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Photo by Pete Linforth/Pixabay

By Nancy Marr

Since the mid-20th century, when mass production of plastics began, they have infiltrated our lives. Their production and incineration release significant greenhouse gases, which contributes to climate change. The fact that plastics resist natural decay makes it difficult  to recycle them. Nearly all the plastic ever produced still exists in one form or another, and it is estimated that its production is expected to triple by 2060. 

Because they are inexpensive to produce and can be lightweight, the single-use plastics are useful as trash bags, utensils, and household items, and are used by the food and healthcare industries for hygiene, durability and cost effectiveness.

Plastics also pose risks to human health. Recent studies have found microplastics in almost every part of the human body, including breast milk, the placenta, testicles, hearts,  livers and kidneys. Although the full effects are still under research, the presence of plastic in our bodies raises serious concerns. Plastics also contain chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates, which can leach into food and beverages. These disrupt hormones and are linked to health issues such as infertility, obesity, and cancer. Microplastics, formed when larger plastics degrade, are now found in seafood and even drinking water.  

A key issue is not how much plastic waste is produced, but how much of it is mismanaged — improperly disposed of, often ending up in nature. Many developing nations lack the infrastructure to properly collect, sort, or recycle plastic, resulting in widespread dumping into the environment. Nigeria (87.5%), India (68.6%), and Indonesia (43.8%) have some of the highest rates of mismanaged waste, while wealthier countries such as the U.S.(5.1%) and the U.K. (6%) perform better, though not ideally. 

The United States produces more than any other nation, over 42 million metric tons of plastic waste, largely impacting communities of color and low income communities. New York State produces 6.8 million tons of packaging waste each year. Most of this packaging is sent to landfills, burned in incinerators, or littered in our streets, parks and beaches. Far too much finds its way into our rivers, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean.   

There were hopes that a United Nations global plastics treaty would be finalized by the end of 2024. However, due to resistance, especially from oil-producing companies, it did not happen. Talks are set to continue, but progress will depend on local action.

Since 2020, at least 5 states (California, Montana, Oregon, Minnesota and Maine) have enacted Extended Producer Responsibility legislation to make plastics producers responsible for curbing plastic pollution and paying municipalities for their share of managing the waste. In response, plastics producers have worked to improve their recycling efforts. 

As reported in Resource Recycling, Nicole Portley, program leader for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, pointed out “It’s important for producers to remember that the EPR came about as a compromise between industry and anti-plastic advocates, who wanted regulations like product bans.”

In New York State, Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick and Senator Peter Harckham (S1462) have introduced The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The bill requires big companies to cut their plastic packaging by 30% over the next twelve years, bans 14 highly toxic chemicals including PFAS, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, vinyl chloride, and bisphenols that are used in packaging, and requires the companies responsible for dealing with the packaging waste to pay the municipalities dealing with it. 

A question has been raised about the cost to consumers from the introduction of EPR requirements. Satyajit Bose, Columbia School of Professional Studies, estimates that there would be no more than a maximum increase of $4 per household in monthly grocery costs, while plastic manufacturers claim $40 to $60 more per month. The bills are currently in committee; they will amend the Environmental Conservation Law, passed by the New York State Legislature in 2014, which included Article 27, Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse and Recycling.

This bill is urgently needed. Long Island is responsible for 1.6 million tons per year of which 205,000 tons go to landfills off Long Island, and 1.4 million tons are sent to waste-to-energy facilities, resulting in 400,000 tons of ash that must be landfilled. The one wise choice everyone agrees with is to reduce our waste stream. This bill does just that. 

We need to press the Assembly and Senate and Governor Hochul to sign this bill this year in June to reduce the impact of plastic waste on our communities. 

Nancy Marr is Vice-President of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, call 631-862-6860.

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Number 9, Bryce Tolmie, playing lacrosse for Hofstra University against Fairfield University in Spring of 2017 after overcoming an extensive 3-month concussion recovery. Photo courtesy Hofstra Athletics

By Kristina Garcia 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 70 percent of emergency room visits for traumatic brain injuries and concussions during high contact sports involve patients 17 and younger.

Bryce Tolmie, an athletic trainer at Orlin and Cohen who works with the PAL Jr. Islanders experienced a concussion in his junior year of high school that required an emergency CT scan to check for hemorrhaging. 

Tolmie, a former Hofstra University lacrosse player and NY Riptide box lacrosse professional, recalled not being able to remember the events of the day he got hit. His frustration came days later, when he was incapable of solving simple math problems in school. 

Many young athletes don’t report symptoms, fearing they will lose their team position or appear weak. 

“Think about long-term effects. There is a lot of research now on second-impact syndrome which can change the course of your life, even cause death,” said Tolmie. “You may play your sport for a set amount of time, but the rest of your life is much longer.” 

He reiterates how important it is to have trust in supporting staff. 

“Trust in coaches and your athletic trainer is huge not just for the injury, but for the mental health aspect that comes with it,” said Tolmie.

His experience helps him relate to his athletes personally, encouraging them to discuss how they are feeling. Increased concussion awareness helps eliminate the stigma of athletes feeling pressured to play through injury. 

Last month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, Hofstra University held a seminar on Concussion Outreach, Prevention, and Education with the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS). Expert Kristin LoNigro, MSEd, ATC, noted how concussion protocols have changed significantly since she first started athletic training 35 years ago. 

When asked about gaps in concussion education, she pointed to youth leagues. 

“You have coaches or parents who might’ve played a long time ago when concussions were evaluated differently,” LoNigro said. Concussion protocol is not what it used to be, more research has shown that concussion timelines differ, and not all are the same.

LoNigro advises parents to “…do their research and advocate to leagues for an athletic trainer to be present during practices and games,” and “have all coaches become certified in CPR and concussion awareness prior to them coming on the field.” 

When resources are limited, there are still steps that can be taken to ensure the safety of young athletes. “In New York City, public high school coaches have to complete an online certification through the CDC,” she said. “They have a program called Heads Up Concussions.” 

HEADS UP to Youth Sports Coaches, is an online concussion training program sharing the latest guidance on concussion safety, prevention, how to spot signs and symptoms, and what action to take. Proper training and awareness in youth sports can minimize potential harm, and help athletes and parents turn their attention to enjoying sports for the fun of them

What to watch out for

According to the CDC, a concussion is “…a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This fast movement can cause the brain to bounce…creating chemical changes…and sometimes stretching and damaging the brain cells.” 

Common symptoms include headaches, nausea, imbalance, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, and memory loss. More serious warning signs include worsening headache, pupil enlargement, drowsiness, slurred speech, seizures, unusual behavior, and loss of consciousness even if for a brief moment. 

Parents and coaches should watch for athletes appearing dazed, forgetting instructions, being unsure of what is going on in a game, moving clumsily, and losing memory of events before or after the impact.  

Reports from the Brain Injury Association of America have shown that a teen who reports one or more of the symptoms a hit or fall, has a high concussion risk or other type of serious traumatic brain injury.

Kristina Garcia is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

 

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Dr. James Paci and Dr. Robert Trasolini pose with orthopedic implants. Photo from Northwell Health
The sports medicine team at Huntington Hospital’s orthopedics department has introduced two biologically advanced implant procedures designed to improve outcomes for patients with knee injuries and early joint degeneration.

Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Robert Trasolini, DO, recently performed the hospital’s first BEAR® (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Restoration) Implant procedure on an 18-year-old male athlete, offering a promising new alternative to traditional ACL reconstruction. The BEAR implant is a collagen-based device that, when combined with the patient’s blood, forms a collagen matrix that protects and supports the healing ligament. It contains biological signals that stimulate the ACL to heal, preserving the body’s own tissue rather than replacing it with a graft.

“This is a tremendous advancement for younger, active patients,” said Dr. Trasolini. “The BEAR implant not only restores stability to the knee but does so in a way that supports the body’s natural healing process, potentially reducing recovery time and improving long-term joint health.”

In a separate milestone, James Paci, MD, director of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine for Suffolk County at The Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group at Northwell, performed the hospital’s first CartiHeal Agili-C™ implant procedure on a 52-year-old female patient. The coral-based implant acts as a biological scaffold for patients with cartilage lesions who have not yet reached the stage requiring a total knee replacement.

The implant is designed to buy patients 10 to 15 years of pain relief and function before more invasive surgery might be necessary. Made from natural coral, the implant encourages bone marrow elements to migrate into the lesion, promoting the regrowth of cartilage over 6 to 9 months.

“This technology fills a significant gap in our treatment options,” said Dr. Paci. “For the right patient, typically someone too young or active for a knee replacement but dealing with painful cartilage defects, the Agili-C implant offers a bridge that restores function and improves quality of life.”

“These breakthrough procedures reflect Huntington Hospital’s ongoing commitment to delivering advanced, evidence-based orthopedic care to our community,” said Adam Bitterman, DO, chairman of orthopedic surgery at Huntington Hospital. “Innovative treatments like these not only enhance recovery outcomes but also support the long-term joint health and quality of life for our patients.”

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METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

If an amusement park suddenly changed the criteria that would allow visitors to ride on a roller coaster or log flume, the number of potential customers would suddenly climb.

The same holds true for the number of people whom doctors are diagnosing with autism.

Over time, health care professionals have changed the definition of autism, recognizing the heterogeneous nature of a diagnosis that is often different from one individual to the next.

Debra Reicher. Photo courtesy Stony Brook University

Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the head of Health and Human Services, suggested that he planned to share a detailed analysis of autism by this September to explain the increase in the number of people who receive such a diagnosis.

Based on numerous reports, Kennedy indicated he would present research findings at the end of the summer that explains why and how the number of cases of autism and other childhood chronic diseases has risen.

“The biggest, most widely agreed reason for the increase in numbers is the broadening of the diagnostic criteria,” said Debra Reicher, Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University.

Over her 35 years in the field of autism, Reicher said the definition of autism has changed.

“We are getting better at diagnosing people at the higher end of the spectrum,” she said.

When Reicher started in the field, about 80 percent of those diagnosed with autism also had an intellectual developmental disorder or cognitive delay. That is currently closer to 40 percent.

“We are getting better at identifying people who have good cognitive skills,” and who have autism, Reicher added.

Over time, the male-female gap has also narrowed. Historically, boys and men were more likely to receive an autism diagnosis.

Clinicians are getting better at understanding the presentation of autism in females, who have different symptoms that can fly under the radar.

Girls are more likely to “mask or camouflage” autism, which physicians might miss, Reicher added.

Matthew Lerner

People are also more aware of autism as a diagnosis.

“Young parents are tracking their child’s development and are asking their pediatricians questions,” Reicher said. That leads to earlier detection.

On a smaller but not insignificant level, some studies suggest that older ages of fathers can also contribute to autism. 

“Advanced paternal age is a statistically significant predicator of increased rates of autism,” said Matthew Lerner, Research Associate Professor and Research Director of the Autism Initiative at Stony Brook University. 

Premature babies, who are much more likely to survive today than they were even a few decades ago, can also receive an autism diagnosis as they develop.

More support

At the same time, health systems are not only more actively screening for autism, but they are also providing more support and benefits.

By offering people and their families services, these health care systems are providing people with autism care, making a diagnosis a potential starting point for more care.

“If somebody was diagnosed with autism in the 1980s, there weren’t a lot of things that folks could do,” said Lerner, who is also Associate Professor and Leader of the Life Course Outcomes Program Area at the AJ Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University.

Some research also suggests a correlation between environmental exposure or pollutants and the incidence of the condition.

Researchers, however,  caution that a correlation doesn’t necessarily indicate a causation, which is a significant challenge in the world of science and medicine.

A correlation may or may not be relevant in the context of a disease or the treatment for it. Researchers who can conclude based on larger and statistically significant samples a cause between something like environmental exposure and a disease can reduce the likelihood of a condition.

To be sure, despite considerable chatter through online forums, the Internet and people who have limited or no medical expertise, people in the autism field have not seen any evidence that vaccines for diseases like measles have any connection with autism.

The studies that were done in the 90s and early 2000s that suggested a potential link between autism and vaccines were biased and were eventually retracted in a journal, Reicher said.

“Research shows no difference in the rates of autism between vaccinated and unvaccinated children,” she added.

Some new or expectant mothers are hesitating to give their children a measles, mumps and rubella shot.

Reicher urges parents to study the issue carefully and to provide the kind of protection that will prevent the spread of infectious diseases and the lifelong consequences of contracting measles.

Reicher suggested that some of the fear comes from the fact that MMR is given around the time physicians recognize the symptoms of autism.

“With vaccines, there’s no evidence to support” a connection with autism, Reicher added.

New research

Researchers and clinicians welcomed the possibility of new studies that might help the heterogeneous community of people with autism.

New work done with “rigorous science that have reputable approaches and ask meaningful questions” could be “fantastic” for people with autism and their support networks, Lerner said.

To be sure, Lerner doesn’t anticipate any major findings in the development of autism, particularly in the context of vaccines or any other speculation that researchers have tested for decades.

The notion that significant studies from around the world that thousands of researchers conducted over the course of decades would suddenly be overturned in the next four months “seems highly implausible,” he said.

Lerner hopes that any focus on autism research that the current administration conducts respects and adheres to the level of rigor necessary to make any changes in diagnosis, treatment or potential causes.

At this point, Reicher, who has spent decades working with a wide range of people with autism, has seen many people with autism live “wonderful, successful, fulfilling lives.” People with autism are “making huge contributions to the arts, to science and to everything in between.”

Understanding and enhancing an awareness of autism through well-documented and rigorous research could help some people with the diagnosis, although a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work for a larger population that has different symptoms and needs.

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Increasing potassium may improve health outcomes

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Most Americans consume far too much sodium — an average of 3400 mg per day, which is well over the 2300 mg per day recommended upper limit for teens and adults (1). It’s become such an issue that the FDA is working with food manufacturers and restaurants to drive these numbers down (2).

If you don’t have hypertension, what difference does it make? Sodium can have a dramatic effect on your health, regardless of your blood pressure.

It’s hard to avoid, with sodium hiding even in foods that don’t taste salty, like bread products and salad dressings. Other foods with substantial amounts of sodium include cold cuts and cured meats, cheeses, poultry, soups, pasta, sauces and, of course, snack foods. Packaged foods and restaurant meals are where most of our consumption occurs.

In contrast, only about two percent of people consume enough potassium in their diets (3). According to the National Institutes of Health, target potassium intake is between 2600 mg and 3400 mg for adult women and men, respectively.

How are sodium and potassium related?

A high sodium-to-potassium ratio increases your cardiovascular disease risk by 46 percent, according to a 15-year study of more than 12,000 participants (4).

A more recent analysis of over 10,000 participants followed for almost nine years tested sodium and potassium excretion, a more reliable measure of intake, and found that higher sodium excretion, lower potassium excretion, and a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio were all associated with a higher cardiovascular risk (5). Each daily incremental increase of 1000 mg in sodium excretion was associated with an 18 percent increase in cardiovascular risk.

To improve your overall health, you might need to shift your sodium-to-potassium balance so that you consume more potassium and less sodium. And if you struggle with — or are at risk for — high blood pressure, this approach could help.

Why lower your sodium consumption?

Two studies illuminate the benefits of reducing sodium in high and normal blood pressure patients, ultimately preventing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.

The first was a meta-analysis that evaluated data from 34 randomized clinical trials, totaling more than 3,200 participants. It demonstrated that salt reduction from 9-to-12 grams per day to 5-to-6 grams per day had a dramatic effect. Blood pressure in both normotensive and hypertensive participants was reduced by a significant mean of −4.18 mm Hg systolic (top number) and −2.06 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number) (6).

When looking solely at hypertensive patients, the reduction was even greater, with a systolic blood pressure reduction of −5.39 mm Hg and a diastolic reduction of −2.82 mm Hg.

The researchers believe that the more we reduce salt intake, the greater the blood pressure reduction. The authors recommend further reduction to 3 grams per day as a long-term target and hypothesize that the effects on blood pressure will most likely result in a decrease in cardiovascular disease.

In the second study, a meta-analysis of 42 clinical trials including both adults and children, there was a similarly significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (7). Both demographics experienced a blood pressure reduction, although the effect was greater in adults. Interestingly, an increase in sodium caused a 24 percent increased risk of stroke incidence but, more importantly, a 63 percent increased risk of stroke mortality. The risk of mortality from heart disease increased by 32 percent alongside an increase in sodium.

Isn’t too little sodium a risk?

Some experts warn that sodium levels that are too low can be a problem. While this is true, it’s very rare, unless you have a health condition or take medication that depletes sodium. Since sodium is hiding everywhere, even if you don’t add salt to your food, you’re probably consuming more than the recommended amount of sodium.

Why focus on potassium consumption?

In a meta-analysis involving 32 studies, results showed that as the amount of potassium was increased, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (8). When high blood pressure patients consumed foods containing 3.5 to 4.7 grams of potassium, they experienced an impressive −7.16 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure. Anything more than this amount of potassium did not provide additional benefit. Increased potassium intake also reduced stroke risk by 24 percent.

Blood pressure reduction was greater with increased potassium consumption than with sodium restriction, although this was not a head-to-head comparison. The good news is that it’s easy to increase your potassium intake; it’s found in many whole foods and is richest in fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes.

So, what’s the bottom line? Decrease your sodium intake and increase your potassium intake from foods to strike a better sodium-to-potassium balance. As you reduce your sodium intake, give yourself a brief period to adapt; it takes about six weeks to retrain your taste buds.

References:

(1) Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2019 Mar. (2) fda.gov. (3) nih.gov. (4) Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(13):1183-1191. (5) N Engl J Med 2022;386:252-263. (6) BMJ. 2013 Apr 3;346:f1325. (7) BMJ. 2013 Apr 3;346:f1326. (8) BMJ. 2013; 346:f1378.

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 or consult your personal physician.

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Nursing students use mannequins and hospital equipment to train for various health care challenges for future patients. Photo by Jeanne Neville/Stony Brook Medicine
Using immersive virtual reality that simulate real-world healthcare settings in a simulated hospital room, emergency room, intensive care unit or patient homes, nursing students use technology to train in a low-stress setting. Photo from Stony Brook Medicine
Nursing students use mannequins and hospital equipment to train for various health care challenges for future patients. Photo by Jeanne Neville/Stony Brook Medicine

By Daniel Dunaief

 

Dr. Patricia Bruckenthal
Photo from Stony Brook School of Nursing

 

People put their lives in the hands of unseen airline pilots who have enhanced and sharpened their skills using simulators. These simulators can prepare them for a wide range of conditions and unexpected challenges that enhance their confidence on the fly.

The same approach holds true for nurses, who seek to help patients whose symptoms may change even as the nurse is working with several people at the same time.

In an initiative designed to provide in depth training to nurses throughout the state, while filling a shortage of these vital professionals, New York State recently announced a $62 million contribution to three nursing simulation centers: SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Canton and Stony Brook University. With $10 million of state funds that the university will match with $10.5 million of its own money, SBU will increase the number of nurses it trains.

“We are very fortunate here at Stony Brook that we get many, many qualified applicants for our nursing program [for whom] we have not, to date, been able to offer seats,” said Dr. Patricia Bruckenthal, Dean of the School of Nursing at Stony Brook. This will enable the school, as well as the other programs, to train more students.

Effective training

While Stony Brook offers nursing simulation training, the additional funds will greatly expand the size and scope of that effort.

The NEXUS-Innovation Center, which stands for Nursing EXcellence Using Simulation, will take about two years to build and will have a phased in enrollment approach. In the third year, the school will add 56 baccalaureate nursing students. In the fifth year, Stony Brook will have space for 80 more students.

The current simulation center is about 1,850 square feet, which includes a nursing skills lab, exam room and debrief/ flex room. 

The new center will add 15,000 square feet. 

The simulation center will have 16 hospital style beds, with all the equipment nurses would normally see in a hospital room, including suction, air, oxygen, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, monitoring, and a call bell system. The center will also have eight examination rooms.

The proposal also includes the design of an apartment with a laundry, kitchen, bathroom and shower, helping train nurses who will help people in residential settings.

Among other features, the center will have a control room where instructors and operators manipulate the AV equipment and patient simulations, observe and document performance, collect data and prepare for debriefing.

Bruckenthal is planning to hire a faculty member in the next few months to become simulation coordinator who will work with the Director of the Learning Resource Center.

Within the next two years, Stony Brook anticipates hiring one more nursing faculty Clinical Simulation Educator and one Simulation Operations Specialist, who will ensure that all technical aspects of the center are functioning correctly. This new hire will also troubleshoot equipment, while performing emergency repairs on equipment and arranging for vendor repairs.

All of this equipment and expertise provides opportunities to create scenarios that build expertise. The conditions can change, as a patient goes from an expected outcome to one in which the conditions rapidly deteriorate.

In addition to expanding capacity and giving nurses an opportunity to understand and react to patients who have a wide range of conditions they might not see during routine clinical training, the center will also enable these students to build their competence and confidence in a low-stakes environment.

“It provides for a safe learning environment,” said Bruckenthal. “Students can make mistakes without risking patient safety. It’s much less stressful.”

Future nurses can also continue to work in the simulation lab on a particular skill until they feel confident in their abilities.

Several studies have validated the effectiveness of educating and preparing nurses in a simulated setting.

A landmark study in 2014 conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing compared the clinical competence of nurses in training across three groups: one that had no simulation training, a group with 25 percent of their clinical training replaced by simulation, and a third group with 50 percent clinical training through simulation.

The nursing certification pass rate scores were the same for all three groups. Simulation trained nurses performed as well or better in areas like critical thinking and clinical judgment.

Additionally, follow up studies showed that employers found that nurses trained using high fidelity simulation were just as effective as those who were trained in the clinic in areas including patient safety, communication and evidence-based practices..

The center can also pivot to provide nurses with training for expanding local health threats, such as a simulated version of a measles outbreak, Lyme disease or a spike in other conditions that might cause a surge in hospital visits.

“We can build and design cases that meet those needs,” said Bruckenthal.

The center can build in disaster training, giving nurses a chance to interact with colleagues in other health professions during any of a host of other scenarios. When interacting with other healthcare professionals, nurses can practices the SBAR technique, in which they describe the Situation, provide Background, give an Assessment, and offer a Recommendation.

The expanded simulation center will incorporate design elements such as soundproofing, lighting and ventilation and will align with the university’s goals towards sustainability and green-oriented design.

Long term commitment

Bruckenthal has been contributing to Stony Brook for 44 years, ever since she graduated from the nursing school in 1981.

Her first job as a nurse was at the newly opened hospital. She and Carolyn Santora, Stony Brook Medicine Chief Nursing Officer, have worked together since 1981 and went through the Stony Brook master’s program together. They have established the Stony Brook Nursing Alliance.

Bruckenthal is energized by the opportunities ahead.

“Nursing is one of those careers where you can always keep yourself new and find new and exciting opportunities,” she said.

In the early days of her nursing career, she recalled that nurses weren’t exposed to all the types of conditions they might face in various settings.

“Having the opportunity to have nurses practice in this low risk environment and build that confidence and skills is a better way to prepare nurses to be ready for the work force,” she said

With nurses involved in so many aspects of patient care, Bruckenthal dreams of creating a nursing innovation incubator.

Nurses can offer insights into developing innovative ways to improve health care, whether working with biomedical engineers or biomedical informatics and can help design human-centered technology. Such a center could allow nurses to learn more about technology and business while enabling them to become leaders and entrepreneurs.

“Nurses have a problem-solving mindset,” Bruckenthal explained. “Sustainable and scalable solutions are really going to take a joint effort between educators, clinicians and industry partners.”

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Photo from Emma Clark Library

Save the date! Catholic Health Mobile Outreach Bus will be in the parking lot of Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for free health screenings on Thursday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registered nurses will provide blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, glucose and cardiac screenings, along with patient education and referrals as needed. Last screening begins at 1:45 p.m. No appointments are necessary, there are no fees, and insurance is not required. Questions? Email [email protected].

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Flowers bloom at The Shoppes at East Wind

Get ready for a day of family fun, fitness, and community wellness as The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River presents their first annual Family Health & Wellness Day, a motivating FREE event designed to inspire healthy living and bring our community together, on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

This exciting event blends health education with hands-on experiences for all ages. Enjoy high-energy fitness classes, soothing mindfulness sessions, and expert insights into healthy living—all while exploring the offerings of local health and wellness providers.

“We’re inspired to launch this inaugural event at The Shoppes,” said Charlotte Coté, Marketing Director at East Wind. “It’s about living well, supporting local businesses, and showing families all the incredible health resources right here in our own backyard.”

Highlights Include:

  • Live CPR & safety demos with the Wading River Fire Department
  • Narcan training by East End THRIVE
  • Meet representatives from the North Fork Breast Health Coalition
  • Learn natural calming techniques for kids from Wellspring of Life Acupuncture

FITNESS SESSIONS SCHEDULE:

  • 11:00 AM – Pure Barre Pop-Up Class
  • 12:30 PM – Family Yoga with Margot
  • 1:30 PM – Singing Bowls & Meditation with Andrea
  • 2:30 PM – Acupressure for Kids: Live Demo

SPECIAL GUESTS:

The Wading River Fire Department will be onsite with a full ambulance, offering demonstrations and valuable family-focused safety education. “We’re proud to support this community event,” said Denis Gluck, 3rd Assistant Chief. “It’s an opportunity to connect with families and share lifesaving skills like CPR and water safety.”

Don’t miss this energizing day of wellness, discovery, and connection! Whether you’re looking to boost your fitness routine, explore holistic health options, or just enjoy a fun day out with the family, Family Health & Wellness Day is the place to be.

Rain date is May 18.

For more information, visit https://eastwindlongisland.com/event/family-health-and-wellness-day-at-the-shoppes/ 

About the Shoppes at East Wind

The Shoppes at East Wind opened in October of 2016 with 28 free standing specialty shoppes connected by brick-paved walkways. The quaint walking village features a variety of local merchants, including jewelers, artisan goods, custom clothing, yoga instruction, an ice cream parlor, pizza shop, bakery, candy store and full-service restaurant. A custom-made indoor pavilion serves as the centerpiece of the courtyard, housing a stunning, one-of-a-kind carousel with hand-carved horses and fantasy figures. EastWindLongIsland/Shoppes

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Mather Hospital. Photo by Jim Lennon

Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson has been nationally recognized with the Healthgrades 2025 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ for the fifth year in a row (2021-2025) for delivering an exceptional patient experience. Mather is one of four hospitals in New York to receive the award and among the top 5% of hospitals in the country for patient experience for a second consecutive year.

This honor from Healthgrades, an online resource for information about physicians and hospitals, reflects Mather Hospital’s ongoing commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Each year, Healthgrades evaluates more than 3,000 hospitals across the country to identify those that consistently provide an exceptional experience from the patient’s perspective.

“This award speaks directly to the dedication and compassion of our entire team at Mather Hospital,” said Kevin McGeachy, President, Mather Hospital. “We are honored to receive this recognition, which reinforces our mission to put patients first in every aspect of their care.”

To determine recipients of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, Healthgrades analyzed data from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey submitted by hospitals across the U.S. The 2025 award is based on HCAHPS survey data collected from January 2023 to December 2023. Only hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient surveys during this time were considered.

Healthgrades applies a scoring methodology to 10 patient experience measures, including communication with nurses and doctors, responsiveness of hospital staff, explanation of medications, and cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment. Mather’s performance across these metrics reflects its success in creating a healing and supportive environment for patients and their families.

For example, 84% of Mather’s patients reported that their room and bathroom were “always” clean, and nurses “always” communicated well, while 89% of patients reported “yes” that they were given information about what to do during their recovery at home.

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Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD. Photo by Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine

Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Radiology, and the Lourie Endowed Chair of the Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University, will receive the 2025 Award for Research in Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

According to the APA, the Award for Research in Psychiatry recognizes a single distinguished contribution, a body of work, or a lifetime contribution that has had a major impact on the field and/or altered the practice of psychiatry.

Dr. Abi-Dargham is being recognized by the APA with the Award for Research in Psychiatry for her distinguished contributions over her career to schizophrenia research, which has had a major impact on the field. She will receive the award at the APA’s annual meeting on May 19 in Los Angeles.

“I am very honored and grateful to receive this award and be able to present the work of many trainees and collaborators I have had the privilege to work with over the course of my career,” says Dr. Abi-Dargham, also Associate Dean and Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Science at the RSOM.

“It is a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated scientists and to contribute to the discovery process,” she adds. “This award is very meaningful, particularly at a time when research is facing many challenges.”

At Stony Brook since 2016, Dr. Abi-Dargham’s clinical and research expertise is in molecular imaging, pharmacology, schizophrenia, and addiction. The broad focus of her research within the RSOM is to advance the understanding of the neurobiology of severe mental illness, with one approach being investigation of molecular markers and their functional significance as measured with multi-modal imaging approaches.

The Setauket resident also oversees a multidisciplinary team with expertise in several types of neuroimaging techniques used in tandem to address important questions about brain mechanisms and schizophrenia.

During the APA annual meeting, Dr. Abi-Dargham will deliver a lecture to the nation’s APA members titled “Misfiring signals: Dopamine Dysfunction in Schizophrenia – From Neural Pathways to Behavioral Manifestations.”

 

 

 

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