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Long Island's Only Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Center Opens at Stony Brook

In response to a growing need in Suffolk and Nassau counties, Stony Brook Children's Hospital has launched the Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Center. The hospital has been providing treatment of celiac disease and gluten sensitivities for more than a decade.

The only one of its kind on Long Island, this dedicated center makes diagnosis, treatment, management and support of celiac disease and gluten sensitivities accessible in one place. The multidisciplinary team, consisting of board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists, nurse practitioners and a dietitian, provides advanced diagnostics, ongoing assessments and family support, including education, dietary guidelines, eating strategies and tips on living gluten free. For more information or to make a referral, call (631) 444-8115.

From left, Kenneth Kaushansky MD, Senior Vice President, Health Sciences, and Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine; Kenneth P. LaValle, New York State Senator (R-Port Jefferson); Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD, President, Stony Brook University; Margaret M. McGovern, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, and Physician-in-Chief, Stony Brook Children's; Matthew Campo, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House of Long Island; Kara Hahn, Suffolk County Legislator (D-Setauket); and L. Reuven Pasternak, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Stony Brook University Hospital

Stony Brook Children's Hospital Celebrates the Opening of the Ronald McDonald Family Room

To provide extra support to families of hospitalized children, Stony Brook Children's Hospital has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island to open a Ronald McDonald Family Room on the 11th floor of the hospital.

"Few things are tougher than having a child in the hospital," says Margaret M. McGovern, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, and Physician-in-Chief, Stony Brook Children's. "By partnering with the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, we can bring support, comfort and respite to parents and siblings during this stressful time, especially for those who have to travel back and forth to the hospital to be close to their child."

The space includes living, kitchen and dining areas, private showers and lockers, laundry facilities, transportation services, meal program, computer access, storage space and complimentary beverage service for families. It will be staffed by volunteers and workers from the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, with services provided at no cost to families of children being cared for at the hospital.

From left, Luis Gruberg, MD, FACC; Jonathan B. Weinstein, DO, FACC; Smadar Kort, MD, FACC, FASE; Allen Jeremias, MD, MSc, FACC; Harold A. Fernandez, MD, FACS; and James R. Taylor Jr., MD, FACS

New Option for Valve Replacement Surgery Gives New Hope to Older Patients

Stony Brook University Hospital is performing a new FDA-approved minimally invasive procedure to replace the aortic heart valve through a small chest wall incision without open-heart surgery, as an alternative for patients with limited access to the aorta through their femoral arteries.

First performed at Stony Brook University Heart Institute on May 29, the transapical procedure is a new approach to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). TAVR can be performed by inserting a catheter into the vessels in the groin (transfemoral) or directly into the heart (transapical) to reach the aorta.

"The transapical approach is indicated for patients who have inadequate peripheral arterial access for the transfemoral approach," said James R. Taylor Jr., MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery; Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery; and Co-Director, Stony Brook University Heart Institute. "This approach helps us better treat older patients who often have small-caliber femoral and iliac arteries with limited access."

Mark Talamini, MD, Named Chair of Surgery at
Stony Brook

Mark Talamini, MD

Mark Talamini, MD, has been appointed Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, effective September 1. He comes to Stony Brook Medicine from University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine where he was the M.J. Orloff Family Endowed Chair in Surgery and Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery. Dr. Talamini will also take the helm as the Founding Director of the Stony Brook Medical Innovation Institute, where he will be charged with developing and testing new techniques and devices to solve challenges in surgical and procedurally based medical, pediatric and radiological specialties.

Dr. Talamini specializes in gastrointestinal surgery, with an emphasis on the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Considered a pioneer in minimally invasive abdominal surgery, he is recognized as one of the leading authorities on laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery in the United States.

Stony Brook-Led Study Shows Coronary CT Angiography Useful for Triaging Patients With
Chest Pain

Michael Poon, MD

Front row from left, Michael Hayman, PhD, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and representatives from the Walk for Beauty: Anna Kerekes, Judy Shivak, Gloria Rocchio (co-chair), Patricia DiLucca, Lenore Paprocki and Linda Bily (co-chair); back row from left, Lynette Leepack, Yusuf Hannun, MD, Director, Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Kara Hahn, Suffolk County Legislator (D-Setauket) and Clinton Weaver, Stony Brook Medicine

Walk for Beauty Raises $25,000 for Cancer Research at Stony Brook University

Committee members from the Walk for Beauty recently presented a check for $25,000 representing proceeds from the 2012 walk to benefit cancer research at Stony Brook University Cancer Center. The funds will support the research of Michael Hayman, PhD, Professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, who gave an overview of his work to develop a drug that more selectively targets cancer cells. Over the past 19 years, the Walk for Beauty committee has raised more than $1 million for cancer research and patient support at Stony Brook.

The 20th annual Walk for Beauty will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20, at Stony Brook Village Center. The walk includes 4K and 6K options, with the 6K walk route encompassing Avalon Park and Preserve. Check-in starts at 8:30 am and the walk begins at 9:30 am. The cost is $20 if paid by Oct. 6, and $25 thereafter. All proceeds go to benefit research and local patients at Stony Brook Cancer Center. Register online or call (631) 444-4000.

Stony Brook Achieves Fifth Straight Successful Advanced Certification by The Joint Commission
as a Primary Stroke Center

Following a thorough review of the Cerebrovascular and Stroke Center by Joint Commission surveyors, Stony Brook University Hospital is one of only 15 hospitals in New York State to earn The Joint Commission's advanced certification as a primary stroke center. Stony Brook's Cerebrovascular and Stroke Center has been certified since 2004. The Joint Commission recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Certification signifies that services have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving patient outcomes.

Nineteen Stony Brook Medicine Physicians Named to New York Magazine's "Best Doctors" List

New York Magazine's 2013 "Best Doctors" list represents the top two percent of physicians in the greater New York metropolitan area. Practicing in a wide range of specialties, the Stony Brook physicians were selected from a region that includes more than 60,000 physicians. Based on peer nominations, followed by telephone interviews with leading specialists, chiefs of service and other hospital personnel, the selection criteria include professional qualifications, reputation, the ability to communicate effectively, demonstrate empathy and other factors. Stony Brook physicians selected for 2013 are:

• Mary R. Andriola, MD - Child Neurology
• David Brown, MD - Cardiovascular Disease
• Alexander B. Dagum, MD - Plastic Surgery
• Dennis Davidson, MD - Neonatal/Perinatal Medicine
• James N. Droesch, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Suzanne D. Fields, MD - Geriatric Medicine
• Catherine E. Kier, MD - Pediatric Pulmonology
• William E. Lawson, MD - Interventional Cardiology
• Lloyd Lense, MD - Cardiovascular Disease
• Robert I. Parker, MD - Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
• John C. Pomeroy, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Michael Poon, MD - Cardiovascular Disease
• Lesley Rechter, MD - Family Medicine
• Michael Steven Richheimer, MD - Allergy and Immunology
• Michael W. Schuster, MD - Hematology
• James R. Taylor Jr., MD - Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
• Carmen Tornos, MD - Pathology
• Thomas A. Wilson, MD - Pediatric Endocrinology
• Henry H. Woo, MD - Neurological Surgery

James R. Taylor Jr., MD (left), and Henry Woo, MD

James R. Taylor Jr., MD, Honored at Heart of the Hamptons Ball

Dr. James Taylor, Professor of Surgery, Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Co-Director, Stony Brook University Heart Institute, received the American Heart Association's (AHA) Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to improve the heart health of Long Islanders. He was introduced by Henry Woo, MD, Co-Director, Cerebrovascular and Stroke Center, Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute, who co-chaired the AHA event and is a member of the AHA's Long Island Regional Board of Directors. In receiving the award, Dr. Taylor acknowledged Dr. Woo as a peer who influenced him to come to Stony Brook in 2012 after Dr. Taylor witnessed Stony Brook's commitment to building the Neurosciences Institute -- a model he plans to follow in the Heart Institute's development into a leading regional referral center for cardiac care.

School of Dental Medicine Dean Receives Harvard Dental Medicine's Highest Award

Ray C. Williams, DMD

Ray C. Williams, DMD, Professor and Dean, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious Paul Goldhaber Award by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. The annual award honors a scientist or educator of distinction whose work in dentistry and medicine has gained international recognition. Dr. Williams was selected for his leadership career in dentistry, which has included research, education and patient care. The award honors the career of Paul Goldhaber, a former dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and a mentor to Dr. Williams. "I am honored to be the recipient of this award that honors my mentor, Paul Goldhaber. I am very fortunate to have trained under him and to have worked by his side for many years," said Dr. Williams.

Heart Institute Staff Honored at "Thank You" Event

From left, Margaret Duffy, Interim Chief Nursing Officer; Carol Gomes, Chief Operating Officer; William Lawson, MD, Co-Director, Stony Brook University Heart Institute; Harold Fernandez, MD, Co-Director, Heart Institute; Judie and Lenny Ackerman; Samuel L. Stanley Jr., MD, President, Stony Brook University; Rachel Wong, MD, internist; James R. Taylor Jr., MD, Co-Director, Heart Institute; L. Reuven Pasternak, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Stony Brook University Hospital; and David Brown, MD, cardiologist

In July, East Hampton residents Lenny and Judie Ackerman hosted a cocktail party for 200 friends, colleagues and community members at their home to honor Stony Brook University Heart Institute staff who cared for Judie last year when she faced life-threatening heart complications. Additionally, the Ackermans presented a major gift to Stony Brook Medicine that will support the fellowship program in cardiology.

"This experience made me realize the important role Stony Brook Medicine plays for the residents of Eastern Long Island," Ackerman said. "Stony Brook is the sole tertiary care center in Suffolk County and offers many advanced services to the region, such as cardiac care, cancer care, neurosurgery and perinatal care."

"Songs for Kids" Tour Stops at Stony Brook Children's

Patients at Stony Brook Children's Hospital became the stars when they joined professional musicians, Sanjay Kothari (left) and Josh Rifkind (right), from the Songs for Kids Tour during bedside performances that included folk, pop and even jazzed up nursery rhymes. Part of a national tour to enrich the lives of children suffering from illness and hardship, the visit to Stony Brook Children's brought smiles to patients and their families alike.

Organized by Child Life Specialists, the visit included two acoustic guitar-playing musicians who engaged patients at their bedside and played songs the patients wanted to hear. They encouraged them to sing along, and/or play a tambourine or maraca and be part of the music in any way they wished.

The Future of Medicine Arrives: 124 Students
Prepare for Careers in Primary Care and as
Physician-Scientists

The Stony Brook University School of Medicine Class of 2017 officially launched their medical training when all 124 incoming students received a physician-in-training white coat and took the Hippocratic Oath for the first time at the School's annual White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 18.

With 77 percent of students from New York State, the Class of 2017 at Stony Brook will help address a critical doctor shortage in the state, including a shortage of primary care physicians. According to a 2012 Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) Physician Advocacy Survey, the state needs more than 1,200 new physicians.

Gregory P. Conners, MD '89, MPH, FAAP, FACEP (left), and Tara L. Huston, MD '01

"Not only does the White Coat Ceremony mark the introduction of 124 new members of the Stony Brook Medicine family, but it allows us to celebrate two of our most distinguished family members," said Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, Senior Vice President, Health Sciences, and Dean, Stony Brook University School of Medicine. "We honor both our matriculates and our distinguished alumni award winners at the same time, so that our rising physicians can personally see how to set their sights on excellence."

Stony Brook's New Physicians

Stony Brook welcomes 22 new physicians to 10 different departments:

Department of Anesthesiology

William Vuong, MD 

Department of Dentistry

Mark Pancotto, DDS

Department of Emergency Medicine

Janine Reinhardt, MD

Department of Medicine

Babu Easow, MD, Cardiovascular Disease

Patrick Valentino, DO, Cardiovascular Disease

Ali Sheikh, DO, General Medicine

Jerry George, DO, Hematology/Oncology

Anthony Brehm, MD, Pulmonary Disease

Rajeev B. Patel, MD, Pulmonary Disease

Sahar Ahmad, MD, Pulmonary Disease

Department of Neurology

Galyna Pushchinska, MD 

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Jennifer M. Blaber, MD

Brian Hunt, MD

Joyce Varughese, MD

Department of Ophthalmology

Akbar Shakoor, MD

Department of Pathology

Mark Lusco, MD 

Department of Pediatrics

Roosje De Grauw, MD, Primary Care

Jennifer Klingenberger-Beyer, MD, Primary Care

Echezona Maduekwe, MBBS, Neonatal/Perinatal

Robert Woroniecki, MD, Pediatric Nephrology

Department of Surgery

Kartik Narendra Gohil, MD 

Jessica Gooch, MD