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New York Students for Mental Health Action Coalition head Vignesh Subramanian shaking hands with Robert Martinez, chief assistant to the Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. Photo courtesy Vignesh Subramanian

By Aramis Khosronejad

Vignesh Subramanian, head of the New York Students for Mental Health Action Coalition, has been working determinedly toward his goal of implementing more diverse and improved suicide prevention acts in the state Legislature. 

Subramanian has been successful a few times already and has been following a certain plan: Rewriting and amending the Student Suicide Prevention Act that has already been implemented and established. Subramanian was hoping to follow this same course of action to augment suicide prevention laws to incorporate college students as well — currently, the SSPA of New York mainly focuses on K-12. 

This idea was well supported by many different colleges, several county officials and some state-level lawmakers. This fervent support was demonstrated through a rally that Subramanian was involved in organizing. At this event, student delegates from many Long Island universities such as Stony Brook, Hofstra, LIU and Adelphi were present to help push these changes to the SSPA to move forward.

A few lawmakers were also present, namely, Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) and state Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk). Subramanian also rallied the support of the SSPA’s Senate sponsor, Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Greenwich Village) as well as Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell (D-Morningside Heights). 

Despite all of this support, there was an unexpected obstacle that had to be resolved. 

Despite O’Donnell’s background in ardently and actively promoting such suicide prevention laws and their improvement, he and his office provided an unanticipated problem for Subramanian and the NYSMHA Coalition.

Since the Legislature is in session for a limited period, time is very precious. O’Donnell and his office have “been noncommittal about amending the SSPA and has not communicated with coalition leaders directly, frustrating student government leaders and partner advocates,” according to Subramanian.

In an interview, he admitted to being disappointed by O’Donnell’s inaction and explained that he believes O’Donnell “was concerned that amending the bill would lengthen the process the bill would have to take to reach passing.” Regardless, the whole conflict was “very unanticipated” and Subramanian and his colleagues scrambled for “alternative strategies.” 

Subramanian and his coalition were forced to adapt quickly to their new situation, so they had to take a new tactic. In contrast to the original plan, which was using the SSPA as a blueprint, Subramanian and his colleagues decided to create an entirely new bill called the College Student Suicide Prevention Act. 

The CSSPA would place emphasis on the importance of having a college-level suicide prevention law in place for students of higher education, maybe even more so than those from K-12. The bill has already been finalized and is being planned to be introduced in early April. 

The CSSPA is currently receiving support from Assembly Higher Education Chair Patricia Fahy (D-Albany) and state Sen. Lea Webb (D-Binghamton). 

Amid each obstacle, Subramanian said he “doesn’t plan to stop” his pursuit of suicide prevention legislation. He expressed his goal to continue his efforts to enact better suicide prevention laws for students of all fields and ages across a broader geographical scope. 

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Pixabay image
Antibiotic use can affect the microbiome

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Each of us has a microbiome — trillions of microbes that include bacteria, viruses and single-cell eukaryotes that influence our body’s functions. When “good” and “bad” microbes are in balance, we operate without problems. However, when the balance is tipped, often by environmental factors, such as diet, infectious diseases, and antibiotic use, it makes us more susceptible to diseases and disorders.

While the microbiome is found throughout our bodies, including the skin, the eyes and the gut, we’re going to focus on the gut, where most of our microbiome lives.

Research into the specifics of our microbiome’s role in healthy functioning is still in its infancy. Current research into the microbiome’s effects include its role in obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s, and infectious diseases, such as colitis.

What influences our microbiome?

Lifestyle, such as diet, can impact our microbiome positively or negatively. Microbiome diversity may be significantly different in distinct geographic locations throughout the world, because diet and other environmental factors play such a large role.

When we take drugs, such as antibiotics, we can wipe out our microbial diversity, at least in the short term. This is why many have gastrointestinal upset while taking antibiotics. Antibiotics don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria when they go to work.

One way to counteract these negative effects is to take a probiotic during and after your course of antibiotics. I recommend Renew Life’s 30-50 billion units once a day, two hours after an antibiotic dose and continuing once a day for 14 days after you have finished your prescription. If you really want to ratchet up the protection, you can take one dose of probiotics two hours after each antibiotic dose.

How does the microbiome affect weight?

Many obese patients continually struggle to lose weight. Obese and overweight patients now outnumber malnourished individuals worldwide (1).

For a long time, the paradigm for weight loss had been to cut calories. However, extreme low-calorie diets were not having a long-term impact. It turns out that our guts may play important roles in obesity and weight loss, determining whether we gain or lose weight.

The results from a study involving human twins and mice are fascinating (2). In each pair of human twins, one was obese and the other was lean. Gut bacteria from obese twins was transplanted into thin mice. The result: the thin mice became obese. However, when the lean human twins’ gut bacteria were transplanted to thin mice, the mice remained thin.

By pairing sets of human twins, one obese and one thin in each set, with mice that were identical to each other and raised in a sterile setting, researchers limited the confounding effects of environment and genetics on weight.

The most intriguing part of the study compared the effects of diet and gut bacteria. When the mice who had received gut transplants from obese twins were provided gut bacteria from thin twins and given fruit- and vegetable-rich, low-fat diet tablets, they lost significant weight. Interestingly, they only lost weight when on a good diet. The authors believe this suggests that an effective diet may alter the microbiome of obese patients, helping them lose weight. These are exciting, but preliminary, results. It is not yet clear which bacteria may be contributing these effects.

Does gut bacteria contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can be disabling, with patients typically suffering from significant joint soreness and joint breakdown. What if gut bacteria influenced RA risk? In a study, the gut bacteria in mice that were made susceptible to RA by deletion of certain genes (HLA-DR genes) were compared to those who were more resistant to developing RA (3). Researchers found that the RA-susceptible mice had a predominance of Clostridium bacteria and that those resistant to RA were dominated by bacteria such as bifidobacteria and Porphyromonadaceae species. The significance is that the bacteria in the RA-resistant mice are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.

Although we can’t yet say what the ideal gut bacteria should consist of, we do know a few things that can help you. Diet and other lifestyle considerations, such as eating and sleeping patterns or their disruptions, can affect the composition and diversity of gut bacteria (4). Studies have already demonstrated prebiotic effects of fiber and significant short-term changes to the microbiome when eating fruits, vegetables, and plant fiber. The research is continuing, but we’ve learned a lot already.

References:

(1) “The Evolution of Obesity”; Johns Hopkins University Press; 2009. (2) Science. 2013;341:1241214. (3) PLoS One. 2012;7:e36095. (4) Nutrients. 2019 Dec;11(12):2862.

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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METRO photo
There are alternatives to sealing yourself indoors

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

It is officially Spring! Locally, trees are budding, and flowers are beginning to bloom in full force.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies – also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever – going for a walk is probably a little less enjoyable.

Roughly 25 percent of U.S. adults and 18.9 percent of children were diagnosed with seasonal allergies in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1).

There are quite a few triggers for seasonal allergies. They include pollen from leafy trees and shrubs, grass and flowering plants, as well as weeds, with the majority from ragweed (mostly in the fall) and fungus (summer and fall) (2).

What causes allergic reactions? Seasonal allergy sufferers experience a chain reaction when they inhale allergens (pollen, in this case). The pollen interacts with immunoglobulin E (IgE), antibodies that are part of our immune system and causes mast cells in the body’s tissues to degrade and release inflammatory mediators. These include histamines, leukotrienes, and eosinophils in those who are susceptible. In other words, it is an allergic inflammatory response.

The revved up immune system then responds with sneezing; red, itchy and watery eyes; scratchy throat; congestion; sinus headaches; postnasal drip; runny nose; diminished taste and smell; and even coughing (3). Basically, it feels like a common cold, but without the virus. If you have symptoms that last more than 10 days and are recurrent, then it is more likely you have allergies than a virus.

If your allergic rhinitis is not treated properly, you can experience complications like ear infections, sinusitis, irritated throat, insomnia, chronic fatigue, headaches and even asthma (4).

Do medications really help with allergies? The best way to treat allergy attacks is to prevent them, but this means sealing yourself inside. You will need to close the windows, use your air conditioning and, when you do go out, use the recycling vents in your car.

On the medication side, we have intranasal glucocorticoids (steroids), oral antihistamines, allergy shots, decongestants, antihistamine and decongestant eye drops.

The guidelines for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis with medications suggest that you use intranasal corticosteroids (steroids) when your quality of life is affected (5). Two well-known inhaled steroids are triamcinolone (Nasacort) and fluticasone propionate (Flonase). While inhaled steroids are probably most effective in treating and preventing symptoms, they need to be used every day and can have side effects, like headaches.

If you experience itchiness and sneezing, then second-generation oral antihistamines may be appropriate. These can be taken on an as-needed basis. Second-generation antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra), have less sleepiness as a side effect than first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, but they don’t work for everyone.

Are there alternative treatments for allergies? Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), an herb, has several small studies that indicate its efficacy in treating hay fever. In one randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 131 patients, results showed that butterbur was as effective as cetirizine (Zyrtec) (6).

In another RCT, results showed that high doses of butterbur — 1 tablet given three times a day for two weeks — was significantly more effective than placebo (7). Researchers used butterbur Ze339 (carbon dioxide extract from the leaves of Petasites hybridus L., 8 mg petasines per tablet) in the trial.

A post-marketing follow-up study of 580 patients showed that, with butterbur Ze339, symptoms improved in 90 percent of patients with allergic rhinitis over a two-week period (8). Gastrointestinal upset occurred as the most common side effect in 3.8 percent of the population.

There are several caveats about the use of butterbur. First, the studies’ durations were short. Second, the leaf extract used in these studies was free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). This is very important, since PAs may not be safe. Also, the dose was well-measured, which may not be the case with over-the-counter extracts. Finally, there are interactions with some prescription medications.

Can you treat seasonal allergies with diet? While there are no significant studies on diet, there is one review of literature that suggests that a plant-based diet may reduce symptoms of allergies in teens, specifically rhinoconjunctivitis, affecting the nose and eyes, as well as eczema and asthma (9). In my clinical practice, many patients with seasonal allergies have improved and even reversed the course of allergies over time with a vegetable-rich, plant-based diet. This might be due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Analogously, some physicians suggest that their patients have improved after removing dairy from their diets.

While allergies can make you miserable, there are a significant number of over-the-counter and prescription options to help. Diet may play a role by reducing inflammation, although there are no formal studies. There does seem to be promise with some herbs, like butterbur, although there are caveats. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplements, herbs or over-the-counter medications.

References: (1) CDC.gov. (2) acaai.org/allergies/types/pollen-allergy. (3) J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Dec;112(6):1021-31.. (4) J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Jan;125(1):16-29.. (5) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Feb;2:197-206. (6) BMJ 2002;324:144. (7) Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004 Dec;130(12):1381-6. (8) Adv Ther. Mar-Apr 2006;23(2):373-84. (9) Eur Respir J. 2001;17(3):436-443. 

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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Stony Brook University Hospital launches meal-ordering app. Photo courtesy Stony Brook Medicine/Rob Tannenbaum

By Daniel Dunaief

From soup to nuts – along with pictures and descriptions – patients at Stony Brook University Hospital can use a new mobile app to order meals during their stays that are consistent with medical advice and that is sensitive to their diets.

With this app, patients can choose the times they want meals, within the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule, and the specific foods that suit their interests and restrictions.

The response among patients at the hospital, which serves more than 1,500 patient meals a day, has been “very positive,” said Nicole Rossol, Chief Patient Experience Officer at Stony Brook University Hospital. “It’s giving patients more day-to-day control in a hospital setting.”

That empowers patients who can otherwise be confined to their rooms or to the hospital as medical staff monitors their health and brings them for a variety of tests.

The cbord patient app, which allows patients to order food for the same or the next day, provides choices that are consistent with the approach the hospital takes as a part of a patient’s care. Additionally, the app can adjust for a range of allergies and patient dietary needs.

Once patients create a dietary profile, the app can filter food options that include halal, kosher, gluten-restricted, vegetarian, cardiac, carbohydrate-controlled and more.

The app “is not replacing anything,” said Kathleen Logsdon Carrozza, Assistant Director of Food and Retail Services and Registered Dietitian at the Faculty Student Association of Stony Brook University Hospital. “It gives patients another option.” Patients who are tech savvy can use their own mobile devices to order food or, on some floors, they can use a shared mobile device.

Those who prefer can still order food through a call center or by speaking with a dining service worker.

At this point, the hospital has about 45 patients who are using the app, said Alexandra Bush, Nutrition Software Systems Administrator at the Faculty Student Association of Stony Brook University.

App origin

About a year ago, members of SBU attended a conference where they learned about this way of ordering food as an option.

“We wanted to do something that was user friendly,” said Logsdon. “The administration was on board.”

Each food and drink option includes a photograph, which gives patients a chance to consider their choices the way they might at a restaurant.

Last summer, two Stony Brook University students took pictures of each item.

At this point, the app is only available in English, although the hospital has interpreters who can help with patient needs and answer questions.

The app is evolving on almost a daily basis. Bush, who receives daily post it notes with suggestions, recently received a request from a pediatric nurse to add pasta with butter, which is now on the menu.

While the hospital doesn’t have the equivalent of a Yelp review for each dish, volunteers solicit feedback from patients from survey data.

In putting together the menu and developing the app, Stony Brook received considerable guidance from a patient and family advisory council, who teamed up with Logsdon and Bush. The app can be accessed on any app store compatible with Apple and Andriod products.

The council “helped with the education that would be going out to patients,” said Rossol. “It’s really important that we have patients that partner with us to make some of these changes and decisions. They gave us great input and feedback.”

The ability to order meals at a particular time allows patients to dine with their visitors.

“This enables us to offer things to patients in a way we haven’t been able to do in the past,” said Rossol.

By ordering food that better suit patient tastes and interests, the hospital can also reduce the amount of food it discards at waste.

When patients order food at a time when they are out of the room for medical testing, the hospital staff can update the dining crew and revise the schedule.

The person delivering the meal can speak with the nursing staff, who can advise them to hold the food or to repeat the order at a later time, depending on the length of any schedule change.

“We’re looking at ways to enhance the patient experience using technology,” said Rossol. “We are really trying to make the experience the best it can be.”

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A lack of exercise may rewire our brains. METRO image

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Are 20-somethings more quick-witted than people over 60? You might be surprised by what the research actually tells us. Fear of — and assumptions about —cognitive decline as we age are common. They’re so common that entire industries focus on selling us supplements and games to keep us sharp. Ageism is also a growing concern in society and in the workplace.

What do we really know about the brain? We know that certain drugs, head injuries and lifestyle choices can have negative effects. Numerous neurological, infectious, and rheumatologic disorders and diseases can also have long-term brain effects. These include autoimmune disorders, psychiatric mood disorders, diabetes and heart disease.

Of course, addressing the underlying medical issue is critical. Fortunately, several studies also suggest that we may be able to help our brains function more effectively with rather simple lifestyle changes: sleep, exercise and possibly omega-3s.

What is brain clutter?

Let’s return to our question comparing those in their 20s with those over 60.

German researchers put this stereotype to the test. They found that educated older people tend to have a larger mental database of words and phrases to draw upon when responding to a question (1). When this was factored into their simulation analysis, the difference in terms of age-related cognitive decline became negligible.

The more you know, the harder it becomes to come up with a simple answer to something.

What if we could reboot our brains, just like we do with a computer? This may be possible through sleep, exercise and omega-3s.

How does sleep help with brain functioning?

Researchers have identified a couple of specific values we receive from sleep: one involves clearing the mind, and another involves productivity.

For the former, a study done in mice shows that sleep may help the brain remove waste, such as beta-amyloid plaques (2). When we have excessive plaque buildup in the brain, it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s. When mice were sleeping, the interstitial space (the space between brain structures) increased by as much as 60 percent.

This allowed the lymphatic system, with its cerebrospinal fluid, to clear out plaques, toxins and other waste that had developed during waking hours. With the enlargement of the interstitial space during sleep, waste removal was quicker and more thorough, because cerebrospinal fluid could reach much farther. A similar effect was seen when the mice were anesthetized.

In an Australian study, results showed that sleep deprivation may have contributed to an almost one percent decline in gross domestic product (3). Why? When people don’t get enough sleep, they are not as productive. They tend to be more irritable, and their concentration may be affected. While we may be able to turn on and off sleepiness on short-term basis, we can’t do this continually.

In one small study, sleep deprivation was compared to alcohol impairment (4). It found that subjects’ response time and accuracy with assigned tasks after 17-19 hours without sleep were comparable or worse than their performance when they had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .05 percent. With more than 19 hours of sleeplessness, performance equaled .1 percent BAC.

Earlier studies showing similar results led my wife to insist on picking me up, rather than letting me drive home, after 24-hour call hospital assignments during my residency. 

Does lack of exercise rewire your brain?

One study with rats suggests that a lack of exercise can cause unwanted new brain connections. Rats that were not allowed to exercise were found to have rewired neurons around their medulla, the part of the brain involved in breathing and other involuntary activities. This included more sympathetic (excitatory) stimulus that could lead to increased risk of heart disease (5). 

Among the rats allowed to exercise regularly, there was no unusual wiring, and sympathetic stimuli remained constant. This may imply that being sedentary has negative effects on both the brain and the heart. We need human studies to confirm this impact.

Do omega-3 fatty acids improve brain volume?

The hippocampus is involved in memory and cognitive function. In the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study, results showed that postmenopausal women who were in the highest quartile of measured omega-3 fatty acids had significantly greater brain volume and hippocampal volume than those in the lowest quartile (6). 

Specifically, the researchers looked at the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cell membranes. The source of the omega-3 fatty acids could have been from either fish or supplementation.

It’s never too late to improve brain function. Although we have a lot to learn, we know that there are relatively simple ways we can positively influence it.

References:

(1) Top Cogn Sci. 2014 Jan.;6:5-42. (2) Science. 2013 Oct. 18;342:373-377. (3) Sleep. 2006 Mar.;29:299-305. (4) Occup Environ Med. 2000 Oct;57(10):649-55. (5) J Comp Neurol. 2014 Feb. 15;522:499-513. (6) Neurology. 2014;82:435-442.

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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Patricia Alban, RN was honored with an Extraordinary Nurse Educator DAISY Award®. Pictured are CNO/Vice President for Nursing Tara Matz, RN; Alban; Maureen Altieri, RN, Magnet program director; and Executive Director Kevin McGeachy. Photo from Mather Hospital
Erin Dawson, RN was recognized for the care and kindness she showed to a patient. Photo from Mather Hospital
Patricia Alban, RN was honored with an Extraordinary Nurse Educator DAISY Award®. Pictured are CNO/Vice President for Nursing Tara Matz, RN; Alban; Maureen Altieri, RN, Magnet program director; and Executive Director Kevin McGeachy. Photo from Mather Hospital

Patricia Alban, RN and Erin Dawson, RN were recently honored by Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson as the recipients of the Extraordinary Nurse Educator DAISY Award®.

The DAISY Award® is a special honor given to extraordinary nurses for the compassionate contributions they make every day going above and beyond expectations in science and sensitivity.

Patricia Alban, RN has been a key leader in Clinical Professional Development at Mather as the site coordinator for the Nurse Residency Program. She is also instrumental in her role as a clinical educator for 3 East Telemetry, coverage for the Emergency Department and assisting Clinical Professional Development in educational programs. She is an instructor for the Community Training Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Basic Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support,  has volunteered her time to teach hands-only CPR in the community, and has maintained three professional nursing certifications.

The nomination for her read in part, “Pat promotes resilience and quality, patient and staff safety, and maintains management of human and fiscal resources, while always supporting team members through challenges with compassion and humanity.”

Ms. Alban also demonstrates acts of caring and compassion every day to the patients on the 3 East patient unit and throughout the organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she readily changed her shift to meet the needs of the organization and supported the clinical staff on the night shift. She has twice been nominated as Nurse Educator of the Year. Last year, she participated in the writing of six abstracts for submission to national conferences. As the Site Coordinator for the Nurse Residency Program, she holds monthly meetings with the new graduates to continue to develop their professional practice, while also encouraging their peer development and relationship building. She is a team builder.

She is a primary instructor for Mather Hospital’s Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program. Her excellent clinical and communication skills help to ensure the students meet program goals and achieve success, not only at the end of the program, but also after they begin their new roles.   

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Erin Dawson, RN was recognized for the care and kindness she showed to a patient. Photo from Mather Hospital

Recognized for the care and kindness she showed to a patient on her unit, Erin Dawson, RN, of 2 South is also Mather Hospital’s DAISY Award® winner.

Erin was nominated by a family member of a cancer patient who was struck by her dedication and compassion and called her “gentle, thoughtful, and thorough.”

“She explains everything she is doing and why. She has a calm bedside manner and has truly been so very kind to my mother and family during this scary time. My mom had not eaten properly in weeks and Erin went out of her way in the middle of the night to hunt down tomato soup. She would also close doors to decrease noise and avoided using lights when she could, so my mom was even a little more
comfortable. She checked on my mom over and over and was patient while doing so; always checking to
see whether she needed ice chips or nausea meds. Every interaction was approached with respect and
sincerity.”

“My mom has been through so much pain and discomfort during this time and Erin truly treated her with compassion. I am blessed to have had her watching over my mom during this difficult time.”

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award® was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications from an autoimmune disease at the age of 33. During Pat’s hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided for him and everyone in his family.

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Jim Lennon Photographer175-H2 Commerce Drive, Hauppauge N.Y. 11788631-617-5872 . www.jimlennon.com

Award places Mather Hospital among top 15% in nation for patient experience

Mather Hospital of Port Jefferson recently announced that it has been recognized as a 2024 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor. Mather has received this award for four consecutive years (2021-2024). This achievement, along with Mather’s designation by Healthgrades as an America’s 250 Best  Hospital for 2023 and 2024 and a Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ recipient for the ninth straight year (2016-2024) year demonstrates Mather’s commitment to providing an exceptional care experience for patients and their loved ones.  

“Receiving this award from Healthgrades once again is immensely gratifying as it underscores the unparalleled quality of care provided at Mather, as attested by our patients’ feedback,” said Executive Director Kevin McGeachy. “It stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication and extraordinary efforts of not only our clinical staff but every single member of the Mather team who interacts with patients and their families.”

To identify the top hospitals for patient experience, Healthgrades applies a scoring methodology to ten patient experience measures using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data submitted by the hospital’s own patients. Survey questions focus on patients’ perceptions of their hospital care, from cleanliness and noise levels to medication explanations and staff responsiveness. The measures also include whether a patient would recommend the hospital to friends or family and their overall rating of the hospital. 

For this annual analysis, Healthgrades evaluated more than 2,500 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), covering admissions from January 2022 to December 2022. Of those hospitals evaluated, Mather Hospital outperformed its peers based on feedback from their own patients–to achieve this award. 

“We commend Mather Hospital for going above and beyond to provide a best-in-class care experience for patients during their hospital stay,” said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data sciences at Healthgrades. “Mather’s dedication to superior patient care is particularly impressive given recent declines in patient satisfaction scores across the country. We look forward to their continued leadership and commitment to ensuring the health and wellness of all patients.” 

Consumers can visit healthgrades.com to learn more about how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access the complete Outstanding Patient Experience Award Methodology. A patient-friendly overview of our methodology is also available here.  

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Photo courtesy of COPE

The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) and the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association (NYSATA) will host a Concussion Outreach Prevention & Education (COPE) seminar at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center, Lecture Hall 1, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m.

COPE provides valuable information for educators, nurses, coaches, athletic trainers, students, and parents/guardians on how to create a plan for a successful return of a concussed student back to youth sports and the classroom as well as many ways to prevent concussions.

Guest speakers will include:

Mark Harary, M.D., CAQSM – Sports Medicine Physician, Orthopedic Associates of Long Island

Lisa Komnik, MS, ATC – Clinical Assistant Professor, Athletic Training Program at Stony Brook University

Michelle Kellen, MEd – BIANYS Professional Development Manager

The event is open to the public. No registration necessary.

COPE is a program designed by NYSATA and BIANYS, two well-known and established statewide organizations with expertise in concussion. NYSATA plays a strong role in recognizing concussion, managing recovery and eventual return to play. BIANYS helps victims of concussions and has a history of concussion education, including its Supporting Students Recovering from Concussion: Return to Learn program. To date, BIANYS has brought their Return to Learn training to over 150 schools and/or districts, educating over 2,100 school personnel. Stony Brook University has an excellent athletic training program. To learn about it, click on this link:

https://healthprofessions.stonybrookmedicine.edu/programs/at/graduate

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 ABOUT NEW YORK STATE ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION 

NYSATA, founded in 1976 and incorporated in 1989, stands to advance the profession of athletic training for the purpose of enhancing the quality of healthcare for the physically active in New York State. Comprised of over 1,500 Certified Athletic Trainers, NYSATA (www.gonysata2.org) is the statewide affiliate of the regional Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA) and District Two of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).

ABOUT THE BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE

The Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS) is a statewide non-profit membership organization that advocates on behalf of people with brain injuries and their families. Established in 1982, BIANYS promotes prevention as well as provides education and community support services that lead to improved outcomes for children and adults with brain injuries. www.bianys.org.

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Dr. James Bruno

Neurologist and sleep disorders specialist Dr. James Bruno has been selected as a Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society (FAES). This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Bruno’s professional accomplishments and unwavering dedication to the field of epilepsy.

As a board-certified neurologist with expertise in epilepsy and sleep disorders, Dr. Bruno brings knowledge and experience to his practice at Three Village Neurology, 4511 Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station (www.threevillageneurology.com) which offers a range of specialized services, including the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, sleep apnea, and other individuals affected by neurological disorders using the latest technologies to diagnose and treat these conditions including Polysomnography and Electroencephalography.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Bruno is a clinical associate professor of neurology at SUNY Stony Brook, co-directs the St. Charles Hospital Epilepsy Center and sits on the Professional Advisory Board at Long Island Island’s Epilepsy Foundation.

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Photo from Mather Facebook

Mather Hospital invites the community to a HealthyU Spring Semester event at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Saturday, March 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Take part in a free seminar series and interactive health fair focused on your physical, emotional and financial well-being. Attend a variety of lectures including Know your numbers: a checklist for health after 60, Food, exercise and meditation as medicine, Get to know your gut, Managing diabetes and pre-diabetes, Protecting your healthcare wishes and The health benefits of a good night’s sleep.

To register, visit matherhospital.org/healthyu. For more information, call 631-476-2723.

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