1 FREE - Winthrop University Hospital

Vol.19, No.2
Summer
2009
As Victoria and Peter Kropp of East Meadow watch
their 20-month-old daughter Athena laugh, play and
just enjoy childhood, they are reminded of what has
helped make it possible – the comprehensive and
extraordinary pediatric care that she receives at
Winthrop-University Hospital.
“Words can’t begin to express how grateful
we are to Winthrop. The humanity and attention
they’ve shown to our family has been a blessing,”
said Mr. Kropp recently.
An Urgent Trip to
the Emergency Department
When Athena Kropp was just five months old, she
grew seriously ill. On April 29, 2008, her parents
took her to Winthrop’s Emergency Department
(ED), worried about her pale color and vomiting.
Athena was seen in the Pediatric Emergency Unit
– a separate area within Winthrop’s ED that
provides fast and efficient emergency care in a
child-friendly environment.
“The full spectrum of pediatric medical and
surgical specialists at Winthrop is available in the
Emergency Department,” said Joseph Stambouly,
MD, Chief of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at
Winthrop. The Unit combines the expertise of a
dedicated team of pediatric specialists – including
Board-certified pediatric physicians, residents,
physician assistants, nurses, and certified child
life specialists – with the latest diagnostics to
deliver rapid evaluation and diagnosis in a
pediatric medical emergency.
“Comprehensive pediatric care at Winthrop
includes not only outstanding medical care for the
sick child, but compassion, support and education
for the family as well,” Dr. Stambouly continued.
Weak and still sick to her stomach, Athena
was a good sport as teams of specialists, including
phlebotomists, pediatric hematologist/oncologists,
and pediatric cardiologists, administered a battery
of exams and tests to determine what was making
the little girl so sick. When the results came in
from blood work and imaging studies of Athena’s
spleen and liver, Mr. and Mrs. Kropp learned that
their daughter Athena was suffering from acute
From Emergency
to Critical Care –
Winthrop Pediatrics Shines
leukemia – a disease that is characterized by the
accumulation of immature, functionless cells in
the blood, tissues, bone marrow and other organs.
“Athena’s white blood cell count was extremely
high and we were able to make a diagnosis rapidly,”
said Winthrop pediatric hematologist/oncologist
Philip Scimeca, MD, Associate Chief of the Division
of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, who made the
initial diagnosis and has since played an instrumental
role in Athena’s care.
Following an initial assessment, the pediatric
oncology team moved quickly to determine what
specific type of leukemia Athena was suffering
from. A swift analysis of Athena’s blood and bone
marrow was performed by Winthrop’s specialized
diagnostic oncology team in the Hospital’s stateof-the-art
laboratory.
“We were able to promptly determine that
Athena was suffering from acute lymphoblastic
leukemia – a form of cancer that begins in the
bone marrow, where blood cells are produced,”
said Dr. Scimeca.
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Athena was quickly transferred to the Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit (PICU) – a modern, eight-room
(continued on page 10)

Summer 2009
Institute for Specialty Care
Cutting-Edge Endoscopic Technique Offers
New Hope to Patients with Chronic Sinus Pain
Fifteen-year-old Maggie Parks of
Garden City couldn’t make it through
a shopping trip without having a
coughing fit.
“I was literally coughing every
hour of the day,” said Maggie. “People
would stare and ask me if I was sick.”
But Maggie wasn’t sick as strangers
supposed; she was just one of the 37
million people suffering from sinusitis.
Sinusitis occurs when the cavities
around the nasal passages (sinuses)
become inflamed. This interferes with
normal drainage in the sinuses, causing
mucus to build up. Characterized
by a cough, facial pain or pressure,
nasal congestion, and headache
among other symptoms, sinusitis that
continues for an extended period of
time is considered chronic.
Like many sinus sufferers, Maggie’s
chronic sinusitis infringed on her life.
She was frequently absent from school
and lost interest in playing sports due
to exhaustion. Her mother, Margaret
Parks, was desperate to find a way to
get her daughter some relief.
“We tried everything – medications,
sprays, even nasal pots which clear
toxins from the nose – and Maggie
still had no relief!” said Mrs. Parks.
“We knew there had to be something
out there that could help her.”
In August, Mrs. Parks took her
daughter for an evaluation by Winthrop
otolaryngologist Warren H. Zelman,
MD, a specialist in the full range of
pediatric and adult otolaryngology,
head and neck surgery.
“We needed answers and were
confident that Dr. Zelman would leave
no stone unturned,” said Mrs. Parks.
Upon thorough examination and
comprehensive testing, Dr. Zelman
determined that Maggie was an ideal
candidate for a minimally invasive
2 Cornerstone
endoscopic technique using Balloon
Sinuplasty – just one of the many
advanced technologies available to
ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) patients
at Winthrop.
“Balloon Sinuplasty is a cuttingedge
device that ventilates and drains
the sinus with virtually no risk to the
patient,” said Dr. Zelman.
“Not all sinusitis is the same.
Medical therapy can alleviate symptoms
for some chronic sinusitis sufferers, but
for others like Maggie, medical modalities
alone are not enough. These
patients may be candidates for Balloon
Sinuplasty,” added Dr. Zelman.
The sinus guide
catheter and sinus
guidewire are placed
through the nostrils
into the target sinus.
Balloon Sinuplasty – the latest
evolution in endoscopic sinus surgery
– involves the placement of a small,
flexible balloon catheter through the
nostril into the blocked sinus passageway.
When the balloon is inflated,
it gently restructures and ventilates
the blocked nasal passages to restore
normal sinus drainage and function.
The technique is often used in conjunction
with other forms of
endoscopic sinus surgery.
Maseih Moghaddassi, MD,
otolaryngologist at Winthrop, began
using this cutting-edge technology as
soon as it was approved by the FDA.
Dr. Moghaddassi is an advocate for
the device which “provides an excellent
option for a large patient
population where medical therapy
wasn’t enough, but conventional surgery
was too aggressive.” In addition,
1 2 3 4
The sinus balloon
catheter is advanced
over the sinus
guidewire and
positioned across
the blocked sinus
opening (ostium).
The sinus balloon
catheter is inflated,
the sinus is flushed,
and the blocked
ostium is gently
restructured.
The sinus balloon
catheter is deflated
and removed, resulting
in an open sinus
passageway and
restoring normal
sinus drainage and
function.
Dr. Moghaddassi notes the important
advantages it has over traditional
sinus surgery.
“Some patients refrain from having
sinus surgery because of fear of bone
or tissue removal, or post-operative
Images Courtesy of Acclarent, Inc.

Fifteen-year-old Maggie Parks is enjoying
relief from chronic sinusitis thanks to Balloon
Sinuplasty – just one of the advanced therapies
available to ENT patients at Winthrop.
packing. Balloon Sinuplasty eliminates
the need for both, so there is no reason
for these patients to suffer any longer,”
added Dr. Moghaddassi.
What’s more, the advanced Relieva
Luma Sinus Illumination System that
is used by ENT surgeons at Winthrop –
the latest in the Acclarent family of
Balloon Sinuplasty devices – uses targeted
fiber optic light, which illuminates
the inside of the sinus cavity to ease
placement of the balloon within the
sinus. In addition, this technology provides
safe and effective access to the
frontal sinus – the most difficult sinus
to access due to its close proximity to
the brain. It also eliminates the need
for x-rays so patients aren’t exposed to
unnecessary radiation.
“Winthrop’s Division of
Otolaryngology is at the vanguard of a
new era in image-guided endoscopic
sinus surgery,” said Dr. Moghaddassi.
Just like the ENT surgeons at
Winthrop, Theresa Criscitelli, RN,
CNOR, Assistant Manger of the
Ambulatory Surgery Unit at Winthrop,
who is in charge of ENT surgery, is
passionate about providing cuttingedge
care to patients at Winthrop.
“We are always looking toward
expanding and being at the forefront of
new treatment modalities,” said Ms.
Criscitelli. “Balloon Sinuplasty is revolutionary
– nothing compares to it! It is
truly a new phase in ENT surgery in the
era of minimally invasive procedures.”
Maggie Parks underwent the
Balloon Sinuplasty procedure with
Dr. Zelman on September 24, 2008
and within two days Maggie’s symptoms
began to resolve. Today, she no
longer suffers from an unrelenting
cough and her mother is grateful.
“The silence of Maggie not coughing
is deafening!” said Mrs. Parks.
Maggie, currently a student at
Sacred Heart Academy, is now focusing
her renewed energy on her studies
and is grateful for the cutting-edge
care she received at Winthrop.
“Dr. Zelman and his staff were
extremely comforting and professional,”
she said. “After the surgery, I felt
100 percent different. And best of all,
I can go places and not have to worry
that people will think I’m sick.”
The Division of Otolaryngology at
Winthrop is staffed by a team of expert
otolaryngologists who are trained to
diagnose and treat a variety of dis-
Summer 2009
Institute for Specialty Care
eases of the ears, nose and throat.
“Winthrop’s Division of Otolaryngology
offers one of the best ENT
services on Long Island,” said Anthony
Durante, MD, Chief of the Division of
Otolaryngology at Winthrop. “Balloon
Sinuplasty is the most recent addition
to the armamentarium of advanced
therapies that we are privileged to
provide to the community.”
Physicians in the Division of
Otolaryngology at Winthrop are committed
to offering patients the latest options
for the treatment of a variety of diseases
of the head and neck. In addition
to Dr. Zelman and Dr. Moghaddassi,
Winthrop otolaryngologists Paul Bell,
MD; Michael Cohen, MD; Emil Ganjian,
MD; Saul Modlin, MD; Nathan Monhian,
MD; and Alexander Sorin, MD, are also
trained in the advanced Balloon
Sinuplasty technology.
For more information about
Balloon Sinuplasty or for a list of
Winthrop ENTs in your area, call
1-866-WINTHROP. ■
Winthrop Named
“Champion for Clean Air”
In recognition of its commitment to improving air quality
in the New York Metro area, Winthrop-University
Hospital has been named a “Champion for Clean Air” by
the New York State Department of Transportation’s Clean
Air NY initiative.
Clean Air NY is a collaborative initiative that
encourages organizations and individuals to take actions
to improve air quality and combat ozone pollution –
a threat that greatly increases risk of respiratory disease.
To reduce the number of cars on the road and reduce air pollution, Winthrop
has taken several important steps including the provision of informational conferences
for employees in collaboration with Long Island Transportation
Management (LITM); establishment of a guaranteed ride home program through
the LITM, which matches employees for carpooling; and creation of a pre-tax
transit benefit program for employees through Transit Center, which enables
employees to save money by paying for public transportation with pre-tax dollars.
“Winthrop employs more than 5,000 full-time and part-time men and women,”
said George P. Rainer, Vice President, Human Resources at Winthrop, “and we are
committed to supporting them in their transportation needs while also helping to
improve the environment.”
Cornerstone
3

Summer 2009
Winthrop Earns the HANYS Pinnacle Award
for Quality and Patient Safety
During the recent Healthcare
Association of New York State
(HANYS) Annual Conference,
Winthrop-University Hospital was
named the 2009 HANYS Pinnacle
Award winner for Quality and Patient
Safety (Large Hospital Category).
John F. Collins, President and CEO of
Winthrop, and Maureen Gaffney, RPAC, RN,
Winthrop’s Chief Medical Information Officer,
proudly display the 2009 HANYS Pinnacle
Award for Quality and Patient Safety.
The award was given in recognition
of the Hospital’s initiative to
change medication ordering processes,
which led to the very successful implementation
of a Computerized Provider
Order Entry (CPOE) system that dramatically
enhanced patient safety and
improved the quality of patient care.
“We are so proud of the work we do
here at Winthrop, and receiving this
prestigious award recognizes Winthrop’s
commitment to patient safety,” said
Maureen Gaffney, RPAC, RN, Winthrop’s
Chief Medical Information Officer.
“Winthrop’s success was due to our
patient-centric approach to developing
technology that supports how we pro-
4 Cornerstone
vide care to our patients. We believe
that systems need to be built to provide
our clinicians with the tools they need to
manage their patients in a safe environment.
The improvement in our patient
outcomes data support that this
approach is effective and beneficial to
our patients.”
In describing the initiative that
earned the award for Winthrop, HANYS
said, “Winthrop-University Hospital [was
recognized] for Changing the Prescribing
Culture Through Systematic Processes.
The systematic approach to changing the
medication ordering process combined
with an extensive CPOE system took
ordering practices to the next level and
allowed for a smooth transition to an
electronic medical record.”
Established by HANYS in 2001 to
recognize significant achievements by
hospitals in the areas of quality
improvement and patient safety, the
Pinnacle Award spotlights significant
quality improvement achievements by
member hospitals. HANYS also publishes
case studies from innovative
hospitals in its annual publication
Leading the Quest for Quality: Profiles
in Quality and Patient Safety and
among the 2009 entries was one from
Winthrop concerning the reduction of
adverse events through improved
medication management. ■
Winthrop Programs Get the Gold
Two Winthrop-University Hospital programs have been recognized by the
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA/ASA) Get
with the Guidelines Program SM (GWTG) with prestigious awards for providing
superior stroke and coronary care to patients.
The AHA/ASA have announced that Winthrop’s Coronary Artery Disease
Program has earned the Get With The Guidelines Gold Achievement Award
for its continued success in providing superior care to patients
with coronary artery disease by adhering to
specific evidence-based guidelines for 24
consecutive months.
Winthrop’s Stroke Team was recognized
by the American Heart Association/American
Stroke Association with the Get with the
Guidelines Gold Sustained Performance
Achievement Award. This prestigious recognition
signifies the Team’s commitment to
following evidence-based treatment guidelines and maintaining at least an 85
percent performance level for two or more years.
The GWTG program, the premier hospital-based quality improvement program,
helps hospitals ensure that patients consistently receive cardiac and
stroke care services in accordance with the most up-to-date scientific guidelines
and recommendations.
The two Winthrop programs have a history of achieving prestigious designations
through the AHA/ASA GWTG Program – both receiving Bronze Awards (6
months) and Silver Awards (12 months) for continued excellence in patient care.
For additional information about Winthrop’s outstanding coronary care
and stroke programs, please call 1-866-WINTHROP.

Just for Men: Regaining
Control after Prostate Cancer
From the time we are toddlers, we
are taught to “hold it” until we can
get to the bathroom. But for many
adults, it’s not that easy.
Millions of healthy Americans
suffer from Stress Urinary Incontinence
(SUI) – loss of urine when pressure
(stress) is exerted on the bladder during
physical activities such as exercising or
lifting heavy objects. Among the causes
in men, SUI can be a side effect of
prostate surgery.
“In some patients, incontinence is
a result of surgery to treat the prostate
cancer,” said Winthrop urologist Robert
A. Edelman, MD, FACS. “At Winthrop-
University Hospital, we are able to
offer patients a full complement of
services to successfully treat prostate
cancer and its secondary effects.”
In 2004, Vincent Burger of Floral
Park was diagnosed with prostate
cancer. Following treatment, including
a radical prostatectomy and a subsequent
procedure to remove excess
scar tissue, he began to struggle with
bladder control.
“It was a continual problem that
infringed on my ability to do some of
the things that I enjoy – like exercising,”
said Mr. Burger, an otherwise
healthy 65-year-old man. Once an
avid runner, Mr. Burger found that he
could no longer follow his normal routine
of running three to four times a
week for 45 minutes.
Though it’s a condition that
affects millions, the treatment options
for male SUI have been limited over
the years. To help men cope, they
may be prescribed medication, limit
fluid intake, or wear protective pads.
Yet Mr. Burger hoped for a lasting
solution and continued to discuss
all of the options with his long-time
urologist Dr. Edelman.
During a routine examination in
November, Mr. Burger learned about
a minimally invasive surgical procedure
involving the transobturator
male sling which would soon be added
to the armamentarium of treatment
options at Winthrop for patients with
moderate SUI.
The procedure involves passing a
thin strip of mesh through small incisions
on the outside of the body, which
is then passed beneath the bottom of
the urethra, increasing support to the
pelvic organs where the tissue is weakened.
The sling grows with the tissue to
increase muscle strength and improve
bladder control.
“Compared to other surgical therapies
such as the artificial sphincter,
the transobturator male sling is less
invasive and has excellent patient
outcomes,” said Dr. Edelman. “What’s
more, the procedure can be performed
in less than 30 minutes on an
outpatient basis under general or
spinal anesthesia.”
In December, Dr. Edelman and his
colleague, Winthrop urologist Barry R.
Shepard, MD, FACS, traveled to France
to undergo hands-on training in this
advanced device under the instruction
of Dr. Bertin Njinou-Ngninkeu, a worldrenowned
expert who has performed
male sling procedures for more than a
decade at Clinique Des Ormeaux in Le
Havre, France.
“There is nothing that can take the
place of hands-on training. The experience
that Dr. Shepard and I gained by
learning under Dr. Njinou-Ngninkeu
was priceless,” said Dr. Edelman.
The male sling has been providing
relief to patients in Europe for many
years and was approved by the FDA
for use in the United States in 2006.
However, recent improvements to the
Summer 2009
Institute for Family Care
Winthrop-University Hospital urologists
Barry R. Shepard, MD, FACS,(left) and
Robert A. Edelman, MD, FACS, recently
traveled to France for hands-on training in
the minimally invasive transobturator male
sling under the instruction of renowned
expert Dr. Bertin Njinou-Ngninkeu.
device have taken the technology to a
new level.
“The new polypropylene mesh
sling that Dr. Shepard and I received
training on is far better than other
male sling devices that we’ve used in
the past. The material is more flexible
and friendlier to the natural tissue,
and the equipment is more advanced,”
said Dr. Edelman. “These innovations
will serve Winthrop patients well as
we now offer them another cuttingedge
option for treatment,” he added.
Upon Dr. Edelman’s return from
France, he once again met with Mr.
Burger, who was eager to learn more
about the success of this minimally
invasive procedure.
“Statistics show the procedure to
be successful in 75 to 80 percent of
patients with moderate stress urinary
incontinence. Mr. Burger was in overall
good health, which made him an
ideal candidate,” said Dr. Edelman.
On May 11, Mr. Burger was the
(continued on page 14)
Cornerstone
5

Summer 2009
Institute for Cancer Care
11th Annual Cancer Survivors Day: A
Celebration of Hope, Inspiration, and Life
It was a true celebration of life as
nearly 500 cancer survivors, their
loved ones and Winthrop staff gathered
at Winthrop’s 11th Annual Cancer
Survivors Day on June 4 at the Long
Island Marriott Hotel in Uniondale.
The opening remarks from keynote
speaker Jonathan Haas, MD, Associate
Director of the Division of Radiation
Oncology at Winthrop, captured the
essence of this inspiring annual event.
“We meet here today as winners.
6 Cornerstone
We have won because all
of us in the room, working
together, have overcome a
battle against one of the
scariest words and diseases
that we know –
cancer – to celebrate as
Winthrop cancer sur-
Guest speaker and cancer
survivor Joyce Glicker celebrates
at Winthrop’s 11th
Annual Cancer Survivors Day.
Winthrop Earns Cancer Reaccreditation
The Institute for Cancer Care at Winthrop has once again received a stamp of
approval by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. Winthrop
is among only 25 percent of hospitals nationwide to receive this prestigious
recognition, which represents the Hospital’s commitment to upholding the
highest standards in delivering quality cancer care to patients.
“Winthrop is proud to have earned this impressive honor from the American
College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer yet again,” said John F. Collins,
President and CEO of Winthrop-University Hospital. “This distinction is another
example of our continued commitment to providing superior medical care to
every individual that comes to Winthrop for healthcare and healing.”
Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1922, the Commission
on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving
survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting,
prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality
care. Winthrop’s renowned Institute for Cancer Care was granted approval
upon a rigorous evaluation process and review of its compliance with the following
standards – cancer committee leadership, data management, clinical
services, research, community outreach and quality improvement.
Receiving care at a Commission on Cancer-approved program ensures
patients have access to:
• Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the-art services and
equipment;
• A multispecialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options;
• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options;
• Cancer-related information, education and support;
• A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment
results and offers lifelong patient follow-up;
• Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care;
• Quality care close to home.
vivors,” said Dr. Haas.
The National Cancer
Survivors Day Foundation
defines a “survivor” as
anyone living with a history
of cancer – from the
moment of diagnosis
through the remainder of
life. The annual celebration
applauds the
resilience of the human
spirit and recognizes the
significant strides made in
the fight against cancer.
Dr. Haas also
reflected on the “astounding”
advances in cancer
care that have occurred
since he joined the Winthrop team
12 years ago.
“I see the child who I treated for
a glioblastoma – the most challenging
brain tumor that we know – grow up
to become a radiation oncology therapist.
I see the medical student with
Cancer survivor Rita Trenz (center) is also a
member of the Long Island Quilter’s Society
– an organization that graciously donates
beautiful hand-made quilts to patients
receiving chemotherapy at Winthrop. Joining
Ms. Trenz are Harry Staszewski, MD, Chief
of the Division of Oncology/Hematology at
Winthrop (left) and Patricia Schussler,
licensed social worker in the Division of
Oncology/Hematology at Winthrop.

Hodgkins Disease, who Dr. Weiner and I
cured, now becoming an oncologist. I
see my Hodgkins patient who was told
she probably couldn’t have children
when diagnosed 11 years ago send me a
picture of her baby daughter… simply
writing ‘thank you’ on the card,” he said.
Sharing her story of survival and
optimism, guest speaker and cancer
survivor Joyce Glicker emphasized the
importance of never giving up.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999,
she passed her five-year mark with
positive news in 2005 and celebrated.
However, in November of that same
year she was diagnosed with stage four
cancer. Mrs. Glicker thanked her loving
family and friends for their support,
emphasizing that cancer can “bring out
the best in people.” She also praised
Winthrop and the dedicated team of
healthcare professionals who have
played an instrumental role in her care
over the years.
“It has been 10 years since the
start of my cancer journey and being
cared for by oncologist Alexander
Hindenberg, MD, and his staff has
helped me feel like I am always in safe
and comfortable hands,” she said.
Guest speaker Beth Schwartz also
shared her thoughts as a caregiver for
her 24-year-old daughter, Melisande,
who was diagnosed with Leukemia last
fall. She praised her daughter’s strength
and thanked Harry Staszewski, MD,
Chief of the Division of Oncology/
Hematology at Winthrop, for the calm
and reassuring manner he provided
while treating Melisande, who has since
completed the requirements for her
teaching degree.
In addition to the dinner celebration,
which included dancing and raffle
prizes, Winthrop’s Institute for Cancer
Care sponsored an educational cancer
survivors workshop on June 24.
For additional information about
Winthrop’s Institute for Cancer Care,
please call 1-866-WINTHROP. ■
Summer 2009
Institute for Family Care
You Lost Your Keys – Should You
be Worried about Your Memory?
Have you ever walked into a room for
something and suddenly, you forgot
what you came in for? Or perhaps
you’ve forgotten the name of someone
you know. Memory lapses such as
these can be a normal part of the aging
process, yet they often leave us questioning
– what’s normal and what’s not?
“The brain’s development doesn’t
stop in childhood – it continuously
changes throughout the course of
one’s lifetime. As we age, some of
these changes can affect our memory,”
said Nancy S. Foldi, PhD, Director
of Neuropsychology in the Division of
Geriatrics at Winthrop-University
Hospital, and Director of the Memory
and Cognitive Disorders Center.
The brain, among the most complex
organs in the body, is made up of
approximately 10 billion cells. As we
age, the brain’s mass can shrink and
the outer surface can become thin. The
white matter, which helps regions of the
brain to communicate with one another,
can become less efficient, and the available
neurochemical transmitters that
are necessary for communication
between cells can also decline.
Signs of Alzheimer's
Poor judgment and
decision making
Inability to manage a budget
Losing track of the date
or the season
Difficulty having a conversation
Misplacing things and
being unable to retrace steps
to find them
“Yet despite these structural
changes, research shows that young
and old people can still do some
things equally well. Older adults may
do it differently, but still as good as
younger adults,” said Dr. Foldi. “We
have a lot to learn about the relationship
between structure and function
of the brain as we age.”
In spite of the natural changes that
occur with aging, there are many things
a person can do to stimulate the brain
and keep it sharp. Among the most
important is general physical exercise –
it not only helps keep the body in shape,
but is an important tool for keeping the
brain healthy.
While occasionally forgetting someone’s
name or misplacing your keys is
normal, other changes such as trouble
remembering how to do things you’ve
done well countless times before – like
working on a familiar computer task or
following steps of a well-known recipe –
may indicate a more serious problem.
“Sometimes even a routine task –
like following a recipe – can become
overwhelming if a person is carrying
(continued on page 13)
Difference between Alzheimer’s and
typical age-related changes*
Typical age-related changes
Making a bad decision
once in a while
Missing a monthly payment
Forgetting which day it is
and remembering later
Sometimes forgetting which
word to use
Losing things from time to time
*Courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association
Cornerstone
7

Summer 2009
Diabetes Education Center
Celebrates 30th Anniversary
This year marks an impressive milestone for the Diabetes Education Center at
Winthrop-University Hospital – 30 years of service to the community.
Since opening its doors in 1979, the Diabetes Education Center has helped
improve the lives of countless individuals living with diabetes through its highly
regarded educational and support programs. A pioneer in the field of diabetes
education, the Diabetes Education Center was the first outpatient education
program in New York State accredited by the national American Diabetes
Association. Today, the Center continues to equip adults and children with the
knowledge and tools necessary to manage diabetes.
“With one out of every 13 people in the United States living with diabetes and
the trend of childhood and adult obesity on the rise, diabetes has become a major
health concern for millions of Americans each year,” said Virginia Peragallo-Dittko,
RN, BC-ADM, MA, CDE, Director of the Diabetes Education Center at Winthrop.
“Yet because of the special educational and support programs that are available
through Winthrop’s Diabetes Education Center, individuals of all ages can learn
how to manage diabetes and lead healthy, active lives.”
Following are just a few of the highlights from the Diabetes Education
Center’s 30th anniversary year:
Outstanding Achievement in Diabetes Education
In April, the Diabetes Education Center was recognized with the “Outstanding
Achievement in Diabetes Education” Award by the Metropolitan New York
Association of Diabetes Educators in honor of the Center’s 30 years of service
to the community.
Present at the ceremony were members of Winthrop-University Hospital’s staff and administration
including (l.-r.) John P. Broder, Vice President, External Affairs & Development;
Rubens Sievert, MD, Director of the Clinical Diabetes Program at Winthrop; Paul Whalen,
Assistant Vice President; Lawrence Shapiro, MD, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology; John
F. Aloia, MD, Chief Academic Officer; John F. Collins, President and CEO; Virginia Peragallo-
Dittko, RN, BC-ADM, MA, CDE, Director of the Diabetes Education Center; Mageda Mikhail,
MD, Associate Director of Bone Mineral Research; Do-En Lee, MD; Deborah Johnson-Schiff,
Senior Vice President; Cindy Bredefeld, DO; Namyi Yu, MD; Lucille Hughes, RN; and Margaret
Marinelli, RD. Missing from the photo are Lynne Chimon, RD, and Eileen Egan, FNP.
8 Cornerstone
(L.-R.) Barry Cosel-Pieper, Director of
Development at Winthrop-University
Hospital; Marian Conway, Executive
Director of the Roslyn Savings Foundation;
Virginia Peragallo-Dittko, RN, BC-ADM, MA,
CDE, Director of the Diabetes Education
Center at Winthrop; and Dining Out with
Diabetes Program presenter Lynne Chimon,
RD, CDE, CDN, Diabetes Nutritionist at
Winthrop’s Diabetes Education Center.
Dining Out
With Diabetes
Among the Diabetes Education
Center’s innovative programs is the
Dining Out with Diabetes Program
which teaches strategies for enjoying
restaurant dining without sacrificing
diabetes self-management. Following
an informative presentation by Lynne
Chimon, RD, one of the Center’s
registered dietitians who created the
program, participants have the
opportunity to apply what they’ve
learned by selecting and enjoying a
healthy meal. Thanks to a generous
$5,000 grant from the Roslyn Savings
Foundation, the Diabetes Education
Center has been able to offer educational
programs at local restaurants,
including Uncle Bacala’s in Garden
City Park and Red Lobster in Carle
Place, throughout the year.
Letter to the
Roslyn Savings Foundation:
“Thanks to your supportive program,
I recently dined out with a group
from Winthrop-University Hospital.
The education that I received that
night was invaluable.”
— FS, New Rochelle, NY

Special Quilt for
National Display
Members of the Kids Interested in
Diabetes (KIDs) support group offered
through the Diabetes Education
Center at Winthrop recently made a
special quilt representing “My Life
with Diabetes.” The quilt, which illustrates
what living with type 1 diabetes
means to the children through creatively
designed quilt squares, was
created for the Quilt for Life Project.
The project is initiated by Children
with Diabetes – an organization that
promotes understanding of the care
and treatment of diabetes, especially
in children. The KIDs’ work of art was
recently on display at the Children
with Diabetes Annual Friends for Life
Conference in Orlando, Florida. A
photo of the quilt is also posted on the
Children with Diabetes website at
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com.
Save the Date!
Concluding the special 30th
anniversary year-long celebration,
the Diabetes Education Center will
host an educational workshop on
Thursday, November 5, 2009 at
6:30 p.m. at Winthrop’s Community
Outreach Center, located at 101
Mineola Blvd. The program will
include a diabetes product fair,
informative lecture and light refreshments.
Advance registration is
required; please call (516) 663-8300
after October 1 for more information
or to register.
October 24, 2009
Winthrop-University Hospital’s
Annual Gala
Honoring
Patrick K. Long
President, Formed Plastics, Inc.
Board of Directors, Winthrop-University Hospital
&
Virginia M. Donovan, MD
Chair, Department of Pathology
Winthrop-University Hospital
RexCorp Plaza, Uniondale • 7pm Reception – 8pm Dinner
Please call (516) 663-3398 for more information.
Summer 2009
Tools for the Educator
Certified diabetes educators, registered nurses
and registered dietitians gathered at “Making
Learning Active: Tools for the Educator” – an
interactive educational conference hosted by
Winthrop’s Diabetes Education Center at the
deSeversky Conference Center on May 21,
2009. Feedback from the participants was
outstanding; some even stated it was “the best conference of their career.”
Pictured at the conference (l.-r.) are guest speaker Barbara Schreiner, PhD, RN,
CDE; Virginia Peragallo-Dittko, Director of the Diabetes Education Center; and
G. Morgan Browne, Chairman of the OSI Pharmaceuticals Foundation – one of the
organizations whose support was instrumental in making the conference possible.
Cornerstone
9

Summer 2009
Winthrop Pediatrics Shines
(continued from cover)
patient unit equipped with a broad
spectrum of advanced life support
modalities and monitoring devices –
where she received around the clock
care by a skilled team of pediatric
specialists.
“This particular area of the
Hospital includes the capabilities for
high-frequency mechanical ventilation,
trauma care, neurointensive
care, and renal replacement therapy
capabilities, and affords patients the
highest level of specialized care in
times of serious illness or injury,”
said Dr. Stambouly.
When she arrived in the PICU,
Athena was placed on a ventilator so
that she could tolerate an exchange
transfusion – a life-saving procedure
that involves slowly removing a
patient’s blood and replacing it with
donor blood, which was performed by
Dr. Stambouly. This also included the
placement of large bore intravenous
lines to facilitate the process of
removing and replacing the blood.
Following the exchange transfusion,
a special central-line catheter
called a Mediport ® – an intravenous
tube that administers fluids and medications
to infants or children on a
long-term basis – was surgically
implanted in Athena’s chest to facilitate
the start of chemotherapy.
“For young patients who require
long-term IV access, central venous
lines eliminate the need for repeated
IV sticks,” said Dr. Stambouly.
Just as important as the comprehensive
treatment modalities that are
available at Winthrop is the compassion
of the nursing staff and other caregivers
who provide special nurturing and care
to young patients and their families.
“Caring for critically ill children
requires the ability to combine highly
professional critical care nursing with
a special kind of concern and compassion,”
said Mary Ann Dziomba, MSN,
RNBC, Nurse Manager of Pediatrics/
10 Cornerstone
PICU at Winthrop. “Winthrop’s PICU
nurses provide care in a family-centered
atmosphere, encouraging the
family to be a part of their child’s
treatment and offering emotional
support and education.”
“The nurses in the ICU were
extremely caring and sympathetic,
and explained things to us every step
of the way,” said Mr. Kropp. “Many
are parents themselves and treated
my daughter as if she was one of
their own.”
Hagedorn Pediatric
Inpatient Center
After undergoing several major procedures
and continuous intensive
monitoring, Athena was stabilized and
improved to the point where she was
able to move out of the Pediatric ICU to
the Jay’s World Children’s Cancer Unit,
part of Winthrop’s Hagedorn Pediatric
Inpatient Center. There, she continued
her chemotherapy regimen while being
closely monitored for several days.
The Jay’s World Children’s Cancer
Unit consists of five uniquely appointed
rooms with state-of-the-art air
filtration systems for patients with
challenged immune systems – particularly
pediatric oncology patients like
Athena. Awash in cheerful colors and
décor, the rooms are also equipped
with comfortable sleeping accommodations
for parents and a television and
video game console for patients’ use.
And, when children need something
to take their mind off of being in the
Hospital, the Child Life Activity Center
– also located on the Pediatric floor –
can serve as a safe haven. Staffed by a
remarkable team of Certified Child Life
Specialists who are committed to
addressing the unique emotional, social
and physical needs of all pediatric
patients, the Center is a place where
children and teens can spend time on
the computer, play video or board
games, watch movies and read books.
Cancer Center for Kids
Just over a week after her diagnosis
and initial emergency care, Athena
was able to go home. In the weeks
following her initial discharge, Athena
occasionally returned to the hospital
to receive care for her leukemia and
treatment for related problems.
At the present time, her continuing
outpatient care is provided at
Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids
Outpatient Center – a state-of-thescience
facility where children are
given the best possible chance of
recovery and cure through superior
medical care, constant nurturing and
unconditional support in an environment
that promotes healing.
There, Athena continues to be
monitored by the Center’s skilled and
compassionate team of Board-certified
pediatric oncologists which include
Dr. Scimeca, Igal Fligman, MD; William
Gerba, MD; Naomi Moskowitz, MD;
and Mark Weinblatt, MD, Chief of the
Division of Pediatric Hematology/
Oncology and Director of the Cancer
Center for Kids – as well as the Center’s
dynamic team of nurses, social workers,
psychologists, and child life specialists.
Athena visits the Cancer Center
for Kids about every two weeks to
undergo the maintenance phase of
chemotherapy. Her parents, who also
raise funds for the Center whenever
possible, are eager to see the day
when her chemotherapy regimen concludes
but are comforted to know that
there is always outstanding care
available to them at Winthrop.
“We have complete trust in
Winthrop and wouldn’t go anywhere
else. Winthrop has been, and will continue
to be, our second family,” said
Mrs. Kropp.
For more information about
the wealth of pediatric care services
that are available at Winthrop,
visit www.winthrop.org or call
1-866-WINTHROP. ■

A Celebration of Life
While there is something very special
about donating to a worthy cause, there
is no donation that is more precious
than the gift of life. In honor of National
Donate Life Month – a time when the
nation reflects on the importance of
saving lives through organ, eye and
tissue donation – Winthrop-University
Hospital was honored to participate
in a special flag raising ceremony to
commemorate its significance.
Representatives from the New York
Organ Donor Network presented
Winthrop with an Organ and Tissue
Donation flag in honor of the Hospital’s
deep commitment to and success in
raising awareness of and participation
in organ and tissue donation. Members
of Hospital administration, staff, as
well as a proud donor family and gracious
recipient and loved ones gathered
at the Winthrop flag pole outside of the
Hospital’s Emergency Department to
mark the special occasion.
The ceremony began with a
welcome from Winthrop-University
Hospital President & CEO John F.
Collins, who thanked the community
for their commitment to saving lives
through organ and tissue donation and
encouraged those who have not, to
enroll in the New York State Donate
Life Registry.
Barbara Kohart Kleine, Vice
President, Administration, and Chair
of the Organ Donor Task Force at
Winthrop, shared heart-felt sentiments
about the profound impact that
organ donation has had on many families,
including the Crimeni family of
Westbury, who made the monumental
decision to donate their 27-year-old
son Vincenzo’s organs when he suddenly
passed away in 2008; and the
Coico family of Farmingdale – who are
forever grateful for the gift of life that
their 21-year-old son Sal received as
a result of the Crimeni family’s courageous
decision.
“For those of us who have had the
Summer 2009
Present at the April 1 flag raising ceremony
in honor of National Donate Life Month at
Winthrop-University Hospital were (l.-r.)
Margaret Gallagher, New York Organ Donor
Network (NYODN) Hospital and Family
Services Manager; Nakeela DeHarte, NYODN
Hospital and Family Services Coordinator;
Josephine Manzo, girlfriend of organ transplant
recipient; Nancy Skelton, family friend;
Laurie and Angela Crimeni, mother and sister
of organ donor Vincenzo Crimeni; Rocco
Crimeni, father of Vincenzo; Ruth Hoffmann,
Vincenzo’s grandmother; Sal Coico, organ
transplant recipient; Maria Coico, Sal’s mother; John Collins, President & CEO of Winthrop;
Barbara Kohart Kleine, Vice President, Administration, and Chair of the Organ Donor Task
Force at Winthrop.
opportunity to ‘give’ the gift of life on
behalf of our loved ones, or those who
have benefited from the ‘gift’ itself… it
is, without a doubt, an experience that
will stay with you forever,” said Ms.
Kohart Kleine, “for whether you have
given or received, you have become a
part of a very special group of people
who were there for each other in a
life-saving effort.”
During the ceremony, the Crimeni
family was presented with a Medal of
Honor by the New York Organ Donor
Network for their generous participation
in the organ donation process
and for their commitment to raising
awareness of the importance of organ
and tissue donation.
In addition to receiving the Organ
and Tissue Donation flag for display
outside of the hospital, Winthrop had
the privilege of displaying a panel of
the New York Organ Donor Network
Memory Quilt during National Donate
Life Month. The hand-crafted squares
on the Memory Quilt were created by
donor families to commemorate the
lives of their loved ones. The squares
are stitched together and surrounded
by a framework with the embroidered
names of transplant recipients. The
acknowledgment of donors and recipients
symbolizes the “circle of life.”
Winthrop-University Hospital is
proud of its commitment to organ donation.
In 2006, the Hospital was honored
by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) with the Organ
Donor Network Medal of Honor for its
high rate of organ and tissue donations.
For more information about
becoming an organ donor, please call
the New York Organ Donor Network at
1-800-GIFT-4-NY (1-800-443-8469)
or visit www.donatelifeny.org. ■
Cornerstone 11

Summer 2009
Third Annual Black and White Ball Raises
More than $240,000
for Pediatric Patients
The Cancer Center for Kids (CCFK) at
Winthrop-University Hospital held its
Third Annual Black and White Ball on
April 25 at the Cradle of Aviation
Museum in Garden City. Close to 350
guests gathered at this highly anticipated
event to help raise over $240,000
for the CCFK’s psychosocial and
creative arts therapy programs.
The honorees for the evening were
long-time CCFK supporter Sheila Meyer
Margolis, owner of Meyer’s Chevrolet in
Queens, along with the Center’s many
pediatric cancer survivors. Meyer’s
Chevrolet donated the use of a Malibu
Hybrid car as a raffle prize, and various
current and former patients took the
stage to share their experiences with
childhood cancer and the caring staff of
the CCFK.
The gala was emceed by WCBS
radio’s Sophia Hall, a long-time sup-
12 Cornerstone
porter of the CCFK.
Linda Sweeney, practice
manager of the
CCFK, presented special
awards to Garden
City residents Tara and
John Schmitt, sponsors
of the Black & White
Ball and founders of
Charlie’s Champions
Foundation, which honors
their son, Charlie,
who is being treated for
leukemia at the CCFK;
the Pall Corporation; and Pete Sedote of
Cans for Cancer in recognition of their
support of the Cancer Center for Kids.
Mark Weinblatt, MD, Chief of
the Division of Pediatric Oncology/
Hematology and Director of the Cancer
Center for Kids, characterized the
event as a metaphor for the hope and
12th Annual Opera Night
Raises $65,000 for Child Life
Sheila Meyer Margolis of Meyer’s Chevrolet in Queens (left)
receives an award from Linda Sweeney, practice manager of
Winthrop’s Cancer Center for Kids, and Mark Weinblatt, MD, Chief
of the Division of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology at Winthrop and
Director of the Cancer Center for Kids.
inspiration the Center provides for
patients and families alike.
“The Black and White Ball brings
together members of the corporate and
philanthropic communities along with
Hospital staff, families and friends at a
wonderful event, reminding all of us
that we can fall down and get up
again,” he said. ■
On March 12, devoted supporters of Winthrop’s Child Life Program spent
an evening enjoying fine dining and incredible musical performances by
internationally renowned opera singers to raise funds
to benefit the Hospital’s Child Life Program. The 12th
Annual Night at the Opera, “Sweet Voices for Precious
Children,” raised $65,000 for the program, which is
dedicated exclusively to minimizing children’s fears and
anxiety during the hospital experience.
More than 200 guests were in attendance to enjoy
a cocktail hour and sit-down dinner at the Garden City
Hotel as the magnificent harmony of Karen Foster,
soprano; Sarah Heltzel, mezzo soprano; and Theresa
Santiago, soprano, accompanied by pianist Caren Levine, filled the room.
Warren Rosenfeld, MD, Chairman of Pediatrics at Winthrop, expressed his deep
gratitude to all those in attendance at this year’s event for their unwavering support.
“Thank you for joining me on this wonderful occasion to celebrate a vital program that benefits countless families
and impacts thousands of lives. It is an honor for me to personally thank you for all you have done to support Winthrop’s
Child Life Program,” he said.

Starlight Children’s Foundation Supports
Launch of After-Hours Program for Teens
Winthrop’s Child Life Program is
committed to addressing the unique
emotional, social and physical needs of
all childhood patients – from infants to
young adults – with the support of a
dedicated team of Certified Child Life
Specialists (CCLS). A recent grant from
the Starlight Children’s Foundation of
NY*NJ*CT, whose Pediatric Hospital
Support Program has benefited the
Child Life Program at Winthrop for
more than a decade with approximately
$200,000 in grants, has enabled the
Hospital to launch the new “See the
Stars Come Out at Night” program –
geared toward adolescent and teenaged
patients to help them cope with the
hospital experience.
Under the supervision of a CCLS,
the “See the Stars Come Out at Night”
program addresses the unique social
out that task in a different kitchen,”
said Dr. Foldi. “A serious problem
with memory loss may also be indicated
if a family member observes
significant changes, even though the
individual may not.”
“Some patients who have memory
problems may be aware that there is a
problem, but not always the extent of
the problem,” added Dr. Foldi. “It’s very
important not to jump to a diagnosis of
dementia without a full evaluation,
because there can be other causes
that alter cognitive function that must
be considered.”
Alzheimer’s disease – one of the
many types of dementia – is a progressive,
degenerative disease that
attacks the brain. In-depth clinical
and neuropsychological evaluations
are important assessment tools to
determine whether the problems are
due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Working with geriatricians, internal
medicine physicians, neurologists,
psychiatrists, and other physicians at
Winthrop as part of a patient’s dedicated
healthcare team, Dr. Foldi conducts
comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations
with patients. Many patients she
assesses are in early stages of disease,
or the presentation is unclear because
Alzheimer’s disease can present itself in
many different ways.
These thorough clinical assessments,
which take place at Winthrop
over the course of several hours or
days, consider a patient’s medical history,
current medications, and input
from a third party – such as a family
member or loved one.
“Every patient deserves a comprehensive
clinical evaluation before
a diagnosis is made and medical treatment
is prescribed,” said Dr. Foldi.
In addition to providing clinical
services, Dr. Foldi is also a Professor of
Psychology at Queens College and The
Summer 2009
You Lost Your Keys – Should You be Worried about Your Memory?
(continued from page 7)
and emotional needs of older hospitalized
children through organized evening
activities such as music, games and
arts that foster creativity, team-building
and friendly competition among peers
in the Activity Center of the Hospital’s
Hagedorn Pediatric Inpatient Center.
The program operates “after hours” in
the evening when the younger patients
have returned to their rooms, so that
the older pediatric patients have an
opportunity to express their feelings,
address any fears and share coping
strategies in a relaxed atmosphere.
“It has always been our goal as
Child Life Specialists to normalize the
hospital stay for all of our patients. As
such, we wanted to create a program
where older patients could socialize
and have a comfortable atmosphere
where they could simulate activities
that they would participate in outside
of the hospital,” said Nicole Almeida,
MS, CCLS, Director of the Child Life
Program at Winthrop. “Thanks to the
generous support of the Starlight
Children’s Foundation, we have been
able to launch such a program.”
For 25 years, Starlight Children’s
Foundation has been dedicated to helping
seriously ill children and their
families cope with their pain, fear and
isolation through entertainment, education
and family activities. The Foundation
has been an avid supporter of Winthrop’s
Child Life Program, providing vital funds
to meet the staffing needs of the program
and donating items such as
entertainment centers equipped with
flat-panel televisions, DVD players and
Nintendo Wii Systems to provide hours
of interactive play for patients. ■
Graduate Center of the City University
of New York (CUNY) and has been
investigating the effects of aging on the
brain and behavior since the 1970s.
Along with her colleagues in the
Division of Geriatrics at Winthrop and
at Queens College, Dr. Foldi conducts
research studies on cognitive and attentional
changes that occur in patients as
well as healthy older adults.
Physicians in the Division of
Geriatrics at Winthrop offer comprehensive
primary care and specialized
services for the growing geriatric population
on Long Island. Working closely
with patients and families to develop
an individualized plan of care, the
team is committed to helping patients
maintain health, promote wellness and
effectively manage chronic illnesses.
For more information on services
available to patients in the Division of
Geriatric Medicine at Winthrop,
please call 1-866-WINTHROP. ■
Cornerstone 13

Summer 2009
Fifth Annual Cancer Center for Kids Golf Outing
Raises Funds for Winthrop’s
Pediatric Oncology
Programs
Warren Rosenfeld, MD, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at
Winthrop (left) joins Cancer Center for Kids Golf Outing co-chairs
(l.-r.) Rosemary Cinquemani, Frank Catelli and Michael C. Stroud.
14 Cornerstone
The fifth annual Cancer Center for Kids Golf Outing, held at
the Hamlet Wind Watch Golf & Country Club in Hauppauge
on June 22, was a terrific success, raising more than
$50,000 in support of vital support programs for
Winthrop’s pediatric oncology/hematology patients.
More than 100 golfers braved threatening skies to play
18 holes for a great cause. Once the final players moved
inside for dinner and awards, the sky filled with heavy rain
and thunderstorms while the golfers further demonstrated
their generosity, purchasing bundles of raffle tickets for an
array of donated prizes.
The event was organized by founding Golf Outing chairman
Michael C. Stroud, president of Atlas Investigations,
Inc. in Garden City, and co-chairs Rosemary Cinquemani, partner in the law firm of Furey, Kerley, Walsh, Matera &
Cinquemani, P.C. in Seaford; and Frank Catelli, of Counsel to Furey, Furey, Leverage, Manzione, Williams & Darlington,
P.C. in Hempstead.
Just for Men…
(continued from page 5)
first patient of Dr. Edelman’s to undergo
the procedure at Winthrop using the
improved transobturator male sling.
After a brief recovery period at home,
Mr. Burger was back to work within
one week and experiencing marked
improvement from the SUI.
Today, though his continence is not
100 percent, “it’s even better than the
average success rates have shown,”
said Mr. Burger. And, he is hopeful that
one day he will regain total continence.
“I’m looking forward to my complete
recovery. With some diligence on
my part practicing bladder control
measures, I think it’s quite possible to
achieve,” said Mr. Burger.
The Division of Urology in
Winthrop’s Institute for Family Care
is committed to ensuring the best
treatment and outcomes for all
patients. For more information about
the services that are available, call
1-866-WINTHROP. ■
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Need Support? Winthrop is Here for You
If you’ve ever wondered, ‘is there anybody
out there that understands how
I’m feeling?’ – then a support group
may be for you.
For many individuals, support groups
are a vital tool on the road to recovery.
A forum for social interaction with others
facing similar circumstances, a support
group can also teach individuals new
strategies for coping as well as provide
emotional and practical support.
Winthrop-University Hospital offers
a wide range of support programs
including, but not limited to, the following.
Please call the numbers below for
additional information.
BARIATRIC (WEIGHT LOSS)
SURGERY
Informational seminars for people
considering bariatric surgery.
Schedule: Once a month in Uniondale
and Hauppauge; 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Free; call (631) 265-7000 to reserve
Support Group for people before and
after bariatric surgery.
Schedule: Monthly meetings
Free; call (516) 663-3300
CANCER
Cancer Support Groups
For patients with cancer or caregivers
dealing with the impact of cancer.
Schedule: Persons diagnosed with cancer
– Tuesday mornings; Family members/
caregivers of persons diagnosed with
cancer – Monday mornings
Free; call (516) 663-9062 to reserve
Cancer Center for Kids Support Groups
To help children with cancer and their
families deal with their fears, anxieties
and emotional difficulties during and
after treatment.
Schedule: Parents of children with cancer
– first and third Thursday of the
month; 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Parents of
children off treatment – once a month
Free; call (516) 663-9400
Kids Club
A support/activity group for pediatric
cancer patients.
Schedule: Meets one evening each month.
Free; call (516) 663-9400
Generation of Survivors – The Pat
Lyons Long Term Follow-Up Program
A comprehensive childhood cancer
survivorship program that provides
appropriate follow-up care and educates
survivors about the diagnosis, treatment
and management of potential late effects
of their disease.
Schedule: Every other Thursday from
1:00 to 4:00 PM
Free; call (516) 663-9400
CARDIAC ARREST
Long Island Miracles –
Sudden Cardiac Arrest Support &
Advocacy Group
For survivors of cardiac arrest, their
families and friends; provides support
and advocates for increased presence of
defibrillators (AEDs) in our communities.
Schedule: Every other month
Free, call (516) 663-3889
DIABETES
Kindred Spirits: United Parents of
Children with Diabetes
Provides education, support and
camaraderie for parents of children
with diabetes.
Schedule: Monthly meetings on Thursday
evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 PM
Free; call (516) 663-2350
Toddler and Preschool Diabetes
Support Program
For families of children up to age six
with diabetes. Parents are provided
with accurate information and emotional
support while their children, including
siblings, enjoy a positive play experience.
Schedule: Monthly meetings on Saturday
mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Free; call (516) 663-2350
DIALYSIS
Chronic Kidney Disease/Dialysis
Support Group
Discuss developing an optimal quality
of life while living with chronic kidney
disease, end-stage renal disease, and
dialysis. Separate groups are held for
those diagnosed and for family
members/caregivers.
Schedule: Monthly
Free; call (516) 663-9026
PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT
Summer 2009
The Perinatal Bereavement Group
A series of six support group sessions led
by a social worker for parents who have
lost a child prior to or shortly after birth.
Schedule: One evening a week for six
consecutive weeks in the fall and spring
Fee: $25/couple; call 1-866-WINTHROP
PULMONARY
Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group
Support group to help those affected by
pulmonary hypertension cope; for
patients and family members.
Schedule: Every other month on a
Saturday at 12:00 PM
Free; call (516) 663-4694
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
(CPAP)
Winthrop’s Sleep Disorders Center
offers a patient support group to help
those affected by Obstructive Sleep
Apnea; moderated by a Board-certified
sleep physician along with other sleep
professionals.
Schedule: Quarterly; call for schedule
Free; call (516) 663-3907
SMOKING CESSATION
Smoking 101 -
Educational/Emotional Support
“Kick the habit” at a stop smoking support
group: learn about the availability
of all nicotine replacement products
and aids. Information provided about
Winthrop’s four-week Behavior
Modification Program.
Schedule: Last Wednesday of each
month, 7:00 to 8:00 PM; Last Thursday
of each month, 1:30 to 3:00 PM
Free; call (516) 663-2579 day of
session to reserve
STROKE
Stroke Support Group
For stroke survivors and their family
members; meeting includes guest
speakers, followed by an open forum
for discussion.
Schedule: Generally meets the third
Wednesday of every month, 10:00 to
11:30 AM
Free; call (516) 663-9098
Cornerstone 15

Winthrop-University Hospital
259 First Street
Mineola, NY 11501
www.winthrop.org
Charles M. Strain
Chairman of the Board
John F. Collins, CPA
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Published by the
Department of External Affairs
(516) 663-2234
John P. Broder
Vice President
External Affairs & Development
Wendy L. Goldstein
Director, Public Affairs
Leanna M. Cherry
Publications Specialist
Karen Tripmacher
Assistant Director,
Community Relations & Special Projects
The Best Help the Best at Winthrop
When renowned Winthrop-University
Hospital ophthalmologist and microsurgeon
Lawrence F. Jindra, MD, noticed
that he had difficulty touching his middle
finger to his thumb on his dominant surgical
hand, he sought help from the best
– his colleagues at Winthrop.
“Until you loose the ability to do
something that you take for granted –
like snapping your fingers – you don’t
realize how devastating it can be,” said
Dr. Jindra recently. As a surgeon, Dr.
Jindra took this relatively benign problem
in his hand very seriously.
Dr. Jindra found himself under the
care of Winthrop’s Vice Chairman of the
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and
Chief of the Division of Hand Surgery
Glenn Teplitz, MD. Dr. Teplitz’s extensive
expertise in the field of orthopaedics is
focused on the diagnosis, conservative
management and surgical treatment of
hand and upper extremity disorders.
Dr. Jindra was diagnosed with
The primary teaching affiliate of Stony Brook University School of Medicine
tenosynovitis (trigger finger) – a common
problem that causes pain and stiffness
of the tendons in the fingers. Dr. Teplitz
treated Dr. Jindra with a series of injections
to the tendons and relief was
almost immediate.
So when Dr. Jindra later developed
lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in
his left arm, he once again turned to his
colleagues in Winthrop’s Department
of Orthopaedic Surgery, where he was
seen by Mark Grossman, MD, Chief
of the Division of Sports Medicine.
Dr. Grossman treated Dr. Jindra with
an injection to the tendon, anti-inflammatories,
and a brace.
Today, Dr. Jindra’s hand and arm
feel as good as new, and he is grateful for
the outstanding minimally invasive care
that he received from his colleagues,
which has enabled him to continue to
do what he does best – provide worldclass
ophthalmology care to patients
at Winthrop. ■
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Mineola, N.Y.
Permit No. 13
Winthrop ophthalmologist Lawrence F.
Jindra, MD, (center) is grateful for the
outstanding care he received from his
colleagues – Mark Grossman, MD, Chief
of the Division of Sports Medicine, (left)
and Glenn Teplitz, MD, Vice Chairman of
the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
and Chief of the Division of Hand Surgery
at Winthrop (right).