Mather Hospital’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) unit was launched 30 years ago on June 14, the first such unit on Long Island and the only one in Suffolk County available for emergencies 24/7.
The unit treats a wide range of conditions that respond to intense oxygenation, saving sight, limbs and lives. Staffed by critical care nurses, the unit has hyperbaric physicians representing family practice, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pulmonology and cardiology.
“Thank you and congratulations to all of our current team and all of those who have helped to get us where we are today,’ said Joseph C. White, MD, Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at Mather. “We have changed medicine on Long Island by bringing a service that did not exist and may never have come to our Island…Hopefully, we will continue to serve the community for at least another 30 years!”
Long called upon to treat divers with decompression sickness or “the bends” HBOT is now used to treat a variety of medical conditions including carbon monoxide poisoning; non-healing wounds, especially in diabetics; and soft tissue injury or infection due to radiation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy also helps to preserve skin grafts and flaps, and most recently has been shown to be effective in treating patients with sudden blindness due to retinal artery occlusion.
Suffolk County Legislature voted 15-2 Tuesday, June 25, to approve I.R. 1461 which will extend and revise the Suffolk County Drinking Water Protection Program. County Executive Ed Romaine (R) is expected to sign the measure into law July 8 for the mandatory referendum to be added to the November ballot.
This program, if passed via referendum, will establish the new Water Quality Restoration Fund supported by an additional sales and use tax of 1/8%. It is estimated the increase in sales tax collections will fund about $4 billion over 50 years to implement the county’s Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan.
In June and July 2023, a 10-7 vote along party lines doomed the measure from reaching that November’s ballot.
The 1.5 million people of Suffolk County currently rely on more than 380,000 cesspools and wastewater systems, including over 209,000 systems located in environmentally sensitive areas. This decentralized infrastructure has been a significant cause of nitrogen pollution across the county. In both surface-level and underground bodies of water, this nitrogen pollution causes harmful algae blooms, which can release toxins into fish, destroy ecosystems by consuming excessive oxygen in the water and cause a variety of conditions in exposed humans.
Passage of the referendum has economic as well as health benefits. Creating and maintaining new wastewater infrastructure will create a number of well-paying jobs for the county government. Additionally, the risks posed to businesses reliant on Suffolk County water cannot be understated, as well as the threats to beaches across Long Island.
The Water Quality Restoration Fund can be used for water quality improvement, such as enhancing and maintaining existing sewerage facilities, consolidating sewer districts and replacing and installing wastewater treatment systems in areas where sewers cannot be installed.
The language of the referendum itself is straightforward: “A yes vote ensures county funding to 2060 for clean water projects, improvements in drinking water, bays and harbors, and a no vote continues water quality degradation.”
Romaine claimed that passage of the referendum will be vital to fund sewer constructions, especially in less developed areas of the county, and the broad swaths of land with only cesspools installed. Romaine said that he “cannot emphasize enough the importance of this referendum” to address water contaminants.
Romaine was also the primary sponsor of the bill, which was co-sponsored by Legislators James Mazzarella (R-Mastic) and Ann Welker (D-Southampton).
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport), who voted for the bill, claimed in a statement that while the bill gives the county the authority to establish longer-term funding for wastewater improvement projects, it also allows the county to apply for “much-needed” matching grant funding from the New York State and federal governments.
The final decision will rest in the hands of Suffolk County voters on Nov. 5.
Catch a screening of the award-winning documentary 'Honorable But Broken' at Theatre Three on July 11 at 6 p.m.
By Julianne Mosher
A new documentary created by a former producer for ABC News and 60 Minutes, and with the help of different EMS groups across New York State, is heading to Port Jefferson next week for a free viewing of a powerful film that will remind people how important rescue services are.
Michael Presta, deputy chief at Port Jefferson EMS, said he received a LinkedIn message from the film’s director and producer, Bryony Gilbey, asking if her 2023 award-winning documentary, Honorable But Broken: EMS in Crisis, could be shown in the area.
Catch a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Honorable But Broken’ at Theatre Three on July 11 at 6 p.m.
After connecting with the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council and Theatre Three, Presta was able to help get the film to play on Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m. — for free — and for the first time on Long Island.
Gilbey, whose three children are EMS workers, developed the film after hearing the stories about what it was like being in emergency services pre, during and post COVID-19, plus the lack of funding these operations receive from the state and federal governments. The documentary was shot on location with EMS crews in Ossining, New York, and Montclair, New Jersey.
“The film has been circling the state for about a year now and it shows the challenges of delivering EMS services to the public,” Presta said, adding that local elected officials have been invited to attend.
“It helps paint a picture to the public and our politicians on what delivering EMS services in 2024 is like,” Presta added.
He noted that the Port Jefferson EMS helps and protects all of Port Jefferson and its surrounding communities including Mount Sinai and the Village of Port Jefferson, while also lending support to other local areas.
When Presta started his career in Port Jefferson almost two decades ago, on average there were less than 1,000 calls per year. Now, he said, they’re around 3,500.
“It’s getting harder with rising costs to deliver EMS, not just here, but everywhere. Funding is needed to support that number of calls,” he said. “This movie will give people insight.”
Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker, the goal of the documentary is to, “raise awareness of the systemic collapse of EMS and to advocate for change. Shockingly, most states don’t mandate the provision of EMS, so funding is unpredictable and inadequate. There is a critical workforce shortage, particularly in rural areas, which in turn has led to much longer response times.”
The goal, the documentary’s official website says, is to eventually get the film onto a streaming service so everyone can see it. On the film’s official website, people can donate to help fund that endeavor, as well.
And while Honorable But Broken is not part of the Port Jefferson Documentary Series, Kelly DeVine, head programmer of the series, said that when Presta approached her and Allan Varela, president of the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council, looking for help, both groups jumped to volunteer their resources.
Working alongside Theatre Three, the arts council offered to lend the theatre their personal movie screen so that the film could be played at the venue.
“The Port Jefferson Documentary Series is focused on bringing high-quality films normally only seen at top festivals or art house screens to our audiences and curating those titles to support our community partners and create impactful communal experiences,” DeVine said.
As for other films coming to Port Jefferson, the documentary series is moving to a new venue and day of the week. The Methodist Church on Main Street across from Theatre Three will now show its films on Thursdays starting in September.
Theatre Three is located at 412 Main Street in Port Jefferson. The screening is free and no reservations are required. For more information, call 631-928-9100.
For more information on Honorable But Broken: EMS in Crisis, visit www.honorablebutbroken.org.
Stony Brook University Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Program within the Stony Brook Heart Institute has earned a prestigious three-star rating, the highest rating possible, from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for its patient care and outcomes in mitral valve repair/replacement (MVRR) procedures and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG or heart bypass surgery) procedures. The latest rating period is from Jan 2021 to Dec 2023. Stony Brook received its first three-star CABG rating in 2017, and has consistently received the top ratings since.
“The three-star ratings are reflective of our entire Heart Institute’s dedication — from surgeons, nurses, physician assistants and many other healthcare professionals — to delivering top-quality care and outcomes for our patients,” says Henry J. Tannous, MD, FACS, Co-Director, Heart Institute, Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery and General T.F. Cheng Chair, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University. “At Stony Brook, patients can have the confidence of knowing they’re getting cardiac care from world-class cardiothoracic physicians at one of the top-rated facilities in the nation.”
The recent analysis of the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database included data from 964 participants on cases between 2021 and 2023. Participating programs were rated on a range of one to three stars. The STS three-star ratings — one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in healthcare — that Stony Brook achieved is an “Overall Composite Score” for patient outcomes and quality of care for isolated CABG surgery procedures and MVRR procedures performed. It measures a surgical team’s performance before, during and after the surgical procedure. More than 95 percent of hospitals in the U.S. with cardiothoracic surgical programs submit data to the STS, and approximately 20 percent of participants receive the three-star rating for CABG and approximately 10 percent receive a three-star-rating for MVRR procedures.
“At Stony Brook Medicine, we take great pride in our long legacy of raising the level of cardiothoracic surgical care for our patients,” says Apostolos Tassiopoulos, MD, FACS, Chair, Department of Surgery; Chief, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Professor of Surgery, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University. “We remain laser-focused on serving our community with all the best that only a University-based academic medical center can offer — the most advanced technology, an outstanding cardiovascular staff and the full spectrum of lifesaving cardiothoracic interventions.”
This year, Healthgrades also named Stony Brook University Hospital as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care™ (2015-24). Stony Brook is one of only two hospitals in New York State to be named among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care for ten years in a row.
About Stony Brook Heart Institute:
Stony Brook Heart Institute is located within Stony Brook University Hospital as part of Long Island’s premier university-based medical center. The Heart Institute offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The staff includes full-time and community-based, board-certified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, as well as specially trained anesthesiologists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, surgical technologists, perfusionists and other support staff. Their combined expertise provides state-of-the-art interventional and surgical capabilities in 24-hour cardiac catheterization labs and surgical suites. And while the Heart Institute clinical staff offers the latest advances in medicine, its physician-scientists are also actively enhancing knowledge of the heart and blood vessels through basic biomedical studies and clinical research. To learn more, visit www.heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
Find this recipe for Shrimp, Broccoli and Potato Skewers below.
Photo courtesy of Family Features
Offer a mouthwatering arrayof fruits and veggies with your bbq choices
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Independence Day makes me think of fireworks and summer barbecues and picnics. What if you could launch yourself on a journey to better health during these celebratory moments?
I have written about the dangers of processed meats, which are barbecue and picnic staples, and their roles in prompting chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. What if there were appetizing, healthier alternatives?
Green leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, whole grains and small amounts of fish and olive oil are the foundations of the Mediterranean-style diet. The options are far from tasteless.
I love a family barbecue, and I always strive to have an array of succulent choices. Three-bean salad, mandarin orange salad with mixed greens and a light raspberry vinaigrette, ratatouille with eggplant and zucchini, salmon fillets baked with mustard and slivered almonds, roasted corn on the cob, roasted vegetable shish kebobs, and large bowl of melons and berries. These drool-worthy buffet items help me keep my health journey on the right path. Let’s look at the scientific evidence that explains why these foods help us.
Preventing cancer
One systematic review provides a comprehensive look at the results of studies that weigh the effects of to a Mediterranean-type diet on cancer risk and progression (1, 2). The authors found an inverse relationship between cancer mortality risk and high adherence to the diet. This means that the more compliant participants were, the lower their risk of cancer mortality.
When comparing the results of high adherence and low adherence to the diet from studies of specific cancers, they identified risk reductions for colorectal, prostate, gastric, and liver cancers (1). Further study also found high adherence reduced the risks of breast, head and neck, gallbladder, and biliary tract cancers (2).
The authors note that, while it’s improbable that any single component of the diet led to these effects, they were able to demonstrate significant inverse correlations between specific food groups and overall cancer risk. For example, the higher the regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, the lower the risk. All three of these fit right in at a summer feast.
Looking closely at specific cancers, another study found that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables may help prevent pancreatic cancer. This is crucial, pancreatic cancer often spreads to other organs before there are symptoms (3). In another study, cooked vegetables showed a 43 percent reduction and non-citrus fruits showed an even more impressive 59 percent reduction in risk of pancreatic cancer (4). Interestingly, cooked vegetables, not just raw ones, had a substantial effect.
Preventing and treating diabetes
Fish might play an important role in reducing the risk of diabetes. In a large prospective study that followed Japanese men for five years, those in the highest quartile of fish and seafood intake had a substantial decrease in risk of type 2 diabetes (5). Smaller fish, such as mackerel and sardines, had a slightly greater effect than large fish and seafood. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with some grilled fish to help protect you from developing diabetes.
Nuts are beneficial in diabetes treatment. In a randomized control trial, mixed nuts led to a substantial reduction of hemoglobin A1C, a very important biomarker for sugar levels for the previous three months (6). They also significantly reduced LDL, bad cholesterol, which reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The nuts used in the study were raw almonds, pistachios, pecans, peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts and macadamias. How easy is it to grab a small handful of unsalted raw nuts, about 2 ounces, daily to help treat diabetes?
Preventing a stroke
The Three City study showed that olive oil may have a substantial, protective effect against stroke. There was a 41 percent reduction in stroke events in those who used olive oil (7). Study participants, who were followed for a mean of 5.2 years, did not have a history of stroke at the start of the trial.
Though these are promising results, I caution you to use no more than one tablespoon of olive oil per day, since it’s calorically dense. Overindulging can lead to other health problems.
It’s easy to substitute a beneficial Mediterranean-style diet for processed meats, or at least add them to the selection you offer. This plant-rich diet can help you prevent many chronic diseases.
This Independence Day and beyond, plan to include some delicious, healthy choices for your celebrations.
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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Shrimp, Broccoli and Potato Skewers
Shrimp, Broccoli and Potato Skewers Photo courtesy of Family Features
1 pound bagged Little Potatoes
1 bunch broccoli
12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 lemons, juice only
3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
Directions:
In large, microwave-safe bowl, microwave potatoes on high 5 minutes. Chop broccoli into large pieces. Add broccoli and shrimp to bowl once potatoes are steamed. Add lemon juice, thyme and olive oil; evenly coat potatoes, shrimp and broccoli. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Build skewers and grill 10-15 minutes on medium-high heat, until shrimp is cooked through.
From left, Legislator Bontempi with Suffolk County Healthcare Hero honoree Kacey Farber.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R – 18th L.D.)honored Kacey Farber as the Suffolk County Healthcare Hero for the 18th Legislative District during the Suffolk County Legislature’s General Meeting on June 2. Kacey Farber, LMSW, is a highly dedicated and accomplished social worker with over 22 years of diverse experience.
As the Program Manager for the Reichert Family Caregiver Center at Huntington Hospital, Kacey has developed and coordinated a comprehensive caregiver support program for those feeling overwhelmed and lonely after finding themselves the primary caretaker of a sick parent, spouse, or child. Through her leadership and guidance, Kacey has created a “resource hub” for caretakers; including support groups, webinars, wellness-events for family caregivers, and a plethora of information on various topics related to caregiving. Additionally, Kacey oversees social work graduate interns and trains volunteer caregiver coaches.
Throughout her career, Kacey has consistently demonstrated exceptional clinical skills and an unwavering dedication to supporting families. Honored with multiple awards for her valuable contributions, Kacey continues to make a significant and positive impact on the lives of those she serves.
“Recognizing Kacey Farber as a Suffolk County Healthcare Hero is a testament to her incredible dedication and commitment to improving the lives of others in our community, and we are truly grateful for her service,” said Legislator Bontempi.
The Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center at Stony Brook University Hospital — the only designated burn care facility in Suffolk County, has 10 Safety Tips this July 4th Weekend as families celebrate the holiday.
Many will spend the holiday in their backyards for barbecues, cookouts or build fire pits where there’s a greater risk to sustain a burn injury. Steven Sandoval, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Medical Director of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center at Stony Brook University Hospital, says “I expect an uptick in patients around this time every year. Firework injuries range from facial burns to loss of digits or hands. Sparkler burns are also a common holiday injury. They burn at several thousand degrees and can cause second-or third-degree burns. The best way to prevent burns in the first place is with safety tips and precautions to eliminate potential dangers.”
Fireworks are safe for viewing only when being used by professionals.
Sparklers are one of the most common ways children become burned this holiday, even with a parent’s supervision.
Do not have children around any fireworks, firepits, barbecues or hot coals. Teach them not to grab objects or play with items that can be hot. Go through a lesson where they learn to ask permission.
Limit the use of flammable liquids to start your fire pits and barbecues. Use only approved lighter fluids that are meant for cooking purposes. No gasoline or kerosene.
Don’t leave hot coals from fire pits and barbecues laying on the ground for people to step in.
When cleaning grills, the use of wire bristle brushes can result in ingestion of sharp bristle pieces requiring surgery.
If you are overly tired, and consumed alcohol, do not use the stovetop, fire pit or a fireplace.
Stay protected from the sun. Use hats and sunblock, and realize that sunblock needs to be reapplied after swimming or after sweating.
Use the back burners of the stove to prevent children from reaching up and touching hot pots and pans.
Always use oven mitts or potholders to remove hot items from the stove or microwave. Assume pots, pans and dishware are hot.
“I want people to enjoy a safe 4th of July and reduce the risk of burn injuries. And, if burned do not go anywhere but a facility specializing in burn treatment,” says Dr. Sandoval.
As the only designated burn care facility for more than 1.6 million residents of Suffolk County, the Burn Center at Stony Brook University Hospital coordinates burn services throughout the county, and conducts training and research in burn care. The Burn Center also serves as a resource to neighboring community-based hospitals. Patients of all ages – from infants through geriatrics – are treated at the Burn Center.
To reach the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center at Stony Brook University Hospital, call 631-444-4545.
For immediate help, call the burn unit directly at 631-444-BURN.
Soy may reduce breast cancer recurrance. METRO photo
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
A common question in my practice revolves around soy. Should you consumed or avoid it, especially for women who have breast cancer risk factors? It is a valid question, and the medical research has begun to debunk the myth that soy is detrimental. The form of soy is important; soy from food seems to be safe, but soy in high supplement form has shown mixed results.
Why are patients worried? Soy contains phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). The thought is that phytoestrogens have similar effects as estrogen produced by humans or other animals. However, the story is complex: soy may actually help prevent breast cancer and its recurrence. It may also have other positive health effects. In some cellular and animal studies, high doses of isoflavones or isolated soy protein stimulate cancer growth (1).
Further research shows that these findings don’t translate to humans, most likely because humans metabolize these differently.
Breast Cancer
The Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study, an over 5,000 patient observational trial that followed patients for a median of 3.9 years, has had resounding effects on the way we think of soy in relation to breast cancer. The population consisted of women who had already had one occurrence of breast cancer that was in remission. The women who consumed the most soy from food, measured as soy isoflavones or soy proteins, had a 32 percent reduction in a second occurrence of breast cancer and a 29 percent reduction in breast cancer mortality, compared to those who consumed the least (2).
This inverse relationship was seen in both estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative women. It is more difficult to treat estrogen receptor-negative women; therefore, making these results even more impressive.
One prospective study followed over 6,000 women in the U.S. and Canada. It found that women who ate the highest amounts of soy isoflavones had a 21 percent lower risk of death compared with women with the lowest intakes (3). The Shanghai Women’s Health Study followed 73,223 Chinese women for more than 7 years and was the largest study of soy and breast cancer risk in a population with high soy consumption (4). It found that women who ate the most soy had a 59 percent lower risk of premenopausal breast cancer compared with those who ate the lowest amounts of soy. There was no association with postmenopausal breast cancer.
The study authors published a follow-up analysis from the same cohort seven years later to evaluate any association between soy foods and specific types of breast cancer, breaking out the results by type (5). In all cases, risk was lower with higher soy intakes.
Menopause
Soy and soy isoflavones may help improve cognitive function in postmenopausal women. This effect was seen only in women who increased their soy intake before age 65. There may be a “critical window” of therapeutic opportunity in early stages of post-menopause where soy has the greatest impact on cognitive function (6).
Soy is not the food with the greatest phytoestrogens, flaxseed is. In a randomized control trial, a daily flaxseed bar did no better at reducing vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women, such as hot flashes, than a fiber placebo bar. This took the study’s authors by surprise; preliminary studies had suggested the opposite (7). Reinforcing these results, another randomized controlled trial failed to show any beneficial effect of soy isoflavones on menopausal symptoms or on preventing bone loss (8).
Lung Cancer
Soy isoflavones help to boost the effect of radiation on cancer cells by blocking DNA repair in these cells (9). They also protect surrounding healthy cells with an antioxidant effect. Soybeans contain three powerful components, genistein, daidzein and glycitein, that provide this effect. Pretreating lung cancer patients may promote better outcomes.
The risk of lung cancer was also shown to be reduced 23 percent in one meta-analysis of 11 trials (10). In subset data, when analysis was restricted to the five highest quality studies, there was an even greater reduction: 30 percent.
Cholesterol Levels
Soy may have modest effects in reducing cholesterol levels. Interestingly, people who convert a soy enzyme to a substance called equol, an estrogen-like compound, during digestion were considered the only ones to benefit; however, one study showed that equol non-producers also benefited with a reduction in LDL “bad” cholesterol (11). The equol producers maintained their HDL “good” cholesterol whereas the non-producers saw a decline.
What does all of this tell us? Soy is most likely beneficial for men and women alike, even in those with a risk of breast cancer. It does not mean we should eat a soy-based diet, but rather have soy in moderation – on a daily basis, perhaps. It is best to eat whole soy, not soy isolates. Also, soy supplements are not the same as foods that contain soy, so it is best to consume soy in food form.
References:
(1) Cancer Research. 2001 Jul 1;61(13):5045-50. (2) JAMA. 2009;302(22):2437-2443. (3) Cancer. 2017 Jun 1;123(11):2070-9. (4) Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr 29;89(6):1920-6. (5) Int J of Cancer. 2016 Aug 15;139(4):742-8. (6) Obstet Gynecol. 2011;18:732-753. (7) Menopause. 2012 Jan;19(1):48-53. (8) Arch Intern Med. 2011;171:1363-1369. (9) J Thorac Oncol. 6(4):688-698, April 2011. (10) Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Dec;94(6):1575-83. (11) Am J Clin Nutr. March 2012 vol. 95 no. 3 564-571.
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.
Batter up and give blood! The Sound Beach Fire Department, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach will host a Community Blood Drive in memory of John Drews Jr. on Wednesday, July 3 in its Meeting Room from 1 to 7 p.m. Each donor will receive a Mets T-shirt and a pair of New York Mets tickets (while supplies last). Appointments preferred by calling 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybc.orgbut walk-ins welcome.For more information, call Jennifer at 516-310-2382.
Batter up and give blood! Temple Beth El of Huntington, 660 Park Avenue, Huntington hosts a Community Blood Drive on Monday, July 1 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. All donors will receive a Mets T-shirt and a pair of NY Mets tickets (while supplies last). Prizes hold no cash value and are not transferable.
Please remember to eat, drink, and bring your ID with your name and photo. Appointments are preferred however walk-ins will be welcomed if space permits. Visit nybc.org/coronavirus for COVID-19 safety protocols.For more information or to make an appointment, email Robin Zucker at [email protected].
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