to give thepeople on Long Island the same levelof care that they would find in NewYork City,” he says. “Now people willno longer have to travel for world-class care when they are critically ill.”

Dr. Schuster says that when StonyBrook University Medical Center firstapproached him, he was excited bythe opportunity and saw the tremen-dous potential for growth. “StonyBrook has all the right ingre dients in place—a large patient population, a need in the community for theseservices, a strong research program,and the willingness to commit signifi-cant resources to building a stem celltransplant program.”

Some of these resources are goingtoward building a new wing to accom-modate the anticipated hundreds ofpatients who will be able to receivetreatment for diagnoses such as acute leukemia, chronic leukemia,non-Hodgkin’s disease, Hodgkin’slymphoma, multiple myeloma,myelodysplastic disease, and aplasticanemia. However, patients do not

need to wait for the new wing. Bedshave already been added to the exist-ing program and Dr. Schuster and histeam have joined with the originalStony Brook University Medical Center team to offer treatment.

Dr. Schuster also will be bringing hisongoing research and clinical trials,making Stony Brook University Med-ical Center just one of two centers inthe United States investigating a noveltechnology called “haplo identicaltransplants.” Essentially, this allowsdoctors to transplant cells from familymembers even if they are not a perfectmatch and avoid immunological complications and infections. Dr.Schuster has also been involved in the development of revolutionarydrugs for chronic myelogenousleukemia and multiple myeloma thathave dramatically changed the waythese patients are treated.

“This is what got me into the field,” he explains. “Early on, I saw that wewere able to better treat and even curepatients by developing novel drugsthat target underlying disease mecha-nisms. In fact our cure rates have beensteadily rising. In fact, bone marrowtransplant and hematologic malignan-cy research has some of the shortesttransit times from being an idea in the laboratory to helping patients inthe form of a new medication thanalmost any area of medicine. We’redeveloping more and more effectivetreatments every day. Stony BrookUniversity Medical Center will be a big part of this.”

Call (631) 444-4000 15

STONY BROOKHELPS SOLVECROWDING IN EMERGENCYDEPARTMENTSACROSS THE NATION

Selected as one of six hospitals to participate in Urgent Matters Learn-ing Network II (LNII) initiative, StonyBrook is working to identify, develop,and implement strategies to improvepatient flow and reduce ED crowding.The 18-month initiative, funded by theRobert Wood Johnson Foundationand managed by the Urgent MattersTeam at the Center for Health CareQuality at the George WashingtonUniversity Medical Center School ofPublic Health and Health Services,concluded on April 30, 2010.

Crowding is a problem faced by anyhospital operating an ED, with thepotential for serious negative conse-quences for healthcare access, quality,and patient safety to result. The sixLNII hospitals collaborated through a“learning network” structure to testnew ideas, quantify results, and sharelessons learned. Successes will beshared nationwide to give other hospi-tals and stakeholders concrete andtested examples of those practices andinterventions that hold promise so thatthey can be adopted in their own EDs.

The changes developed and imple-mented in Stony Brook’s ED have metwith great success, resulting inreduced waiting times for patients,and subsequently less crowding in the ED. Robert Wood Johnson is featuring Stony Brook’s electronicconsult process on their Web sitevideo, “New Promising Practices,” as a resource for other hospitals from which to learn.

Dr. Michael Schuster

Amyotrophic LateralSclerosis (ALS)

ALS SUPPORT GROUPFor patients with ALS, familymembers, and caretakers.

Tuesday, August 3, 6-8 pmMeets: First Tuesday of month

179 Belle Mead RoadEast Setauket

Autism Educationand Support

CODY CENTER PARENTINFORMATION AND SUPPORT GROUPFor parents of children recent-ly diagnosed with autism,Asperger syndrome, or PDD-NOS. Learn more about thecondition, and services andresources in the community.

Tuesday, August 3, 7-8:30 pmMeets: First Tuesday of month

Stony Brook University

Cancer Care

CAROL M. BALDWINBREAST CANCER EDUCA-TION/SUPPORT GROUPWednesday, August 4, 7-9 pmMeets: First Wednesday ofmonth

Holiday Inn Express 3131 Nesconset HighwayStony Brook

GIFT FOR KIDS SUPPORTPROGRAMFor children first gradethrough high school, whohave a parent or caregiverdiagnosed with cancer. Childmust be aware of parent’s/care giver’s diagnosis.

Thursday, August 5, 6-7:30 pm Meets: First Thursday of month

Cancer Center

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGYSUPPORT GROUPTuesday, August 31, 7-9 pm Meets: Last Tuesday of month

Cancer Center

LEUKEMIA/LYMPHOMAFAMILY SUPPORT GROUPMonday, July 12, 7-8 pmMeets: Second Monday ofmonth

Cancer Center

LONG ISLAND OCEANS(OVARIAN CANCER EDUCATION ADVOCACYNETWORKING SUPPORT)For those surviving or under going treatment forovarian and other gyne -cologic cancers.

Wednesday, July 21, 6-8 pm Meets: Third Wednesday ofmonth

30 Orville DriveBohemia

LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER Offered in conjunction withthe American Cancer Societyfor women with cancer havingtreatment. Included are tips on skin and hair care, make-up instructions, and demon-strations of wig, turban, andscarf use. Classes availablein Spanish. Registrationrequired.

Monday, August 2, 3:30-6 pm Meets: First Monday of month

Cancer Center

LUNG CANCER SUPPORT GROUPTuesday, July 20, 7-8 pm Meets: Third Tuesday of month

Cancer Center

PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGYBEREAVEMENT QUILTING GROUPWednesday, August 4, 7-9 pmMeets: First Wednesday ofmonth.

Cancer Center

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUPMonday, August 2, 5:30-7 pm Meets: First Monday of month

Cancer Center

SUPPORT FOR PEOPLEWITH ORAL, HEAD, ANDNECK CANCER (SPOHNC)Patients, family members,and friends are welcome.

Wednesday, August 4, 7 pmMeets: First Wednesday ofmonth

Cancer Center

UPPER GI CANCER SUPPORT GROUPTo increase awareness ofresources and help patientswith adjusting after surgery.

Wednesday, July 14, 7 pm Meets: Second Wednesday ofmonth

Cancer Center

Cerebrovascular andHeart Health

HOPE FOR HEARTS SUPPORT GROUPFor parents of children withcongenital heart defects.

Monday, August 2, 8 pm Meets: First Monday of month

Pediatric Conference RoomHSC, Level 11

MENDED HEARTS SUPPORT GROUPFor cardiac patients, familymembers, and caretakers.

Meets: Third Sunday of month(no meetings in July andAugust)

Heart Center Conference Room

STROKE SUPPORT GROUPOffering educational and therapeutic opportunities forsurvivors, family members,and caregivers.

Tuesday, July 27, 7-8 pmMeets: Last Tuesday of month

Stony Brook Technology Park

Cystic Fibrosis

CYSTIC FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUPFor parents or caregivers ofchildren with cystic fibrosis.

Monday, July 19, 7-8 pm Meets: Third Monday of month

Middle Country Public Library101 Eastwood Boulevard Centereach

Diabetes

DIABETES SELF-MANAGE-MENT EDUCATION CLASSESA three-day education pro-gram for those with type 1,type 2, and gestational diabetes. Covers meal plan-ning, blood glucose monitor-ing, exercise, use of medica-tions, acute and chroniccomplications, stress, travel,vacationing, and communityresources. Registrationrequired.

July 19-21, 9 am-noon Sept. 13-15, 6-9 pm Oct. 4-6, 9 am-noon

14 Technology ParkFee: Insurance acceptedwhere applicable

Classes and Programs

www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org16

For information on classes, programs, and eventsvisit www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org to viewthe “Calendar of Events” on the home page. For questions, call (631) 444-4000.

Diet, Nutrition, andFitness

TARGET FITNESS WEIGHTMANAGEMENT PROGRAMA 12-week interactive programthat uses research-basedstrate gies to lose weight.

Tuesdays, 5:45-6:45 pm

Family Practice Center181 Belle Mead RoadEast SetauketFee: $225

Hip and Knee Pain

HIP AND KNEE PAIN SEMINARCovers normal anatomy andvarious causes of hip and kneepain; signs and symptoms;getting a good diagnosis; thelatest treatments for arthritis;and knee arthroscopy and hipand knee replacements. Speaker: Maria Juvan RPA-C,Joint Replacement Center

Monday, August 9, 9-11 am

Stony Brook Technology Park

Illness and Healing

ASTONISHED HARVESTPOETRY WORKSHOPOffered by the Center for Medical Humanities, Compas-sionate Care, and Bioethicsto promote reading and writ-ing poetry through the experi-ences of illness and healing.

Meets: First and Third Mondayof month, 5:30-6:30 pm

Preventive Medicine Conference Room

KIDNEY DISEASE PEDIATRIC NEPHCURE SUPPORT GROUPFor parents and caregivers ofchildren with kidney diseases,nephrotic syndrome, and focal

segmental glomeroulosclero-sis (FSGS).

Wednesday, July 28, 7-8:30 pmMeets: Fourth Wed. of month

Cancer Center

Mall Walkers

MALL WALKERS CLUBCo-sponsored by the MedicalCenter and Smith Haven Mall.Blood pressure screeningsbegin at 8 am, followed by alecture at 9 am.

July 28, August 25, September29, October 27

Smith Haven Mall, Food CourtLake Grove

Massage

INFANT MASSAGEInstruction for parents tosoothe a cranky baby, reducestress and pain, relieve symp-toms of gas and colic, anddevelop bonding skills. Bringbaby or doll and a blanket.

Stony Brook Technology ParkFee: $ 60

Multiple Sclerosis

TEEN ADVENTURE CAMPPROGRAM (TAP)A safe and fun all-day summercamp for teens with MS, provid-ing peer support and mentor-ing, through team-building programs, exercises, watersports, and art recreation.

July 11-17

Camp CanonicusExeter, Rhode Island

Pregnancy and Child Birth

PREGNANCY EDUCATIONCLASSESTopics include “Breastfeedingand Infant Feeding Choices,”

“Staying Healthy During Preg-nancy,” and “Taking Care ofYourself and Baby.” Registra-tion required.

Thursdays, 11 am-noonSept. 2, 9, 16; Oct. 7, 14, 21

Medical Center

PRENATAL BREASTFEEDING CLASSLearn about breastfeeding tohelp get you and your baby offto a good start. Registrationrequired.

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7-9:30 pmMeets: First Wed. of month

Medical Center

STEPPING STONE

SUPPORT GROUPFor those who have had cancer and have concernsabout infertility.

Tuesday, Aug. 3, 7-8 pmMeets: First Tuesday of month

Cancer Center

Call (631) 444-4000 17

July–October 2010

Call (631) 444-4000 17

KIDS HEALTH & SAFETY EXPOHealth screenings, information,nutrition tips, and demonstra-tions on how to preserve safetyand prevent injuries to children.

Wednesday, July 14 10 am-3 pm

Flowerfield, 199 Mills Pond Rd., St. James

5TH ANNUAL SUMMER SOIREEAn evening of dining and dancingto raise funds for Stony Brook’sNational Pediatric MS Center.

Thursday, August 5; Cocktails:6:45pm; Dinner:7 pm

Crest Hollow Country Club8325 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury

LONG ISLAND 5K WALK TO DEFEAT ALS™ To support the ALS Association’s research and community-based programs.

Sunday, September 26Check in: 9:30 am Walk Start: 11 am

Eisenhower Park899 Hempstead TurnpikeEast Meadow

WALK FOR BEAUTY, WALKFOR LIFETo raise awareness aboutbreast and prostate cancer,and to raise funds for researchat Stony Brook University.

Sunday, October 3Registration: 8:30 amWalk Start: 9:30 am

Distance: 6K/4KStony Brook Village

LONG ISLAND START! HEART WALKA 5K walk to benefit the American Heart Association.

Saturday, October 16Donation Turn-in/Registration:8:30 amWalkStart: 10am

Stony Brook University

5KRUN/WALKFORCHILDREN A 5K run to benefit the ChildLife Program at Stony Brook.

Sunday, October 17Registration: 7:30-9 amRun/Walk Start: 9:30 am

Gelinas Jr. High SchoolSetauket

SPECIAL EVENTS

TREATMENT STUDY FORCHILDREN’S BEHAVIORALCONTROL PROBLEMSThe Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is conducting a study, supported by the National Institutes ofHealth, of treatment steps forchildren, ages 6 to 12, whohave attention deficit hyper -activity disorder and otherbehavioral control problemssuch as aggressiveness,explosiveness, and low frus-tration tolerance. Eligible chil-dren receive free evaluationand study treatment, includ-ing medication and help withbehavioral support strategies.

DO YOU HAVE A LEGWOUND THAT WON’T HEAL? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a researchstudy that investigates a prod-uct that may aid in the healingprocess. You will be compen-sated for your travel and timeup to $50 per visit.

INFLUENZA MEDICATIONRESEARCH STUDYIf you have the flu, you may beinterested in participating in aclinical research study testinga new investigational studymedication for the treatmentof all types of flu including the2009 H1N1 flu (swine flu).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDWITH LOWER EXTREMITYLIMB LOSS (AMPUTATION) Many people with a leg ampu-tation have difficulty walkingeven after rehabilitation. Weare conducting a trainingstudy that involves a largeamount of walking practice ona treadmill. To be eligible youmust have a leg amputationabove the knee, through theknee or below the knee. Participants are required toattend 15 sessions and willreceive $300.

HEART FAILURE SYMPTOMMONITORING TRAININGSTUDYWe are seeking adults withheart failure who live in a community dwelling (not anursing home) to participatein our study. Participants willreceive paid compensationand a weight scale.

TOSCA (TREATMENT OFSEVERE CHILDHOODAGGRESSION)Children, ages 6 to 12, areneeded to participate in a treatment study of aggressivebehavior in children withADHD. If qualified to partici-pate, children will receive athorough diagnostic evalua-tion, and be treated with oneor two medications. Parentswill receive 9 weeks of parent management training.Compensation paid and confidentiality maintained.

ARE YOU HEALTHY ANDOVER THE AGE OF 18?Individuals are needed to participate in a screeningstudy that includes a briefquestionnaire and blood draw. Participants will be compensated $25.

ARE YOU HEALTHY AND INYOUR TWENTIES?Healthy men and women withno medical problems and nottaking medication for anychronic health issues, ages21 to 30, are needed to par-ticipate in a research studyas a control group. Womencannot be on birth controlpills. Participants will receivecompensation up to $250.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED WHOARE TAKING STATINS TOLOWER CHOLESTEROLAre you taking statins to lowercholesterol (such as Lipitor®,Zocor®, Pravachol®, Meva-cor®, Crestor®, Lescol®, etc.),and experience muscle painor soreness, weakness, orfatigue? If you are 21 years of age or older, you may be eligible to participate in astudy for treatment with anutritional supplement. If youmeet the criteria for the studyand choose to participate, you will be given a stipend of up to $500.

THE GOOD AND THE BADCHOLESTEROLDid you have a recent heartattack and have high choles-terol? If so, you may be eligible to participate in aresearch study that mightincrease your HDL cholesteroland possibly prevent anothercardiac event. The Division ofCardiovascular Diseases isstudying a new investigationalmedication (dalcetrapib) tosee if it increases the HDLcholesterol.

Research Studies

www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org18

THE BEST IDEAS IN TREATINGOSTEOARTHRITIS

The Department of Orthopaedics is looking for volunteersto participate in a study on the effectiveness of an injectionto improve function and to relieve pain caused byosteoarthritis at the joint at the base of the thumb.

Current treatments to relieve pain include cortisone injec-tions and surgery, if the thumb joint osteoarthritis is severe.Researchers have been investigating the use of an injectioncalled Synvisc® that is FDA approved in the treatment ofosteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Led by co-investigators Marie A. Badalamente, PhD,Edward Wang, MD, and hand fellow Samantha Mulhrad,MD, the Stony Brook placebo-controlled study consists ofeither two injections of Synvisc or two injections of salineplacebo one week apart. In addition, all participants willreceive a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory transdermal patchand will be asked to return for follow-up visits.

Participants should not have serious gastrointestinal problems, be on anticoagulant therapy, have asthma, or beprone to hives. For more information about the thumb jointosteoarthritis study, please call (631) 444-2215.

For more information or to enroll in studies, call (631) 444-4000.

Over the years, faculty and staff members havebeen very supportive of the “It’s About Us” campaign, in which Stony Brook staff pledge financial support for services and programs benefiting the University community, includingthe Medical Center and Long Island State Veterans Home. This year, more than 1,400employees participated. In this campaign, one ofour faculty members clearly stands out: FrancesBrisbane, PhD, the Dean of the School of SocialWelfare. In addition to her decades-long weeklypayroll contributions, she has made an incre-mental gift to support some of the areas near anddear to her heart.

“Dr. Frances Brisbane is an ideal example of Stony Brook’s exceptional facul-ty and staff,” says University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD. “Throughher insight and enthusiasm, she recognizes the value of giving back to ourcommunity. She initiates positive change by putting her concern for others’welfare into action, and I’m proud she’s a part of Stony Brook. Leadership,vision, and generosity such as Frances’ further our mission and contributeimmensely to the continued strength and excellence of this University.”

Dean Brisbane is allocating her $51,000 gift to scholarships at the School of Social Welfare to financial assistance for Stony Brook’s student athletes(PAWS—Providing Athletes with Support), and for use as a financial safetynet for fellow Stony Brook employees who are experiencing financial challenges (The Hardship Fund).

In addition to being a Professor and Dean of the School of Social Welfare,Frances Brisbane is the Dean of the Black Alcoholism and Addictions Institute, co-sponsored by Morehouse Research Institute of Morehouse College in Atlanta, and the National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council(NBAC) in Washington, D.C. In 2007, for her lifetime work in volunteerism,she received the U.S. President’s highest honor, the President’s Call to Service Award. She is also a recipient of the University President’s Award forExcellence in Diversity and Affirmative Action.

While faculty and staff donate to an incredibly broad range of worthy pro-grams and projects, the reason most choose to support the “It’s About Us”faculty and staff campaign is strikingly similar to Dean Brisbane’s: to make a difference.

“I decided to ‘pool’ all my giving (except contributions to church and religiousactivities),” she says, “to one place—Stony Brook, so it would be large enough,hopefully, to make a difference in the areas where it is most needed.”

Call (631) 444-4000 19

Gift Makes a Differenceto Students and Staff

HOSPITAL AUXILIARYRECEIVES PRESTIGIOUSAWARD

In recognition of years of dedicatedservice and ongoing support to thecommu nity, the Healthcare Associa-tion of New York State (HANYS)awarded the Stony Brook UniversityHospital Auxiliary its DistinguishedService Award.

Since its formation in 1981, soon afterthe Hospital first opened its doors, the Auxiliary has raised more than $6 million for Hospital projects, services, and the purchase of equipment, including three state-of-the-art ambulances. The organizationinitiated the Vial of Life program (amedication record-keeping program)for the local community, and has anetwork of volunteers from the localarea who knit baby hats and blanketsfor babies born in the Hospital, as wellas blankets for patients with cancer.

“We are dedicated to the patients atStony Brook University Hospital,”said Auxiliary President CarolineLevine. “Like me, several Auxiliarymembers are healthy today becauseof the outstanding lifesaving carewe’ve received at Stony Brook.”

The Auxiliary derives its fundingfrom the newly designed AuxiliaryGift Shop located in the Hospital lobby, in-house vendor sales, new and used sales, fundraising events,and membership fees. Auxiliarymembership benefits include an invitation to the annual luncheon,advance notice of all special events,newsletters, and an annual report. For more infor mation about the Auxiliary, call (631) 444-2699.

Dr. Frances Brisbane

STAY CONNECTED. STAY HEALTHY.

As a leading academic medical center—the only one on Long Island—we have alot of vital information to share, information that can benefit the health and wellbeing of you and your family. Be it an advanced technology such as robot-assisted

surgery, or a lecture about the latest breakthrough in cancer treatment, or a supportgroup for the caregivers of patients with ALS, or a clinical trial for ADHD (attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder) in children, we want you to know about it.

To stay informed about what is happening in the world of healthcare—and at your Medical Center:• Follow us on Facebook (Visit www.facebook.com and search for Stony Brook University

Medical Center and click on the button “Like”)• Visit our Web site (www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org) to learn about various health

topics through our Ask the Expert Library, containing videos, audio clips, and articles• View our new calendar of events, located on the home page of our Web site• Subscribe to receive regular electronic communications from Stony Brook University

Medical Center about new programs and services, new faculty, new treatments andtechnologies, and upcoming special events (www.StonyBrookMedicalCenter.org/bhbl)

For informationabout our services,answers to yourhealthcare ques-tions, or physicianreferrals, call (631) 444-4000.

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PAIDStony BrookUniversity

Better Health Better Living

Produced by the Office of Communications. ©2010

Assistant Vice PresidentYvette St. Jacques

Senior Director, Medical CenterCommunicationsRachel Velocci

Director of Medical Center PublicationsMichele Vallone

Associate Director of Medical Center PublicationsJo-Ann Oakes

EditorTherese Xeller

Contributing WriterMary Ellen Sullivan

Art DirectorKaren Leibowitz

DesignerMia Jacob, Panarama Design

Photo CreditsSam Levitan, John Griffin, Media Services

This information is intended to educate

people about subjects pertinent to their

health, not as a substitute for consultation

with a personal physician.

This publication can be made available in

an alternate format upon request. If you

require a disability-related accommodation,

please call (631) 444-4000. Stony Brook

University/SUNY is an equal opportunity,

affirmative action educator and employer.

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