Patient Testimonial: Dwayne Bull says, “I could never find words to express how thankful and how grateful I am”, After Dr. Mangla, his team, and the Jamaica Hospital Staff Save His Husband Arthur’s Life

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

“I could never find words to express how thankful and how grateful I am”, is what Dwayne Bull said after his husband Arthur’s surgery at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. On September 11^th, 2024, Mr. Arthur Dower Bull took a short walk with his husband Dwayne to shop in their neighborhood. After about a block of walking, Arthur began to show signs of passing out. At that moment, Dwayne immediately called 911. Leading up to that moment Arthur passed out, Dwayne explained, “Arthur had been complaining about pain in his left leg and shortness of breath since having two surgeries two weeks prior.” The ambulance arrived and Arthur was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Arthur was being evaluated in the ER while Dwayne waited for news on his condition in the waiting room. A doctor approached Dwayne and told him that Arthur’s heart had stopped and he had to be revived. When the doctor told him that, Dwayne said, “My heart stopped, and I had never experienced that mental state in my life.” Dwayne recounted seeing a team of people standing over Arthur attempting to revive him again. He says, “I felt the pain of losing someone for the first time in my life and the hardest part was not being able to do anything about it.” For Dwayne, sitting in the waiting room feeling alone, nervous, and scared and not knowing what was happening, was the hardest thing for him.

Then, Dr. Aditya Mangla appeared. Dwayne recalls that Dr. Mangla was “extremely calm” and had a “positive presence about him”. “He gave me peace”, said Dwayne. Dr. Mangla told Dwayne that Arthur had blood clots in his lungs and blood stopped flowing to his heart. He expressed that if he did not perform immediate surgery Arthur wouldn’t make it and if he does perform the surgery, there still might be a chance that he wouldn’t make it because of the severity of his condition. Dr. Mangla told Dwayne there was a “30% chance that Arthur could survive the surgery”. Dwayne says Dr. Mangla, “assured me that he was extremely knowledgeable in this area of medicine and that he and Arthur were in the right place.”

Dr. Mangla allowed Dwayne to see Arthur one last time before surgery. Dr. Mangla told Dwayne, “I will treat him like he’s one of mine”. Dwayne waited in the waiting room for 90 minutes but remained positive because he knew Arthur was in good hands due to Dr. Mangla’s sincerity and level of experience. Then Dr. Mangla appeared with a certainty and enduring smile expressing that the surgery was successful. He then showed Dwayne pictures of the blood clots that were removed from Arthur’s lungs. When Dwayne finally got to see Arthur after the surgery, Arthur’s first words to him were, “You’re here.”

Dwayne would like to thank Dr. Mangla for the impeccable service he received. “Dr. Mangla is an angel,” Dwayne said. He would also like to thank Dr. Mangla’s team, the ICU nurses, and the rest of the hospital staff. “The hospital should be given an award.”

Dwayne and Arthur moved here from California last year and have been enjoying the sights and culture of the city. Thanks to Dr. Mangla, his team, and the hospital staff, they can continue to do so. “Dr. Mangla saved the life of my loved one. I wanted to say thank you, and I will never forget your unconditional support or allowing God to use you by the power of prayer.”

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

JHMC & Assemblyman David Weprin Work Together To Educate Communities About Breast Cancer

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Assemblymember Alice Cancel, Assemblymember David Weprin, Assemblymember Francisco Moya, Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, Sandra Lee, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Billy Joel, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Assembly member Didi Barett, Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Each year breast cancer kills as many as 40,000 women in the United States. These numbers are of great concern to community leaders such as Assemblyman David Weprin as the number of breast cancer cases continue to grow in parts of Queens.

Over the years the Assemblyman has worked with several community and health organizations to raise awareness. As part of his continued efforts to educate residents about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, Weprin has collaborated with Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Chairwoman of Radiology Dr. Sabiha Raoof to provide the following five vital facts about the disease:

Fact 1.Breast cancer occurs in one in every eight women living in the United States. It is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer and second leading cause of death.

Fact 2. Some of the factors that put you at a higher risk of developing breast cancer include:

Smoking
A family history of breast cancer -having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer
You are over the age of 55 (Most invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 and older)
You have dense breast tissue
Excessive consumption of alcohol
Radiation to chest or face before age 30
Being overweight or obese
You have used hormone replacement therapy to ease menopausal symptoms

Fact 3. Symptoms of breast cancer include nipple retraction, skin irritation, dimpling, swelling of the breast or armpits, unusual discharge from the nipple and lumps in the breast.

Fact 4. There are changes that you can make in your lifestyle that can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, some of which are:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Being physically active
Eating a healthy diet
Breastfeeding( It has been found that breastfeeding can lower cancer risk, especially if a woman breastfeeds for longer than one year)
Quitting smoking
Limiting alcohol consumption
Limiting or avoiding hormone replacement therapy

Fact 5. According to Dr. Raoof, “Early detection is the key to reducing the risk of developing breast cancer and the probability of premature death. Women who have regular mammograms are more likely to find breast cancer early and are less likely to require aggressive treatment to be cured. Studies show that the rate of survival is much higher when breast cancer is detected in its earlier stages. “

Earlier this year, as part of the “Get Screened, No excuses” campaign; Assemblyman Weprin joined Governor Andrew Cuomo at Citi Field as legislation was signed to increase patients’ access to breast screening services and facilities. As part of the legislative agreement, 210 hospitals and hospital extension clinics will offer extended hours of screening for at least four hours per week to help women who have difficulty scheduling mammograms during the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday. In addition, the legislation eliminates annual deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance payments for screening and diagnostic imaging for the detection of breast cancer; including diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds and MRIs.

In conjunction with this initiative Jamaica Hospital has extended hours of operation at all of its locations where mammograms are offered. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 718-291-3276.

For detailed information about breast cancer and screening guidelines please visit, www.cancer.org.

Jamaica Hospital and Councilman Eric Ulrich Collaborate To Educate the Community About Zika

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

The threat of the Zika virus outbreak in the United States is becoming more of a public health concern, especially now that it is summer and we are in the peak mosquito and travel season.

Councilman Eric Ulrich and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center wants everyone to know the basics and learn how to protect themselves and their loved ones from the growing threat of the Zika virus.

The councilman consulted with Dr. Farshad Bagheri; Director of Infectious Disease at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center to get important information you need to know. “I thank Dr. Farshad Bagheri and the entire team at Jamaica Hospital for putting together this timely and important information on the Zika virus,” said Councilman Eric Ulrich. “I look forward to continuing our partnership so together we can help Queens residents stay healthy and safe.”

Here are the facts:

What is Zika and how is it transmitted?

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus. It is transmitted most commonly by the bite of the infected Aedes species mosquito. Transmission also occurs through sexual intercourse from an infected man to either female or male partners. The virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating the possibility of transmission through blood transfusions as well as female to male transmission through intercourse. To date, there are no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding.

What are the symptoms?

Many people infected with the Zika virus will have no symptoms or mild symptoms that can last anywhere from a few days to a week. Most common symptoms include; conjunctivitis (pink eye), fever, rash and joint pain. Although symptoms are mild for most, a pregnant woman faces the greatest risk because Zika virus is known to cause microcephaly (a birth defect that causes a baby’s head to develop smaller than normal) as well as other brain defects in developing babies. It is also believed that the virus contributes to miscarriages. Zika virus has also been linked to a disorder of the nervous system known as Guillain-Barre syndrome. This disorder is more common in adult men than others. It causes the body‘s immune system to attack parts of the peripheral nervous system.

How long does the virus remain in the body if one is infected?

On average the virus remains in the body for about a week but there have been instances where it has lasted longer. The virus is present in semen longer than in blood.

Who is at risk?

Those who recently traveled to countries that have reported outbreaks, those who have had sexual intercourse with an infected man, pregnant women and unborn babies exposed to the virus.

How can you protect yourself and loved ones?

Currently, there is no vaccine for the Zika virus; however, there are measures you can take to ensure safety and lessen the chances of infection. Here are a few:

You can help prevent Zika infection by using EPA- registered insect repellents. The CDC suggests using repellents that have DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, or IR 3535.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, in mosquito-infested areas.
Pregnant women should abstain from sex or use condoms throughout their pregnancy when having intercourse with male-partners who may have been exposed.
Safeguard your home by throwing away, or, once a week turning over items outside or inside that collect water. Examples are tires, flower pots and trash containers.
Use indoor mosquito sprays in areas where the insects are commonly found, such as dark and humid places.
Install screens in doors and windows.
The best safety measure for pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant is to “postpone travel to countries declared high risk. If travel is unavoidable, she must consult with her doctor before embarking on that trip,” advises Dr. Bagheri. “Following the travel advice of agencies such as WHO (World Health Organization) and the CDC is also helpful.”

If you believe you are at risk for contracting the Zika virus and are experiencing symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately. To learn more information about Zika virus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/zika/

Senator Comrie and Jamaica Hospital -Promoting Wellness Through Walking

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Michael Hinck

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Community Outreach Department applaud the steps Senator Leroy Comrie is taking to prevent childhood and adult obesity by promoting healthier lifestyle options that include walking.

Obesity is a problem that affects many Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately one-third, or 78.6 million Americans are obese. In addition, 17%, or 12.7 million children are obese. Obesity is a leading cause of a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain forms of cancer

Living a healthy lifestyle, which includes physical activity, in combination with a healthy diet is the best way to combat obesity. While many forms of physical activity require time and financial commitments that many of us do not have, one of the easiest ways to get your daily dose of physical activity is through walking.

Walking is very important for weight control. Of course, the more you walk and the quicker your pace, the more calories you’ll burn. Generally speaking, by adding 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily routine, you could burn approximately 150 calories a day. If you walk at a more vigorous pace and for a longer duration of time, you can burn even more calories and lose even more weight.

Senator Leroy Comrie and other local elected officials understand the importance of promoting physical activity to combat obesity, so together they created the “Walk for Wellness” event. This second annual series of walks are held in various parks and playgrounds through Southeast Queens on select Saturdays. The walks began in June and continue into October. Each walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and is open to all.

According to Senator Comrie, “The Walk for Wellness event was created to be a community-wide initiative to combat obesity. By supporting one another in this effort, we can really make a difference by improving our health and the health of our neighbors.”

Of course, if you have underlying health issues, speak to a doctor before beginning any exercise program. If you do not have a doctor, you can call Jamaica Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center at 718-206-7001 to schedule an appointment to determine how much walking is appropriate for you.

To learn more about the Walk for Wellness event, please call Senator Comrie’s office at 718-454-0162.