Dr. Sangmi Chung Awarded $7.1 Million in Grants to Support Schizophrenia Research 

Sangmi Chung, Ph.D., professor of cell biology and anatomy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences and of neurology, has been awarded two grants totaling $7.1 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health’s Institute of Mental Health to support her research into schizophrenia. Read the full story on Dr. Chung.

Non-Invasive Test Can Detect Oral and Throat Cancer at Early Stages

Oral cancer is the seventh-most common neoplasm and the ninth-most common cause of cancer-related death globally. When detected early oral cancer has a high survival rate, but most cases are not detected until the disease is very advanced. A new saliva-based, non-invasive test, CancerDetect for Oral & Throat Cancer™ [CDOT], developed by VIOME life sciences and tested by a group of researchers from around the world, including Salomon Amar, Ph.D., D.D.S., vice president for research at NYMC, senior vice president for biomedical research at TU and professor of pharmacology and of pathology, microbiology and immunology, has the potential to enable early diagnosis, saving lives and significantly reducing health care expenditures. CDOT, which was found to have an 80 to 90 percent detection rate in a recent study published in Oral Oncology, was granted breakthrough designation for accelerated review by the Food and Drug Administration. Read the full story on the study.

Chess Comes Alive on NYMC Campus

"It's a great huge game of chess that's being played—all over the world—if this is the world at all, you know. Oh, what fun it is!” said Alice in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, the sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, written by Lewis Carroll. It is appropriate then that the new mega-chess board outside of the Medical Education Center lies just a few feet away from the Fish-Footman and the Frog-Footman, characters from Alices’ Adventures in Wonderland that once adorned the pillars outside of Sunshine Cottage when it was a children's tuberculosis hospital during the 1930s. The whimsical statues were set to raise the spirits of the sick children who were being treated there. The board measures 16 feet by 16 feet, while the pieces stand three feet tall. Chess pieces can be found outside of the Office of Public Safety and are available to members of the NYMC community who wish to play except for during official chess tournaments and other events. Read the full article on the NYMC’s chess set.  

D.P.T. Students Offer Fitness and Wellness Consultations for Children, Adults and Seniors

Third-year students in the D.P.T. Program performed fitness and wellness consultations for adults (age 19 and up), children (age 6-18) and seniors as part of their physical therapy in preventative health care and wellness course.  Three days of consultations helped the students integrate their physical therapy examination, evaluation and intervention knowledge and skills into screening for prevention and holistic wellness for kids, adults and seniors in the community. Following their sessions with the volunteers, they were mentored on consultative writing and provided an individualized wellness report to the guests to inform and educate them on their findings, offer support and validation of what they are currently doing, or referred them to an appropriate health care practitioner for follow-up to optimize their health status and prevent future problems. Adult fitness evaluations were led by Tina Welsome, D.P.T., M.S., PT, MTS, OCS, CFMT, assistant professor of physical therapy, pediatric fitness evaluations were led by Yelina Bregman D.P.T., clinical instructor of physical therapy and senior fitness evaluations were led by Nikki Gawronski, D.P.T., PT, GCS, CEEAA, assistant professor of physical therapy. 

NYMC Club Fair 2023: A Vibrant Showcase of Student Engagement and Diversity 

Club Fair 2023 was another rousing success with students filling the halls of the Medical Education Center and Basic Sciences Building on August 30 to learn about the more than 100 student clubs and organizations at NYMC. The clubs focused on a range of areas, from career interest and advocacy to religious, cultural and recreational. New clubs this year included the Medihistorian Society, the Pickleball Club, the Birding and Nature Club and the Medical Spanish Club. View the photo album and video.

Bench Donated By Dr. Jerry Nadler Adorns Maryann’s Garden

A bench donated by Jerry L. Nadler, M.D., MACP, FAHA, FACE, adjunct professor of pharmacology and former dean of the SOM, in memory of his late wife Mary Ann Latona Nadler, provides a place to sit and enjoy “Mary Ann’s Garden,” the pollinator garden outside of Sunshine Cottage. The garden was planted in 2021 by the Environmental Health Interest Group with species of plants native to the NYMC area to attract the pollinator insects to pollinate the plants and bolster the native plant community, with the guidance of Mrs. Nadler, who passed away in October 2022. The garden was named in her honor in September 2022.

Office of Public Safety Stresses Campus Parking Regulations

Parking on the NYMC campus can be a challenge. With limited spaces available and a growing number of vehicles, it is important for everyone to follow the rules. "Parking on campus is reserved for those who live, work or study here," said Robert Lancia, M.A., director of the Office of Public Safety. Read the full article on parking at NYMC.

NYMC and TU Hosts “Ninety Minutes: The Medical Magazine of the Web” 

NYMC and TU are set to present, “Ninety Minutes: The Medical Magazine of the Web,” on Thursday, September 7 at 12:30 p.m., where faculty experts will discuss the risk of concussions for children playing football, give an update on the COVID-19 vaccine and treatment for rotator cuff injuries. CME credits are available upon request. Read more about the webinar and register here. 

The NYMC Community Comes Together For the First Blood Drive of the Academic Year

NYMC leadership, students and faculty lined the MEC lobby to donate blood on August 15 for the start of the 2023-2024 academic year. The blood drive organized by Donate Life Club served 66 donors who helped in benefitting 174 potential recipients. Of the 66 units donated, 12 were double red cells and 54 were whole blood, which will be divided into red cells, platelets and plasma for patients in need. Last academic year, the College helped save more than 500 lives. "We are really happy with the turnout for our first blood drive of the semester,” said Sahdev Baweja, SOM Class of 2026 and co-president of Donate Life Club. "It was a pleasure seeing Neil W. Schluger, M.D., dean of the SOM, supporting the drive and donating during his first week as dean of the medical school. We are looking forward to continued success in future drives."

Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D., professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology, was an author on the publication, “Candida auris Pan-Drug-Resistant to Four Classes of Antifungal Agents,” that was among the top cited articles in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

Kristina H. Petersen, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, led a session at the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education 2023 Accreditation Workshop in Chicago, on August 3 and 4. The session, “Strategies for Creating Accessible Continuing Education Programs," explored tools and strategies to create accessible and inclusive learning experiences for health professionals. 

From the Office of Environmental Health and Safety: Used printer cartridges may be brought to the mail room or placed near a chemical waste bin and will be removed during the regular monthly pick-up. Used small batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, C, D) may be placed in the battery collection containers located throughout campus and will be picked up during the chemical waste collection. Please be sure the batteries are taped on the end and placed in a zipper storage bag.