Arts & Entertainment

By Barbara Anne Kirshner

Mention Steel Magnolias to anyone and the overwhelming response is, “Oh, I love that show!” It’s easy to see how this dramedy continues to be a fan favorite and Theatre Three’s production serves up an inviting dose of southern charm.

Playwright Robert Harling wrote this play as a tribute to his diabetic sister who died way too soon from kidney failure. She had been warned by doctors that childbirth could be dangerous to her health, but she ignored all warnings and gave birth, then died before her son reached school age. Harling first recounted this event in a short story as a catharsis, then adapted it into the play and eventually into the highly successful film.

To make this play shine, just the right actresses must be cast in these demanding roles so director Mary Powers dipped into the treasure trove of Theatre Three regulars to fill some of these roles. This resulted in a gifted ensemble that brings just the right mix of pathos and comedic timing.

Steel Magnolias brims with witty one-liners as it navigates through two years in the lives of six tightly-knit small-town women who share life’s ups and downs together. Set in the fictional Parish of Chinquapin, Louisiana, at flamboyant Truvy’s in-home beauty parlor, this shop doubles as the meeting place for the women of this town.

Truvy (Stephanie Moreau) has just hired shy Annelle, a beauty school graduate, as her assistant. Truvy’s first lesson is, “There is no such thing as natural beauty. Remember that or we’re out of a job.” Moreau’s Truvy exudes sunshine even when offering direction and support to Annelle played by Christine N. Boehm who delivers a dynamic performance as the insecure new kid in town who transforms into a spiritual and secure presence.

It is Shelby’s wedding day and she wants her hair styled in the fashion of Grace Kelly. Michelle LaBozzetta’s Shelby is as optimistic and bubbly as her favorite color pink, or as she likes to call it “blush and bashful,” but with a mind as determined and strong as steel. Nothing will stand in her way of accomplishing her deepest desire of becoming a mother, despite the warnings of her doctor that childbirth could be fatal.

Clairee, the widow of the former mayor, is played with gusto by Marci Bing. Clairee thrives on town gossip at the salon and she has some of the wittiest lines in the show like, “The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.” That line can only be topped by her declaration, “If you can’t say anything nice about anybody, come sit by me.” Bing is a joy as the outspoken Clairee who flings quips into the air letting them land where they may.

Truvy has given Annelle the task of styling the hair of M’Lynn, the mother of the bride. Linda May’s M’Lynn has her comedic moments like when describing Shelby’s choices for church décor declaring, “That sanctuary looks like it’s been hosed down with Pepto Bismol.” M’Lynn is the voice of reason but gets frustrated by her daughter’s reckless choices. May ultimately tears us apart with her motherly heartbreaking monologue.

Making a booming entrance is Ginger Dalton as Ouiser, the town curmudgeon. From the start, she is ranting, at first over Shelby’s father who has been shooting at birds and has stripped the blossoms from their shared magnolia tree. Dalton is hilarious with one liners like, “I’m not crazy! I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years.”

These six indomitable magnolias show they have the steel that will get them through anything.

Jason Allyn’s costumes give definition to the characters from Truvy’s glitzy smocks to Shelby’s signature pinks to Ouiser’s practical denim. He illuminates the Christmas scene with outfits of reds, greens, whites and sparkles. Lindsay DeFranco’s wig design is reminiscent of 80’s big hair piled high and teased or waste length.

Randall Parsons conveys a nostalgic 1980’s feel to Truvy’s beauty salon with its mint green backdrop and thick white moldings. The three entrances make it easy for the actresses to maneuver effortlessly around the set and creates smooth transitions from one scene into the next. James Taffurelli’s properties compliment Parsons’ set with sheer curtains, beauty salon chairs strategically placed center stage and Truvy’s signature sparkles.

Powers confided that Steel Magnolias was originally set for the spring of 2020 but never opened when the world shut down due to COVID. Luckily, the original cast was able to reunite for this production. Maybe that’s why we believe the poignant friendships of these memorable women.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Steel Magnolias through May 7. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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By Michael Christodoulou

Michael Christodoulou
Michael Christodoulou

You might enjoy owning your home — but the mortgage? Not so much. In fact, you might want to do everything you can to pay it off as quickly as possible. But is that always the best strategy?

In one sense, your mortgage can be considered a “good” debt because it’s backed by a tangible asset — your home — that has real value and may even gain further value. Furthermore, by historical standards, you’re probably paying a pretty low interest rate on your mortgage, so you’re getting a lot of benefit — a place to live and a potentially appreciating asset. And if you itemize on your taxes, you can possibly deduct some, or maybe all, of your mortgage interest.

Nonetheless, despite these benefits, a mortgage is still something you have to pay, month after month and year after year. And for some people, it may feel good to pay it off. After all, there may well be a psychological benefit to being free of this long-term debt. But is it really in your best financial interest to make extra payments?

Suppose, for example, that you need a large sum of money quickly for a new car, a new furnace or some other unexpected, significant expense. Or, in an even more serious scenario, what if your job ends and you need money to tide you over until you get a new one? In these situations, you need liquidity — ready access to available cash. And your house may not be the best place to get it. 

You could apply for a home equity loan or line of credit, but these typically require approvals (which might be difficult if you aren’t employed), and you’ll be using your home as collateral. A home equity loan or credit line isn’t always bad — under the right circumstances, it can be a valuable financial tool. But that doesn’t change the basic fact that your home is essentially a non-liquid asset.

So, instead of making extra house payments, make sure you have built an emergency fund containing several months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a low-risk, accessible account. After building an emergency fund, you should weigh extra mortgage payments against other uses of your money. For example, if you have other types of debt — such as credit cards or student loans — you might want to work on paying those off more quickly, as these debts may also carry higher interest rates.

You might also consider increasing your contributions to your 401(k), IRA or other retirement/investment accounts. You could spend two or three decades in retirement, so it’s important to save as much as possible for those years.

As you can see, you do have some good reasons for using any extra money you may have for purposes other than making additional mortgage payments. Ultimately, though, it’s a personal decision. In any case, think carefully about your choice. You may want to review the various tradeoffs with a financial professional, who can possibly recommend the most advantageous strategies. And you may also want to consult with a tax professional. By understanding all that’s involved in the “extra payment” decision, you’ll be better prepared to make the right moves.

Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook. Member SIPC.

Photo from LI Cares

Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine has announced that the town will take part in Long Island Cares’  annual Legislative Pet Food Drive Challenge through April 22. Now in its 11th year, the drive is focused on collecting and providing food for the family members most vulnerable to hunger — our pets. Drop off locations include:

◉Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville

◉Brookhaven Animal Shelter, 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven

◉Coram Fire Department, 303 Middle Country Road, Coram

◉College 101 Resource Center, 290 Main Street, East Setauket

◉Brookhaven Town Highway Department, 1140 Old Town Road, Coram

◉Brookhaven Town Parks and Recreation Administration, 286 Hawkins Road, Centereach

Suggested donation items include canned dog and cat food, five to ten-pound bags of dry food and treats.

“Many residents are struggling to make ends meet, and this means they are also struggling to find the means to feed their pets,” said Supervisor Romaine. “I look forward to seeing how much food is collected and I want to thank Long Island Cares for all the work they do to feed those in need in Brookhaven Town and across Long Island.”

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A daily quarter-teaspoon increase in sodium can affect kidney function

By David Dunaief, M.D

Dr. David Dunaief

Approximately 37 million U.S. adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD), with as many as 9 in 10 not aware they have it, according to the CDC (1).

Early-stage CKD is associated with a 40 percent increased risk of developing cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks (2). It also significantly increases the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Those with decreased kidney function have a 24 percent prevalence of PAD, compared to 3.7 percent in those with normal kidney function (3). Ultimately, it can progress to end-stage renal (kidney) disease, requiring dialysis and potentially a kidney transplant, so it’s important to identify and treat it.

However, one of the problems with early-stage CKD is that it tends to be asymptomatic. However, there are simple tests, such as a basic metabolic panel and a urinalysis, that will indicate whether you may have mild chronic kidney disease. These indices for kidney function include an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine level and protein in the urine. eGFR is a calculation, and while the other two indices have varying ranges depending on the laboratory used, a patient with an eGFR of 30 to 59 is considered to have mild disease. The eGFR and the kidney function are inversely related, meaning as eGFR declines, the severity of chronic kidney disease increases.

What can be done to stem early-stage CKD, before complications occur? There are several studies that have looked at medications and lifestyle modifications and their impacts on its prevention, treatment and reversal.

Does Allopurinol help?

Allopurinol is usually thought of as a medication to prevent gout. 

However, in a randomized controlled trial with 113 patients, results show that allopurinol may help to slow the progression of CKD, defined in this study as an eGFR less than 60 (4). The group using 100 mg of allopurinol showed significant improvement in eGFR levels (compared to the control group) over a two-year period. The researchers concluded that allopurinol slowed CKD progression. Allopurinol also decreased cardiovascular risk by 71 percent.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, concluded that allopurinol at a dose of 300 mg or higher reduced the risk of developing stage 3 kidney disease, but less than 300 mg did not (5). However, there is a much smaller 2020 study that shows allopurinol does not help to slow the progression of CKD stage 3 patients (6). This study was very small, but it does raise a question about whether allopurinol truly works.

Diet’s impact

Fruits and vegetables may play a role in helping patients with CKD. In a one-year study with 77 patients, results showed that fruits and vegetables work as well as sodium bicarbonate in improving kidney function by reducing metabolic acidosis levels (7).

What is the significance of metabolic acidosis? It means that body fluids become acidic, and it is associated with chronic kidney disease. The authors concluded that both sodium bicarbonate and a diet including fruits and vegetables were renoprotective, helping to protect the kidneys from further damage in patients with CKD. Alkali diets are primarily plant-based, although not necessarily vegetarian or vegan. Animal products tend to cause an acidic environment.

In the Nurses’ Health Study, results show that animal fat, red meat and sodium all negatively impact kidney function (8). The risk of protein in the urine, a potential indicator of CKD, increased by 72 percent in those participants who consumed the highest amounts of animal fat compared to the lowest, and by 51 percent in those who ate red meat at least twice a week. With higher amounts of sodium, there was a 52 percent increased risk of having lower levels of eGFR.

The most interesting part with sodium was that the difference between higher mean consumption and the lower mean consumption was not that large, 2.4 grams compared to 1.7 grams. In other words, a difference of approximately a quarter-teaspoon of sodium was responsible for the decrease in kidney function.

In my practice, when CKD patients follow a vegetable-rich, nutrient-dense diet, there are substantial improvements in kidney functioning. For instance, for one patient, his baseline eGFR was 54. After one month of lifestyle modifications, his eGFR improved by 9 points to 63, which is a return to “normal” functioning of the kidney. Note that this is an anecdotal story and not a study.

Therefore, it is important to have your kidney function checked with mainstream tests. If the levels are low, you should address the issue through medications and lifestyle modifications to manage and reverse early-stage CKD. If you have common risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking, obesity or high blood pressure, or if you are over 60 years old, talk to your doctor about testing. 

Don’t wait until symptoms and complications occur. In my experience, it is much easier to treat and reverse a disease in its earlier stages, and CKD is no exception.

References: 

(1) CDC.gov. (2) N Engl J Med. 2004;351:1296-1305. (3) Circulation. 2004;109:320–323. (4) Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010 Aug;5:1388-1393. (5) JAMA Intern Med. 2018;178(11):1526-1533. (6) N Engl J Med 2020; 382:2504-2513. (7) Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013;8:371-381. (8) Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010; 5:836-843. 

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com. 

 

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By Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

Father Frank Pizzarelli

Recently Newsday carried a front-page story in its’ Sunday edition on the opioid epidemic and all of the Pharma money given to Suffolk County. It appropriately highlighted a number of exceptional professionals who are providing lifesaving support in the area of prevention and education for those who have been afflicted with addiction.

Education and prevention are vital services in reaching out to those who are struggling with this life-threatening affliction. We need to provide more funds in these areas and wider program opportunities for those in need.

Our county is sitting on millions of dollars due to the Pharma settlement. The County Executive has had access to millions of dollars due to the settlement for months. Unfortunately, no RFP (request for proposal) has been issued; no comprehensive task force has been announced that contains more than government bureaucrats. After 40 years of dealing with the government, I know their wheels regarding change in any kind of progressive action are slow. Unfortunately, we can no longer wait, we must act now!

How many families have to senselessly bury their children before we realize that we lack the important resources to save a life? Education and prevention are very important. However, right now in our county we do not have the necessary long-term residential treatment programs for those who need and seek them.

Chronic heroin relapse addicts are not going to get better in a 28-day program or a three-month program. Evidence-based research underscores that a year to 18 months is needed, if someone is genuinely going to learn the skills to sustain a life of recovery and wellness.

In our county, we have a desperate need for long-term residential treatment. The two programs that exist have endless waiting lists. Every day I get at least three or four desperate calls from parents who are afraid that their children are going to die and they have no place to turn. Every day I place another cross in our garden of remembrance for a young person who overdosed on heroin or fentanyl.

Our silence on this important life issue is deafening. We need to stand up, be counted and demand action before someone close to us dies senselessly — someone we might have been able to save if there was a place for him or her to go.

Insurance companies in our country set people up to fail and ultimately to die. The games they play with people’s lives is scandalous and reprehensible. We need to demand greater accountability for the money spent on healthcare; we need to create opportunities that will save people’s lives and empower them to wellness. Spring is a time for new beginnings, new life and renewed hope. Let’s be courageous and be that spring!

Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

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By Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky

Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky

There is a story in the Jewish tradition that tells of the Israelites reaction upon leaving Egypt. Upon crossing the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea) to freedom, and upon seeing Pharaoh’s soldiers and horses drowning, the Israelites broke out in joyful songs of praise to God.

In a sense, such a reaction is understandable. After all, we read in the book of Exodus that the Israelites had been subjected to forced labor by the Egyptians for four hundred and thirty years. Their lives had been made miserable by their taskmasters, and little hope remained for their redemption. So of course they would be ecstatic with this sudden turn of events. Who could blame them? The parable could have ended there, but it doesn’t.

We read further that while the Israelites were celebrating, God chastised them, saying, “My children are drowning, and you sing praises?!”

Could such a message be any stronger or more meaningful? Could it contain a better reminder for us over three thousand years later, at this holy day season for so many, and a time of rebirth and renewal?

We are not so different from our ancestors millennia ago. We, too, rejoice in our achievements and successes, often disregarding their consequences and affect on others. We often delight — perhaps openly, perhaps secretly — in the failure of our “enemies,” choosing to separate ourselves from them, rather than to build bridges of understanding and tolerance. Or, at least, we do not show any signs of support. We seem to forget that these people are God’s children. We may forget that we are as well.

Passover, for Jews, is indeed a time of great rejoicing, a time to celebrate freedom and rebirth. Yet it is also a time for remembrance, a remembrance of the cost of such freedom for all involved; a reminder of the growing pains we have experienced.

At the seder, the festive meal of Passover, the story of the Exodus from Egypt is told with great ceremony and joy. And yet, during that time, we also reflect. Salt water is used to remember the tears of the Israelites during their time of bondage. Bitter herbs represent the physical and emotional pain experienced. And cups of wine, symbols of sweetness and joy, have ten drops removed before drinking, in order to lessen our joy when recalling the ten plagues upon Egypt. In modern times, drops are also removed for different “plagues,” such as war, disease, prejudice, pollution and crime.

If we are truly to understand the message of this festival for all people, we must broaden our perspective to look not only at our own good fortune, but also at the fortunes of others to whom we have a responsibility as human beings. We must reflect on our history — where we’ve come from — in order truly to appreciate where we are now. At the seder each year, Jews are reminded that in every generation, each person should look at oneself as if he or she personally had come out of Egypt. We are to see ourselves as experiencing the miracle of redemption; of safely crossing the Sea to dry land.

Now it is time to go a step further. Rather than relying on God’s miracles, and then using them to escape from one another, let us create our own miracle — the miracle of building bridges to cross the raging seas of mistrust and prejudice that divide us. Many of God’s children are still drowning, overwhelmed by the waters that engulf their lives. Only by working together can we save them. And only then will we have fully experienced redemption.

Wishing all who celebrate a joyous, meaningful and renewing holy day season.

Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky is a rabbi at Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook.

A Celebratory Passover Dessert

(Culinary.net) When celebrating with family, there is nearly nothing better than passing a light and sweet dessert around the table. These Simple Macaroons are crisp, dipped in decedent chocolate and a completely scrumptious option for celebrating Passover.

Simple to make and easy to eat, this sweet dessert is a crowd favorite. With a fresh kick of lemon zest and crunch of shredded coconut, they are a bite-sized, delicious way to end your meal.

They take little to no time to make, only baking 10-12 minutes for a tray full of tasty dessert bites ready to devour.

With sweet honey and vanilla, the flavors come together to create something sweet but not overpowering. It’s a small, crumbly bite that’s perfect for sharing during Passover.

Find more sweet treat recipes for any holiday at Culinary.net.

Simple Macaroons

Recipe adapted from marthastewart.com

Yield: 15 macaroons

Ingredients:

1 large egg

2 1/4 tablespoons honey

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups shredded coconut

5 ounces dark chocolate, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In bowl, whisk egg. Add honey, vanilla, lemon zest and salt; whisk. Stir in coconut until completely coated with egg mixture.

Using 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, make 15 balls, transferring each to parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.

Bake macaroons 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through, until coconut starts to brown on edges.

Transfer sheet to wire rack and let cool.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate or dip bottom sides of macaroons in melted chocolate to cover bases. Refrigerate 15 minutes to set.

See video here.

Heather Lynch

As part of its Ecology and Climate Change lecture series, the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will welcome Stony Brook University’s Heather Lynch for a presentation titled Mapping Penguins with Satellites, Drones and Other Technologies in the Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium on April 14 at 7 p.m.

In Mapping Penguins, with Satellites, Drones, and Other Technologies, Professor Lynch will share insights from her innovative research into the population dynamics of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula. To better understand rises and falls in this population due to climate change, tourism, and fishing, Lynch marries traditional field work with a range of technologically sophisticated methods including satellite remote sensing, drone imaging, and advanced computational models.

“Penguin populations have been changing rapidly over the last 40 years,” says Lynch. “But understanding why those changes have occurred and what we might expect for the future is a surprisingly difficult challenge. [In this lecture,] I’ll discuss the threats facing Antarctic penguins and how scientists are bringing together new technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced predictive modeling to help guide policymakers in their work to protect one of the world’s last remaining wildernesses.”

Dr. Heather J. Lynch is the Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences Endowed Chair for Ecology & Evolution at Stony Brook University. She earned a B.A. in Physics from Princeton University, an M.A. in Physics from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Organismal and Evolutionary Biology from Harvard. She is also a National Geographic Explorer and past winner of the Blavatnik Award for Young Scientists.

Join Lynch as she shares her insight and research. $6 per person, members free. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

By Barbara Beltrami

If crocuses and daffodils are the floral harbingers of spring, then surely asparagus is the vegetal one. Truth be told, for die-hard veggie lovers nothing spells spring like asparagus. While nowadays it is available year round, it’s still a real treat when it’s grown locally and is fresh, young, and tender. Another thing that’s great about it is that it lends itself to so many cooking methods. I know a lot of people like it roasted or grilled or sautée, and still others like it in a salad or soup, on a tart or crostini. As for me, I like it so much that I prefer to eat it unadorned, just steamed with nothing but a little salt sprinkled on it. Anyway, here are a few recipes you might enjoy.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

4 ounces unsalted butter

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, crushed

Salt and pepper to taste

2 pounds fresh asparagus, woody ends removed, cut into 1” pieces

6 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

Chopped fresh chives

Chopped fresh dill

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is opaque, about 3 to 5 minutes; add salt and pepper and asparagus and cook another 3 to 5 minutes, until asparagus starts to turn bright green.

 Add chicken broth, bring to a boil, then simmer about 20 to 30 minutes, until asparagus is very tender; let cool 10 to 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer solids and one cup liquid to a food processor; pulse till smooth, then return to pot and stir into remaining liquid. Add cream and simmer until heated through. Garnish with chives and dill and serve hot or warm with a chilled dry white wine.

Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

METRO photo

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound fresh asparagus, woody ends removed

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 large egg yolk

1/2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Steam the asparagus until just tender; sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste; set aside to keep warm. Place egg yolk and lemon juice in a blender and pulse a few times to combine; with motor running, gradually add butter until mixture is light and frothy. If sauce is too thick, add a teaspoon of water to loosen it. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and cayenne pepper and keep warm until ready to serve, then pour over asparagus. Serve with eggs, beef, or crusty bread.

Asparagus and Pea Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound fresh asparagus, woody ends removed

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated, washed and drained

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen peas, cooked

1/2 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard

Freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread asparagus on  sheet, then drizzle the two tablespoons olive oil over it and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; roast until al dente, about 10 minutes; remove from oven and let come to room temperature. Line a platter or salad plates with lettuce leaves; place asparagus on top of lettuce, then sprinkle peas over it. In a small bowl whisk together the mustard, lemon juice, the 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper. Drizzle over asparagus, peas and lettuce and serve with beef, chicken, poultry or fish.

Dr. Adam Bitterman. Photo from Huntington Hospital

Huntington Hospital has appointed Adam Bitterman, DO, chair of orthopedic surgery. Dr. Bitterman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He is a foot and ankle specialist and has a focus in treating conditions of the lower leg. 

“Dr. Bitterman has the experience, demeanor and dedication needed to lead Huntington Hospital through its growth as a premier destination for orthopedics,” said Nick Fitterman, MD, executive director of Huntington Hospital. “I am confident he will set a vision and strategy well suited to support the orthopedic needs of residents in Huntington and Suffolk County.”

A native of Commack, Dr. Bitterman’s clinical interests include arthritis of the foot and ankle, deformity correction, Achilles’ tendon disorders, and sports-related injuries to the ankle and foot. He is highly skilled in arthroscopic, minimally invasive, and open approaches for various conditions surrounding the lower foot and ankle.

“The Department of Orthopedics at Huntington Hospital has enjoyed a rich history, and now with Dr. Bitterman as chair, we look forward to continuing to advance the highest quality patient-centric musculoskeletal care in our region,” said Nicholas Sgaglione, MD, senior vice president and executive director of Northwell Health Orthopedics. “I look forward to watching the department continue to grow under Dr. Bitterman’s leadership.”

“I am excited about continuing to raise the bar at Huntington Hospital, from clinical growth to the enhancement of efficiency and safety,” said Dr. Bitterman. “I’ve been fortunate to work at Huntington Hospital for six years and I look forward to continuing to build on the achievements we’ve made and I’m excited for what we will create in the future.”