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Inside General Internal Medicine
March & April 2025
News & insights from across the Division of General Internal Medicine - send your latest research and faculty/staff updates to proudtobegim@med.cornell.edu.
| | | Advancing Health Equity Together with Cornell Center for Health Equity | | Pictured left to right: Elizabeth Baquero, Dr. Monika Safford | The CCHEq symposium successfully united students, faculty and staff from Cornell University and Weill Cornell Medicine to discuss health equity. The sessions covered the themes of women's health equity, environmental justice, health communications, building alliances and sustaining DEI efforts aligned with the mission and vision of the Center. Additionally, CCHEq grant program recipients presented their research during the sessions. | | Pictured left to right: Becky Warner, Vanessa Dudley | The grant program presentations were on non-fasting screening methods for gestational diabetes among Asian women in Queens, New York and the evaluation of a community health worker in the Peruvian Amazon. They also discussed family planning in Tanzania and preliminary testing on lung cancer screening decision-making in Chinese New Yorkers who smoke, highlighting various research areas in promoting health equity. | |
Diversity Week Presentation Highlights Cornell Center for Health Equity and Diversity Center of Excellence
Although only 5% of active physicians are African American and 5.8% are Latino (2019 AAMC Diversity in Medicine report), Weill Cornell Medicine is dedicating time, energy and empathy to build inclusive environments. In recognition of Weill Cornell Medicine’s recent Diversity Week, the Weill Department of Medicine’s grand rounds on April 9, 2025 focused on the extraordinary work of the Cornell Center for Health Equity (CCHEq) and the Diversity Center of Excellence (DCOE), both partially based in the Division of General Internal Medicine.
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| | Pictured left to right: Drs. Susana Morales, Monika Safford, Andrea Card | |
Dr. Arnab Ghosh Invited as National Academy of Medicine Scholar and Expert Reviewer for Climate Resilience Toolkit
Dr. Arnab Ghosh is invited as a National Academy of Medicine’s Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine (ELHM) Scholar for a three-year term, beginning July 1, 2025, and continuing through June 30, 2028. During this term, he will participate in and help plan the ELHM Forum, an annual event that connects a wider network of emerging leaders working across all fields related to health and medicine.
Dr. Ghosh was also invited as an expert reviewer on the Climate Resilience for Healthcare (CR4HC) toolkit. Published by the U.S. Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, it is designed primarily for healthcare emergency preparedness professionals, as well as the multidisciplinary teams that participate in healthcare organizations’ emergency preparedness and resilience planning.
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We are excited to share that Vanessa Dudley was selected as a STAR Performer for February 2025!
To nominate your colleagues, please use the online nomination form.
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Women In Search of Excellence (WISE) at Weill Cornell Medicine
WISE Employee Resource Group held a Women in Leadership Panel event. Our Division’s Research Program Manager, Vanessa Dudley, attended as a panelist along with other Weill Cornell Medicine staff and discussed the WISE’s mission to provide support and foster a workplace culture of inclusivity and empowerment. She particularly highlighted the emphasis on being a team player and understanding team member’s strengths to foster a positive relationship.
| | Pictured left to right: Maria Brooks, Yuan Cai, Vanessa Dudley, Samantha Mayer | |
Dr. Harvey Klein Honored at Quality and Patient Safety Grand Rounds
Thank you to everyone who attended the Quality and Patient Safety Grand Rounds during National Patient Safety Week, honoring Dr. Harvey Klein. Dr. Andrew Auerbach, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, shared his inspiring work on improving patient care through his research consortium of academic hospitals. For those who were unable to attend, please watch the recording through this link: MGR Recordings.
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New York City Tree Care Event and Learning Session
April is National Earth Month and a perfect time to learn about caring for our New York City trees! During this event, Olivia Keenan, Senior Research Assistant in Dr. Arnab Ghosh’s Group and NYC Parks Tree Steward shared simple ways to take care of NYC street trees and how to become a tree steward. The “Cool Trees” team in the Division, who are researching how NYC can use trees to reduce heat-related health issues, has facilitated the event.
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David Rogers Health Policy Colloquium: "Where to From Here? Climate & Health Policy"
At the David Rogers Health Policy Colloquium, Dr. Arnab Ghosh delivered an insightful presentation, “Climate and Health Policy: Where to from here?”, where he urged policymakers, health professionals and communities to consider it not just as an environmental issue, but a public health emergency. Dr. Ghosh presented the insights of climate and health policy and the importance of future research on the climate crisis and our healthcare system being prepared for the coming heat wave.
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| | Pictured left to right: Drs. Arnab Ghosh, Oliver Fein | |
Research Methodology Conference: Reducing Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Creating an Educational Intervention
Dr. Laura Gingras presented her research on "Qualitative Exploration of Barriers to Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction, and Development of An Educational Intervention for Uncontrolled Hypertension" under the mentorship of Dr. Monika Safford in the virtual research methodology conference. Dr. Gingras emphasized the critical role of effective patient-physician communication and highlighted how the Patient Activated Learning System (PALS), designed by Dr. Safford, significantly improved patients' understanding of their care by enhancing their health literacy.
| | | Invited Talks and Presentations | |
Highlighting Post-COVID-19 Information and Public Health Communication Strategies
Dr. David Scales gave Grand Rounds at the University of Iowa and Mount Sinai, presenting on “The Toxins We Carry: Approaches to Medical Information After COVID-19,” which was attended by 60 attendees at the University of Iowa and 30 attendees at Mount Sinai. Additionally, Dr. Scales presented at the Cambridge (MA) Department of Public Health on the complexities of public health communication in today’s information ecosystem, advising public health departments to focus on delivering reliable, fact-based information and to form partnerships for more effective dissemination of health messages.
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Examining Sexual Health of Syrian Refugee Women
Dr. Sasha Fahme, also part of the Center for Global Health, presented on violence, trauma, poor mental health and food insecurity of Syrian Refugee women in a health sciences talk series at the faculty of health sciences at the American University of Beirut. The talk series examined the impact of concurrent humanitarian, political and economic crises on Syrian refugee women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Lebanon, by considering the findings of a recently completed mixed-methods study.
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Providing Insights on Traditional Chinese Medicine and 'Dopamine Reset'
Dr. Michelle Loy shared two presentations highlighting her expertise in integrative medicine. The first presentation, "Harnessing Traditional Chinese Medicine for Oncology," discussed combining dietary and herbal therapies with modern cancer treatments to enhance patient well-being and survivorship. The second presentation, "Breaking the Cycle: Exploring the Feasibility of a 'Dopamine Reset' Online Shared Medical Appointment for Behavioral Addiction," introduced the concept of a 'dopamine reset' and the potential of online shared medical appointments to support individuals with behavioral addictions.
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Presenting Cancer Prevention Disparities Among Arab Americans
Alia Komsany, a health equity fellow under the mentorship of Drs. Erica Phillips and Laura Pinheiro, presented her research on cancer prevention disparities among Arab Americans at the Annual American Society of Preventive Oncology Meeting in Philadelphia. She is leading two key initiatives: the first project employs AI to analyze Arabic-language TikTok content, evaluating the quality and engagement of digital health messages on cancer prevention; the second project explores HPV vaccine acceptability among Arab American young adults through mixed methods. Both projects aim to create culturally tailored interventions to reduce cancer prevention disparities.
| | Pictured left to right: Dr. Laura Pinheiro, Alia Komsany, Dr. Erica Phillips | |
Discussing Re-examination Against Medical Advice Discharge and Premature Discharge
Drs. Amanda Ramsdell and Sydney Katz gave two Grand Rounds on the topic: “Reframing Discharge Against Medical Advice: Best Practices for Patients who Leave Prematurely” at George Washington University and NYC Health + Hospitals Mount Sinai Queens. The talk focused on the health equity lens to re-examine against medical advice discharge and reframe premature discharge (also known as AMA discharge) using a structural competency framework. At George Washington University, there were over 100 attendees and over 80 attendees at NYC Health + Hospitals Mount Sinai Queens.
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Caitlin Potter: Dr. Erica Phillips's Team, Research Assistant
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Srikar Savaram: Dr. Parag Goyal's Team, Coordinator
| | Quality Improvement Academy (QIA) Celebrating 10th Anniversary | | The QIA is excited to announce that incoming class of 2026 has been finalized, marking its 10th year anniversary! We have 17 projects this year: three projects are from Hospital Medicine. Congratulations to Drs. Aliza Cook, Kirsten Homma and Jennifer Huang! | |
The Wall Street Journal: Generation Xanax - The Dark Side of American's Wonder Drug
Dr. Haran Sivakumar commented on the rise of patients experiencing withdrawals after being treated long-term with benzodiazepines, such as Xanax. Dr. Sivakumar highlighted recent research indicating that these drugs can lead to significant harm, including dependency, cognitive impairment and increased risk of overdose. The article calls for more cautious prescribing practices and better patient education to mitigate these risks.
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On Women's Health: This is The Best Time of Day to Take CoQ10 for Maximum Health Benefits, According to Doctors
Dr. Zachary Mulvihill shared the optimal timing for taking CoQ10 supplements. Dr. Mulvihill suggested that taking CoQ10 in the morning can boost energy and mental focus while taking it at night can support the body's natural repair processes and promote restful sleep.
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On MedPage Today: Is E-Competency the Same as Competency?
Dr. Fred Pelzman discussed the continuous evaluation healthcare professionals undergo throughout their careers, from education to practice. He emphasized the challenges and frustrations with current competency tests and evaluations, which often do not reflect day-to-day work. Dr. Pelzman further stressed the need for more effective systems to support healthcare providers in delivering competent care.
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On MedCentral: Addressing Heart Health Shouldn't Start at Middle Age
Dr. Madeline Sterling shared how important it is to optimize cardiovascular health for individuals aged 18 to 25. Additionally, the transition from pediatric to adult care is key, particularly among those with a high burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Dr. Sterling discussed how primary care is well poised to address primordial, primary and secondary prevention and refer to sub-specialists as needed.
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On Prevention: What Are Apple Cider Vinegar Pills, and Are They Good for You?
Shonali Soans, a dietitian in the Integrative Health and Wellbeing program, along with two other dietitians, provided her expert opinion on the health benefits of apple cider vinegar pills, how they should be taken and their side effects. Additionally, she shared the relevance and difference between taking apple cider vinegar pills and drinking ACV.
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Weill Cornell Medicine Patient Care Blog: The Latest on Medications for Weight Loss and Type 2 Diabetes
Dr. Erica Phillips shared her expert opinion on weight-loss drugs entering the marketplace in recent years. She addressed the cause of the obesity epidemic, history of weight-loss medications, candidates for weight-loss medication, who shouldn't take them and their side effects.
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Weill Cornell Medicine Patient Care Blog: Stay Connected to Your Health Care with Weill Cornell Connect
Dr. Judy Tung recommended the best practices to use Weill Cornell Connect for patients to receive best health care, asking medical questions and receiving virtual care through Weill Cornell Connect. She shared that it is a secure system for patient-physician communication and addressed under-utilized featured for patients to get a doctor's note and technology support that's available 24/7.
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On Cancer Therapy Advisor: Patients Have Mixed Feelings About AI-Generated Patient Portal Messages
Drs. Curtis L. Cole (Division of General Internal Medicine) and Marianne Sharko (Department of Pediatrics), highlighted in a study that while patients appreciate the detailed and empathetic responses from AI-generated messages, their satisfaction drops when they learn the messages are AI-written. Patients value the empathetic responses from AI but prefer messages authored by humans or with undisclosed authorship for a more personal touch.
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Save the date! COVID-19 Remembrance Day. Join us on May 6 as we come together to remember the impact of COVID-19, honor the resilience of our communities, and reflect on the path forward. Our program will be led by former Weill Department of Medicine Chair Dr. Tony Hollenberg and Chair Dr. Myles Wolf. Learn more here.
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Mark your calendars for Quality Improvement Academy's (QIA) Class of 2025 graduation which begins with Grand Rounds at 8 am on May 21st. Our graduating faculty from the Department of Medicine who will be presenting their projects are Drs. Cecilia E. W. Nicol (Division of General Internal Medicine), Anna Alperovich (Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology) and Emily Coskun (Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care). Show your support from 5 pm to 7 pm at Griffis Faculty Club, marking QIA Class of 2025 graduation with the rest of the class during the annual Weill Cornell Medicine - QIPS Poster Symposium.
- Save the date! The 8th Annual Primary Care and Hospital Medicine Innovations Symposium is now on June 12th at Weill Greenberg, 2nd Floor Conference Rooms.
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Mark your calendar! Mount Sinai Health System, in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, Northwell Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, is hosting a symposium on June 3rd to discuss solutions for enhancing substance use disorder and pain care. To register, click here.
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Dr. Jyoti S. Mathad received a one-year $50,000 CCHEq Pilot Research and Community Partnership Building grant award. The project is titled, Fourth Trimester Clinic: A New Approach to Reducing Maternal Mortality in New York City, with the goals of determining uptake and predictors of attendance at a fourth trimester clinic among women with high-risk pregnancies and evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the fourth trimester clinic using qualitative methods. To our knowledge, this will be the first study of a fourth trimester clinic in New York City. The results will inform future directions for sustainable models of appropriate postpartum care for women with high-risk pregnancies. Data from this study will support an application to improve disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality.
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Dr. Alexandra Huttle received a one-year $49,114 CCHEq Pilot Research and Community Partnership Building grant award. The project is titled, Pediatrics Healthcare Contacts in the Year Before a Suicide Crisis. The goal is to describe the types of healthcare services received by adolescents in the month and the year before a suicide-related Emergency Department (ED) visit by patient demographic, socioeconomic and clinical characteristics. To accomplish this, a cross-sectional study will be conducted using Electronic Health Record (EHR) data from the INSIGHT Clinical Research Network (CRN), which includes five large academic medical centers in the New York City metropolitan area. The results will inform health system-based suicide prevention interventions for adolescents at risk.
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Ogyu A, Rouzier V, Sufra R, St Sauveur R, Jean-Pierre MC, Lin JQ, Mourra N, Preval F, Jean M, Devereux RB, Pirmohamed A, Goyal P, de Las Fuentes L, Dávila-Román VG, Alexandre W, Peck RN, Deschamps MM, Pape JW, McNairy ML, Yan LD. Left ventricular hypertrophy among adults in a population-based cohort in Haiti. Sci Rep.
Explore the latest publications from our GIM faculty.
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