The Monkeypox Vaccine

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Monkeypox cases have emerged across most of the United States. Symptoms of the virus include:

Fever
Aches and pains
Chills
Exhaustion
Respiratory symptoms

Most people with monkeypox also experience a rash that’s typically located near the genitals or anus. It may also be present on other parts of the body, including the face, hands, feet, and chest.

Two vaccines are now available that may effectively offer protection against monkeypox. JYNNEOS is the only vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for anyone at risk of contracting the virus. Another vaccine, ACAM2000, may also be used to prevent monkeypox under the Expanded Access Investigational New Drug system, but is not recommended for people with a weakened immune system, an exfoliative skin condition like eczema, or people who are pregnant.

Studies have shown side effects such as myocarditis, pericarditis, brain or spinal cord swelling, and infection in patients who received ACAM2000. These reactions have not been observed in patients who received JYNNEOS.

Your doctor can help you determine which vaccine is right for you, but vaccination in general, combined with practices like safe sex, maintaining distance from infected people and animals, and disinfecting your home when an infected person has been there, can help protect most people against the virus. Children in particular may benefit from vaccination, as their symptoms are likely to be worse than those of infected teens and adults.

You can make an appointment for monkeypox treatment and prevention at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s on-site Ambulatory Care Center by calling (718) 206-7001.

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.

Employee Spotlight Shines on Maynard Lantimo

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Maynard Lantimo, Epic Clinical Education Specialist.

Maynard has been employed at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for 29 years. He was raised in Brooklyn and then moved to Queens. He currently lives in Valley Stream on Long island.

Maynard went to elementary school at Holy Innocents School in Brooklyn, then began high school at Paul Robeson High School in Brooklyn as a lower freshman. He then transferred to Hillcrest High School in Queens from where he graduated. Maynard later received his Associates degree from Queensborough Community College, and his Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College. He completed his post graduate degree at the Career Institute of Health and Technology for Networking Specialist while also becoming a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.

In his free time, Maynard like to keep physically fit. He enjoys running, bicycling, and strength training. He has completed seven full marathons and eight half marathons. He is currently only three marathons away from getting the worldwide renowned Six Star Medal of the Abbot World Marathon Majors.

He likes to travel especially to Miami Beach Florida and to Jamaica. He loves music and says that it is a great motivator when he goes out running. He likes to listen to reggae, jazz, R&B, soca, pop music, soft rock, rap and also classical music.

One of the things most important to Maynard is balancing overall physical, mental, and spiritual health. His family, friends, and place of work have given him a wonderful blend of exciting energy that has helped him overcome many challenges.

Maynard likes working at Jamaica Hospital because throughout the years many of his colleagues have become friends and feel like they are part of his family which makes a healthy addition to his positive lifestyle. We look forward to Maynard continuing to work with us for many more years.

Three Essential Back to School Health Tips

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Although your child may be exposed to several health risks as the new school year begins, you can help them stay healthy by following these tips:

Getting your child vaccinated: Ensuring that your child receives their recommended immunizations is a simple, effective way to keep them from getting sick. In fact, many schools require students to receive their immunizations in order to attend classes.

Hand-washing and sanitization: Hand-washing and sanitizing alone go a long way toward staying in school; according to the Centers for Disease Control, hand-washing can reduce the risk of respiratory illness by up to 21%. Following and promoting sanitary practices at home may make it easier for them to continue these practices while at school.

Creating a mentally healthy environment: Physical illness isn’t the only health risk your child may face in class. Stress, bullying, or even issues like undiagnosed ADD or ADHD can negatively impact their mental health and their ability to stay focused on their studies. Staying aware of the causes of mental health issues, creating a supportive environment at home, encouraging your child to maintain healthy routines, and helping them learn effective coping mechanisms can make it easier for them to maintain a healthy state of mind throughout the school year.

Visit Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center to get your child the medical help they need to stay engaged with their studies. You can also visit our Psychiatry Department for help addressing mental health challenges that arise before, during, or after the school year.

National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and we’re here to help you learn more about what makes getting vaccinated so important, which immunizations you should receive, and what they protect you against.

Vaccinations against prevalent, dangerous diseases are an important part of protecting both your own health and the health of those around you. Issues like pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, and more can introduce potentially lifelong complications that may reduce your quality of life or even shorten it. Immunization awareness is a critical part of combating these illnesses.

The benefits of vaccinations hold true at any age, though some immunizations are more important at certain ages than others.

Children whose immune systems are still developing, for instance, need them not only as a protective measure for themselves but often as a requirement for enrolling in school and participating in other activities. Adults over 60 years of age may need vaccines such as pneumococcal vaccines and seasonal flu vaccines to help protect their health.

Though the list of necessary immunizations evolves as new diseases are discovered and researched, the most common vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control include:

HepA, HepB (Hepatitis A and B)
DTaP (Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough)
Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B)
IPV (Polio)
PCV (Pneumococcal)
RV (Rotavirus)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
MMR (Measles, mumps, and rubella)
Influenza (flu)
Meningococcal conjugate
HPV
Zoster

To speak with a doctor about appropriate vaccinations, please schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital by calling (718) 206-6000 or your primary care physician as soon as possible.

Psoriasis Action Month

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease, meaning that your body’s immune system is attacking its own normal tissue.

Psoriasis particularly affects your skin, speeding up the growth cycle of cells. This most commonly presents in the form of a rash, or itchy, scaly patches on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp, among other parts of your body.

The rashes created by psoriasis may flare up in cycles of weeks or months. In people who are genetically pre-disposed to developing the disease, it may be triggered by infections, cuts, burns, or medications.

Psoriasis may also lead to psoriatic arthritis and psoriatic disease. Both of these may be treated with the use of prescription medications or using creams and ointments.

Treatments for psoriasis may include topical therapy, light therapy, and oral or injected medications.

If you’re suffering from symptoms associated with psoriasis or psoriatic disease, a dermatologist can provide an accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan. If your symptoms potentially indicate psoriatic arthritis, a consultation with a rheumatologist may be recommended.

There is no cure for psoriasis, so the treatment plan you follow will focus on managing your symptoms and providing as much relief as possible.

The most effective way to take action against your psoriasis is to visit a medical professional and begin treatment as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital’s Division of Dermatology by calling (718) 206-6742.

The Emergency Contraceptive Pill

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Xavia Malcolm

The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), often referred to as the “Morning After Pill”, is a type of emergency birth control used to prevent pregnancy in women who have had unprotected sex or whose birth control method has failed.

Emergency contraceptive pills contain the medications levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate. Both delay or prevent ovulation when taken within 72 to 120 hours after contraceptive failure or having unprotected sex. Pills containing ulipristal acetate require a prescription and those made with levonorgestrel can be purchased over the counter without a prescription.

It is important to note that while effective, emergency contraceptive pills do not prevent all pregnancies. According to The American Academy of Family Physicians, “Emergency contraception is about 75 to 85 percent effective.”

Furthermore, they are less effective when taken beyond the recommended time of 72 to 120 hours after intercourse. The sooner they are taken the better.

Emergency contraceptive pills are generally safe to take; however, they should not be used if:

You know you are or think you might already be pregnant
You have a history of abnormal vaginal bleeding
You are allergic to the ingredients

Other precautions to keep in mind are: ECPs should only be taken as a form of backup contraception. They should not be used for routine birth control. Lastly, these pills cannot be used to terminate a pregnancy.

The side effects of emergency contraceptive pills are mild and may include:

Headache
Fatigue
Breast tenderness
Abdominal cramps
Spotting (light bleeding)
Nausea or vomiting ( If you vomit within two hours after taking an emergency contraceptive pill, consult with your healthcare provider to determine if you should repeat the dose.)

If you are experiencing symptoms such as abnormally heavy or long-lasting vaginal bleeding, fevers or chills, pain during intercourse after taking ECPs, or missed periods within three weeks of taking the pill contact your doctor immediately.

To speak with a doctor at the Women’s Health Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-291-3276.

Shining Our Employee Spotlight on Keila Tapia

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Keila Tapia.

Keila has been with Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for eight years and is an administrative assistant in the Security Department. She grew up in the East New York section of Brooklyn and currently lives in Queens.

Keila attended P.S. 214, John Adams High School, received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Medgar Evers College in 2010 and currently is studying for her master’s degree in health administration at Capella University.

Family and friends are the most important part of her life. Keila enjoys spending time with them in her free time. She also likes to go to concerts, spend time outdoors, watch baseball games and go out to eat. Her favorite types of food are Mexican and Italian. Keila enjoys many genres of entertainment; however, her favorite type of movie are horror movies and she likes to listen to Latin and R & B music.

When she has the opportunity Keila likes to travel to places that have warm climates and beautiful beaches. Some of the places she has been to are Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the Dominican Republic where she spends time with her loved ones.

Keila enjoys working at Jamaica Hospital because it provides opportunities to keep growing within the organization and also because people work together so well as a team. We look forward to having Keila continue with us for many more years.

Summer Skin Problems

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

Many people tend to spend more time outdoors during the summer months. This is a welcome change from the colder months when we spend most of our time indoors. However, more time spent outdoors can present challenges to the health of our skin.

These are a few of the conditions that can affect the skin during the summer months:

Sunburn – Caused by prolonged unprotected exposure to UV rays from the sun
Skin cancer – Caused by being exposed for prolonged periods of time to UV rays from the sun
Acne – Caused by bacteria on the surface of the skin mixing which blocks pores
Sun allergy – Caused by taking certain medications or having sensitivity to the sun
Plant rashes – Caused by coming in contact with poison oak, ivy, or sumac
Melasma – Caused by the sun making brown spots on the skin more noticeable
Prickly heat – Caused by blocked sweat glands which form tiny bumps on the surface of the skin
Seabather’s eruption – Caused by a reaction to seawater
Athletes feet – Caused by walking barefoot on damp surfaces without shoes in places such as communal showers, gyms, and wearing other peoples’ shoes

Many of these summer related conditions can be prevented by applying sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher, keeping the skin clean, wearing insect repellant, not wearing alcohol based perfumes, wearing protective clothing, wearing a hat, showering after being out in the sun and after swimming in seawater, and also avoiding being out and unprotected during the hottest times of the day. Following these tips can help prevent some of the summer skin problems that can occur.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001. If you are experiencing a severe reaction to any of the above conditions, seek medical care immediately.

Jamaica Hospital Signs Formal Agreements With Local Cure Violence Groups To Help End Gun Violence In Our Community

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

On Monday, June 13^th, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center held an important event to address the gun violence epidemic in our community.

On that date, the hospital signed official partnerships with three members of The NYC Crisis Management System – King of Kings, Life Camp, and Rock Safe Streets as part of its commitment to end gun violence in our community. The objective of the landmark agreement is for all involved to work together to prevent violence and assist in protecting the health of patients and community members.

According to the formal collaboration, Jamaica Hospital will designate employees who will support the provision of anti-violence and violence interruption services by responding to referrals of traumas associated with gun violence. These designated employees will also assist in coordinating the visitation of Responders (individuals appointed by Cure Violence groups) with patients and loved ones, with their consent and as authorized by the law.

Responders’ duties include conducting follow-up visits during the inpatient stay with identified hospital patients, upon a determination by Jamaica Hospital that the patient is stable. Responders will provide supportive services such as mediation, conflict resolution, and service referrals to assist in the prevention of re-injury to these patients or to prevent retaliation connected to gun violence incidents.

Participating in the event were many local elected officials including Congressman Gregory Meeks, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Senator Leroy Comrie, and Chief Kevin Williams, NYPD Patrol Borough Queens South. Each official praised both Jamaica Hospital and the three members of The NYC Crisis Management System for working together to help end the gun violence crisis.

In addition, Dr. Katherine McKenzie addressed the audience to share information about Jamaica Hospital’s existing Violence Elimination and Trauma Outreach (VETO) program, which aimed to provide support for victims of gun violence as well as the hospital’s plans to create a dedicated center where gun violence victims can have all their clinical and social needs met as part of our Trauma Healing & Recovery Integrative Violence Elimination (THRIVE) Survivor Center.

After the presentation, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center President & CEO, Bruce Flanz signed formal Memos of Understanding to officially mark the occasion.

The event received significant media attention. To see the press clips, please click on the links below:

Employee Spotlight Shines on Jonathan Benedek, LMSW

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Jonathan Benedek, LMSW. Jonathan has been with Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for five years. He is a native of Queens and still resides in the borough. He attended elementary school at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe in Kew Gardens, Mesivita Yesodei Yeshurun in Kew Gardens Hills for high school and Touro University where he obtained a BA in Psychology. He then received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Touro Graduate School of Social Work.

Jonathan resides with his wife and they are expecting their first child in mid-July. In his free time he enjoys playing the piano/keyboard both for his own enjoyment and also to entertain at social events like birthday parties. He likes to cook with his wife and some of their favorite dishes to prepare are fish, pasta, chicken, and meat. Whenever he gets a chance, he enjoys a good bagel and also a nice slice of pizza. Jonathan also enjoys taking walks with his wife and engaging in religious studies. Some of Jonathan’s favorite sports to watch and play are volleyball, tennis and soccer. He also enjoys hiking, camping, and zip lining.

Jonathan likes to travel and he has been to Florida, Rhode Island, Canada and Israel. In the future he hopes to visit places around the world that he has only visited virtually through Google Earth. Learning about other cultures is also very important to him.

Jonathan loves working at Jamaica Hospital because of his great co-workers and the diversity of the staff and the patients that they take care of. He enjoys being able to serve patients and assisting them with finding practical solutions to the challenges that they may be facing. He feels that it is very important to treat people the way he would like to be treated.

We are very fortunate to have Jonathan as a member of our healthcare team at Jamaica Hospital and we hope that he remains with us for many more years.