MANHASSET, NY (March 6, 2014) – A donation made by Linda and Gregory Galdi of Lloyd Harbor, NY, will support the installation of several iPad kiosks to engage the 37,000 patients and family members who utilize the Cardiology Reception and Waiting Area at North Shore University Hospital each year.

Located on the first floor of the hospital, the Cardiology Reception and Waiting Area serves as a central hub of activity. Whether going for a routine exam, stress test, echocardiogram, or follow-up appointment after a more complex and specialized procedure, a majority of the 23,000 patients cared for annually by the Department of Cardiology come through the reception and waiting area. The hospital is in the process of renovating this high usage area to incorporate features that will help enhance the comfort of patients and their families while increasing operational efficiencies. Part of the redesign will see the addition of iPad kiosks for the use of patients and families thanks to the support of such generous donors as Mr. Galdi.

“Whether as a patient or as the family member of a patient, we have all experienced the angst of waiting while minutes ticked by like hours,” said Mr. Galdi, President of Custom Computer Specialists, Inc. “It is my hope that with this donation of iPads, some of the stress of waiting will be alleviated. We may still wish we were someplace else, but hopefully the iPads can help us escape for a few moments,” said Galdi.

The highest quality of care, comfort and compassion for our patients has always been, and will always be the hallmark of North Shore University Hospital “Waiting rooms are often a place of anxiety, which is why Linda and Greg Galdi’s donation provides a real benefit to patients and families,” stated Derek Anderson, Senior Director, Hospital Operations for North Shore University Hospital. “Having this technology allows people to browse the web and check their email, providing entertainment and comfort during the brief time they may have to wait to see our care providers. We have already seen great use of the iPads installed in our surgical waiting area and are pleased to expand the availability of this technology to a second reception area within the hospital,” said Anderson.

NEW YORK, NY (March 31, 2014) – The Annual Mets Welcome Home Dinner at the Hilton New York officially welcomed back the team to Citi Field on March 31, 2014. The evening featured a dinner program and concluded with an autograph session with the 2014 New York Mets.

During the program, Dayle Katz and Ruth Slade, both Associate Trustees of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, were presented with the “Every Woman Matters Award.” Each year, the award is presented to individuals who exemplify outstanding leadership, care and achievement in promoting women’s health. As co-chairs of Partners Council for Women’s Health since 2000, both Dayle and Ruth have greatly enhanced the health system’s ability to purchase important equipment, fund critical research projects and build programs for the betterment of the women in our community.

The dinner raised more than $500,000 for The Katz Institute for Women's Health and Katz Women's Hospitals and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Photo Caption: (From left) Michael and Dayle Katz, Michael Ruth Slade, Iris and Saul Katz.

NEW HYDE PARK, NY (May 12, 2014) – Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, is proud to be awarded a grant of $267,839 on behalf of Kohl's Department Stores, through the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program.

Funds awarded support Cohen’s Kohl’s Cares Keeping Kids Healthy Program, which combats the childhood obesity epidemic through fitness and nutritional education, as a means to prevent excessive weight gain in childhood. The program partners with area elementary schools and community-based organizations to deliver interactive education and activities that reinforce the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. On May 10, the program hosted the Kohl's Cares Keeping Kids Healthy Top Chef Cook-off, the culmination of a regional competition challenging children and their families to create nutritious and tasty recipes. The Top Chef Cook-off brought together families, community members and Top Chef alum Danny Gagnon, as the young chef finalists prepared their dishes for judging. Kohl’s donation to the medical center was presented in conjunction with the competition.

“The partnership between Cohen Children’s Medical Center and Kohl’s is truly helping to educate our community on making choices that promote good health. We are proud to be a part of this innovative program that champions proper nutrition and physical activity as the keys to wellness,” says Cohen Executive Director, Kevin McGeachy.

Since 2001, Kohl’s has donated more than $3.7 million to Cohen’s. Other medical center outreach initiatives supported through Kohl’s Cares® have included car seat safety and motor vehicle injury prevention and safety.

Kohl's commitment to Cohen Children’s Medical Center is made possible through the Kohl's Cares® cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys and 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl's has raised more than $231 million dollars through this merchandise program. In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl's Cares® features the Kohl's Cares® Scholarship Program, which last year recognized more than 2,300 young volunteers with more than $400,000 in scholarships and prizes. Through Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteer program, more than 669,000 associates have donated more than 2.2 million hours of their time since 2001, and Kohl’s has donated more than $63 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl’s also offers fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

View photos from this year's event!

WANTAGH, NY (May 18, 2014) – The North Shore-LIJ Health System, along with the Commerce and Industry Council, hosted the fifth annual Every Woman Matters Walk: A Walk for Women and Their Families this past Sunday, May 18. The nearly 5,000 attendees were there to support The Katz Institute for Women’s Health and Katz Women’s Hospitals, specialty hospitals and programmatic initiatives that are transforming women’s healthcare forever.

Prior to the start of the Walk, Dr. Jennifer Mieres, Senior Vice President for the Office of Community and Public Health at North Shore-LIJ, took to the podium and told the walkers, “Women are the CEOs of their families and yet often times, they go without taking care of themselves. We need to educate ourselves about the differences in women’s health and understand that we are not the same as men, which is why the Katz Institute and Katz Women’s Hospitals are such vital assets to have in our community.” Alexa Tiven, along with her sister Nicole Mancini, walked in memory of their mother, Dianne Tiven who lost her battle with cancer. “This event is very important to us as sisters, as aunts, as moms. Every woman matters!” proudly exclaimed Tiven and Mancini.

Superstorm Sandy compromised last year’s Walk with the closing of the Jones Beach boardwalk, so this year’s Walk was not only highly anticipated but celebrated. Walkers had an opportunity to visit the health and wellness showcase tent, enjoy entertainment provided by K98.3, grab a few snacks from our food and beverage tent and snap a few photos at our "flex station" at the end of our 5k Walk.

Since the inception of the 5k Walk in 2010, close to $2 million has been raised for the Katz Institute and Katz Women’s Hospitals. Fundraising will continue through Friday, June 6 online at the Walk’s website: www.EveryWomanMattersWalk.com

NEW HYDE PARK, NY (June 3, 2014) – NEW HYDE PARK, NY – The North Shore-LIJ Health System announced today that it has received a $74,840 grant from the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® to offer outreach and patient navigation services through its Cancer Community Connection Program.

The breast cancer screening program at LIJ Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y., offers a variety of free cancer screenings for underserved and inadequately insured women. These screenings are funded by the New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program.

This is the third consecutive year that Komen Greater NYC has funded the Cancer Community Connection Program, and it brings their total support to more than $238,000 for community outreach and education and patient navigation services that promote breast health, regular breast cancer screening, and early detection.

With funding from the New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program, clinicians at LIJ Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Unit & the Mitchell A. Goldman, MD Diagnostic Imaging Center in New Hyde Park provide free state-of-the-art 3D mammograms to the uninsured. The program also offers free pelvic exams, pap smears and colon cancer screenings by clinicians, ensuring a seamless connection to other preventive and diagnostic services.

“Having regular breast, cervical and colon cancer screening tests increases the chance of detecting these diseases early, when they are most likely to be curable,” said Jill Maura Rabin, MD, chief of the Division of Ambulatory Care and head of urogynecology at LIJ Medical Center.

Studies show that health disparities are particularly pronounced among African-American women, who are diagnosed at later stages and consequently face higher breast cancer mortality rates. Hispanic, Asian, undocumented, uninsured and young women also have considerably lower screening rates than the general population.

Komen Greater NYC supports a comprehensive breast cancer services that include outreach, education services and patient navigation to underserved women.

“Continued funding support from Komen Greater NYC ensures that LIJ Medical Center will make a significant difference in the community,” said Ann Stephens, the program’s Outreach Coordinator at LIJ Medical Center. In addition to education and outreach, the program will identify and eliminate each woman's barriers to care. All incoming patients are guided through the entire continuum of care, from screening to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

“Since the support of the Komen Greater NYC funding in 2011, patient volume has more than tripled and more than 20 community-based partnerships have been formed, greatly increasing the program’s impact,” noted Kaitlin Doyle, MSPH, Women’s Health Coordinator at LIJ Medical Center.

To make an appointment for a cancer screening, please call the LIJ Medical Center Ambulatory Care Unit at 718-470-4165.

NEW HYDE PARK, NY (June 19, 2014) – Cohen Children’s Medical Center opened a new cardiac catheterization laboratory – a $6 million investment that features diagnostic imaging equipment and other technology used to visualize the arteries and chambers of the heart and treat abnormalities.

The new unit, made possible through the support of Jay Goldman, distinguishes Cohen as the only children’s hospital on Long Island -- and one of the few in the New York area -- with a cath lab dedicated exclusively to diagnosing and treating cardiac conditions in children. Cardiac patients at Cohen previously were treated in the cardiac cath labs at LIJ Medical Center, which is connected to the children’s hospital.

"The opening of a cardiac catheterization lab is a monumental occasion for the children's hospital that enables our pediatric cardiologists to deliver care in the safest possible environment for our kids," said Kevin McGeachy, executive director at Cohen Children's, which was ranked this week by US News & World Report as one of the nation' top children's hospitals.

Rubin Cooper, MD, chief of pediatric cardiology at Cohen, said the children's hospital already performs more than 250 cardiac catheterization procedures annually on children. "The introduction of this new catheterization lab dedicated exclusively to children enables us to build on the hospital's expertise in pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, especially minimally and non-invasive procedures”.

For instance, Dr. Cooper noted that the catheterization lab will also be used for implanting the Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve, which offers children and adults a revolutionary option for treating failing heart valves without open-heart surgery.

The new catheterization lab has the added benefit of offering the lowest-dose radiation of any similar system in the region, ensuring the safety of children undergoing diagnostic imaging, Dr. Cooper said.

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OLD WESTBURY, NY (June 14, 2014) – Beatles fans of all ages were treated to a spectacular summer concert at Old Westbury Gardens featuring music by the Fab Four Ultimate Tribute Band. The June 14 music extravaganza benefitted Glen Cove Hospital.

The Los Angeles Times has called the Fab Four “The best Beatles band on Earth.” And hundreds of concert goers could attest to this as they took to the great lawn and danced the night away.

Dressed in costumes from the 60’s and 70’s, the Fab Four entertained the crowd with an incredible line up of songs from every era of the Beatles’ legendary career. The Fab Four was introduced by “Ed Sullivan,” who emceed the show.

Since 1982, Glen Cove Hospital has held an annual benefit concert. Known as June Tunes, this is the second year in a row the event featured the Fab Four playing the music of the Beatles.

The money raised will support Glen Cove Hospital’s mission to provide the best healthcare to the communities.

For more than 90 years, Glen Cove Hospital, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, has been serving neighboring communities with competence and compassion.

The communities’ support has led to the growing success of this annual event and helps Glen Cove Hospital, a full service facility, to continue providing excellent healthcare for all.

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NEW HYDE PARK, NY (July 1, 2014) – Sima Levy, a volunteer art teacher at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, enjoys nothing more than the “joy of watching children immersed in art being able to forget their pain and their illness.” A mother to three children, she explains, “To watch these young patients, is the power of creativity and artistic expression.”

As a child, Mrs. Levy became passionate about giving back to the world through charitable works and education. That desire led to the creation of Mothers Art World, an educational initiative dedicated to teaching art to children in a fun and motivating manner.

The company is now publishing its first book in the new Meet the Artist series, A Day with Degas. Mothers Art World’s mission is to provide opportunities for children to be enriched through its art education programs, and A Day with Degas reflects the heart of that commitment. Founder of Mother’s Art World, Mrs. Levy believes that art is an essential part of childhood development, which is why she feels passionately about the inspirational impact art can have on even the youngest patients at Cohen Children’s.

Inspiring others through her art and book series, Mrs. Levy donates a portion of the proceeds from the sales of A Day with Degas to support programs at Cohen Children’s.

MANHASSET, NY (July 18, 2014) – The multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning band Train took center stage Wednesday evening in Oyster Bay, NY for a private benefit concert supporting The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. The event also featured Endometriosis Foundation of America’s (EFA) co-founders Tamer Seckin, MD, and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi.

The $1.5 million raised at the event will be used by the Feinstein Institute to fund research in such therapeutic areas as cancer, inflammation, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The Feinstein Institute is the research enterprise of the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

Speaking on behalf of the band Train, lead singer Pat Monahan shared the band members’ feelings about performing at the Feinstein Institute summer concert. “We recognize how profoundly lucky we are to have our health and the health of our families. When we were asked to play, we immediately said ‘yes’ because we understand the importance of the Feinstein Institute research as it relates to curing diseases. We are incredibly proud to have been a part of this wonderful event and inspired by the work being done.”

Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president of the Feinstein Institute, said during the concert program, thanking the attendees and supporters, that “the history of science, like all history is a series of stories, and the connection of those stories lead to the present and point to the future… It is as if the spirit of history has moved through and put us all in this position at this time to accomplish what we can, and you are a part of it. You are here supporting our work and without you, we can’t get there.” Dr. Tracey’s research was recently featured in the cover story of The New York Times Magazine. To learn more, click here.

The evening also included the presentation of the 2014 Fellowship Award named in honor of The Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) to Feinstein Institute investigator, Maya Tevlin, PhD. Dr. Tevlin is an investigator for an endometriosis study that is being supported by the EFA, called Research OutSmarts Endometriosis (ROSE). The award was presented by EFA co-founders Tamer Seckin, MD, and Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi.

“The Endometriosis Foundation of America is pleased to present Dr. Maya Tevlin with the 2014 Fellowship Award for her dedication to the cause of endometriosis, which affects 176 million women and girls worldwide," said Dr. Seckin. "The EFA is committed to supporting research that will help unravel the mysteries behind this most devious and debilitating disease and, ultimately, enable us to find a cure. The EFA’s sponsorship of ROSE at the Feinstein Institute is one of our crowning achievements, and just the beginning of a long-term partnership in endometriosis research."

"We are honored to acknowledge Dr. Tevlin as the first EFA Fellow and salute the Feinstein Institute for its commitment to this serious health issue and the ROSE Project,” said Padma Lakshmi, EFA Co-Founder."

Emceeing the evening was Laura Benanti, who earned Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for her portrayal of Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy. She was also nominated for her performance of Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods and in Swing! Ms. Benanti has also been cast in several television shows including The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie and Law and Order SVU, among others.

Pictured: Attendees of the Feinstein Institute Summer Concert Benefit; Dr. Kevin J. Tracey, Laura Benanti, Mr. and Mrs. Feinstein, Padma Lakshmi, Dr. Tamer Seckin, Mrs. and Mr. Zucker.

OLD WESTBURY, NY (September 24, 2014) – A capacity crowd of 500 filled the tent at Old Westbury Gardens to support the Partners Council for Women’s Health of the North Shore-LIJ Health System at a fashion show presented by Americana Manhasset featuring the Giorgio Armani fall/winter 2014 collection.

The annual program, in its 22nd year, was dedicated to helping create an endowed professorship in women’s health and raised more than $450,000 toward that goal. Endowed professorships are established in order to make a significant impact in both medical education and scientific inquiry.

The program opened with women sharing empowering messages such as “I support women’s health;” “I want a better, kinder, smarter culture of care;” “I am here because of my sister;” “I am here because of my mother;” “I am here because of my daughter;” and “I deserve to be heard, empower me.”

Echoing those sentiments was Rosanna Scotto, co-anchor of WNYW-TV FOX 5’s Good Day New York, who for the second year served as master of ceremonies. Ms. Scotto reminded the attendees why supporting the Katz Institute for Women’s Health is vital.

“The Katz Institute allows us to take better care of ourselves, our mothers, our sisters and our daughters through outreach, education, research and clinical practice, she said. "Women deserve a kinder, smarter culture of care.”

Dr. Stacey Rosen, Vice President of Women’s Health told the crowd that every woman in the room deserves to be heard.

“Who here hasn’t been touched by a medical issue whether themselves or a loved one that has changed our lives?” she asked.

Partners Council for Women’s Health of the North Shore-LIJ Health System has raised more than $6.5 million over the past 22 years. North Shore-LIJ continues its commitment to transforming women’s health services throughout the region with the Katz Women’s Hospitals and the Katz Institute for Women’s Health.

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EAST MEADOW, NY (September 25 2014) – Guest speaker Matthew Zachary, the founder of Stupid Cancer, addresses the crowd at Eisenhower Park earlier this week during the third annual Les Nelkin Pediatric Cancer Survivors’ Day, presented by the Survivors Facing Forward Program at the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park. Matthew was a 21-year-old college senior and concert pianist when he lost use of his left hand. Tests were performed and he received a diagnosis of medulloblastoma. Eighteen years later, Matt continues to be a passionate advocate for young adults affected by cancer.

More than 400 survivors of pediatric cancer were joined by their families and the staff of Cohen‘s to celebrate their triumph. The day is made possible through the generosity of Ruth and Harold Nelkin who have been great friends and supporters of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant. They honor the memory of their son, Les, through their support of this emotional event.

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MANHASSET, NY (September 29 2014) – The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has established the world’s first Brain Tumor Biotech Center that will bring together scientists, clinicians and biotech companies to accelerate the delivery of novel drugs for treating the deadly cancer. To support the Feinstein Institute’s efforts, Voices Against Brain Cancer this week made a $1 million donation to kick-start the new center.

“We are very thankful to Voices Against Brain Cancer and their generous support,” said John A. Boockvar, MD, investigator in the Laboratory for Brain Tumor Biology and Therapy at the Feinstein Institute, director of the Brain Tumor Center at Lenox Hill Hospital, and professor of neurosurgery at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. “This support will help expedite the discovery and delivery of novel drugs and therapeutics to patients living with brain cancer.”

Dr. Boockvar, who was recruited earlier this year from Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center in Manhattan, is co-director of the Feinstein Institute’s new Brain Tumor Biotech Center with Marc Symons, PhD, an investigator and director of the Feinstein Institute’s Light Microscopy Facility, and professor of molecular medicine and neurosurgery at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

More than 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with brain tumors every year. Treating brain cancer through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of those methods is often complicated by the fact that there are more than 120 types of brain tumors. Some forms of brain cancer spread far into normal brain tissue and are very resistant to current therapies, posing a major challenge to successful treatment. Eliminating all brain tumor cells through surgery without adversely impacting a person’s function is very difficult. Chemotherapy has limited benefits in shrinking tumors because the brain is protected from foreign substances circulating in the blood Radio-therapy is a standard therapy for brain tumors, but tumors often become resistant to radiation. In addition, radio-therapy has many side effects, especially in children.

“The treatment of brain tumors is an extremely challenging endeavor,” said Dr. Symons. “This new center is unique in its capabilities of speeding up new treatment developments.”

Through the Feinstein Institute’s new Brain Tumor Biotech Center, researchers are hoping for greater advancements in drug development, saying it will serve as an interactive hub for scientists, clinicians and biotech companies studying neuro-oncology. Leveraging the Feinstein Institute’s expertise, the Brain Tumor Biotech Center will partner with biotechnology companies as they complete preclinical testing, navigate the regulatory landscape and execute on clinical development initiatives. Researchers will have the added benefit of being able to interface with the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s vast patient population and access other resources needed to pursue new, effective treatments.

The $1 million gift from Voices Against Brain Cancer, to be distributed over five years, will establish a venture fund to be used entirely for supporting activities within the Brain Tumor Biotech Center. “We’re doing this because we see this being the fast track to providing relief to our patients and their families, and really taking on this terrible disease,” said Michael Klipper, chairman of Voices Against Brain Cancer.

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GREAT NECK, NY (October 14, 2014) – On an uncharacteristically warm Sunday in September, teams of runners traversed the length of Long Island in the annual Ocean to Sound 50 Mile Relay. Four of those teams consisted of runners from Step By Step, a nonprofit corporation, which raises money to fight cancer through providing endurance training programs for runners, walkers, cyclists, swimmers and triathletes. Step By Step’s ranks were bolstered this year by runners from the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute, who Step By Step has selected as the exclusive beneficiary.

Joe Bencivenga, Founder and President of Step By Step, said, "We chose to partner with the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute for many reasons. North Shore-LIJ is a prestigious healthcare system with hospital affiliates across Long Island, and at Step By Step, we like raising support for organizations on Long Island.” “More importantly,” continued Bencivenga, “we recognize that North Shore-LIJ continues to build a world-class cancer program and our donations are going to expedite the research needed at the highest level.”

“Through this new partnership, Step By Step’s support of the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute will make a tremendous difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families,” said Louis Potters, MD, Co-Executive Director, North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute and Chair of Radiation Medicine. “With modern technologies and new advances in cancer genetics, cancer vaccines, surgical and imaging techniques, and targeted therapeutics, the promise of safer, more effective cancer treatments and cures has never been more in sight. Step By Step shares our relentless commitment to innovation and to accelerating new breakthroughs, so that this promise becomes a reality.”

In exchange for endurance training, runners have fundraising goals for each event they participate in. This year, the team ran the Long Island Marathon in May, the Ocean to Sound Relay in September and on November 6, Step By Step will be holding their end of year benefit honoring two of North Shore-LIJ’s most prominent physicians in the pediatric cancer field: Mark Atlas, MD, Chief, Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Program and Mark Mittler, MD, Co-Director, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery. All the money raised at this year’s benefit, the Ocean to Sound Relay, and other races from this past year, will support pediatric brain cancer research. Each year, the organization will join with the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute to select a different form of cancer to highlight and support. Information on attending the gala can be found on the Step By Step website.

NEW YORK, NY (November 12, 2014) – Lenox Hill Hospital’s Autumn Ball Tuesday evening raised $1.6 Million to fund the continuing growth and expansion of the renowned medical institution’s clinical programs that have been benefiting New Yorkers for 157 years. The evening, held at the American Museum of Natural History, also served as a celebration for the many milestones Lenox Hill Hospital continues to achieve across Manhattan. Star of stage, screen and film, Kristin Chenoweth added to the memorable evening with an intimate performance of quintessential New York standards.

“Lenox Hill Hospital has served the people of New York City for nearly 160 years and continues to grow and flourish,” said Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, which owns and operates Lenox Hill Hospital. “The hospital’s dedicated staff of physicians, nurses, administrators and partnering healthcare professionals continue to raise the bar in providing outstanding, compassionate care to countless patients and their families.”

This past year, Lenox Hill expanded its service coverage in Manhattan by moving into Greenwich Village, with the July opening of the first phase of the Lenox Hill HealthPlex. The new complex represents a new model of community-based care that integrates health and wellness services with seamless access to 24-hour emergency care and a full range of medical specialists. The HealthPlex also serves as a receiving facility for the New York City 911 Emergency Medical System. A range of other comprehensive medical services will be added to the six-story building in 2015, including: ambulatory surgery, outpatient rehabilitation, imaging, health and wellness services, medical specialty practices and home care.

Another venerated institution in the city, the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital at 64th Street, also saw continued progress in 2014 as Lenox Hill continues to add and expand ENT and other services, including orthopedic, and head and neck services.

The Lenox Hill Autumn Ball is driven by a dynamic roster of New York City leaders who span across the worlds of medicine, publishing, media, the arts and philanthropy. Serving as the Benefit Committee are Lily & Douglas Band, Jonathan Canno & Pierce Canno Roberts, Susan & Mark Claster, Ellen & Daniel M. Crown, Deborah & Philippe Dauman, Nancy & Robert N. Downey, Victoria & Lloyd Goldman, Diane & Paul B. Guenther, Judith & William O. Hiltz, Nancy & Jeffrey B. Lane, Phyllis & William Mack, Francesca & Richard B. Nye, Tara Kelleher & Roy J. Zuckerberg.

LAKE SUCCESS, NY (November 20, 2014) –  Hundreds of donors, physicians and other supporters on Wednesday celebrated the completion of an $84 million expansion of the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute’s headquarters at the health system’s Center for Advanced Medicine (CFAM) at 450 Lakeville Road in Lake Success.

“With an additional 93,000 square feet, the Center for Advanced Medicine brings together all cancer services offered by North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center under one roof,” said North Shore-LIJ Chief Medical Officer David Battinelli, MD. “The new space houses all ambulatory hematology/oncology, chemotherapy and radiation medicine, as well as surgical oncology and brain tumor services.”

CFAM was already home to diagnostic radiology, breast imaging, urology and ambulatory surgery services. In one convenient location that now includes a total of about 130,000 square feet of space, patients now have access to a fully integrated spectrum of comprehensive cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, genetic counseling, nutritional and social work, supportive care and survivorship programs.

Calling the new facility “the most beautiful place someone will never want to visit,” Louis Potters, MD, chair of radiation medicine of the health system and co-executive director of the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute, hailed the expanded facility both for it technological provisions and the compassion of the staff. “Our Cancer Institute places great emphasis on the patient/family experience. Aside from the physicians, all of our navigators, dietitians, social workers and other staff are devoted to the comfort of our guests,” he said."In addition, the expansion and our move to this new facility give us the opportunity to invest in the latest technology in the field.”

In addition to its extensive network of inpatient and outpatient services, the Cancer Institute offers the 16,000 patients it diagnoses and treats annually access to more than 125 clinical trials at any given time, said Daniel Budman, MD, chief of hematology/oncology at NSUH and LIJ, and co-executive director of the Cancer Institute. “Over the past 30 years, more than 10,000 North Shore-LIJ cancer patients have participated in clinical research studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI),” said Dr. Budman, noting that the NCI Community Oncology Research Program recently awarded a $4.1 million grant to North Shore-LIJ -- one of only 46 providers in the US selected to participate, and one of only two in New York State and the only one on Long Island to receive funding.

At Wednesday’s celebration, two cancer survivors spoke of their personal journeys: Kimberly Hastings, of Lynbrook, and Barry Bassik, of Great Neck. In July 2013, Ms. Hastings went for her annual mammogram. A few months later, she felt a lump in her breast while showering. Her breast surgeon called for a biopsy, which revealed a malignant tumor that had spread to one lymph node. In December 2013, she underwent a lumpectomy, followed by 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments. In September 2014, Ms. Hastings completed all of her treatments and was deemed cancer-free. “Facing 16 chemo and 30 radiation treatments over an eight-month period was not a pleasant prospect,” she said. “Yet, my experience turned out to be very positive, without issue, and I am happy to say today that I am cancer free. I attribute this to the expertise of my team of doctors, the specific targeted treatment plan I was given, and the fact that I was able to receive the highest level of care at a conveniently located, full-service cancer treatment center right here on Long Island.”

Mr. Bassik, an attorney who relies heavily on his voice to carry out his job requirements, visited his internist in 2013 complaining of a sore throat. A subsequent CT scan and biopsy revealed a tumor lodged at the base of his tongue. He underwent chemotherapy and 36 radiation treatments until the end of 2013---all through the Cancer Institute. He is now cancer free and back at work. “For me to have all my treatments in one location has made the patient experience so much better,” Mr. Bassik said. “I continue to be grateful for the compassionate staff and the ease with which we were all able to communicate.”

About one-third (30,000 square feet) of the Cancer Institute’s newly expanded space is home to the health system’s Department of Radiation Medicine, which provides radiation therapy in a sleekly-designed, calming setting. Among new radiation oncology services offered at the site include: a Gamma Knife and three TrueBeam linear accelerators, in addition to a comprehensive brachytherapy program, stereotactice radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy.

Following is a summary of other new outpatient cancer services housed within the newly expanded North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute headquarters at CFAM:

• An expanded capacity to the Monter Cancer Center and the Phyllis and Stanley Kreitman Chemotherapy Center, which is doubling its space and will now house hematologists/oncologists from LIJ Medical Center in addition to NSUH.
• A dedicated Division of Surgical Oncology that performs more than 2,000 procedures annually, including treatment for colorectal, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, breast, thyroid, chest, lung and skin cancers.
• A Brain Tumor Center that combines the clinical expertise of the Cancer Institute and the Cushing Neuroscience Institute to offer comprehensive treatment for benign and malignant brain tumors.

BAY SHORE, NY (May 4, 2015) -- Southside Hospital, a 341-bed tertiary facility in Bay Shore, NY, is in the early stages of a multi-million dollar expansion of its Emergency Department, which will be named in honor of the Bohlsen Family for their exceptional lead gift. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2016.

“This expansion will more than triple the size of Southside’s present Emergency Department, enabling the hospital to improve its level of service and efficiency to better accommodate the more than 70,000 visits it receives each year,” said Donna Moravick, the hospital’s executive director.

John D’Angelo, MD, senior vice president of emergency medicine at the North Shore-LIJ Health System, said, “This emergency department will bring much more than simply greater space; it breaks away from traditional design to allow for optimization of flow and comfort for all patients regardless of acuity.”

In July 2014, Southside Hospital became the first Level II trauma center verified by the American College of Surgeons on Long Island and in the entire metropolitan area. This achievement recognized the trauma center's commitment to providing high-quality service and excellence.

“We are very grateful to the Bohlsen Family for their extraordinary generosity and support as we move forward with a state-of-the-art expansion of our Bohlsen Family Emergency Department to create a facility commensurate with the medical excellence we provide.” said Ms. Moravick.

MANHASSET, NY (May 18, 2015) – An organization of female scientists, Advancing Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM), recently hosted its fourth annual awards breakfast on May 12 in celebration of National Women’s Health Week and in recognition of the numerous scientific accomplishments achieved at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and across the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Scientists, educators, business and community leaders from throughout the region attended the event to celebrate excellence and achievements of women in science.

“AWSM has spread a culture of women helping women to reach, preserve, take risks and succeed,” said Christine Metz, PhD, investigator at the Feinstein Institute and president of AWSM. “These reaches have led to significant achievements, including the translation of bench science into successful clinical trials.”

Awards in scientific excellence, innovation, mentorship, education and training, ranging from $1,500 to $25,000, were presented to the following female faculty at the Feinstein Institute:

• Cynthia Aranow, MD
• Ona Bloom, PhD
• Nadeen Chahine, PhD
• Amanda Chan, PhD
• Sangeeta Chavan, PhD
• Champa Codipilly, PhD
• Anne Davidson, MBBS
• Concepcion Goldberg, MD, PhD
• Czeslawa Kowal, PhD
• Meggan Mackay, MD, MS
• Christine Metz, PhD
• Kaie Ojamaa, PhD
• Maria Ruggieri, PhD
• Frances Santiago-Schwarz, PhD
• Barbara Sherry, PhD
• Sharon Singh, MD
• Bettie Steinberg, PhD
• Joy Yan, MD, PhD
• Huan Yang, MD, PhD

In addition, Stacey E. Rosen, MD, vice president of North Shore-LIJ’s Katz Institute for Women's Health, presented a joint AWSM/Katz Institute award to Annette Lee, PhD, and John L. Lovecchio, MD. The 2015 AWSM Girl Scout Awards were also presented during the event. The winners of the awards were Annabel Lee, an 11th-grade student at Herricks High School in New Hyde Park, and Pamela Guerra, an 11th-grade student at Locust Valley High School. Both are members of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County , and each will receive research training as summer interns at the Feinstein Institute and a $2,000 scholarship funded by supporters of AWSM.

Cori Bargmann, PhD, investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Torsten N. Wiesel Professor, and head of the Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior at The Rockefeller University, spoke at the event and was awarded the 2015 AWSM Award for Excellence. The award was conferred in recognition of her outstanding achievements in science, strong leadership skills and commitment to advancing women’s careers. Dr. Bargmann offered the insight that “we are successful by how we predict, interpret and influence others.”

In addition, artists and philanthropists Elizabeth Jordan and Michelle Ort presented and spoke about their light installations called “Refraction,” for which all proceeds are donated to AWSM. To date, $100,000 has been raised through the Refraction initiative to support women in science. Refraction combines contemporary art with science to create light sculptures and photographs. For more information about Refraction, visit ejordanphotography.com.

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GREAT NECK, NY (May 26, 2015) – The North Shore-LIJ Health System announced today that LIJ Medical Center has been recognized by Susan G. Komen Greater New York City as its Community Impact and Innovation Award honoree this year.

LIJ Medical Center is a Komen Greater NYC community partner working to address breast health disparities for African American and Hispanic women in the southeastern Queens and Jamaica, Queens areas through its Cancer Community Connection program, which is funded by Komen Greater NYC.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Komen Greater NYC has funded the Cancer Community Connection Program, bringing its total support to more than $240,000 for community outreach, education and patient navigation services that promote breast health, regular breast cancer screening, and early detection.

With funding from the New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program, uninsured women between the ages of 50 and 64 are provided with free, state-of-the-art 3D mammograms, and are offered free pelvic exams, pap smears and colon cancer screenings by clinicians at Schlanger, Gottlieb & Partners Council Breast Imaging Center in Lake Success, and LIJ Medical Center in New Hyde Park.

“Early detection is critical to saving a woman’s life and giving her the best quality of life,” said Jill Rabin, MD, co-chief of the Division of Ambulatory Care and Women’s Health Programs-PCAP services for the North Shore-LIJ Health System. “Having regular breast, cervical and colon cancer screening tests increases the chance of detecting these diseases early, when they are most likely to be curable.”

Studies show that health disparities are particularly pronounced among African-American women, who are diagnosed at later stages and consequently face higher breast cancer mortality rates. Hispanic, Asian, undocumented, uninsured and young women also have considerably lower screening rates than the general population.

“Continued funding support from Komen Greater NYC ensures that LIJ Medical Center will make a significant difference in the community,” said Ann Stephens, the program’s Outreach Coordinator at LIJ Medical Center. In addition to education and outreach, the program will identify and eliminate each woman's barriers to care. All incoming patients are guided through the entire continuum of care, from screening to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.”

“With the support of the Komen Greater NYC funding since 2011, patient volume has more than tripled and more than 20 community-based partnerships have been formed, greatly increasing the program’s impact,” noted Kaitlin Doyle, MSPH, Director of Women’s Health Projects at LIJ Medical Center.

Screenings are available by appointment on weekdays and Saturdays. For more information or to make an appointment, call 718-470-4165.

LAKE SUCCESS, NY (June 8, 2015)  – Amid the music and their memories, about 2,000 cancer survivors from North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center and their loved ones gathered under a tent to enjoy the Don Monti Cancer Survivors’ Day held outside the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute’s headquarters in Lake Success, NY.

Along with North Shore-LIJ President and CEO Michael Dowling; Board Chair Mark Claster, Chairman, and George Raptis, MD , acting executive director of the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute, a most-special guest was Caroline Monti Saladino, president of the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, who was presented with the health system’s Compasssionate Care Award.

After receiving the prestigious award, Mrs. Saladino shared the emotional story of her family’s lifelong commitment to battling cancer. In June 1972, her 16-year-old brother, Don Monti, died at North Shore University Hospital of myeloblastic leukemia.

“Don Monti, or Donni, as we called him, was my brother. My parents were determined not to end his life, so they established the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation one week later,” she said. Looking directly at the audience, she added, “I see faith, hope, lots of love, courage—but most important, I see success. Today is a celebration of Don’s life, my parents’ lives…and it is a celebration of your life.”

Since its inception over 40 years ago, the Don Monti Memorial Foundation has raised tens of millions of dollars in support of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these shattering diseases.

Also on hand to share her experiences was Suzanne Ludlum, a nurse practitioner at the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute, who shared her personal reflections on battling breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. “I would encourage all of you here today, and even those who have just received a diagnosis, to remain positive. Stay informed, seek out resources that will work for you,” she said. “Talk it out. Express your feelings of fear, loss and sadness. But, most important, look for the positive,” she said.

The event’s keynote speaker was Mark Herzlich, a linebacker with the New York Giants, and a survivor of a rare form of bone cancer known as Ewing sarcoma. Mr. Herzlich began his remarks by sharing the chain of events that almost robbed him of the thing he loved the most in life. “You choose the thing you love in life…that thing, for me, is football,” he said.

In 2008, when he was 21, Mr. Herzlich described the terrible pain he endured while playing squash with his mother. Various tests revealed nothing, and he returned to college hoping to continue with his studies and his beloved football. Eventually, the pain became so severe that he had to stop playing. His parents were seated in the doctor’s office with him when a doctor presented him with the diagnosis.

“I had the feeling that I had to do something. I told my father that day that I wasn’t going to accept this. I said, ‘I’m going to beat this and play football again.’”

It was then that his father said the three important words that Mr. Herzlich will never forget…”Let’s do this!”

During his remarks, Mr. Herzlich reflected on the skills he had learned as an athlete that enabled him to take on cancer and triumph.

After a grueling course of treatment, Mr. Herzlich remembered another three words spoken by his father as they rejoiced after the Giants won Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. Thewords were, “We did it!”

In conclusion, Mr. Herzlich told the crowd, “All of you here with me now…we’re all working toward one common goal. We want to be able to say there was cancer but there is no more. We can beat this.”

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NEW HYDE PARK, NY (June 23, 2015) – Pupils from Manorhaven Elementary School in Port Washington wrapped up their “Walk to Fitness” at the school yesterday as part of a ceremony that featured Kohl’s Department Stores donating $333,855 to Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

The grant was awarded through the Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program.

The funds will support Cohen’s Kohl’s Cares Keeping Kids Healthy Program, which provides fitness and nutritional education designed to combat childhood obesity. The program partners with area elementary schools and community-based organizations to deliver interactive education and activities that reinforce the importance of proper nutrition and exercise.

Cohen Children's with Kohl’s Cares Keeping Kids Healthy Program organized a Walk to Fitness at the Port Washington school. Pupils were provided with pedometers and other support materials through the Kohl’s Cares program to conduct a virtual walk from the school to various locations across the country.

The Walk was made especially poignant because the school and students dedicated it to 9-year-old Seraphina O’Brien of Port Washington, a student at Manorhaven, who was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in October of 2014. Seraphina is in remission thanks to the care she received at Cohen.

At an event that celebrated Seraphina’s remarkable progress and her eventual return to school, hundreds of students gathered on the athletic field to complete the last lap of their Walk to Fitness. Dressed in purple (Seraphina’s favorite color), the children circled a field to pass by the victory flag held by Seraphina, her sister, and her proud parents.

Following the check presentation from Kohl’s to the hospital, Debbie Riccardi, PNP, Director of Community Outreach at Cohen, said, “ These wonderful children have together walked over 11 million steps---more than 5,000 miles---in honor of Seraphina.

“We know that walking is the easiest way to achieve fitness. We thank Kohl’s for their partnership since 2000, which has resulted in over $4 million in support to help us keep our children healthy.”

Also moved by the vision of hundreds of purple-clad children was Michael O’Brien, Seraphina’s father, who thanked Kohl’s for developing programs to help children and their families’ lead healthy lifestyles.

On a more personal note, he said, “As we approach Father’s Day, I especially want to thank everyone at Cohen who provided the excellent care that put Seraphina back on the road to health.”

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