News from NYU Langone Health

The 168 Health Systems Deemed ‘Excellent’ For Transplants By Optum. (Becker's Hospital Review)

Becker’s Hospital Review (4/9) NYU Langone Health and NYU Langone Hospital–Long Island have been recognized as part of Optum’s Centers of Excellence networks for transplants, as Optum’s annual evaluation identifies 168 health systems nationwide for their superior clinical care and cost-effectiveness in complex transplant needs, benefiting over 62 million lives through more accurate diagnoses, higher survival rates, and reduced out-of-pocket costs.

Search For A Cure Drives Food Allergy Fund Conference. (Healio)

Healio (4/9) Ilana Golant, founder and CEO of the Food Allergy Fund, is hosting the FAF Research Retreat and Annual Innovation & Investment Summit in New York City from April 28 to 30, where researchers, entrepreneurs, and clinicians will gather to discuss advancements in food allergy treatments, including gut microbiome research and repurposing drugs, with highlights moderated by Jeffrey A. Hubbell, PhD, a professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology.

Modest Effects Of Valacyclovir In Herpes Zoster Eye Disease. (Medscape)

Paywalled* Medscape (4/9)* A clinical trial led by Elisabeth J. Cohen, MD, professor, Department of Ophthalmology, vice chair for Academic Affairs, found that low-dose valacyclovir treatment for herpes zoster ophthalmicus showed modest benefits at 18 months and reduced episodes of keratitis or iritis, though no significant benefits were observed at 12 months, according to results published in JAMA Ophthalmology.

A Promising New Target For Mental Health. (Drug Discovery World)

Drug Discovery World (4/10) In a discussion with DDW Editor Reece Armstrong, Kara G. Margolis, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, and Mark Ansorge, Associate Professor at Columbia University, examined research published in Gastroenterology, which found that increasing serotonin in the gut epithelium can alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms in animals, potentially reducing antidepressant side effects like gastrointestinal issues; Dr. Margolis said, “We are currently devising new gut-targeted drugs to treat mood disorders,” highlighting the potential for safer treatments for pregnant women and improved patient compliance.

Osteoporosis May Not Be A Contraindication For Cementless TKA. (Healio)

Healio (4/9) Results from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting suggest that patients with a history of osteoporosis may not be contraindicated for cementless total knee replacement, as Matthew L. Magruder, MD, a fourth-year resident at Maimonides Health, said that surgeons can feel more comfortable placing implants in these patients if the knee bone is suitable, while Jacquelyn Xu, research fellow, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, presented findings from a study using the PearlDiver database, indicating no significant differences in implant-related and medical complications between cemented and cementless groups 90 days and 2 years post-surgery.

Ultrafast Breast MRI Determines Malignant From Benign Markers. (AuntMinnie)

AuntMinnie (4/9) Research led by Helaina Regen-Tuero, MD, resident, Department of Radiology, published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, found that ultrafast breast MRI can differentiate markers tied to malignancy, with earlier visualization of a focus relative to background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) linked to higher malignancy risk, though morphologic features showed no association; the study, involving 124 women, revealed that malignancy risk increased by 5% with each one-second increase in the difference of lesion TTE and BPE TTE, with older age and lower BPE significantly associated with malignancy likelihood.

Maternal Diabetes Linked To Increased Risk Of Autism And Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders In Children, Study Finds. (Sinar Daily)

Sinar Daily (4/9) A major international study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, involving over 56 million pregnancies, found that children born to mothers with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities, with risks being higher for pre-gestational diabetes; Magdalena Janecka, PhD, associate professor, Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Population Health, who specializes in child development and prenatal exposure, commented that while meta-analyses offer precise comparisons, they do not advance understanding of the causes or mechanisms, underscoring the necessity of proactive interventions and ongoing monitoring of maternal blood sugar levels during pregnancy to potentially mitigate these risks.

Can Your Body ‘Forget’ How To Digest Meat? (Well and Good)

Well and Good (4/9) Roshini Raj, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, discusses how the digestive system can adapt to dietary changes, with Dr. Raj explaining that even after a hiatus from meat, the body still produces enzymes like proteases, pepsin, and trypsin needed for digestion, and suggesting gradual reintroduction of meat to avoid digestive discomfort.

Can You Do A Pull-Up? Here’s Why It’s A Must For Women. (Women's Health)

Women’s Health (4/10) Heather Milton, MS, clinical exercise physiologist, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sports Performance Center, discussed the empowerment that comes from achieving pull-up goals in a Women’s Health vodcast episode, highlighting the importance of grip strength for longevity and overall muscular strength.

NHS Must Move EPR Use Beyond Digitising Paper, Warns Report. (Digital Health)

Digital Health (4/10) A report by The Health Foundation, published on April 9, 2025, warns that the NHS risks missing the full benefits of electronic patient records (EPRs) without a national strategy, as many trusts are using EPRs merely as digital notebooks rather than leveraging advanced capabilities like AI to improve care quality and productivity; the report suggests that achieving digital maturity akin to NYU Langone Health would require a 15-year investment, with Alex Lawrence, improvement fellow at The Health Foundation, saying, “To reap the benefits of EPRs, we’ll need to fund the change, not just the tech.”

Kennedy Discusses Job Cuts, Measles Vaccine In First Network TV Interview. (CBS News)

CBS News (4/9) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in his first network television interview as health secretary, discussed with Jonathan D. LaPook, MD, the Mebane Professor of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, professor, Department of Population Health, job cuts at federal health agencies and the high costs of prescription drugs, including the Trump administration’s recent decision to cancel expanded coverage for weight-loss drugs like Wegovy; Kennedy mentioned a blueprint for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid after other interventions are tried.

The New York Times (4/9) During the interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended the measles vaccine but expressed concerns about its safety, while Jonathan D. LaPook, MD, the Mebane Professor of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, professor, Department of Population Health, discussed the impact of research funding cuts, including a $750,000 grant to the University of Michigan for adolescent diabetes research, which Kennedy said would be reviewed for potential reinstatement.

Also reporting are CBS News (4/9), USA Today (4/9), The Hill (4/9), WCBS-TV (4/9), and KOSA-TV (4/9).

New Weapon Targets Airborne Diseases. (KAUZ-TV Wichita Falls (TX))

KAUZ-TV (4/9) On “Eye on America”, Jonathan D. LaPook, MD, the Mebane Professor of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, professor, Department of Population Health, introduces a new technology, Far-UVC lamps, designed to combat airborne diseases like COVID and bird flu, with Columbia University physicist David Brenner explaining that these lamps work by damaging the genes of microbes.

Measles Outbreak Reaches 650 Confirmed Cases Nationally. (NBC News)

NBC News (4/9) The measles outbreak in the United States has expanded, with over 650 confirmed cases across 23 states and Washington, D.C., more than doubling the total from 2024, with Texas reporting over 500 cases and pediatric deaths; Natalie E. Azar, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, advised parents of young children not yet fully vaccinated to limit their social contact and consider early vaccination, especially when traveling internationally.

Also reporting is KARE-TV (4/9).

Flu Vaccine Linked To Higher Infections, Says Early Research. (Fox News)

Fox News (4/9) A new study from Cleveland Clinic, published on MedRxiv.org, suggests that the influenza vaccine may be associated with a 27% increase in flu infections among 53,402 Cleveland Clinic employees in northern Ohio during the 2024-2025 flu season, though it did not assess flu-related hospitalizations, deaths, or the severity of illness; Marc K. Siegel, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, commented that the study’s results are “misleading,” emphasizing that it is observational and does not account for healthcare workers’ higher exposure to flu, adding that “the flu vaccine is intended to decrease severity rather than decrease spread.”

News from NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn

NYU Langone – Brooklyn Appoints 1st Chief Of Cardiac Surgery. (Becker's ASC Review)

Becker’s ASC Review (4/9) Noritsugu Naito, MD, has been appointed as the first chief of cardiac surgery at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn and will also serve as a clinical associate professor, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, marking significant growth for the hospital’s expanded cardiac service line to offer more comprehensive cardiac care to Brooklyn residents; Dr. Naito, who earned his medical degree from the University of Tokyo, completed fellowships at Massachusetts General Hospital and NYU Langone Health, and previously served as director of cardiovascular surgery at Shizuoka Medical Center in Japan.

Also reporting is the Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle (4/9).

NYU Langone’s Recipe For Accelerating Patients’ Recovery. (Becker's Hospital Review)

Becker’s Hospital Review (4/9) NYU Langone Health’s “Food as Medicine” program, launched in 2022 at its Brooklyn campus and expanded to Manhattan in February 2024, integrates medically tailored meal deliveries into patients’ discharge planning through a partnership with God’s Love We Deliver, with the aim of addressing barriers to nutritious food access post-discharge, according to Renee Gross, senior director of social work at NYU Langone Health; Erich G. Anderer, MD, assistant professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Chief of Neurosurgery, NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn, described the program as “holistic health maintenance” that helps prevent readmissions; Jasmine Bar, administrative fellow of hospital operations at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, said the program uses Epic and a custom IT build to identify eligible patients, providing insights into patient engagement and future interventions.

News from NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island

Let’s Get Physical! NYU Langone Health Surgeon Offers Tips For Injury Prevention. (Long Island (NY) Advance)

The Long Island (NY) Advance (4/10) Richard Savino, MD, clinical assistant professor, chief, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Hospital – Suffolk, provided injury prevention tips for warm-weather activities, advising gradual engagement in physical activity and emphasizing the importance of regular stretching, recommending 20 to 30 minutes of stretching three or four times a week, and suggesting yoga or Pilates as accessible options, saying, “This topic is a really good timely thing to bring up as we always see, in the spring, people who have been relatively sedentary in winter back into activity and then get into trouble.”

Managing Chaos: Emergency Exercise Prepares For The Worst. (Long Island (NY) Advance)

The Long Island (NY) Advance (4/10) NYU Langone Health conducted a “Mass Casualty Incident Full-Scale Exercise” at the Watch Hill Ferry Terminal on April 5, simulating a ferry accident to test emergency response capabilities, particularly for NYU Langone Hospital–Suffolk, involving over two-dozen actors as “victims” to evaluate triaging and patient handling protocols; Michele Miller, exercise leader, said the drill tested EMS triaging protocols and hospital response to a mass influx of patients, while Nicole Hansen, EMS manager, NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, at NYU Langone Health’s Mineola campus, said, “Drills like this are essential for preparedness... it becomes muscle memory.”

Lithium Therapy May Improve Tardive Dyskinesia Symptoms. (Clinical Advisor)

Clinical Advisor (4/9) A case study published in The Journal of Pharmacy Practice highlights the potential of lithium therapy in reducing tardive dyskinesia symptoms in a 76-year-old woman, who experienced improvement in symptom intensity, frequency, and daily impact after five weeks of treatment, as presented by Aaron Pinkhasov, MD, professor, Departments of Medicine, and Psychiatry, chair, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island.