April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on April 11, 2022 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

The month of April has been designated as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. This is a disease where cancer cells form in one or both testicles. The average age of detection is 33 years old. The American Cancer Society estimates that 8,430 new cases are diagnosed each year and more than 380 men will die from the disease. It is considered to be a highly treatable disease, with an average of one death per 5,000 men.

There are a few risk factors for testicular cancer:

Family history
History of HIV positivity
Races – Caucasian American males are at the highest risk followed by African American males than Asian American males
Body size – tall slender males are at higher risk
History of an undescended testicle

The signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:

A lump or swollen testicles
Loss of sex drive
Back pain
Breast growth or tenderness
Pre puberty growth of hair on face and body
Aches in the belly or testicles

Diagnosing testicular cancer is done by performing a physical exam as well as an ultrasound to detect whether a mass is solid ( more likely to be cancerous ) or fluid-filled, a blood test to detect certain proteins, a biopsy to see if there are cancerous cells present, and an MRI or Cat Scan to see if cancer has spread.

Treatment of testicular cancer is determined based on what is found at the time of diagnostic testing. Typically surgery to remove the affected testicle(s), as well as radiation and chemotherapy, are needed.

Testicular cancer is highly treatable if caught early. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a urologist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 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.

April 7th is World Health Day

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

In 1948 the World Health Organization (WHO) held the first World Health Assembly to address health issues affecting people around the world. April 7th was chosen as World Health Day to honor the founding of the organization.

Each year in celebration of World Health Day, the World Health Organization chooses a topic that it wishes to draw global attention to, one that is a subject of major importance.

It is estimated by WHO that over 13 million deaths around the world are due to environmental conditions and many of them might have been avoided had these conditions been improved. This is why the World Health Organization has chosen the theme Our Planet, Our Health for 2022. The WHO’s goal is to highlight the actions necessary to keep humans and the planet healthy and to encourage societies to focus on well-being.

The World Health Organization is of the opinion that we as a society must strive to break the cycles that are causing health, financial inequities and ecological mismanagement around the world because they are responsible for many problems we face. However, these issues can be resolved by making human health, ecological sustainability, and financial stability a priority.

Shining Our Employee Spotlight on Sandra Leon Gonzalez

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Sandra Leon Gonzalez, office manager of the TJH Surgical Suite. She has been with our hospital for 24 years.

Sandra was born in Ecuador and at nine years of age moved to New York. Her family first resided in Hollis, Queens and then when she was 10, moved to Richmond Hill. She attended P.S. 55, J.H.S. 226, Hillcrest High School and Queensborough Community College. As a resident of Richmond Hill, she was always familiar with the Jamaica Hospital name in the community.

Sandra is married to her husband Johnny for 37 years and has two sons, Michael who is 33 years old and Nicholas who is 27. She also has a grandson Jacob who is 6 months old. Sandra has a dog named Jackson who is one-half Labrador and one-half American bulldog.

In her free time, Sandra enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending concerts, Broadway shows and dancing whenever possible. She also enjoys traveling, especially to Italy where she has been twice, France, Spain and of course her native Ecuador. Her favorite types of food are Spanish and Italian. Sandra likes many different types of music, this includes disco, Motown, jazz, Latin and anything else she can dance to. She is also a soccer, baseball, and golf enthusiast.

Making a difference and treating people with respect are very important to Sandra. This is why working at the TJH Surgical Suite has been a rewarding experience.

She believes in fostering an environment that is mindful of cultural sensitivities and one that allows patients to feel supported in voicing their concerns and opinions. Sandra has seen the Surgical Suite expand tremendously over the years and is very proud of its growth and contributions to the well-being of people in the community. She is grateful to her department’s leadership and staff for making this possible.

We are very happy to have Sandra as part of our team at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and we look forward to her being with us for many years to come.

Jamaica Hospital Adds Bi-Directional Communication Boards To Improve The Patient Experience

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

The Patient Centered Services Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is proud to announce the installation of bi-directional communication boards in all in-patient rooms.

The boards, which are 3’ x 2’ have been placed at the foot of each bed and are intended to convey information between the patient and the care team, enhance patient and family engagement, and improve the patient experience.

“What Matters to You, Matters to Us” is boldly written across the top of each board to emphasize the importance of effective communication and understanding. The board is split into two halves underneath this title. Each half contains blank fields that are to be filled in daily by the care team and patient together.

The left side of the board is designated as the patient side. On this side of the board the patient can express how they prefer to be addressed, their goals for the day, their language of choice, and any questions or concerns they want to share with their healthcare team.

The right side of the board is to be completed by the care team and includes important information such as the names of everyone on the healthcare team. It can also identify any special needs the patients might have as well as address the care plan for the day.

The response to the bi-directional boards has been overwhelmingly positive with employees stating that the boards are “helpful,” “engaging,” and “good for the patients. The patients are appreciative as well, sharing that they “really like them” and that the boards make them “feel cared about.”

The implementation of the bi-directional boards is one of many initiatives the hospital has taken to demonstrate our commitment to patient-centered care.

World Tuberculosis Day

Posted on March 22, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

March 24th has been designated globally as “World Tuberculosis Day”. The event began in 1982 is sponsored by the World Health Organization and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease and is intended to raise awareness that anyone can contract TB to make health professionals aware of the importance of testing people for the disease.
This date was chosen to celebrate the discovery by Dr. Robert Koch of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the bacteria that causes tuberculosis) in 1882. This important discovery was the beginning of the steps being taken to control and hopefully one day eradicate the disease.

Unfortunately, Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the leading causes of death around the world. TB is a contagious bacterial disease that affects mainly the lungs but can also affect the kidneys, brain and the spine. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Loss of appetite
• Pain with breathing

TB is spread by coming into contact with the airborne droplets of the bacteria from an infected person. People most susceptible are those who have compromised immune systems and include people undergoing chemotherapy, have diabetes, are very young or very old, and have HIV/AIDS. There are antibiotics that given to fight the disease but depending on the strain and their resistance to treatment, may require months or years of treatment.

A routine physical usually includes a TB skin test. If you would like to schedule a physical exam and a TB test with one of our physicians, please call 718-206-7001.

Shining Our Spotlight on the MediSys Women’s Health Center

Posted on March 17, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

This month, we are proud to shine our spotlight on the MediSys Women’s Health Center (WHC) located at 133-03 Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill, New York.

This site opened in November of 1998 to serve the health care needs of women of all ages. It has 14 modern exam rooms and two procedure rooms.

The services offered here are prenatal care, maternal fetal medicine, gynecologic oncology, gynecologic urology, family planning, mammograms, bone density exams, OB/GYN ultrasounds and gynecologic biopsies, colposcopies, Endosee, and LEEP. Annually the staff sees over 32,000 patients.

The center is open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturdays 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. It is easily accessible by public transportation. There is an “E” train station located within walking distance and so are the Q-24, Q-56, and Q-54 buses.

A few of our staff members shared with us why they enjoy working at the Women’s Health Center. Desiree Francis, RN tells us “Working at WHC gave me the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. My colleagues are like a second family. I enjoy my job. Going above and beyond to assist patients is our ultimate goal here. Being able to do this makes waking up to come to work every day well worth it.”. Melissa Estrella, an ambulatory care representative says, “It is a pleasure to work at the Women’s Health Clinic; I get to learn and be involved in women’s health from start to finish in their pregnancies.” Catherine Conley a patient access representative tells us “the women’s health clinic is about community, trust and dedication . We give all our patients 110 % and make sure that each visit is stellar, with no stone being unturned; that’s where our dedication comes in. Working here has changed my life in so many positive ways.”

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of the providers at this office, please call 718-291-3276.

March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

March is recognized as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month. This observance raises awareness for bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder which slows the blood clotting process. It is estimated that hemophilia occurs in 1 in every 5,000 male births in the United States. The disorder very rarely develops in girls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Hemophilia is caused by a mutation or change, in one of the genes, that provides instructions for making the clotting factor proteins needed to form a blood clot. This change or mutation can prevent the clotting protein from working properly or to be missing altogether.”

Because people with hemophilia lack sufficient blood clotting proteins, this causes them to bleed longer than they normally should. Bleeding can occur spontaneously or following an injury. Other common signs and symptoms that they may experience include:

Bleeding into the joints which can lead to swelling, tightness or pain (This most commonly affects the ankles, knees and elbows)
Bleeding from the mouth and gums
Bleeding after receiving vaccinations or injections
Blood in the urine or stool
Frequent and hard to stop nosebleeds
Bleeding into the skin (bruises)
Bleeding into soft tissue and muscle (hematomas)

A diagnosis of hemophilia is determined after blood has been tested to reveal a clotting-factor deficiency. If it is found that the blood is not clotting as it should, tests known as factor assays are required to explore the cause. In severe cases, the disorder can be diagnosed within the first year of a child’s life. People with a family history of hemophilia are encouraged to have their baby boys tested soon after birth.

One of the most common approaches for treating hemophilia is to replace the missing blood clotting factor. This treatment is administered through a tube placed in the vein. Other forms of treatment can include taking clot preserving medications, injecting the hormone Desmopressin (DDAVP), applying fibrin sealants and participating in physical therapy.

There are several measures that a person living with hemophilia can take to reduce the chances of injury or excessive bleeding. The following are recommended: avoid taking blood-thinning medications, exercise regularly (contact sports should be avoided), practice good dental hygiene and avoid certain pain medications that can aggravate bleeding such as aspirin.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001.

Shining Our Spotlight on MediSys Clocktower

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are proud to shine our spotlight on the MediSys Family Care Center located at 91-20 Atlantic Avenue in Ozone Park.

This building has a long history in the community as it once was a part of the Lalance and Grosjean manufacturing complex. It has been known for over a century as “The Clocktower” owing to its distinctive clock which is situated at the highest point of the building. Originally this factory manufactured stamped iron and tin housewares and employed as many as 2100 people, many of whom lived in the community. Prior to its closing in 1955, the factory produced stainless steel for the U.S. Navy during World War II. The factory closed in 1955 and it became a bank for many years. In 1996 this building opened as MediSys Clocktower.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DSC_0368-1024x680.jpg MediSys Clocktower is located in a three story building featuring 22 modern exam and treatment rooms. It is staffed by 50 people and annually they see over 30,00 patient visits. The services offered at the center include: pediatrics, family medicine, integrative medicine, OB/GYN, dental, radiology, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric gastroenterology, pulmonary medicine, allergy, breast surgery, and podiatry. The hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Q 24 bus stops right in front of the building.

A few staff members shared with us their thoughts on why they enjoy working at this site. Stephanie Flaherty a nurse practitioner has been working at this site for over 20 years. She states that “ working at the Clocktower gives her a great sense of pride because she feels she is making a difference in her patients’ lives. The staff all work together as a team to make the patients have a pleasant experience”. Martha Leonardo is an ambulatory care representative who tells us that “there is a great deal of satisfaction making sure that the patients are treated well and there is a sense of family amongst the staff that work here”. Geovanny Sang is a dental hygienist who has worked for the MediSys Health This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DSC_0376-1024x680.jpg Network for over 23 years, and at the Clocktower for over two years. She tells us that one of the most important roles she has is “educating the patients about proper dental care. Many patients come from very diverse places in the world and she enjoys spending time with them. The staff works well together as a team”. Dr. Naira Isakharov is a pediatrician who has worked at the Clocktower for almost five years. She tells us that “the continuity of patient care is very important and educating patients and their families on proper health habits is a major component of how she cares for them”.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of the providers at this office, please call 718-641-8207.

February is National Cancer Prevention Month

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. During this time, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center encourages everyone to adopt healthy lifestyle practices to reduce the likelihood of developing cancer.

Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing cancer:

Don’t use tobacco – Toxins found in tobacco products have been known to cause lung, colorectal, breast, throat cervical, bladder, mouth, and esophageal cancer. If you are a smoker or use tobacco products the best thing to do for your health is to quit.
Eat a healthy diet – Preparing meals focused based on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans will help fortify your body against cancer. Limiting red meat and avoiding processed food are also great defenses.
Protect your skin from the sun – Skin cancer is very common and one of the most preventable types of cancer. Wear adequate sun protection when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Obesity is linked to breast and colorectal cancer. You can avoid excessive weight gain by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Thirty minutes a day of regular exercise have been shown to help your general health. There is a link to obesity and breast and colorectal cancer.
Know your family history – Many cancers are known to run in families. Let your physician know if anyone in your family has or had cancer.
Get regular cancer screenings – Early detection can be helpful in some cases because it can lead to early diagnosis and treatment.

Discuss with your physician your medical history and your risk for cancer. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-7001

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Andrew Rubin

February is recognized as National Children’s Dental Health Month. The purpose of this recognition is to promote proper dental education to children and their caregivers.

It is important to develop healthy dental habits early in a child’s life as this can help to prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Caring for children’s dental health should begin when they are infants. A baby’s teeth and gums can be cleaned by using a clean, soft cloth. For children aged two to six, it is recommended that an adult puts the toothpaste on the brush. Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Try brushing your child’s teeth first, then let him/her finish. Until they are seven or eight years old, you will need to help your child brush. Teeth should be brushed twice a day for two minutes each time.

It is recommended that children see their dentist every six months for regular check-ups and cavity prevention. To make an appointment at the dental department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-6980.