News from NYU Langone Health
Broadway actor's inspiring return from brain tumor surgery came after these symptoms tipped him off
WCBS-TV (New York, NY)
Broadway actor Erik Lochtefeld underwent complex open brain surgery at NYU Langone Health for a glioblastoma located in the brain's communication center. His neurosurgeon, Daniel A. Orringer, MD, director of the Neurological Surgery Residency Program at NYU Langone, noted the high stakes of the procedure. Dr. Orringer's team utilized advanced tumor-visualization techniques and specialized brain mapping to perform the surgery. Following his recovery, Lochtefeld was encouraged by Teresa M. Russell, DNP, nurse practitioner in the Department of Neurosurgery, to resume running and has since completed a half-marathon and the New York City Marathon.
Also reporting was: CBS News
3/05/2026
Call the Doctor: As Hollywood Gigs Dry Up, Actors Are Playing Fake Patients in Real Hospitals
Variety
An article highlights a program at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine where professional actors work as 'standardized patients' to help train medical students. The program, managed by Franny Bavaro, coordinator of the SP program, exposes future doctors to complex medical scenarios to improve their bedside manner. As entertainment jobs decline, this has become a reliable side hustle for performers. The article quotes actors and Alaa Hamdan, a second-year student at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, who find the simulations realistic and beneficial for honing both medical and acting skills.
3/05/2026
HHS and Education Dept. partner on nutrition curriculum for medical schools
Spectrum News 1
The US Departments of Health and Human Services and Education announced that dozens of medical schools will incorporate nutrition education into their curriculums starting this fall. Fifty-three schools, including NYU Grossman School of Medicine, have agreed to provide at least 40 hours of nutrition education. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the initiative will equip over 30,000 future physicians with the knowledge to help prevent and treat chronic diseases. As part of the announcement, HHS will provide $5 million to the National Institutes of Health for a nutrition education challenge to help schools integrate these programs.
Also reporting was: NBC News, WNBC-TV (New York, NY), The New York Times, Spectrum News Triad, Bay News 9, The Guardian, Spectrum News Triad
3/05/2026
Blood Cancers Today
In his new role as chief medical officer of NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn, Oscar Lahoud aims to bring top-tier academic medicine to the borough, ensuring residents have access to high-quality, innovative care without needing to travel. An expert in blood cancers, Dr. Lahoud is leading the effort to open a new bone marrow transplantation and CAR T-cell therapy center in Brooklyn, which is slated for 2027. He is also focused on expanding access to clinical trials, noting that 90% of patients enrolled at his center are from underrepresented minorities. "The values of NYU have always been to provide outstanding care regardless of who you are, where you come from, and where you live," Dr. Lahoud said. "That vision is what attracted me to NYU, to be a world-class leader right here in Brooklyn."
3/05/2026
NYU Langone Long Island: Top Tips to Prepare for Daylight Savings
LongIsland.com
To prepare for the upcoming "spring forward" to Daylight Saving Time, Aaron Pinkhasov, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island, offers several tips to help maintain your sleep cycle. He recommends starting a few days in advance by gradually going to bed and waking up earlier. Dr. Pinkhasov also suggests creating a "sleep success plan" that includes calming activities like reading before bed, exercising during the day, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine at night. For those having trouble sleeping, he advises regularizing sleep patterns, avoiding screen time before bed, and considering natural aids like tart cherry juice or magnesium supplements.
3/05/2026
PFAS Found In Locally Grown Vegetables On Long Island
FOX 5 Health News
Purvi Parikh, MD, immunologist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discussed a new Stony Brook University study that found high levels of "forever chemicals" known as PFAS in the soil and vegetables at several Long Island farms, including organic ones. She explained that these chemicals are pervasive in our food and water supply. Dr. Parikh also commented on a new study suggesting that GLP-1 drugs, used for weight loss, may also help fight addiction. The study of 600,000 veterans found that those on the medication were less likely to develop addictions and that those with existing addictions had fewer negative outcomes. She explained that the drugs likely target the same reward centers in the brain that control food cravings.
3/05/2026
HSV-1 Liquifies Cell Nuclei to Aid Replication
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
A study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health found that herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) partially liquifies the interior of human cell nuclei to replicate faster. The team, including Liam Holt, PhD, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and the Institute for Systems Genetics at NYU Langone Health, along with Ian Mohr, PhD, and Angus Wilson, PhD, professors in the Department of Microbiology, discovered the virus uses a protein called ICP4 to make the nucleus more fluid. This allows the virus to more efficiently build structures to reproduce. Blocking this process caused a four-fold drop in viral copies, suggesting a potential new target for antiviral therapies.
Also reporting was: SCIENMAG
3/05/2026
What disaster emergency managers say they need more than ever
People's World
Local emergency managers across the US report being under-resourced and understaffed while facing growing responsibilities and more intense disasters. The article notes that President Donald Trump’s administration has caused delays in federal emergency management funding and seeks to shift more preparedness costs to state and local governments. Commenting on the situation, Kelly McKinney, vice president of emergency management and enterprise resilience at NYU Langone Health, said that states have become “overly dependent” on federal funding and that the US crisis-management system is “itself in crisis.”
3/05/2026
Vox
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, with new projections showing a sharp increase among women ages 20 to 44. Despite this, public awareness of the risks and unique symptoms women experience is declining. The article highlights systemic issues, including the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials and a lack of gender-specific content in medical school curricula. Harmony R. Reynolds, MD, the Joel E. and Joan L. Smilow Professor of Cardiology in the Department of Medicine, the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology and director of the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at NYU Langone, emphasizes the need for better training across all levels of the medical establishment to improve patient outcomes and address these disparities.
Also reporting was: MSN, Yahoo Health
3/05/2026
Baroreflex Activation for Advanced HF Yields Positive Results Postmarketing Data
TCTMD
Postmarketing data from the REBALANCE registry shows that baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) delivered by the Barostim implant is associated with benefits for patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The findings, presented at THT 2026, indicated improvements in LVEF and NYHA functional status. Commenting on the results, Shaline D. Rao, MD, chief of Cardiology at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, noted the data is useful for mapping the device's use in a real-world population. Dr. Rao added that while the therapy improves quality of life, its effect on long-term survival remains unclear.
3/05/2026
Organ donation after heart stops gains popularity in US
Tribune Chronicle
Specialists from NYU Langone Health found that organ donation after circulatory death (DCD) is far more common in some parts of the country than others, suggesting better education could increase transplants. The findings were published in the medical journal JAMA. DCD accounted for 49% of all deceased donors in the US last year, up from 2% in 2000. Babak J. Orandi, MD, PhD, a transplant surgeon at NYU Langone Health and study co-author, noted that DCD is complex and must be performed well to maintain public trust and avoid significant repercussions for patients.
Also reporting was: The Vindicator
3/06/2026
Can Warnings Curb Cancer Misinformation?
Medscape
A recent study found that social cue prompts on social media posts significantly increased users' willingness to flag false cancer treatment claims and reduced their willingness to share them. Experts note that cancer misinformation is a major problem, with some studies estimating up to 80% of cancer-related posts contain false information. Commenting on the issue, Stacy Loeb, MD, professor in the Departments of Urology and Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Health, explained that stopping the spread of misinformation requires a multi-factorial solution. She suggested oncologists could provide patients with 'information prescriptions' pointing to vetted online sources.
3/06/2026
Sleep Apnea Often Goes Undetected in Women. That’s Starting to Change
WIRED Magazine
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as an underdiagnosed condition in women, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, with projections suggesting a 65 percent prevalence increase by 2050. Symptoms in women, such as fatigue and night sweats, are often mistaken for menopause. According to Rashmi N. Aurora, MD, professor of medicine and director of Women’s Sleep Medicine Initiatives at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, declining estrogen weakens protection against oxidative stress, creating a physiological 'double whammy' with OSA that strains the heart. She adds that screening tools were largely validated in male cohorts, contributing to misidentification in women.
Also reporting was: Techie Mag, Dnyuz, Technophile News, OnlineTech Guru
3/06/2026
The physician deals that defined 2025
Becker's ASC Review
Physician practice management M&A activity was steady in 2025, according to a VMG Health report. A major transaction in January 2025 involved NYU Langone Health and NYU Langone Orthopedics acquiring Rothman Orthopaedics of Greater New York. NYU Langone now operates Rothman’s three practice locations in New York City and Westchester, adding 13 orthopedic specialists to its team. The report also detailed other significant acquisitions by companies such as Optum, AdventHealth, and Cardinal Health, highlighting a continued trend of network expansion by health systems and private equity-backed platforms.
3/05/2026
Respect Wishes or Treat Patient?
Medscape
In a commentary, Art Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, discusses a complex medical ethics case. He recounts the story of a doctor who attempted suicide and left a note requesting no treatment if the attempt failed. Despite the note, the hospital's psychiatrist and ethics committee decided to resuscitate him. The doctor survived without cognitive damage and expressed gratitude for being saved. Dr. Caplan reflects that the outcome has made him more hesitant about honoring such requests in suicide attempts.
3/05/2026
