20-Minute Health Talk

Documenting the First Wave of COVID-19

In the new National Geographic documentary, The First Wave, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and director Matthew Heineman captures what the COVID-19 pandemic really looked like inside the walls of one of New York City’s hardest-hit hospitals. In this 20-Minute Health Talk, Matthew reflects on what it was like to document patients fighting for their lives, as well as the frontline heroes responding to the crisis. He is joined by two nurses featured in the film: Kellie Wunsch, RN, a critical care nurse at LIJ; and Brussels Jabon, LPN, who was pregnant with her second child when diagnosed with COVID-19.

Meet our guests:  

Matthew Heineman is an Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker well known for documentaries including: Cartel Land; City of Ghosts; Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare; and his collaboration on Emmy-nominated HBO series, The Alzheimer’s Project. 

Kellie Wunsch, RN, is a critical care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Kellie volunteered to be a member of the rapid response team through the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Brussels Jabon is a Registered Practical Nurse at Northwell Health’s Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation. 

Kids talk COVID vaccines

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine now has emergency use authorization (EUA) in kids ages 5-to-11, opening up eligibility to 28 million children in the US. Nora Gossett, 7, shares why she got the shot with her doctor dad, Jeffrey Gossett, M.D., F.A.A.P., at Cohen Children's Medical Center (CCMC). He was one of four doctors to stand behind their children as they received their first dose Nov. 4 at CCMC in a display of confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines.

Like Dr. Gossett, Mundeep Kainth, DO, MPH, and Sophia Jan, MD, talked the talk and walked the walk by getting their children in this age group vaccinated. They join Lorry Rubin, MD, CCMC's director of pediatric infectious diseases, to discuss:

• how to talk to your kids about the vaccine
• clinical trials and vaccine safety
• parental concerns about long-term side effects like myocarditis
• what to expect with the COVID vaccine in kids 6 months to 4 years old

Meet the experts

Lorry Rubin, MD, director, pediatric infectious diseases, Cohen Children’s Medical Center

Sophia Jan, MD, chief of general pediatrics at Cohen Children’s Medical Center

Mundeep Kainth, MD, pediatric infectious disease, Cohen Children’s Medical Center

Jeffrey Gossett, M.D., F.A.A.P, vice president and system chief of pediatric cardiology at Cohen Children's Medical Center (CCMC)

The COVID vaccine and pregnancy: Empowering expectant moms

Only 33.8 percent of pregnant women between the ages of 18 and 49 in the US are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. And while many pregnant women are fearful of the effect that the COVID vaccines could have on them and their baby, more than 160K expectant moms have been vaccinated with no adverse pregnancy outcomes, explains Burton Rochelson, MD, chief of maternal fetal medicine, and Sarah Pachtman, MD, a maternal fetal medicine attending. Like Dr. Pachtman, Elizabeth Boyce, RN, got the COVID vaccine while pregnant. They share their experiences, dispel misinformation and encourage women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive to Crush COVID and get the shot. 

More from the experts

Is it safe to get the COVID vaccine if I'm pregnant? Burton Rochelson, MD, explains.

Pregnant and hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccine? Sarah Pachtman details new research revealing that the COVID-19 vaccine is likely to protect unborn children, too, when moms-to-be roll up their sleeves.

 

Breast cancer survivorship: beginning at diagnosis

Thanks to improvements in breast cancer screening and treatment, more than 80 percent of patients will beat the disease. But, survivorship comes with its own health challenges — something  health professionals and patients need to start planning for at diagnosis, says Catherine Alfano, PhD, an international leader in cancer survivorship and rehabilitation. She joins medical oncologist Jennifer Ligibel, MD, and integrative health and wellness coach Deborah McElligott, NP, to discuss the challenges of implementing this approach; the issues cancer survivors face; and balancing the benefits and long-term risks of cancer treatments. 

Chapters:

00:01 - Survivorship starts at diagnosis

01:20 - What is survivorship?

03:24 - Cancer care and lifestyle changes

05:27 - American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

07:15 - Getting survivorship right

08:40 - Cancer treatments: balancing benefits and risks

09:09 - Integrative medicine programs

11:34 - Tai chi health benefits

12:21 - Cancer care and integrative health

14:03 - Cancer research and personalized care

15:18 - What is a learning health system?

16:01 - Breast cancer survivor

18:34 - Racial disparities in survivorship

19:36 - Support from faith-based communities

Meet the experts

Catherine Alfano, Ph.D., is vice president of cancer care management and research at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, and associate director for the Institute of Health System Science at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. She also co-chairs the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s clinical guidelines on nutrition, physical activity, and weight management for treatment in cancer patients. Previously, she served as vice president for survivorship at the American Cancer Society; and before that as deputy director of the office of cancer survivorship at the National Cancer Institute.

Jennifer Ligibel, MD, is a medical oncologist and director of the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She also co-chairs the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s clinical guidelines on nutrition, physical activity, and weight management for treatment in cancer patients.

Deborah McElligott, DNP, is a holistic nurse practitioner, as well as an integrative health and wellness coach at the Center for Wellness and Integrative Medicine at the Katz Institute for Women's Health.

Clinical trials and the blood brain barrier

The COVID-19 vaccines have put a spotlight on the importance of clinical trials. During the early days of the pandemic in New York, researchers like John Boockvar, MD, had to shut down ongoing trials to contribute to the fight against the novel virus. Since, he has resumed his work investigating novel approaches to treating brain cancers. He has been internationally recognized for his research in brain tumors and stem cell biology throughout his 20-year career. He explains the importance of clinical trials, his connection with the inventor of mRNA technology, and his experience leading investigations into experimental treatments for glioblastomas — the deadliest form of brain cancer.  

Meet the expert

Dr. Boockvar is a world-renowned brain tumor expert. He is vice chair of neurosurgery and director of the Brain Tumor Center at Lenox Hill; and director of the Laboratory for Brain Tumor Biology and Therapy at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. 

Along with his fellow neurosurgeons, he was the subject of the highly-acclaimed Netflix docudrama in 2020, “Lenox Hill.” 

Northwell research making news:

• The healing power of vagus nerve stimulation
• New research identifies potential therapeutic target for fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome
• Feinstein Institutes research finds sex, gender identity are linked to human brain activity
• Feinstein Institutes study identifies Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers
• Top 5 Northwell advances of 2023

Why I got the COVID booster shot

After receiving his COVID booster shot, Lorry Rubin, MD, director of pediatric infectious diseases at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, walks us through why it's important to get the additional dose, who is eligible and how effective it is. Currently the Pfizer mRNA vaccine is the only one approved for booster shots under emergency use authorization. However, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson both are seeking emergency use authorization and the FDA's Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Oct. 14 and 15 to consider the requests. 

Dr. Rubin also talks about the COVID vaccines and children, with Pfizer reporting that its vaccine is safe and effective in kids age 5 to 11 - the dose would be smaller than those currently in use in other age groups. 

More from our expert

Dr. Rubin talks about the signs of MIS-C.

Myocarditis has been seen in some young people after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, but doctors say the risk of COVID-19 is far greater.   

 

How our environment shapes our health

What goes on in our home, neighborhoods and community all have a major impact on our health. Chronic issues like diabetes and heart disease are more prevalent in vulnerable communities, which also tend to face more environmental challenges. Northwell is hosting the 1^st Annual Raise Health Forum on Oct. 5, 2021. This free virtual event will cast a light on issues including Health Equity, Women’s Health and Environmental Health. 

Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD, Stacey Rosen, MD, and Jacqueline Moline, MD, will each host panels addressing these issues and the role health systems can play. Register at https://raisehealth21.app.rsvpify.com/ 

Full agenda:

11:00 am ET - Why We're Here

• Michael Dowling, President & CEO, Northwell Health

11:05 am ET - Welcome & Introduction

• David Battinelli, MD, SVP and Chief Medical Officer, Northwell Health

11:10 am ET - By the Numbers: Social Determinants of Health

This data-driven presentation will highlight the numbers and metrics behind the Social Determinants of Health as driven by environmental, social, and gender-based inputs.

• Kulleni Gebreyes, Director of Health Equity Institute, Deloitte

11:20 am ET - Reaching the Hard to Reach: Equitable Healthcare Access, and the Role of Community Leadership

This cross-sector conversation will explore how and why certain communities are harder to engage around healthcare delivery, and share best practices that both faith and community leaders and private sector leaders are using to gain trust and unlock healthcare delivery in our communities. Taking a particular look through the lens of Covid-19, especially around testing, treatment, clinical trials, and vaccine access and delivery, it will ask the question: what does this mean for engaging communities around other health risk factors, and for health equity outcomes overall?

• Marcus Osborne, Senior Vice President, Walmart Health, Walmart
• Megan Callahan, President, Healthcare, Lyft
• Rev. Dr. Malcolm Byrd, Pastor, Chief of Protocol, Mother AME Zion Church
• Moderator: Jennifer Mieres, MD, Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Northwell Health

11:40 am ET - Breaking the Mold in Women's Health

For too long, our medical establishment and practices have failed to make the distinction in treating males and females in a number of areas, including clinical trials, treatment prescriptions, physician education, and more. This conversation will explore the uniqueness of women’s health, and how we should be treating the patient based on key differences between the sexes, the implications for the healthcare community, and how the medical field can and should implement changes moving forward.

• Janine Clayton, MD, FARVO, Director, Office of Research on Women’s Health, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, American Heart Association
• Moderator: Stacey Ellyn Rosen, MD, Senior Vice President, Women’s Health, Katz Institute for Women’s Health, Northwell Health

12:00 pm ET - The World Around Us: How our Environment is Shaping our Health

The physical environment is a key contributor to our health — the air we breathe, the food we ingest, and even the design of our physical spaces all contribute to our health outcomes. In an ever changing climate and environmental landscape, how can stakeholders take measures to ensure we are maximizing community health?

• Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Whitney Austin Gray, PhD, WELL AP, LEED AP, SVP of Research, International WELL Building Institute
• Corey Stern, Partner, Levy Konigsberg
• Moderator: Jacqueline Moline, MD, MSc, FACP, FACOEM, Senior Vice President, Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Northwell Health

12:20 pm ET - The Power of Innovation: How Technology Will Power the Future of Health

Across health equity, women’s health, and environmental health, we know that the solutions we seek will be powered by the same approach and mindset that has powered the medical field for centuries: the innovation mindset. How can cutting-edge technology and new approaches to healthcare help ensure a positive future for the health of our communities?

• Ann Aerts, Head of the Novartis Foundation, Novartis
• Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, Royal Philips
• Deena Shakir, Partner, Lux Capital
• Moderator: Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President, Community and Population Health, Northwell Health

12:45 pm ET - The Patient Story

Highlighting the racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare.

• Michelle R. Connell
• Hosted by: Zenobia Brown, MD, MPH, Vice President and Medical Director, Population Health, Northwell Health

12:55 pm ET - Raise Health

• Michael Dowling, President & CEO, Northwell Health

Overcoming substance use disorder, Part II

COVID-19 has skyrocketed rates of substance use disorder. Sandeep Kapoor, MD, joins Shatterproof executive director Stephen D'Antonio to explain how people can find resources, educate themselves, diffuse stigma and save lives. 

Meet the experts

Dr. Sandeep Kapoor is Assistant Vice President of Addiction Services for Northwell’s Emergency Medicine Services, as well as Director of SBIRT, that’s Northwell’s Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment program.

Stephen D’Antonio is the Executive Vice President for Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the addiction crisis. He also helped create the podcast series “My Child & Addiction.”

Resources

Northwell's Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program is open six days a week, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 516-465-5955 to speak to a team member.

Stephen created the "Just Five" series to help people understand the most important concepts and facts regarding addiction: https://justfive.org/northwell/

Call SAMSHA's national hotline: 1-800-622-HELP

Overcoming substance use disorder, Part I

Approximately 93,000 drug overdoses took place in 2020, the highest number ever in a single year. Many life-saving resources are available, yet only one in 10 receive treatment. So many suffer in silence and stigma plays a major role. Stephen D'Antonio shares his experience becoming an advocate for his son, who overcame an alcohol use disorder, and partnering with other parents and health care organizations. He joins Sandeep Kapoor, MD, to discuss substance use disorders, shattering stigma and more. 

Meet the experts

Dr. Sandeep Kapoor is Assistant Vice President of Addiction Services for Northwell’s Emergency Medicine Services, as well as Director of SBIRT, that’s Northwell’s Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment program.

Stephen D’Antonio is the Executive Vice President for Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the addiction crisis. He also helped create the podcast series “My Child & Addiction.”

Resources

Northwell's Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program is open six days a week, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 516-465-5955 to speak to a team member.

Stephen created the "Just Five" series to help people understand the most important concepts and facts regarding addiction: https://justfive.org/northwell/

Call SAMSHA's national hotline: 1-800-622-HELP

When to consider a second opinion

Seeking a second opinion can be the difference between a slow recovery or a positive outcome. Daniel Sciubba, MD, and Matthew Weiss, MD, explain their approach when a patient comes in asking for a second opinion.

Meet the experts

Daniel Sciubba, MD, is senior vice president of neurosurgery at Northwell Health; and chair of neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

Matthew Weiss, MD, surgeon and deputy physician in chief at Northwell’s Cancer Institute.