News from NYU Langone Health
Alec Kimmelman | Notable Leaders in Health Care 2026 *
Crain's New York Business
Alec Kimmelman, MD, PhD, dean of NYU Grossman School of Medicine and CEO of NYU Langone Health, was featured as a Notable Leader in Health Care for 2026. NYU Langone Health is one of the largest health systems in the northeast, with over 54,000 employees, more than 320 locations, and revenue exceeding $15.4 billion in 2025.
4/05/2026
Debra Albert | Notable Leaders in Health Care 2026 *
Crain's New York Business
Debra Albert, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services, Lerner Director of Health Promotion, leads more than 10,000 nursing staff across seven inpatient hospitals and over 320 ambulatory sites at NYU Langone Health. In her role, she also directs systemwide planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure safe and efficient care throughout the academic health system.
4/05/2026
Federal agencies announce microplastics initiatives
Los Angeles Times (syndicated)
U.S. Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency announced new initiatives to address microplastics in the human body and drinking water. HHS will create a new $144 million program to study the issue, while the EPA will add microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its list of concerning chemicals. The announcement was made at EPA headquarters with several researchers present, including Leonardo Trasande, MD, the Jim G. Hendrick, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and director of the Division of Environmental Pediatrics at NYU Langone Health. The initiatives received praise from some advocates but skepticism from others.
4/06/2026
EPA adds microplastics to drinking water contaminant watch list for the first time
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Environmental Protection Agency announced it will add microplastics to its Contaminant Candidate List for drinking water, marking a first step toward potential federal regulation. The agency also included PFAs, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals in its list of new contaminants. This action follows emerging research on the health impacts of microplastics. A recent study from NYU Langone supports these concerns, finding that cancerous prostate tissue contains higher concentrations of microplastics than non-cancerous samples. The Department of Health and Human Services also launched an initiative to study the health impacts of the fragments.
4/06/2026
Study ties 8% of early births to plastic chemicals
E&E News
A new study in The Lancet, led by NYU Langone Health researchers, suggests exposure to phthalates could explain about 8% of premature births worldwide in 2018. The analysis links these plastic chemicals to potentially 74,000 newborn deaths and 2 million premature births. According to senior author Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD Professor of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and director of the Division of Environmental Pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, plastics represent a preventable risk factor for preterm birth.
4/06/2026
A Baby Was Born on Flight to New York. Air Traffic Controller Suggests Fitting Name
TODAY
A woman gave birth on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Jamaica to New York on April 4. Medical personnel attended to the mother and newborn upon arrival at JFK Airport. The article includes commentary from Jennifer L. Aquino, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at NYU Langone Health and associate director of Simulation, Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tisch Hospital. She noted that while in-flight births are rare, a risk of preterm delivery exists. Dr. Aquino also mentioned that air travel is generally considered safe up to 36 weeks for healthy pregnancies, according to guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
4/06/2026
OncLive
The combination of pasritamig and docetaxel showed promising efficacy and safety in a phase 1b study for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. According to David R. Wise, MD, PhD, service chief of the Genitourinary Medical Oncology Program and the codirector of the Department of Medicine Clinical Investigator Track at NYU Langone Health, as well as an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Urology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 64.7% of patients achieved a significant reduction in prostate-specific antigen levels. The response rate was even higher, at 88.2%, in patients with bone-only metastases. Dr. Wise noted the combination was well-tolerated, paving the way for a phase 3 trial that is now enrolling patients.
4/06/2026
Wegovy ‘HD’ Dose Is Here—How To Find GLP-1 Medications And Compare Costs
Forbes Health
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new, higher-dose version of the weight loss medication Wegovy, at 7.2 milligrams, compared to the previous maximum of 2.4 milligrams. Michael Weintraub, MD, endocrinologist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, commented that the new dose provides an additional step up in treatment. He explained that its suitability for a patient depends on whether they are experiencing gastrointestinal side effects and if they would medically benefit from further weight reduction. Dr. Weintraub also emphasized that the primary goal for starting any GLP-1 medication should be to improve health.
4/06/2026
Focus: Americans want weight-loss pills for cost and convenience
Reuters
Americans are showing a preference for new oral weight-loss medications due to lower costs and convenience compared to injectables. The market includes Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill and Eli Lilly's recently approved Foundayo. Commenting on Lilly's drug, Michael A. Weintraub, MD, endocrinologist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted that because it is a different type of molecule, it is not guaranteed to carry the same cardiovascular benefits as semaglutide. Despite lower prices for pills, affordability of these drugs remains a significant barrier for many patients.
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4/06/2026
Juan Soto calf injury: Doctor advises Mets on timetable, risk of reinjury
NJ.com
A two-to-three-week recovery timeline for Mets player Juan Soto's right calf strain is reasonable, but the team should be cautious, according to Spencer H. Stein, MD, sports orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Health. He stated that rushing Soto back could lead to reinjury. Dr. Stein explained that while such injuries usually heal without surgery, a gradual return-to-play plan is crucial to manage pain and prevent setbacks. He also suggested that Soto could initially return as a designated hitter to ease back into full activity.
Also reporting was: Yahoo Sports
4/06/2026
All the Best Natural Sunscreens (That We’ve Written About on the Strategist)
Yahoo Shopping
A product roundup of the best natural sunscreens features expert advice from dermatologists. The article recommends various sunscreens for different skin types and needs, such as for the face, body, and for sensitive or acne-prone skin. Jennifer A. Stein, MD, PhD, a dermatologist and associate vice chair, Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health, suggests using a stick sunscreen for exercising outdoors or for activities that cause heavy sweating, as it is less likely to run. The article lists several recommended products, including Supergoop! and Blue Lizard sticks.
4/06/2026
Over 20 Years, Sunscreen Use Doubled Among Black Individuals
Medscape
Research led by Christine Olagun-Samuel, a medical student at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, found that sunscreen use among Black individuals doubled over 20 years, rising from 4.4% to 11.4%. The study was presented at the Skin of Color Society Annual Scientific Symposium 2026. Prince Adotama, MD, assistant professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, who mentored the work, commented that the growing availability of tinted sunscreens may have contributed to the increase. He added that these products are more suitable for darker skin and protect against conditions like postinflammatory pigmentation.
4/06/2026
A Dermatologist’s 3 DIY Treatments to Get Your Heels Sandal-Ready — No Pedicure Needed
Woman's World
Doris J. Day, MD, clinical professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, outlines three DIY treatments for dry, cracked heels. For deep moisture, she suggests a soak with honey and coconut oil, followed by petrolatum and cotton socks overnight. For exfoliation, Dr. Day recommends a gentle scrub made from rice flour and olive or coconut oil to remove rough patches. For a combined approach, she advises using a 10-20 percent urea cream, which hydrates and exfoliates simultaneously with no preparation needed.
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4/06/2026
Women Are Diagnosed with Depression More Than Men—Here’s Why
PureWow
Women are diagnosed with depression at roughly twice the rate of men due to a combination of factors, according to Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Joseph explains that biological elements, such as hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman's life, can affect mood. Social and psychological factors, including higher rates of trauma and chronic stress, also contribute. Additionally, women are often more likely to voice their feelings and seek help, while men may exhibit different symptoms like irritability, which can be overlooked.
4/07/2026
