In the News

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In the News

Ann Marie Schmidt, MD, was a guest on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation: Science Friday” on December 8, 2006, discussing her research on “the master switch for inflammation,” the RAGE cell-surface receptor. RAGE is involved in many chronic illnesses including diabetes complications and heart disease. Listen to the broadcast on the Talk of the Nation website. Click here to go to the Columbia Division of Surgical Science website.
Robert S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, was quoted in articles in Barron's (11/27) and the Wall Street Journal (12/3) discussing Wall Street's bullishness about the pharmaceutical company Vertex and its new Hepatatitis C drug VX-950. Dr. Brown said he anticipates cocktails of drugs being used to treat hepatitis C in lieu of current treatments with debilitating side affects, and that therefore the new drug would have lots of competition in the future.
A November 2006 article in the journal Oncology "Focus on Breast Cancer" covered the Department of Surgery community event Breast Cancer and Women of Color. The article quoted comments from Kathie-Ann Joseph, MD, MPH, stressing the importance of genetic testing for black women with a strong family history of breast cancer as well as the need for more genetic data on these women.
Healthnewsdigest.com ran an article on December 4, 2006 covering the opening of the Center for Adolescent Bariatric Surgery at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian. Dr. Jeffrey Zitsman, Director of the Center, and Dr. Marc Bessler surgical director of the Center for Obesity Management at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center were quoted in the piece. Click here to read the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian Announcement of the opening of the Center. Click here to go to the Center for Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Website.

A December 4, 2006 Daily News article entitled "'Belly Band' Ops Give Teens Hope: City Hosp Leads Fight vs. Obesity" featured the Center for Adolescent Bariatric Surgery at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and its Director, Dr. Jeffrey Zitsman. The program, which recently opened its doors to patients, is one of only three weight loss surgery programs in the U.S. approved by the FDA to operate on children as young as 14.

Click here to read the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian Announcement of the opening of the Center. Click here to go to the Center for Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Website.
Kathie-Ann P. Joseph, MD, MPH, was profiled on The Breast Care Site, an information and resources website for breast cancer patients, survivors, their friends, and their family. Click here to go to Columbia's breast surgery website.
Mehmet C. Oz, MD was interviewed on CNN's Paula Zahn Now on December 4, 2006, in the wake of Pfizer removing its cholesterol-lowering drug Torcetrapib from clinical trials due to deaths. The interview included a discussion about whether there are risks from existing cholesterol medications including Lipitor and statin drugs, an overview of good and bad cholesterol, and a discussion about the ethics of Pfizer's not removing its drug from clinical trials earlier.
Dr. Mehmet Oz was the hour-long guest on Oprah on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006. During the show, Dr. Oz discussed his new diet plan, "the biology of blubber," five ingredients to avoid and 20-minute exercise routines everyone can do at home. The diet plan is detailed by Dr. Oz and his co-author Dr. Michael Roizen in their new book YOU ON A DIET: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management.
Eric A. Rose, MD, was cited in a November 2 Associated Press article regarding a new treatment for congestive heart failure involving combining heart drugs and implanted pumps.
Freya Schnabel, MD, was cited in a November 1, 2006 ABCNews.com article about a study comparing breast cancer chemotherapy treatments published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was an attempt to clarify the benefits of chemotherapy for breast cancer using the drug epirubicin, as compared with other treatments that did not include this drug. Dr. Schnabel concurred with other experts cited in the article that epirubicin treatments gave better results than the treatment regimens that did not include the drug.
Former major league baseball player Frank Torre celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his heart transplant with his doctors at NYPH, including his transplant surgeon, Mehmet Oz, MD. Dr. Oz, who performed the transplant in 1996, was featured in an October 26, 2006 Newsday article about the event. "We would have enough hearts if people would donate," said Dr. Oz in the article, stressing that it's not just about signing the back of a driver's license. "Family must know how you feel about organ donation." He also appeared on WABC-TV CH 7 (ABC) New York Eyewitness News and WNBC-TV CH 4 (NBC) New York Live At Five coverage of the occasion.
Craig R. Smith, MD, appeared on an October 24, 2006 ABC World News Tonight segment about debate on drug-coated stents. "Even though there's considerable debate still about the magnitude of the risk involved, it seems to be greater than was appreciated before," he said regarding recent findings that the stents present health risks for patients.
Kathie-Ann P. Joseph, MD was profiled in the cover story for the October 2006 edition of Women's Biz, a magazine for women executives and women business owners in the New York tri-state area.
Kathie-Ann Joseph, MD, was featured on a half-hour ABC-7 Eyewitness News Breast Cancer Awareness Month special focusing the importance of mammograms and self-exams for early detection. The special also addressed the humanistic art of medicine, highlighting doctor/nurse/patient relationships and the emotions involved. The special aired Oct. 7, 2006.
Although gastric bypass surgery has been approved by the FDA in children under 14, the Lap-Band procedure has yet to be approved for the same age group. The Lap Band is both reversible and adjustable, unlike gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Jeffrey Zitsman, Director of the Center of Adolescent Bariatric Surgery at Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, was interviewed in an October 13, 2006 Reuters article on the subject. In the article, he provided an overview of the Center's program and made reference to data from Australia and Europe stating Lap-Band's safety and effectiveness in the under-14 age group.
Even people who are ordinarily savvy consumers can lose their normal assertiveness at the examining room door--just when it's needed most. Mehmet C. Oz, MD, was interviewed in an October 9, 2006 WNBC.com Bottom Line/Health article regarding the common pitfalls and traps that medical consumers should seek to avoid when seeing their doctors.
Dr. Robert Cowles and Intestinal Rehabilitation and Transplantation team colleagues at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York appeared on the Discovery Health television program "Runway Moms." The episode featured a profile of a patient born with malformation of the intestines.
Esquire magazine's "The Esquire 100" listing of ideas, trends, and people featured an article by Dr. Mehmet Oz about the evolution of percutaneous mitral valve repair at Columbia. The article discussed both the bow-tie procedure and its percutaneous successor, the Evalve MitraClip. These procedures were pioneered by Dr. Oz and his cardiac surgery and cardiology colleagues at Columbia.
Dr. James F. McKinsey was appointed to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Vascular Surgery, a post that begins officially in January, 2006. Board members are selected based on the quality of reviews, the number of reviews accepted, and their timeliness. Dr. McKinsey has been a key reviewer for the journal.
The September 21, 2006 Daily News featured a story about NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia heart patient Charlie Blau, who chose to celebrate his 90th birthday with his medical team, including Columbia cardiac surgeon Craig Smith. Mr. Blau was treated for life-threatening aortic stenosis nearly three years ago. The story, headlined "Miracle B'Day," featured a photograph of Mr. Blau with his doctors and his birthday cake.
Dr. Marc Bessler was cited in an August 23, 2006 New York Post article, "Obese child shock," on the increasing prevalence of obesity among infants and young children. "Unfortunately I'm not surprised at these statistics," he said. "Obesity is the number one nutritional disease in the world, having overtaken malnutrition, especially in kids."
Freya Schnabel, MD, was quoted regarding mammography in an August 2006 Reader's Digest article about how to prevent medical mistakes. In the article, entitled "Gambling with Your Life," Dr. Schnabel said not being informed about abnormal mammograms is "a huge danger," adding that she hears about such cases all the time.
Dr. Mehmet C. Oz was cited in "They've got your back--and heart, head, feet" an August 27, 2006 Philadelphia Inquirer article about paid personal advocates who help patients navigate the health-care system. According to the article, many physicians say they welcome advocates into their offices. "Advocates are asking very sophisticated questions," said Dr. Oz, adding "I find that an empowered patient does better."
Dr. Mehmet Oz was quoted in an AM New York August 22, 2006 article regarding noise pollution in NYC and a recently enacted New York City noise code. "We know noisy environments increase the chance of a heart attack" he said in the article.
During the week of July 17-21, 2006, Dr. Howard Kaufman was cited in Newsday regarding the Journal of the Archives of Dermatology study guidelines for treating early melanoma. Dr. Mehmet Oz appeared on ABC Good Morning America in a discussion of prescription drug errors.
Dr. Eric Rose was cited regarding the value of implanted heart pumps to the patient in an August 12, 2006 Associated Press article about the financial burden new biomedical treatments to extend patient survival.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is a regular contributor to the new XM satellite radio program Oprah & Friends, which debuts in September 2006. In each episode, Dr. Oz will discuss a new health topic and take listener calls. He is also a regular contributor to the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Dr. Mehmet Oz was interviewed on the American Public Media radio program Speaking of Faith. The hour-long segment was broadcast by public radio stations across the US on June 22, 2006. During the segment, entitled "Heart and Soul: The Integrative Medicine of Dr. Mehmet Oz," Dr. Oz talked about his career as a cardiac surgeon and an innovator of devices and procedures to heal the heart, and about the mind and energy-oriented therapies like meditation, reflexology, and massage that he has introduced into operating and recovery rooms at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia.
Dr. Jean C. Emond was quoted in a June 30, 2006 Los Angeles Times Article about Senator Charles Grassley's campaign to improve federal oversight of organ procurement and transplantation in the US. Twenty-five programs across the country have been found lacking in compliance to established standards, according to the Los Angeles Times. "The implication that you can fail to meet [benchmarks] and there be no consequences is a little demoralizing for those who like to think we're committed to being the best we can be," said Dr. Emond.
21 Columbia surgeons have been selected for New York Magazine's Best Doctors for 2006, which was the magazine's June 19, 2006 issue.
Dr. Dennis L. Fowler and Dr. Richard L. Whelan were profiled in "The Kindest Cut," an online feature article accompanying New York Magazine's 2006 Best Doctors issue, which was released on June 19, 2006. The article highlighted the ascendance of minimally invasive technology throughout the surgical fields.
Dr. Sara Holland was cited in two May 30, 2006 Washington Post articles about body contouring surgery to reduce excess skin after stomach-shrinking weight loss surgery. This surgery requires more recovery time and can be riskier than the original weight loss surgery. However body contouring is necessary, said Dr. Holland, because the folds of skin interfere with activity and patients experience significant discomfort. The skin, she said, "has been irreparably damaged by the stretch [and it] doesn't shrink down like the rest of the body does. So it just hangs." In addition, she said, "Clothes don't fit very well because there's no place to put the extra skin." Training counts; the skills involved in operating on patients who've undergone massive weight loss are highly specialized. Dr. Holland stated that 20 of these surgeries per year is the minimum considered necessary for a surgeon to establish expertise.
Dr. K. Craig Kent was elected president of the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) during the Vascular Annual Meeting on June 2, 2006. The SVS is the country's largest vascular surgeon society, with 2,400 members.
On June 10, the New York Times ran an article on surgeons playing music in the operating room and featured the operating rooms of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Columbia surgeons Drs Eric Rose, Marc Bessler, William Inabnet, and Jonathan Chen, figured in the article. Of surgery and music, Dr. Rose said "The whole issue of performing in a finite period of time is very analogous." The Times article cited research indicating that playing music during surgery is beneficial to both surgeons and patients.
Kathie-Ann Joseph, MD has been selected as one of the Network Journal's 2006 "40 under Forty" black achievers. The award recognizes individuals who have achieved significant levels of success and made substantial contributions in their careers and to their communities. As one of the 40 achievers, she will receive an award at the Ninth Annual "40-Under-Forty" Achievement Awards Ceremony, held on June 22, 2006 at Columbia University's Alfred Lerner Hall. She will also be profiled in a special June issue of Network Journal. The New York City-based magazine focuses on African-American professionals and small business owners and reaches more than 86,000 readers each month.
Dr. Kent was featured in an NBC evening news story on computer simulation training for surgeons on May 24, 2006.
Dr. Oz is co-writer, with Dr. Michael Roizen, of the May 2006 Esquire Magazine 13-page lead story, "What's Your BQ [Body Quotient]." The article tackles the issue's theme, 'The Better Man,' with a roadmap to achieving health and longevity through healthy living and eating. Drs. Oz and Roizen have collaborated on two bestselling books about health, longevity, and consumer healthcare.
Dr. Arnell was cited in an April 5, 2006 Newsday article about Tom Palumbo's affliction with Crohn's disease. Palumbo is the lead singer of the band Head Automatica.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is Discovery Health Channel's senior medical contributor, hosts TRANSPLANT!, a three-part series documenting the dramatic stories of patients awaiting life-saving heart transplants at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. TRANSPLANT! premieres in three consecutive parts on Tuesdays in April on Discovery Health Channel, beginning on April 4, 2006 at 10 PM (ET/PT).
The 2006 HealthGrades Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study of 16 New York City hospitals ranked NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH), number one in atrial fibrillation surgery, in the top five for gastrointestinal procedures and surgeries, and in the top five for surgery of the abdominal aorta. NYPH surgeries are conducted by Columbia and Cornell/Weill medical center surgeons. Nationwide, NYPH was among seven hospitals recognized by HealthGrades for clinical excellence, defined as having the lowest rates of death or serious complications.
Dr. Mehmet Oz was interviewed on NPR's Talk of the Nation on March 14, 2006 regarding his book You: The Smart Patient, which he co-authored with Dr. Michael Roizen. When asked "What's the most important thing to bring with you to the doctor's office, a living will, your spouse, or a crisp $50 bill?" Dr. Oz replied that the answer is an accurate health profile backed by advance research into your problem.
During the week of February 27, 2006, in connection to the care of New York Governor George E. Pataki at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Drs. Spencer E. Armory, Marc Bessler, and Dennis Fowler were quoted in the New York Times, Newsday, New York Daily News, and the Associated Press. On March 2, Dr. Armory spoke about Pataki's condition at a press conference held by the Governor at Milstein Hospital, which was aired on local television network news affiliates in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area and on the NY1 news channel.
Dr. Mehmet Oz Hosts Discovery Channel Series

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