13134 Cornerstone 2.07 New - Winthrop University Hospital

Vol.17, No.1
Winter
2006 • 2007
Advanced Cardiology Techniques
Enhance & Expand Treatment Options
Tobi Innerfield’s recurrent
mini-strokes and painful
migraine headaches are
now a thing of the past,
thanks to an advanced procedure
recently added to
the armamentarium of cardiac
treatment options
available at Winthrop-
University Hospital’s
Institute for Heart Care.
When Mrs. Innerfield Tobi Innerfield
of Wantagh, NY, suffered
her first transient ischemic attack
(TIA) — a short-lived stroke with typical
neurologic symptoms that do not
last long — she knew right away that
something was wrong. As part of her
extensive diagnostic testing Srihari
Naidu, MD, Director of Winthrop’s
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory,
performed an Intracardiac Echocardiogram (ICE)
— a sophisticated technique used to look closely
at the chambers of the heart. While the rest of
her tests were negative, the ICE confirmed that
Mrs. Innerfield had a hole in her heart known as
an atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent foramen
ovale (PFO).
Every individual is born with a natural opening
between the right and left atria — the upper
chambers of the heart. A PFO occurs when the
natural hole fails to close after birth. PFOs affect
10 to 25 percent of the global population, and
although for most people they pose no serious
health risks, it is widely believed that a PFO can
increase the risk for a TIA.
While it has not yet been proven that an
ASD/PFO can contribute to the occurrence of a
stroke, physicians have noted that many patients
with cryptogenic strokes — strokes with no clear
cause — also have PFOs. Winthrop often refers
these patients to a clinical trial, known as the
at Winthrop’s Institute
for Heart Care
RESPECT Trial, which is currently underway to
compare the results of medical treatment for stroke
against PFO closure
in patients with cryptogenic
stroke. Mrs.
Innerfield, however,
declined participation
in the trial, opting
instead to go straight
for the PFO closure.
Srihari Naidu, MD
PFO Closure
Delivered percutaneously
(through
the skin), ASD/PFO
closure carries less
risk than open-heart
surgery. Instead, a
small device, consisting
of two tiny disks connected by a spring-like
axle, is threaded up through a vein into the
patient’s heart and inserted into the hole, where it
then covers the gap on both sides of the heart muscle
wall. The heart cells ultimately grow over the
device, creating a living patch in the heart muscle.
“An ASD/PFO closure is a minimally invasive
procedure that is performed without general
anesthesia and has many advantages over openheart
surgery,” noted Dr. Naidu. “The surgery is
performed in 30 minutes and patients can go
home the next day.”
Since undergoing ASD/PFO closure surgery at
Winthrop on November 2, Mrs. Innerfield has had
no more TIAs and, remarkably, no more migraine
headaches. Although anecdotal data shows a
relationship between migraines and PFOs, no biological
explanation has yet been proven. Often,
relief of migraines occurs as an unexplained
(continued on page 14)

Winter 2006 • 2007
Winthrop Elects New Members to Board of Directors
A devoted group of community leaders,
Winthrop-University Hospital’s Board of
Directors oversees the Hospital’s growth
and development. Board Members willingly
give their time and resources so
that this 110-year old Hospital can continue
it’s strong tradition of providing
high quality, comprehensive healthcare
services in a “Welcoming & world class”
environment.
Kevin T. Curran
Kevin Curran
is Senior Vice
President,
Marketing,
for Optimum
Lightpath, the
business
telecommunications
division of Cablevision Systems
Corporation. He is responsible for
strategy, planning and overall revenue
performance. Prior to joining
Cablevision in 1998, Mr. Curran was
Vice President of Marketing for
Broadview Networks in New York City.
He holds a B.S. in accounting from
Pennsylvania State University and an
M.B.A. from Columbia University. He
has served on the boards of the Red
Cross (Suffolk County Chapter) and the
Long Island Philharmonic. He also is a
member of the Executive Committee of
the Commerce Bank Golf Classic. Mr.
Curran resides in Garden City with his
wife, Nancy, and their daughter.
Soraya Gage
2 Cornerstone
A Garden City
resident,
Soraya Gage
is a producer
with NBC
News. Ms.
Gage has
been widely
recognized for
outstanding television journalism. She
has worked on several award-winning
projects, including the Emmy-nominated
“Sudden Impact: The Ripple Effects
of Drunk Driving.” Ms. Gage was also a
producer on Dateline NBC’s “Blackout:
Minute by Minute” and “The Capture of
Saddam,” both of which were nominated
for Emmys.
Ms. Gage holds a B.A. from Trinity
College and an M.A. in journalism from
Columbia University. She is active in
community service, and has served on
committees for Winthrop’s Yuletide Ball
and the Buckley Country Day School
Silent Auction. Ms. Gage and her husband,
George, have three children.
Eric Krasnoff
Eric Krasnoff
has been
Chairman,
CEO and
Director of
the Pall
Corporation
for more than
a decade.
Since he joined Pall in 1975, the company
has expanded its operations to
more than 30 countries.
Mr. Krasnoff also serves on the
Board of Trustees for Long Island
University, is Chairman of the National
Blood Foundation, and is active with
the National Center for Disabilities.
Mr. Krasnoff holds a B.A. in
anthropology from Columbia University.
A father of two daughters, he resides in
Old Brookville with his wife, Robin.
Joseph L. Mancino
Joseph
Mancino’s
successful
career in
banking began
in 1960, when
he joined
Roslyn
Savings Bank,
and continued until he retired as its
President and CEO in 2005.
A dedicated advocate of community
service, Mr. Mancino is also on
the boards of the Theodore Roosevelt
Council of the Boy Scouts of America,
Helen Keller Services for the Blind,
Abilities and the Interfaith Nutrition
Network (INN).
A graduate of the State University
of New York’s Empire State College, Mr.
Mancino holds a degree from the
Graduate School of Savings Banking.
He also holds an advanced certificate
from the American Institute of Banking
and a Doctor of Humane Letters from
Empire State College. The father of two
grown children, he resides in Garden
City with his wife, Laurel Anne.
Yvonne M. Mowatt
Yvonne
Mowatt is
Manager of
Community
Services for
Girl Scouts
of Nassau
County. In
addition, she
serves as Eucharistic Minister and
family counselor at the Queen of the
Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic
Church in Roosevelt. Prior to assuming
her position with Girl Scouts of
Nassau County in 1990, she was
Second Vice President with Chase
Manhattan Bank in Manhattan.
Mrs. Mowatt also serves on the
boards of many community service
agencies, including the Coordinating
Agency for Spanish America (CASA)
and the Long Island Women’s Agenda.
After graduating from the
Instituto Justo Arosemena College in
Panama, where she grew up, Mrs.
Mowatt graduated from the American
Institute of Banking.
Mrs. Mowatt resides in Baldwin
with her husband, Stanford, with
whom she has two adult daughters
and two grandchildren.

While scientific research is at the
heart of nearly every major medical
discovery, most “medical miracles”
occur only after numerous, diversified
research studies — which do not
make headlines — are conducted
over many years and pieced together
to provide the foundation for major
medical advances. For example, many
of today’s life-saving surgeries would
not have been possible without years
of little-heralded research into how
the blood clots or how antibiotics
fight infection.
At Winthrop-University Hospital,
scientific research is an integral part
of the Hospital’s mission. Physician
and laboratory scientists concentrate
on finding answers to basic questions
that could foster new approaches to
disease prevention, treatments and
cures in order to extend healthy life
and reduce the burden of illness.
“As a teaching institution that
trains physicians of the future, we
must have a robust research program,”
said John Aloia, MD,
Winthrop’s Chief Academic Officer,
Director of its Osteoporosis
Diagnostic, Research and Treatment
Center and Director of Bone Mineral
Research. “An environment that supports
asking questions, which lead to
new knowledge, can only benefit the
community — globally and locally.”
Translational Research
Recently, national medical
research leadership societies have
been stressing the importance of
translational research, which integrates
state-of-the-art clinical
Scientific Research is
Basic to Winthrop’s Mission
medicine with basic biomedical
research in a bidirectional manner —
questions generated by patient care
issues are investigated in the basic
research laboratories, and discoveries
made in those labs return to
benefit clinical care. These benefits
may include new diagnostic tests,
therapies or procedures.
“Winthrop’s environment is ideal
for conducting translational
research,” said Steven Carsons, MD,
the Hospital’s Chief of Rheumatology,
Allergy and Immunology. “We have a
rich and varied patient base, a
sophisticated physician faculty with
strong and, in many instances,
nationally recognized research backgrounds
and interests, and fully
equipped science laboratories.”
In these laboratories, Winthrop
scientists work independently, in collaboration
with one another and with
researchers across the country.
Vascular Biology Institute (VBI) –
Under the direction of Louis Ragolia,
PhD, VBI investigations focus on
numerous aspects of blood vessel
formation, function and pathology.
Scientists are examining the development
of cardiovascular complications
associated with a variety of diseases,
including diabetes, hypertension
and arthritis.
Winter 2006 • 2007
Allison Reiss, MD, head of VBI’s
Inflammation Section, and Dr. Carsons
recently published the results of a
study in which they discovered a possible
explanation for the increased risk
of heart attacks in patients taking
Vioxx and other painkillers in its class.
Furthermore, the paper, which was
published in Arthritis Research and
Therapy, offered a solution for how the
risk could be eliminated while the benefits
of the drugs were preserved.
Bone Metabolism Lab – Dr. Aloia
and James Yeh, PhD, Director of the
Metabolism Lab, use a wide range of
biochemical methodologies, including
molecular biology, to examine reasons
behind skeletal fragility and osteoporosis.
They and their staff are also looking
at specific genes responsible for bone
formation, investigating a class of drugs
that inhibit the restoration of bone, and,
in collaboration with adolescent medicine
specialists, seeking to find the link
between Vitamin D and osteoporosis
prevention in teenagers.
Osteoporosis Diagnosis,
Treatment and Research Center
(ODTRC) – With Dr. Aloia at the helm,
the ODTRC offers the most comprehensive
and advanced approaches to the
detection and treatment of osteoporosis.
Internationally recognized for research
(continued on page 15)
Coming Soon…
Winthrop’s Wound Treatment Center is pleased to announce
that it will soon be moving to a new office, where it will add a
Hyperbaric Medicine Program to the already extensive array of
services it offers for patients with chronic, non-healing wounds.
The new
Wound Healing Center & Hyperbaric Medicine Program
will be located at
120 Mineola Blvd., Suite 360.
For additional information, call (516) 663-8498.
Cornerstone
3

Winter 2006 • 2007
Institute for Specialty Care
Weight Management Program
Takes Aim at Obesity
At 49, Walter Strack was a prime candidate
for an early death. Weighing
511 pounds, he was vulnerable to
stroke, cardiac disease and diabetes.
With a long list of ailments, including
high blood pressure, he was taking
five different medications and needed
a cane for support when he walked on
his severely swollen legs.
“I felt old,” he said. “I had no
energy, it was hard for me to move, I
needed seatbelt extensions so I could
drive legally, and I couldn’t fit comfortably
into a chair with arms.”
Along with about 30% — 60 million
people — of the U.S. population, Mr.
Strack was dangerously overweight.
Taking aim in the battle against
obesity, which the National Institutes
of Health claims has reached epidemic
proportions, Winthrop’s Weight
Management Program — a comprehensive,
medically supervised weight
loss and health enhancement program
for adults — provides a healthy way
to lose weight and develop a new,
healthier outlook on life.
That’s just what Mr. Strack needed.
“I tried many diets, but nothing
really worked,” he said. “I even considered
surgery, but didn’t want to take
the risk. One day I decided to stop
feeling sorry for myself. I have seven
children, and I wanted to live. It was a
no brainer.” He joined Winthrop’s
Weight Management Program, and
made what he calls a life-long commitment
to improving his health.
Over the past decade, the Program
has helped thousands of people turn
their lives around, including Joseph
Greensher, MD, Winthrop’s Medical
Director, and Valerie Terzano, RN, the
Hospital’s Vice President for Nursing.
“As a role model for nurses, I had to
set a positive example,” she said. “It
gets easier every day. The important
4 Cornerstone
thing is to keep your
goal in mind.”
The Program’s
weight-loss process
begins with a referral
from the participant’s
primary care physician
and includes
blood tests, an EKG
and medical clearance
from one of the
Program’s physicians.
After orientation,
the next 12-16 weeks
focus on initial weight loss.
Participants follow a liquid “Full Fast,”
including a minimum of five daily
shakes, or the “Healthy Solutions” program,
a modified diet involving a mix of
shakes, entrees and fruits and vegetables.
“Our diet provides structure and
adequate nutrition while eliminating
the need to weigh or measure foods,”
explained Donna Norkaitis-Gerrity, MS,
RD, CDN, Program Coordinator and
Director of Nutritional Counseling.
“When the plan is followed, participants
are successful,” she added. “Their
success touches me on a personal level.
One little girl sent me a note after her
father lost weight, saying, ‘Thanks for
giving my daddy back to me.’”
Joan Cotelidis is another of the
Program’s many success stories. “I’ve
gone from a size 18W to a 12,” she
reported. “Now, I hold my head up higher
and feel more confident. Donna has
taught me a lot, especially that you must
be physically active otherwise the weight
will come back with a vengeance.”
To help maintain their successful
weight loss, participants also are
required to attend weekly counseling/behavior
modification sessions,
where they find support and discuss a
wide range of topics.
“Not only does our Program lead
Walter Strack (above),
before the Weight
Management Program
and today, with Program Coordinator,
Donna Norkaitis-Gerrity.
to weight loss, but more importantly,
participants can gain control of their
lives,” said Ms. Norkaitis-Gerrity.
“It forces them to step back and take
care of themselves for a change.”
Mr. Strack has certainly been
taking care of himself. Not only has
he changed his eating habits, but he’s
also transformed his attitude toward
physical activity. As an electronic surveillance
specialist in New York law
enforcement, his workday is sedentary.
“When I started the program, I couldn’t
do more than five minutes on my bike;
now I do an hour-and-a-half a day of
cardiac exercise, and sometimes more,
if I’m listening to good music.”
So far he has lost close to 200
pounds. “I’m not finished yet, but I
know I’ll be successful,” he said. “It
wasn’t easy at first, now it’s not hard.
I feel like I’m 25 again. My energy
level is unbelievable. I’m off meds
entirely. I don’t need to go to the Big
Man’s store anymore, and best of all,
they had to downsize my bulletproof
vest three times.”
For more information about
weight loss at Winthrop, call
(516) 663-DIET. ■

Winter 2006 • 2007
New Translation Service Breaks Language Barrier
The situation was life threatening, time
was running out, and the patient in the
Emergency Department (ED) could
speak only Greek. It’s hard to imagine
how isolated and frightened she must
have felt, and how frustrating it must
have been for her caregivers to be
hampered by a language barrier.
“We tried to communicate with
the patient and her family,” explained
Gerald Brody, MD, Chairman of
Winthrop’s Ambulatory Care Department,
“but it quickly became clear
that we needed the help of a translator,
and we needed it immediately.”
Enter the CyraCom system —
a special, dual-handset phone that
enables live, effective communication
between healthcare providers and
patients with the assistance of a trained
medical interpreter. Offering more than
150 languages from Albanian to Zulu,
and available 24-hours-a-day, sevendays-a-week,
CyraCom interpreters —
with language skills and sensitivity to
cultural differences — help break
the language barrier between
caregivers and patients.
Within 30 seconds of dialing
the system’s toll-free number,
Dr. Brody was speaking with a
Greek translator, who helped the
ED team obtain vital information
about the patient that allowed
them to provide appropriate
treatment without delay. “Not only
were we able to help her,” Dr. Brody
explained, “but the family was
extremely pleased with the effort we
made to communicate effectively.”
Lack of understanding can have
serious consequences for patients.
Jay’s World Foundation Dedicates
Fifth Room in Cancer Center Unit
Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc., recently dedicated the fifth room
of the Jay’s World Children’s Cancer Unit at Winthrop-University Hospital. Jason
“Jay” Napolitano, now 27, is a survivor of leukemia. He and the rest of the
Napolitano family are committed to assisting children and families facing the
same extraordinarily difficult challenges that they once faced.
(L.-R.) Ralph
Napolitano; Jason ‘Jay’
Napolitano; Mary Ann
Napolitano; John
Broder, Winthrop’s Vice
President, External
Affairs; Robert
Napolitano; Mark
Weinblatt, MD, Chief,
Division of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology
and Medical Director of
Winthrop’s Cancer
Center for Kids; and
Joseph Greensher, MD,
Winthrop’s Medical
Director and Vice
Chairman, Department
of Pediatrics.
“For example, explaining the proper
dosage of medication can be challenging
even to English-speaking patients;
a language barrier makes it even
more difficult,” explained Jean
Zebroski, Winthrop’s Director of
Patient Relations. “Patients become
embarrassed, confused and intimidated.
Often they are reluctant to ask
questions or ask for help.”
With CyraCom, all parties are on
the line almost instantly, and the
physician and patient are directly
across from each other. This allows
the doctor to read the patient’s body
language and facial expressions and
keep the conversation confidential;
the patient becomes more comfortable,
confident and relaxed.
Winthrop currently has 63
CyraCom phones — on all patient care
units and at offsite facilities. Each has
a PIN that identifies the phone, tracks
its location and determines usage.
CyraCom calls may also be made from
a conventional desk phone.
“Doctors can’t be expected to
provide the best treatment if they
can’t communicate effectively with
their patients,” said Dr. Brody, “and
patients can’t be expected to follow
instructions given in a foreign language.
Optimal communication
improves patient satisfaction, results
in better outcomes and provides for
greater patient safety.”
For more information about
Winthrop’s CyraCom system call
(516) 663-8381. ■
Cornerstone
5

Winter 2006 • 2007
Institute for Cancer Care
Winthrop’s Lung Cancer Center: Cutting-Edge,
Compassionate & Comprehensive Care
No one — even a smoker —
is ever prepared to hear that they
have lung cancer.
6 Cornerstone
The immediate reaction, usually shock,
is often followed by a feeling of being
besieged — by a massive amount of
new information, critical treatment
options to understand and seemingly
endless visits to specialists.
Even under the best
of circumstances, navigating
the healthcare system
can be overwhelming.
But it needn’t be that
way. Offering a comprehensive
program of
prevention, diagnosis and
advanced multidisciplinary
inpatient and outpatient
treatment for men and
women with lung cancer
— and those with a high
risk of developing the disease
— the staff at
Winthrop-University
Hospital’s Lung Cancer
Center understands lung
cancer patients’ unique
anxieties and fears, and
focuses on alleviating their stress.
“I was stunned when I heard the
news,” said John Gilbert, a retired
police sergeant, who had quit smoking
10 years earlier. In May 2005, he was
referred to Winthrop’s Lung Cancer
Center and diagnosed with stage IIIA
non-small cell lung cancer, a complex
disease that requires a multidisciplinary
therapeutic approach.
The Center consists of a diverse
team of specialists, managed by
Medical Director Jeffrey Schneider,
MD, and Cancer Care Coordinator
Julie Mischo, RN. The team includes
medical oncologists, thoracic surgeons,
interventional radiologists,
radiation oncologists, pulmonologists,
radiologists, pathologists, social
workers and pulmonary rehabilitation
therapists. Each of the relevant specialists
contributes to the patients’
care as they meet regularly to determine
the best course of treatment.
“Our patients are at the core of
everything we do,” said Dr. Schneider.
(L.-R.) Julie Mischo, RN, Cancer Care Coordinator; Scott Schubach, MD,
thoracic surgeon and Chairman of Winthrop’s Department of Thoracic
and Cardiovascular Surgery; and Jeffrey Schneider, MD, Medical
Director of Winthrop’s Lung Cancer Center, discuss the best course of
treatment for a patient.
“They can be confident that we use
every available resource to deliver
leading-edge care that targets their
individualized medical circumstances.”
For Mr. Gilbert, the Center’s team
developed an individualized and
aggressive treatment plan, including a
combination of radiation therapy and
chemotherapy. After he completed
treatment, he followed up with participation
in Winthrop’s nationally
recognized Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Program (PRP), which not only helped
restore his breathing capacity, but
also improved his general well-being.
Considered Long Island’s most
comprehensive resource for treating
breathing disorders, the PRP provides
patients with exercise programs
specifically tailored to their strengths
and weaknesses, health information
and group support to help them cope
with feelings of anger, depression and
anxiety. “While this program is not a
cure, it optimizes care and improves
quality of life,” said Mara Bernstein,
Administrative Director of
Outpatient Services for
Pulmonary and Critical
Care at Winthrop.
“No words can express
how I was cared for during
my treatment, and how I
still feel cared for,” said
Mr. Gilbert. “From day one,
they handled everything.
All of my tests and treatments
were booked for me.
We were always informed
about what was happening
and what I could expect.
That made the whole thing
a lot easier.”
Cancer Care Coordinator
Julie Mischo helps patients
and families move through
the process as easily as possible.
Working closely with the Center’s
specialists to organize and orchestrate
patient care and program activities, Ms.
Mischo supports patients and families
through constant interaction with the
Center’s medical, nursing and social
work staffs. “It is my job to keep the
lines of communication open so our
patients can deal with the challenges
presented by their disease,” she said.
At 71, Frances Malloy, also a
smoker diagnosed with stage IIIA lung
cancer, was particularly challenged
when she came to Winthrop’s Lung
Cancer Center. She had been treated
(continued on page 18)

Winthrop’s Home Health
Agency Among Nation’s Elite
Recognized as one of the nation’s top
25 percent of Medicare-certified home
health agencies, Winthrop’s Home
Health Agency (HHA) has been named
a 2006 HomeCare Elite provider. This
designation placed
Winthrop’s HHA
among the top 500
home healthcare
providers across
the U.S.
The consistent
flow of praise that
arrives daily from
grateful families and
patients is a testament
to the Agency’s
seamless continuum
of compassionate
post-hospital care,
aimed at allowing
patients to maintain independence and
quality of life at home while recuperating
or managing an illness.
With the average length of hospital
stays decreasing and the number
of residents aged 85 and older rapidly
climbing, the need
for additional, quality
home healthcare
services grows
almost daily.
“Home healthcare”
covers a wide
range of basic and specialized health
and social services delivered at home.
“We provide home care for patients
who have had cardiac surgery, joint
replacements, mastectomies and
gynecological procedures, as well as
those with chronic conditions such as
congestive heart failure, pulmonary
disease, diabetes and wound care
issues,” said Anne Calvo, RN, the
Agency’s Administrator/Director of
Patient Services. With a staff of 200,
the Agency, which logs more than
“The care at home that our
mother received was extraordinary.
Your understanding of her
situation displayed your
compassionate nature.” – CB
100,000 home visits annually, also
offers in-home care for maternity
patients, as well as comprehensive
services that include nursing, rehabilitation
and social work for acute and
chronically ill
patients — from
newborns to adults
— with short- and
long-term needs.
Encompassing
nursing, social or
therapeutic needs
and/or assistance
with the essential
activities of daily living,
the services
include: skilled nursing;
ostomy and
wound care; rehabilitation
services,
such as physical, occupational and
speech therapies; medical social services;
intravenous therapy, including
total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics,
chemotherapy, hydration and pain
management; lab work; home health
aide assistance
with personal care;
and medical equipment
and supplies.
When the need
for home care is
open-ended, chronically
ill, disabled and elderly patients
may be eligible for the Agency’s Long
Term Home Health Care Program.
Referred to as the “nursing home without
walls,” long term care offers an
alternative to people who would otherwise
require placement in a healthrelated
facility or skilled nursing home
and is reimbursable by Medicaid with
the approval of the Nassau County
Department of Social Services. Services
include: nursing; physical, occupational
and speech therapy; medical social
Winter 2006 • 2007
Institute for Specialty Care
work; respiratory therapy; nutritional
planning; housekeepers; personal care
aides and specialized services such as
home maintenance and emergency
response system.
“For the chronically ill, this
Agency is often a vital link to quality
of life…some say life-saving…support
services,” explained Ms. Calvo. “This
is particularly true for many frail, disabled
homebound patients, who would
have a very difficult life without the
Home Health Agency’s conscientious,
personalized patient management,
intervention and oversight.”
In addition to traditional services,
Winthrop’s Agency also has specialty
programs designed to help patients follow
their post-hospital treatment plans
through personalized, physician-prescribed
therapies, education and
support provided at home. They
include an individualized total joint
replacement rehabilitation program,
designed by Frank DiMaio, MD,
Chairman of Winthrop’s Department of
Orthopaedic Surgery, and a specialized
program for gynecology patients. “I
hear only compliments about the services,”
reported Alan Garely, MD,
Winthrop’s Chief of Gynecology and
Director of Urogynecology and Pelvic
Reconstructive Surgery. “They are
happy to have someone provide treatment,
information and help with pain
management at home.”
Hi-Tech Home Telemonitoring
The Agency’s staff can be reached
for phone consultations 24/7.
Additionally, through Telehealth, the
newest home telephone monitoring system,
patients can be supervised at home
via remote monitoring. They can have
their status evaluated several times a
day. A monitor installed at home connected
to a traditional phone allows the
Agency to collect the patient’s vital signs
for clinical review and evaluation every
day. If the data indicates a need for
(continued on page 15)
Cornerstone
7

Winter 2006 • 2007
Institute for Neurosciences
Winthrop’s MS Treatment Center Continues
to Elevate Standard of Care & Research
Since 2001, Christine Posner has
been traveling from her Rocky Point
home in eastern Long Island to
Winthrop-University Hospital’s
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatment
Center in Mineola every three months.
The round-trip takes three hours, but
she believes it’s a small price to pay
for her continued well-being.
She was first diagnosed with MS —
the most common cause of chronic neurological
disability in young adults —
six years ago at the age of 31. She had
been misdiagnosed for the previous 10
years, despite her symptoms, which
included weakness in her legs, tingling
hands, serious problems with balance
and blurry vision. After being diagnosed
with MS and treated for a year without
any improvement, she came to
Winthrop’s MS Center, where Malcolm
Gottesman, MD, Chief of the Division
of Neurology and Director of the MS
Center, began to manage her care.
“The Center has changed my life,”
she said. “I’m symptom-free now. And,
when they do appear, they’re milder
than before. Since Dr. Gottesman has
been treating me, I’ve been basically
healthy.”
While the cause of MS remains a
mystery, it is considered an inflammatory
disease that damages areas of the
protective insulation (myelin) surrounding
the nerves in the central nervous
system (brain and spine).
“MS is difficult to diagnose,” said
Dr. Gottesman. “It shares many characteristics
of other diseases, and there is
no single test to confirm its existence.
Only after ruling out other conditions
can we confirm an MS diagnosis.
“Although we have no cure yet, the
last 10 years have been a watershed
decade for advances in treatment
options, which have evolved from a
8 Cornerstone
single medication
to the use of multiple
drugs in
combination that
can stabilize
patients and retard
progression.”
The Center’s
mission is to provide
compassionate
patient care, conduct
research and
promote professional
and patient
education. Since its
inception in 1997,
the program has
grown steadily and
established itself
at the forefront of
MS treatment and
research.
Patient Care
With about 1,500 patient visits
annually, the Center’s staff has become
known for the concerned, personalized
attention bestowed on each patient.
“With most chronic illnesses, where
there’s no cure, the next best thing is
to develop a relationship with a medical
team that takes the time to really
listen to you,” said Mindy Alpert, who
has been treated for MS at Winthrop
since 1999.
MS patients at the Center receive
much more than attention to their physical
needs. “Our strength as an MS
Center is our expertise and knowledge
in helping patients manage and cope
with this serious disease,” said
Sharon Friedman-Urevich, RN, Nurse
Practitioner and Coordinator of
Winthrop’s Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Program. “Our association with specialists
who treat the various symptoms
connected with MS, such as pain
Malcolm Gottesman, MD, Chief of the Neurology Division and
Director of the MS Center (third from left) with dedicated staff
(l.-r.), Sharon Friedman-Urevich, RN, Nurse Practitioner and
Coordinator of Winthrop’s MS Treatment Program; Denise Cheng,
RN; and Eileen Boylan, RN.
management, depression, bladder control
and spasticity — and our ability to
expedite referrals to them — enhances
our ability to improve patients’ quality
of life.”
Since manifestations of MS
depend on which part of the central
nervous system is affected, psychosocial
symptoms such as depression are
not uncommon. “We treat the disease
as well as help patients manage their
symptoms,” said Ms. Friedman-
Urevich. “Our team listens and talks
to our patients — that’s key to the
quality of care we provide.”
Although Ms. Alpert’s disease has
progressed since beginning treatment
at the Center, she believes she’s at the
best place she can be. “I’m in a much
better place emotionally since coming
to the Center,” she explained. “It’s a big
relief to have a responsive medical
team. When I call, I know I’ll get an
answer to my question.”
(continued on page 18)

Winter 2006 • 2007
New Pre-Diabetes
Intervention Program
Takes Flight at Winthrop
Pre-diabetes is a condition that affects
many people — both young and old. It
occurs when blood sugar levels are
higher than normal, but not high enough
to be classified as type 2 diabetes — a
chronic condition that affects the way
the body metabolizes sugar — the
body’s main source of fuel.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, one
out of five adults has pre-diabetes.
A recent grant of $100,000 by The
Edward Smith Mineola Lions Club
has enabled the Diabetes Education
Center at Winthrop to launch a
unique new program designed to promote
lifestyle changes and stem the
alarming rise in type 2 diabetes cases
among individuals with pre-diabetes.
“Lifestyle Balance to Prevent
Diabetes: A Pre-Diabetes Intervention
Program” is the only program of its
In November, the Roslyn Savings Foundation
presented a grant of $10,000 to Winthrop’s
Diabetes Education Center to help launch the
pilot phase of the new Pre-Diabetes Intervention
Program. Pictured (l.-r.) are Barry Cosel-Pieper,
Winthrop’s Director of Development; Lynne
Chimon, RD, and Margaret Marinelli, RD, dietitians
at Winthrop’s Diabetes Education Center;
Marian Conway, Senior Program Officer and
Sharon G. Grosser, Executive Director, Roslyn
Savings Foundation; Virginia Peragallo-Dittko,
Director, Diabetes Education Center; and Eileen
Egan, RN, Marina Moore, and Diane Marron of
the Diabetes Education Center.
kind in the New
York Metropolitan
area. It provides a
comprehensive
educational experience
that offers
counseling to prediabetic
individuals
to encourage
weight control,
healthy food choices
and regular
physical activity.
“Recent studies
indicate that type 2
diabetes can be
prevented or delayed in those with prediabetes,”
said Virginia
Peragallo-Dittko, APRN, BC-ADM, MA,
CDE, Director of Winthrop’s Diabetes
Education Center. “The Winthrop prediabetes
program offers practical
information about food products,
strategies for eating out and realistic
exercise habits.”
The Roslyn Savings Foundation
and Melville Lions provided funding
Institute for Specialty Care
Pictured at the January 4 dedication of the Edward Smith Mineola Lions Club
Pre-Diabetes Intervention Program are (l.-r.) Daniel P. Walsh, President and
CEO, Winthrop-University Hospital; Rich Volpe, President-elect, the Edward
Smith Mineola Lions Club; Emanuel DeFreitas, President, the Edward Smith
Mineola Lions Club; Richard Nicolello, Nassau County Legislator; Virginia
Peragallo-Dittko, Director of Winthrop’s Diabetes Education Center; John H.
Treiber, Vice Chairman of the Board at Winthrop and President of the Treiber
Group, LLC in Garden City; John Broder, Vice President, External Affairs &
Development, Winthrop.
during the pilot phase, and the Edward
Smith Mineola Lions have made an
enduring commitment to the program.
The program costs $100 per person
and is open to individuals
diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Seating is
limited; advance registration is
required. For more information on the
Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center
and its comprehensive programming,
please call (516) 663-2350. ■
Organ Donor
Network Medal
of Honor
In October 2006, Winthrop-
University Hospital was honored by
the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) for its high
rate of organ and tissue donations.
The Organ Donor Network Medal of
Honor recognizes hospitals that achieve above-average organ donation rates.
Pictured are Barbara Kohart-Kleine, Vice President for Administration at
Winthrop; Daniel Walsh, Winthrop’s President and CEO; and Elizabeth
Wirkowski, MD, Director of the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at
Winthrop, with the Organ Donor Network Medals of Honor.
Cornerstone
9

Winter 2006 • 2007
As the jazzy sounds of authentic 1920s music mixed with laughter, while flappers
danced the Charleston, nearly 650 friends and supporters of Winthrop-University
Hospital gathered on October 21 to raise funds for the Hospital and pay honor to
two very special guests: John H. Treiber, President of the Treiber Group, LLC in
Garden City and Joseph Greensher, MD, Vice Chairman of Winthrop’s Department of
Pediatrics and Medical Director of the Hospital. Held at Reckson Plaza in Uniondale,
the 2006 Winthrop-University Hospital Gala raised an impressive $650,000 in
support of the Hospital’s programs and services.
The “Welcome back to the Roaring 20s” theme, with entertainment provided
by the vivacious Lindy Hop, provided a thrilling ambiance and an evening not
soon to be forgotten. The 2006 Gala would not have been possible
without the generous support of our sponsors. ■
10 Cornerstone
Cotton Club Sponsors
bfi
Lizardos Engineering Associates, PC
Merrill Lynch
Standard Register Company
Contributors
Adeza Biomedical
ARC Excess & Surplus, Inc.
Baldwin Family Foundation
Banfi Vintners Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Benjamin
Greater New York Hospital
Association
Optimum Healthcare Solutions
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Phipps, Jr.
Privett Special Risk Services
Pzena Investment Management, LLC
Ropes & Gray, LLP
Schering-Plough Corporation
Mr. Lewis E. Topper
Mr. and Mrs. H. Craig Treiber
U.S. RE Agencies, Inc.
YMCA of Long Island, Inc.
Club W Speakeasy Sponsors
Nassau Anesthesia Associates, PC
Neurological Surgery, PC
The Treiber Group, LLC
Lucky Lindy Sponsors
B&G Industries Ltd.
Optimum Lightpath
Pall Corporation
Great Gatsby Sponsors
Aon Consulting Inc.
Bower, Sanger & Lawrence, PC
Furey, Kerley, Walsh, Matera &
Cinquemani, PC
Garfunkel, Wild & Travis, PC
Montfort, Healy, McGuire & Salley
Putney, Twombly, Hall & Hirson, LLP
Turner Construction Company
Rum Runner Sponsors
AmeriChoice Health Services Inc.
Citibank, NA
Formed Plastics, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Greensher
Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP
Mrs. Theodora W. Hooton
Nassau Surgical Associates, PC
United Healthcare
Flapper Sponsors
Hospitality Valuation Services International
KeySpan Corporation
R.A. Newhouse, Inc.
The Risk Management Planning Group, Inc.
SentosaCare, LLC
Winthrop Pathology Department
Rudolph Valentino Sponsors
BISYS/Tri-City Insurance Brokers, Inc.
Cardiovascular Medical Associates, PC
Carrier Corporation
HSBC Bank USA
JPMorgan Chase
LifeStar Response Corporation
The McGuire Group Architects
Neurological Surgery, PC
Phoenix Medical Construction
Robbins & Cowan, Inc.
Steel Equities
Mr. and Mrs. Scott R. Treiber
Winthrop Academic Affairs
Winthrop Department of Thoracic
and Cardiovascular Surgery
Winthrop Orthopaedic Associates, PC
Winthrop Surgical Associates
Ziegfeld Follies Sponsors
Barnett, Ehrenfeld, Edelstein & Gross, PC
Hamilton Cavanaugh & Associates, Inc.
Perkins Eastman Architects, PC
Ross Products Division-Abbott
Laboratories, Inc.
Verizon
Wiedersum Associates Architects, PLLC
Zurich U.S. Healthcare

Winter 2006 • 2007
Cornerstone 11

Winter 2006 • 2007
McCormack Fund
Shows Support for
Cardiopulmonary
Stress Lab
In 2006, Winthrop-University
Hospital received $35,000 from the
Carleigh McCormack Memorial Fund,
which was created by Heather and
Jim McCormack in memory of their
daughter. The donation included
approximately $5,000 raised by students
at Nassau Community College
(NCC) through their annual 5K Run
in honor of Carleigh’s grandfather,
retired NCC economics professor
Neil Nugent, and approximately
$30,000 raised by the McCormack
family at their 2006 Golf Outing.
Donations from the Carleigh
McCormack Memorial Fund are
going toward the development of a
cardiopulmonary stress lab for pediatric
patients at Winthrop. There,
young cardiac patients will be evaluated
on state-of-the-art stationary
bicycles and treadmills to assess the
degree of exercise they can safely do.
“The McCormacks have been
dedicated to helping me secure
resources that will improve the
lives of children with heart disease,”
explained Russell Schiff,
MD, Director of Ambulatory
Pediatric Cardiology at Winthrop.
Pictured above are Susan Mitchell,
Intramural Director, Nassau
Community College, presenting the
college’s donation to Dr. Schiff.
A True Champion
Charlie’s Champions
Foundation, which is dedicated
to the support of
the Cancer Center for
Kids (CCK) at Winthrop-
University Hospital and
the families who are
treated there, recently
raised $75,000 for the
CCK through the organization’s
first Tennis
Tournament, which took
place at the Shelter Rock
Tennis & Country Club in Manhasset. Pictured are (back row, l.-r.) John Broder, Vice
President, External Affairs & Development, Winthrop-University Hospital; Maria
Kavan, Development Specialist, Cancer Center for Kids; Linda Sweeney, Practice
Manager, Cancer Center for Kids; Mark Weinblatt, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology and Director, Winthrop’s
Cancer Center for Kids; John Schmitt, daughter Lily,
Tara Schmitt; and Stephanie Merkis, RN, of the
Cancer Center for Kids. Front row, Nicole Pearl, MS,
CCLS, Child Life Specialist, Cancer Center for Kids
and Charlie Schmitt. ■
Charlie Schmitt (l.), the eight-year-old boy for whom
Charlie’s Champions Foundation is named, recently
donated a brand new bicycle and helmet to Eric Suber,
a fellow patient at Winthrop-University Hospital’s
Cancer Center for Kids.
Bay’s Big Bash
Bailey Ryan, a former patient at Winthrop-University Hospital’s Cancer Center for
Kids (CCK), presents the Center with a $47,000 check from the proceeds of “Bay’s
Big Bash,” an annual
celebration of life hosted
by Bailey’s parents.
(L.-R.) John Broder,
Winthrop’s Vice
President, External
Affairs & Development;
Philip Scimeca, MD,
Associate Chief,
Division of Pediatric
Hematology/Oncology;
Mike Watson, Sales
Professional, Van Buren
Buick Pontiac GMC; Bailey; Alice Lovegrove, Bailey’s mother; Mark Weinblatt, MD,
Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Director of the Cancer Center
for Kids; Maria Kavan, CCK Development Specialist; Mike Ryan, Bailey’s father; Linda
Sweeney, CCK Practice Manager; and Cathy Schimmel, CCK Nurse Manager.
12 Cornerstone

The Franceschini Family
Supports Colon Cancer
Research
In October 2006, the Franceschini
family of Albertson hosted the Debra
Ann Franceschini Memorial Golf
Outing at Wheatley Hills Country Club
in East Williston to raise money to
launch a colon cancer research project
at Winthrop. The event raised
approximately $40,000. The colon
cancer research project, headed by
David Friedel, MD, of the Hospital’s
Division of Gastroenterology,
Hepatology and Nutrition, will involve
encouraging select patients hospitalized
at Winthrop to agree to a routine
screening colonoscopy and the exploration
of attitudes and opinions
concerning the disease.
The Franceschini family owns
and operates Piccolo’s Restaurant on
Jericho Turnpike in Mineola. A fundraiser
held at Piccolo’s during the summer
raised approximately $14,000 for
Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids,
where a treatment room has been dedicated
to the memory of wife and mother
Debra Ann. ■
Winter 2006 • 2007
Mr. Robert Franceschini
(second from left) and
sons Robert (far left) and
James (second from right)
join Dr. Mark Weinblatt
(center), Chief, Division
of Pediatric Hematology/
Oncology and Director of
Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids and John Broder, Winthrop’s Vice President, External
Affairs & Development, to dedicate a room at Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids in memory
of wife and mother Debra Ann Franceschini.
Evening of Tasting and Giving
The Michael Magro Foundation raised an extraordinary $52,000 during the
organization’s 2nd annual “Evening of Tasting and Giving” on October 3 at The
Mansion at Woodlands in Woodbury. The funds will benefit Winthrop-University
Hospital’s Hagedorn Pediatric Inpatient Center and its Cancer Center for Kids.
The Foundation has donated X-
Box game consoles and game
cartridges, portable televisions
with stands, arts and crafts supplies,
and books for pediatric
patients. The Foundation also
provides support and recreational
respite to families dealing with
childhood cancers. Pictured left,
volunteers gearing up for the
2nd annual “Evening of Tasting
and Giving.”
Lippert Family Dinner Dance
Raises $35,000 for Cancer
Center for Kids
The 5th annual Lippert Family Celebration of Life was held
on September 21 at the Jericho Terrace, Mineola. The
event raised $35,000, bringing the family’s contributions to
nearly $150,000 to benefit Winthrop-University Hospital’s
Cancer Center for Kids (CCK).
Seeking to give something back to the organization
that saved her child’s life and to help others who endure
similar experiences, Donna Lippert hosted the first
event in 2002 to celebrate her son Joe’s successful
treatment at Winthrop’s CCK. The Lippert Family Dinner
Dance has become a popular annual gathering. This
year’s celebration is scheduled for September 20, 2007
at The Mansion at Woodlands in Woodbury, NY.
(L.-R.) Mary Ann Gialando; Margaret Fox Jackson; Debbie Magliola;
Gina Giordano; Donna Lippert; Maxine Andrade; Mark Weinblatt, MD,
Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Director
of the CCK; Gina Lippert; Joey Lippert; Robert Lippert; Francesca
Lombardo; and Maria Kavan, CCK Development Specialist.
Cornerstone 13

Winter 2006 • 2007
Advanced Cardiology Techniques
(continued from cover)
secondary benefit of PFO closure.
“Before having the ASD/PFO closure
procedure at Winthrop, I just
didn’t feel like myself — I was pale,
sluggish and weak,” noted Mrs.
Innerfield. “Now, when I see people one
of the first things that they comment on
is the coloring in my face and how
much better I look. It feels so wonderful
to be up and about doing things and
just simply enjoying life again.”
Mrs. Innerfield was the first
patient to receive ASD/PFO closure at
Winthrop since Dr. Naidu brought the
procedure to the Hospital upon his
arrival in October 2006. Dr. Naidu’s
extensive experience in percutaneous
cardiac intervention makes him a valuable
asset to Winthrop and its patients.
As director of the Hypertrophic
Cardiomyopathy Center at New York
Presbyterian Hospital - Cornell Medical
Center, Dr. Naidu also mastered a cutting-edge
treatment for another
dangerous heart defect.
Residency Programs Get the Nod
Medical education is a vital component of Winthrop’s mission. In 2006, the
Department of Internal Medicine along with eight subspecialties earned prestigious
reaccreditation of their residency programs from the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the organization responsible for the
accreditation of post-MD medical training programs within the U.S.. The process
involves a rigorous peer-review of residency programs. Each of the following
programs received the maximum cycle of five-years of continued accreditation.
• Internal Medicine Residency: Mark Corpai, MD
• Endocrinology: Lawrence Shapiro, MD
• Gastroenterology: James Grendell, MD
• Geriatrics: Lucy Macina, MD
• Infectious Disease: Burke Cunha, MD
• Nephrology: Steven Fishbane, MD
• Hematology/Oncology: Harry Staszewski, MD
• Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine: Jonathan Ilowite, MD
• Rheumatology: Steven Carsons, MD
Coronary Angioplasty
at Winthrop
Winthrop is the ONLY New York
State hospital with an overall
“risk-adjusted mortality rate
significantly lower that the statewide
rate” for every three-year reporting
cycle since 1999. Winthrop is also
ranked #1 in New York State for
coronary angioplasty in the latest
New York State Department of Health
report (November 2006
for year 2004).
Alcohol Septal Ablation
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the
most common cause of heart-related
sudden death in people under 30 years
of age, is a genetic disease that may
appear without an obvious family history,
and can occur at any age. The
condition is characterized by an excessive
thickening of heart muscle. As a
result, the heart cannot fill with blood
properly and is not capable of pumping
blood effectively. This dangerous combination
can result in shortness of breath,
lightheadedness, palpitations and even
heart failure. In rare instances, it can
lead to sudden collapse and even death
during or following vigorous exercise.
Dr. Naidu is one of a handful of
cardiac interventionalists who are
treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
with a new procedure known as alcohol
septal ablation (ASA). The
treatment is only offered at a few
hospitals nationwide and provides a
less invasive alternative to openheart
surgery. The procedure takes
approximately one hour, during which
patients are fully awake. Dr. Naidu
injects a small amount of absolute
alcohol into the heart to destroy
excessive heart muscle in the septum
— the dividing wall between the right
and left sides of the heart.
“Over the years, I have seen
many patients and families affected by
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,” said
Dr. Naidu. “Alcohol septal ablation is
currently only offered to patients for
whom medical therapy has failed.
Although we are very selective about
who is a candidate for the procedure,
I am confident that in time, it will
become a first-line therapy for many
people who suffer from this common
genetic disease.”
Winthrop-University Hospital’s
Institute for Heart Care is known for its
superior cardiac surgery, interventional
cardiology programs and remarkable
standards of care. Winthrop-University
Hospital ranked #1 in the latest NYS
Department of Health study on angioplasty
success. In addition, Winthrop is
the only hospital in NYS to achieve a
risk-adjusted mortality rate significantly
lower than the statewide rate for every
one of the three-year cycles since the
study was commenced in 1999.
For more information about
cardiac care at Winthrop-University
Hospital, call 1-866-WINTHROP. ■
14 Cornerstone

Scientific Research
(continued from page 3)
into the disease and current treatment
modalities, the ODTRC is presently
examining the effect of Vitamin D supplementation
in Caucasian and African
American women.
Cardiopulmonary Research
Institute (CPRI) – Winthrop laboratory
scientists, as well as pulmonologists,
pediatricians and cardiovascular specialists,
are pursuing a better understanding
of heart and lung disease through studies
of cell development and function, as
well as tissue injury, recovery and the
role of heredity. The goal is to prevent
lung and heart damage in children and
adults. Their interests include examining
gene therapy in the treatment of acute
and chronic lung disease and the development
of a novel class of antibiotics to
fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Clinical Trials Center (CTC) –
Winthrop has been at the forefront of
clinical trials for many years, furthering
its commitment to providing patients
and the community with access to the
most advanced treatment options.
Under the direction of Robert Krishoff,
MS, with the support of experienced
clinical research coordinators, research
pharmacists, laboratory personnel and
ancillary staff, the CTC follows stringent
federal research guidelines to ensure
the safety of all participating patients.
The CTC has pioneered a host of important
clinical research investigations, and
is currently conducting studies on new
treatments/medications for diabetes,
hypertension, asthma, Crohn’s disease,
Winthrop’s Home Health Agency
(continued from page 7)
intervention, or if the patient fails to collect
the vital signs when prompted by
the phone call, appropriate action is
taken immediately; the program virtually
brings the physician’s eyes and ears
into the home.
“Telemonitoring is very helpful
with disease management,” explained
Lorraine Greene, RN, the Agency’s
Telemonitoring Coordinator. “We follow
up with the patient’s
physician as soon as
we see any change
in a condition. It can
prevent complications
that would
otherwise occur
without immediate intervention,
frequently reduces the number of
emergency room visits and hospitalizations
and empowers patients to
participate in their own care.”
Richard Zinke, 88, who has coronary
artery disease and heart failure,
visited the emergency room and was
hospitalized several times during 2005.
“I have had the service of other
home healthcare agencies in the
past, and none but Winthrop’s
Agency could be commended for
‘care without compromise’.” – MB
Since November of that year, when he
began participating in Winthrop’s home
telemonitoring program, he has neither
visited the emergency room nor been
hospitalized. “If it wasn’t for the monitor,
he wouldn’t be here today,” said
Mrs. Zinke.
Winthrop staff helps families plan
for a patient’s post-hospital requirements
even before discharge. The
process begins
with a nurse’s
comprehensive
assessment of the
individual’s condition
followed by a
detailed plan of
care written in consultation with the
patient’s physician. About 70 percent
of referrals to the Agency come from
patients hospitalized at Winthrop.
Patients may also self-refer, be referred
by a family member, neighbor or
community organization, or even
another hospital.
Anthony Cordaro, MD, an internist
Winter 2006 • 2007
multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and a
host of other illnesses.
Office of Health Outcomes
Research – Winthrop recently established
an Office of Health Outcomes
Research that will promote collaborative,
interdisciplinary research
throughout the Hospital. Under the
direction of Donald A. Brand, PhD,
physicians, nurses and other members
of the health care team will focus on
outcomes of care, and how to maximize
the effectiveness and efficiency of care
provided to patients.
For more information about the
breadth of scientific research at
Winthrop, call the Clinical Trials
Center at (516) 663-9582. ■
and GI specialist in Floral Park, refers
many of his patients to Winthrop’s
Home Health Agency. “The staff is
excellent,” he said. “They keep me
informed about my patients’ progress,
and, in many cases, their efforts have
prevented re-hospitalization.”
Preventing re-hospitalization is one
of the Agency’s goals. To that effect, the
staff spends a great deal of time teaching
patients about self-care, disease
prevention, nutrition and medication
management. Instruction is geared to
each patient’s level of understanding
and is extended to immediate caretakers
and families. Even the frail elderly
are taught self-care skills.
“The Agency’s conscientious,
individualized patient management,
intervention and supervision contribute
to the spirit of human care for
which Winthrop home care is known,”
said Ms. Calvo.
For more information, call
(516) 663-8000. ■
Cornerstone 15

Winter 2006 • 2007
In an outstanding demonstration
of the community’s support for
Winthrop-University Hospital, 140
people attended the Hospital’s 9th
annual Yuletide Ball on Saturday,
December 9, 2006. The elegant event,
hosted by Cummin and Maureen
Clancy at their lovely Garden City
home, raised an impressive $150,000
in support of Winthrop’s Child Life
Program and Pediatric Services.
Co-chaired by Maureen Liantonia
and Mary Beth C. Tully, the affair’s
committee included NancyAnn
Akeson-Clavin, Cathi Cavanaugh,
Soraya Gage, Maggie Johnson,
Jennifer J. Miller, Clare Petropoulos
and Robin Porter. ■
Celebrating the Spirit of the Season
With Generosity & Grace
16 Cornerstone

Winter 2006 • 2007
Cornerstone 17

Winter 2006 • 2007
Lung Cancer Center
(continued from page 6)
previously at another facility, and felt
frustrated and frightened when her
condition did not improve. The team
created a multidisciplinary treatment
plan that involved surgical removal of
her malignancy by thoracic surgeon
John Goncalves, MD, and a course of
chemotherapy prescribed and supervised
by Dr. Schneider. When asked
about the care she received at
Winthrop, Ms. Malloy simply stated,
“I’ve been to other hospitals, and I
feel Winthrop is the best. I have no
doubt they saved my life.”
When people are facing a lifethreatening
illness, most find that it is
not only vital to have the best and
most advanced treatment, but it’s also
important to know that that they are
regarded as individuals and that their
concerns are really heard. That’s what
64-year-old Joan Aspromonte experienced
when she came to the Lung
Cancer Center with metastatic lung
cancer that had spread to her thigh.
“This was an unusual case,” said
thoracic surgeon Scott Schubach, MD,
Chairman of Winthrop’s Department of
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
“Normally, after operating on the secondary
site, we would not operate on
the lung; we’d recommend additional
treatment such as chemotherapy or
radiation. Ms. Aspromonte expressed a
desire to restrict treatment to surgery,
and noting that she was otherwise
healthy and functioned well, we agreed
that for this patient, the most aggressive
approach to optimized care would be
lung surgery without further therapy.”
Six years later, Ms. Aspromonte
remains a grateful cancer survivor.
“Dr. Schubach and Dr. Schneider listened
to every word I had to say,” she
recalled. “They did everything possible
in my best interest. I was lucky.”
She was more than lucky. She had
come to Winthrop’s Lung Cancer
Center, where “we take state-of-the-art
treatment and tailor it to individual situations,”
said Dr. Schneider. “Ms.
Aspromonte’s case warranted doing
something that was a little different. We
recognized her unique circumstances
and designed a treatment that was
appropriate and beneficial for her.”
MS Treatment Center
(continued from page 8)
In addition to the clinical team
that practices at the Center, Winthrop
offers a community-based team
approach. Eileen Boylan, RN, certified
in MS care, provides specialized
nursing care to patients with MS and
their families. Her work includes
training patients and families to
inject medications, as well as helping
patients to manage the often-unpredictable
and fluctuating symptoms
they can experience.
The MS Center also offers officebased
infusions of the newest MS
medication, Tysabri ® , recently approved
by the FDA and recommended for
patients who have not responded well to
other MS medications. The MS Center is
one of only five centers on Long Island
certified for intravenous administration
of Tysabri ® . Denise Cheng, RN, also certified
in MS care, recently joined the
team to oversee the infusion of this new
drug. “We are happy to be able to provide
this service to our patients who
come to the Center once a month for the
infusion,” said Ms. Cheng.
Research
Research at the MS Center is
extensive. Currently participating in
several multi-center clinical drug
trials, the Center is also one of 15
facilities in New York State collaborating
to study patient outcomes and
risk factors for developing MS. In
addition, Dr. Gottesman and his staff
conduct original research, including a
The unique strategies employed
by the Center have fostered improved
health and optimism for hundreds of
lung cancer patients at Winthrop. For
more information, call (516) 663-
4637 or visit www.winthrop.org. ■
study of the safety and tolerability of
a double dose of Betaseron ® , the first
FDA-approved medication that effectively
reduced the exacerbation rate
of MS by a third.
“We are fortunate to be in a position,
by virtue of the clinical research
we conduct at Winthrop, to be able to
offer our patients new therapies such
as Tysabri, that would otherwise not be
available to them,” said Dr. Gottesman.
Education
The MS Center has also assumed a
leadership position with regard to disseminating
information about the
disease. Ms. Friedman-Urevich recently
founded the Long Island MS Nurse’s
Society, with professionals devoted to
sharing information about MS clinical
care, as well as educating patients
about the latest treatment options. “We
strive to continuously elevate our standard
of care, and raise awareness about
available treatment,” she explained.
“People can cope with a lot if they have
the proper knowledge and support.”
As a result of its wide ranging services,
cutting-edge treatment modalities
and extensive research, the MS Center
at Winthrop has received recognition,
as well as accreditation, from both the
National and Long Island MS Societies.
For more information, call
Winthrop’s Institute for
Neurosciences at 1-866-NEURO-Rx or
visit www.winthrop.org. ■
18 Cornerstone

March 2007
March 12
Look Good, Feel Better
Hair & Make-up Tips for Women with Cancer
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Winthrop-University Hospital
259 First St., Mineola
New Life Center, Conference Room D
Pre-registration required.
Call (516) 663-8843 by March 5
Yoga Classes
286 Old Country Road, Mineola.
8 Classes, $80 (Free Parking)
Registration required. 1-888-53-WOMEN
Mondays 5:30 to 7:00 PM
7:15 to 8:45 PM
Tuesdays 5:30 to 7:00 PM
March 14
FREE Health Update for Seniors Lecture
“Arthritis: What’s New?”
1:15 PM Blood Pressure Checks
1:45 PM Program
Mineola Community Center
155 Washington Ave., Mineola
Pre-registration required: (516) 663-3916
March 20
FREE Perspectives in Health Lecture
“Multiple Sclerosis: The Latest Findings”
6:45 PM Registration; 7:00 PM Program
Winthrop Community Outreach Center
101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola
Pre-registration required: (516) 663-8300
March 21
FREE Women’s Health Forum Lecture
“Women & Heart Disease:
What You Need to Know”
6:45 PM Registration; 7:00 PM Program
Winthrop Community Outreach Center
101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola
Pre-registration required: 1-888-53-WOMEN
Smoking Cessation101
Free Monthly Education/Support Group
Last Wednesday of each month
7:00 – 8:00 PM
Last Thursday of each month
1:30 – 3:00 PM
222 Station Plaza North, Suite 400, Mineola
Call the day of session to reserve space
(516) 663-2579
Save a Life by
Learning CPR
Winthrop’s Community Training Center
offers American Heart Association
classes in:
Basic Life Support
Infant & Child CPR
Family & Friends CPR
Call (516) 663-4455 for more information
March 25
“Getting Your Daughter Ready for College”
Mother-Daughter Brunch & Panel Discussion
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Fee: $20 each
Winthrop-University Hospital
259 First St., Mineola
New Life Conference Center
Reservations required: 1-866-WINTHROP
April 2007
April 11
FREE Health Update for Seniors Lecture
“Skin Care: Addressing Common Problems”
1:15 PM Blood Pressure Checks;
1:45 PM Program
Mineola Community Center
155 Washington Ave., Mineola
Pre-registration required: (516) 663-3916
Stroke Support Group
March 21, April 18 & May 16
FREE for Survivors & Family Members
10:00 to 11:30 AM
200 Old Country Road, Mineola
Information or reservations (516)663-9098
April 17
FREE Perspectives in Health Lecture
“Oh, My Aching Back! Diagnosis and
Treatment of Low Back Pain”
Registration 6:45 PM; Program 7:00 PM
Winthrop Community Outreach Center
101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola
Pre-registration required: (516) 663-8300
April 18
FREE Women’s Health Forum Lecture
“Looking At Lupus: Of Special Concern
to Women…Managing the Disease with a
Thousand Faces”
6:45 PM Registration; 7:00 PM Program
Winthrop Community Outreach Center
101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola
Pre-registration required: 1-888-53-WOMEN
Winter 2006 • 2007
Calendar of Events
April 25
FREE Parenting Today Lecture
“It’s All About the Toilet: Toilet Training
Children With & Without Special Needs,
Including Autism”
6:45 PM Registration; 7:00 PM Program
Winthrop Community Outreach Center
101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola
Pre-registration required: 1-877-559-KIDS
MAY 2007
May (date to be determined)
FREE Skin Cancer Screening
5:00 to 8:00 PM
222 Station Plaza North, Mineola
Appointments required. Call after April 2
(516) 663-8301 Weekdays, 9:00 AM - Noon
May 9
FREE Health Update for Seniors Lecture
“Wound Care: Find the Path to Healing”
1:15 PM Blood Pressure Checks
1:45 PM Program
Mineola Community Center
155 Washington Ave., Mineola
Pre-registration required: (516) 663-3916
May 14
Look Good, Feel Better
Hair & Make-up Tips for Women with Cancer
7:00 to 9:00 PM
Winthrop-University Hospital
259 First St., Mineola
New Life Center, Conference Room D
Pre-registration required.
Call (516) 663-8843 by May 7
May 15
FREE Perspectives in Health Lecture
& Stroke Risk Assessment
“Stroke Alert: Assess Your Risk”
6:45 PM Registration; 7:00 PM Program
Winthrop Community Outreach Center
101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola
Pre-registration required: (516) 663-8300
May 16
FREE Women’s Health Forum Lecture
“Yoga: The Mind-Body Connection”
6:45 PM Registration; 7:00 PM Program
Winthrop Community Outreach Center
101 Mineola Blvd., Mineola
Pre-registration required: 1-888-53-WOMEN
Cornerstone 19

Winter 2006 • 2007
Truckloads of Toys
On January 5th, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo and his team delivered his
annual massive “after the holidays” toy collection. The 18 heaping commercial
laundry bins of toys provide a full year’s supply of toys and
games to be utilized by the Child Life Program in caring for Winthrop’s
young patients. The toys, which are collected through generous community
donations, were delivered personally by Senator Fuschillo after the
holidays to help hospitalized
patients enjoy a little
extra seasonal cheer and
take their minds off being
in the hospital. ■
Pictured (l.-r.): Daniel P.
Walsh, Winthrop’s President
and CEO; Senator Charles J.
Fuschillo, Jr.; AnnMarie
DiFrancesca, Director,
Winthrop’s Child Life
Program; John Broder,
Winthrop’s Vice President,
External Affairs &
Development, behind a
mountain of toys delivered
by the Senator.
Senator Fuschillo and his wife Ellen prepare
to bring toys to patients in their rooms.
Winthrop-University Hospital
259 First Street
Mineola, NY 11501
www.winthrop.org
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Mineola, N.Y.
Permit No. 13
Charles M. Strain
Chairman of the Board
Daniel P. Walsh
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Published by the
Department of External Affairs
(516) 663-2234
John P. Broder
Vice President
External Affairs & Development
Wendy Goldstein
Director, Public Affairs
Leanna Mauro
Publications Specialist
Karen Tripmacher
Community Relations Specialist
A partner in the Winthrop South Nassau University Health System, Inc.