News from NYU Langone Health
Why scientists say this personalized cancer vaccine could be a game-changer
National Geographic
Pharmaceutical companies Merck and Moderna announced their experimental mRNA cancer vaccine successfully met its Phase 3 clinical trial goal for preventing melanoma recurrence. The study's lead investigator, Janice Mehnert, MD, director of the melanoma medical oncology program at NYU Langone Health and associate director of clinical research at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, stated that the trial involved over 1,000 patients and compared the personalized vaccine combined with Keytruda against Keytruda alone. Mehnert noted minimal side effects and suggested the approach could be a game-changer if effective in other cancers, such as bladder and lung cancer where it is also being tested. The companies will now seek FDA approval.
8/21/2026
Uniting CLL and lymphoma care: Adam S. Kittai, MD
American Journal of Managed Care
The treatment landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and lymphoma is evolving, with significant overlap between the diseases, according to Adam Kittai, MD, director of the CLL Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center, director of the Lymphoma Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center–Long Island, and associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. At NYU Langone Health, the two cancers are managed as closely related conditions. Dr. Kittai highlighted that newer approaches such as CAR T-cell therapy and investigational bispecific antibodies are effective even in patients with treatment-resistant disease, overcoming traditional prognostic factors.
8/21/2026
NYU Langone to host back-to-school backpack drive in Sunset Park
Patch
Family Health Centers at NYU Langone will host its annual Back-to-School event on 26 August in Sunset Park. The event will provide local families with free backpacks and school supplies to ease the financial burden before the school year begins. Supported by Healthfirst and JPMorgan Chase, the fair will also offer health screenings, informational sessions, and entertainment. Family Health Centers at NYU Langone is one of New York's largest Federally Qualified Health Center networks, serving Brooklyn residents to reduce health disparities.
Also reporting was: Brooklyn Daily Eagle
8/21/2026
How concerning is Max Fried’s return to the IL? | The Injury Report
New York Post
Spencer Stein, MD, a sports orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health, appears on an episode of 'The Injury Report' to discuss the potential causes of a recurring elbow bone bruise. He analyzes the case of Yankees pitcher Max Fried, who has returned to the injured list for a second time, explaining the medical factors that could lead to the injury's resurfacing.
8/21/2026
New survey reveals cost remains a major barrier to fertility care in the U.S.
Markets Insider
A new national survey from BUNDL Fertility reveals cost is a significant barrier to fertility care, with 48% of respondents delaying treatment due to financial constraints. The survey also found 73% are reluctant to see a specialist because they fear the total cost of care. Commenting on the findings, Jamie Grifo, MD, PhD, director of NYU Langone Fertility Center, noted that many misconceptions exist about costs. He encouraged those struggling to conceive to meet with a specialist to understand their treatment path and available financial resources.
8/21/2026
Baby boomers are smoking more pot. Their neighbors are fuming. *
The Wall Street Journal
Seniors are one of the fastest-growing demographics for marijuana use in the U.S. for managing pain, sleep, and recreation, leading to rising tensions in retirement communities over secondhand smoke. According to Joseph Palamar, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Health, who co-authored a study on the topic, about 10% of senior respondents in a recent New York study reported using cannabis to 'fit in.' The article also notes the cannabis industry is targeting this market and details a D.C. court case that set a legal precedent.
Also reporting was: MSN, Newsmax
8/23/2026
Dr. Renee Williams reveals why representation saves lives
Rolling Out
Renee Williams, MD, MHPE, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health, associate chair for health equity in the Department of Medicine, and director of strategic partnerships for the Institute for Excellence in Health Equity, discusses co-founding Black in Gastro, the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists, to address professional representation gaps and support colleagues. The organization also focuses on health disparities, such as the disproportionate effect of colorectal cancer on Black patients, by advocating for improved screening access. Dr. Williams, who also works with the New York Citywide Colorectal Cancer Coalition, advises patients to advocate for themselves and find a new physician if they feel unheard. The organization's website offers a physician directory to help patients.
8/22/2026
Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.: Long Island can solve Alzheimer’s
Nassau Herald (Garden City, NY)
In an opinion piece, Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, argues that Long Island is positioned to solve the growing Alzheimer's public health crisis. He highlights that researchers at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine are using genetic material from blood samples to examine brain cells in individuals with Alzheimer's. The goal is to develop methods for reprogramming unhealthy neurons. The article also mentions parallel research efforts at Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Stony Brook University, noting these projects are supported by grant funding from his organization.
8/21/2026
Peripheral nervous system manifestations
The Rheumatologist
The Sjögren’s Foundation has published a new clinical practice guideline for diagnosing and treating peripheral nervous system manifestations of the disease. A senior author of the guideline is Steven Carsons, MD, vice dean, director of the Center for Clinical Research at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, and chief of rheumatology, allergy and immunology for NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. He notes that these manifestations are complex and confusing, with very little existing evidence to guide clinicians. The guideline offers detailed good practice statements based on expert opinion to help physicians diagnose and manage the various neurological issues associated with Sjögren's disease.
8/21/2026
62 recent hospital, health system executive moves
Becker's Hospital Review
A report on healthcare executive moves announced that Nadia Ovchinsky, MD, has been named chair of the department of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The comprehensive list details dozens of other leadership changes across the nation at various health systems, including competitors like NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell Health, NYC Health + Hospitals, and Hospital for Special Surgery.
8/21/2026
KPMG finds sophisticated AI use is still rare
Newsweek
An upcoming Newsweek webinar, 'What Makes a Smart Hospital?', will feature leaders from NYU Langone Health, Statista, Samsung Medical Center, and Sheba Medical Center. Moderated by Newsweek's health care editor, the session on September 3 will explore what distinguishes individual technology deployments from a genuinely integrated digital strategy. The discussion will draw upon Statista's Smart Hospitals Maturity Survey. The broader article, part of an AI-focused newsletter, also discusses a KPMG report finding that sophisticated AI use among professionals is still uncommon, with only 5 percent of users demonstrating advanced AI behaviors.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Life
8/20/2026
First trimester neurosonography: Imaging protocols for 2026 conference
Celeb Homes
The Best of the Big Apple OB-GYN Ultrasound 2026 conference will take place from November 13-15 in New York City, with a special focus on first-trimester neurosonography. The conference agenda includes sessions on early fetal brain imaging, advanced fetal cardiac imaging, and placental pathology. Faculty for the event will be drawn from several leading institutions, including NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Specific sessions on neurosonography on November 14 will be led by specialists from Mount Sinai.
8/21/2026
He said he was the world’s healthiest man. Then came a stunning diagnosis.
The Seattle Times
A profile details tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson's public quest to live forever through a regimen of 'biohacking,' in which he has invested millions. The article discusses his recent diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis, a condition he suggests may have been latent for years. In response to his claim about the cause, Rabia De Latour, MD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health, states there is no known cause for the condition. The piece also explores criticism of the longevity movement from other experts.
Also reporting was: Honolulu Star-Advertiser
8/21/2026
Best Oncologist - The Jewish Link
The Jewish Link of New Jersey
The Jewish Link has named David Kaminetzky, MD, hematologist at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, as one of the best oncologists in the region. The publication's list includes his practice information at the cancer center's 38th Street location. Other oncologists recognized in the listing are from institutions including University Hospital in Newark, John Theurer Cancer Center, and Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care. This recognition highlights top physicians in the field for readers in the community.
8/22/2026
From retirement to Rocket League: US senior gamers head to global esports competition
ABC News
Eleven seniors from Ohio, aged 64 to 76, will compete as the first US senior team at the 2026 Global Esports Games in Los Angeles. The initiative, organized by Senior Esports USA, aims to combat loneliness and social isolation among older adults. The article notes that this is a significant health priority. Commenting on the issue, Aaron Pinkhasov, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, advises older adults to maintain social connections through regular activities like volunteering or joining community groups to reduce loneliness and social isolation.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Sports
8/22/2026
N.J. refused to test neighborhoods near a toxic dump. So we did it ourselves.
NJ.com
An NJ.com editorial details its investigation into a suspected cancer cluster by a former landfill in Keyport, New Jersey. The publication commissioned Judith Zelikoff, PhD, professor of toxicology and environmental health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, to conduct residential testing after state agencies initially refused. Her research identified a possible high-risk area with elevated heavy metal concentrations in a neighborhood near the site, which she called 'potentially very dangerous.' Zelikoff also voiced support for residents demanding more comprehensive environmental testing from the state's Department of Environmental Protection.
Also reporting was: Yahoo
8/22/2026
Rejoy Health: The AI care team helping clinics see more patients and chart less
TechBullion
Rejoy Health has created an AI care team suite for clinics that includes an AI scribe, receptionist, interpreter, and coder to manage operations. The company, which has reached a $125 million valuation with backing from investors like Google and Microsoft, aims to reduce administrative work for clinicians. Currently, the HIPAA-compliant platform is used by over 40,000 clinicians at several major health systems, including Johns Hopkins Medicine, Stanford Medicine, NYU Langone Health, UCLA Health, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Mount Sinai. Rejoy Health reports a 99.4% accuracy score on the MedQA medical question-answering benchmark.
8/22/2026
Clinical trial evaluates chemotherapy-free approach for breast cancer
Drug Discovery
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found a chemotherapy-free combination of four targeted therapies showed promising results for HR-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The findings, from the multicenter ASPIRE clinical trial, were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The trial, which evaluated the regimen as a potential first-line treatment to avoid chemotherapy, enrolled patients across sites affiliated with Mount Sinai, NYU Langone Health, and Columbia University. In the trial, 97 percent of patients experienced clinical benefit during the first six months of treatment.
8/20/2026
Three simple changes in middle age could give you 13 more years without dementia, study suggests
BBC Science Focus
A new study from researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, published in the journal Neurology, suggests that managing three specific risk factors during middle age could add nearly 13 dementia-free years to a person's life. The decades-long research, which monitored over 12,000 participants, identified controlling blood pressure, avoiding diabetes, and not smoking as key to preserving long-term brain health. According to study senior investigator Josef Coresh, MD, PhD, the founding director of the Optimal Aging Institute and the Terry and Mel Karmazin Professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the findings highlight the need to actively manage these factors in midlife.
Also reporting was: Inc.
8/23/2026
Scientists say this simple everyday habit could help you live longer
Prevention
A new meta-analysis of data from over 480,000 people found that regular stair climbing is linked to a 39% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular-related causes and a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause. Commenting on the findings, Shaline Rao, MD, director of heart failure services, chief of cardiology, and chief and vice chair of operations of medicine at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, explains that the habit is a vigorous form of physical activity that strengthens the heart and lungs, improves blood pressure, and helps maintain a healthy body weight. The study highlights the importance of incorporating everyday activities into daily routines.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health
8/21/2026
Infographic: A closer look at NYU Langone's career ladder for support staff
HealthLeaders
NYU Langone Health has recently developed and implemented a career ladder program for nursing support staff to create more opportunities for advancement. According to Shelby Welsh, system patient care technician (PCT) training coordinator at NYU Langone Health, the program was inspired by the registered nurse career ladder and standardizes roles across inpatient sites. The three-tiered system allows participants to progress from nursing attendants to certified patient care technicians. Those who become certified PCTs through the program receive a $2,000 pay increase to recognize their additional training and education.
8/21/2026
Science just made a case for adding acupuncture to your depression treatment plan
Allure
A new study in the journal Medicine found that acupuncture creates noticeable brain changes that may assist in treating depression. Analyzing brain imaging data, researchers found increased activity in regions linked to emotional control and reward. Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and director of wellness programs at NYU Langone Health, notes the findings suggest a neurobiological component, explaining that acupuncture can be a calming experience that has downstream effects on mood by improving sleep or reducing pain. The article also features commentary from a neurosurgeon at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital, who cautioned the brain changes are likely temporary.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Health
8/21/2026
Woman's World
Doris Day, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, offers three hacks for applying minoxidil for thicker hair. For a widening part, she advises using a comb to create several narrow parts and applying the product directly to the scalp. For sparse spots, using a cotton swab for precise placement is recommended. To address overall thinning, Day suggests sectioning dry hair and applying minoxidil to the scalp from front to back to ensure consistent coverage.
8/21/2026
WIO 2026 agenda spans AI, AMD, and physician leadership
Ophthalmology Times
The Women in Ophthalmology 2026 Summer Symposium will take place in Monterey, California, from August 20 to August 23. The agenda focuses on clinical, research, and leadership programming, with sessions on artificial intelligence, age-related macular degeneration, and physician leadership. A panel on leadership and mentorship in ophthalmology will feature several speakers, including Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and the Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The symposium offers both in-person and virtual attendance.
8/21/2026
