News from NYU Langone Health
Miracle on First Street: Santa visits hospital just weeks after heart surgery
Long Island Press
Just weeks after undergoing a heart valve replacement at NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island, 74-year-old Larry Burke returned to continue his five-year tradition of playing Santa for pediatric patients. The procedure, a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), was performed by Darko Boljevic, MD, associate director, Structural Heart Program, NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island and Richard K. Schwartz, DO, clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. Dr. Boljevic noted the procedure is "'super convenient' with results 'comparable with open-heart surgery.'
12/21/2025
Is melatonin bad for your heart? Here’s what the science says
National Geographic
The scientific evidence on melatonin's cardiovascular effects is complex and often contradictory. Doris H. Chan, MD, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health, notes that research continues to struggle with understanding the supplement. While some studies suggest modest benefits like reduced nighttime blood pressure, others raise concerns about increased heart failure risk with long-term use. Shaline D. Rao, MD, chief, Division of Cardiology, chief, and vice chair of Operations of Medicine, NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island, highlights an observational study showing a significantly higher risk of new-onset heart failure in long-term users, though causation is not proven. Experts advise caution for those with existing heart conditions.
12/22/2025
Kenneth Langone and Tony Xu Receive Singleton CEO Prize for Leadership and Philanthropy
Los Angeles Times
The Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship honored Kenneth Langone, co-founder of Home Depot and namesake of NYU Langone Health, with its CEO Prize for Excellence in Business Leadership. The article notes that Langone served as chairman of the board of trustees of NYU Langone Health from December 1999 until August 2025. The medical center was renamed in 2008 following a major gift from Langone and his wife. In connection with the award, Langone designated his $250,000 gift to the NYU Stern Langone Part-Time MBA program.
12/22/2025
The business of cancer: When does healing cross the line into exploitation?
The Dig Newsletter
A guest column discusses cold capping, a therapy to reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, examining its effectiveness, cost, and business ethics. The piece notes that while success is not guaranteed, the risks are clearly communicated. Mario E. Lacouture, MD, medical director, Symptom Management Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center - Long Island, chief, Dermatology, NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island, is quoted explaining that success is defined as losing less than 50% of scalp hair. The article also mentions that NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center is one of the notable centers where the treatment is available.
12/22/2025
The silent epidemic: Social isolation is harming our seniors
American Nurse Journal
In an opinion piece, James Bauer, BSN, Registered Nurse at NYU Langone, discusses the epidemic of social isolation among seniors, highlighting its severe health risks, which are comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The article notes that loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and premature death, costing the nation billions annually. Bauer calls on healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to treat social isolation as a major medical risk factor by implementing routine screenings and championing community-based programs that foster genuine connection for older adults.
12/22/2025
Dems’ unity hits a Medicare-for-All wall
POLITICO
The CDC is facing criticism for funding a study in Guinea-Bissau that vaccinates some newborns for hepatitis B but not others. Critics call the study unethical, and Art Caplan, PhD, the Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, deemed it 'indefensible' and exploitative. He suggested it is being funded due to political interests. The article also covers a canceled HHS announcement on childhood vaccine schedules and an internal Democratic party debate over pushing for Medicare for All ahead of midterm elections.
Also reporting was: The American Journal of Bioethics
12/22/2025
