13134 Cornerstone 2.07 New - Winthrop University Hospital

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)