Always in Motion - Summer 2017

MotionAlwaysin
NORTHWELL HEALTH REHABILITATION SUMMER 2017

INSIDE: 4 A fter tragic 5 C oming back 8 P raise
accident, a from a stroke for early
long road — a young intervention
leads back to man’s story physical
the kitchen therapy team
at Phelps

Checking in

Adam Stein, MD, Chairman the Hofstra Annual Scientific Meeting, mentored by Susan Maltser, DO, our Chief
the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine of Cancer Rehabilitation (see page 7 for
The Association of Academic Department of Physical Medicine and complete list).
Physiatrists (AAP) is the Rehabilitation was highly visible because
international organization serving of our scientific inquiry and service to With regard to organizational service,
physiatrists focused on education, the organization. Chad Bouton, MS, the the Department of PM&R is making
research and mentorship. At the Vice President for Advanced Engineering major contributions to the AAP as well.
2017 Annual Scientific Meeting, and Managing Director of the Center Adrian Cristian, MD, MHCM, serves on
for Bioelectric Medicine at our Feinstein the Education Committee while Rosanna
Institute for Medical Research, delivered Sabini, DO is a member of the Leadership
an exceptionally compelling keynote Development and Recognition Committee.
address entitled “Neural Bridging: Matthew Shatzer, DO is a member of
Reconnecting Mind and Body” detailing the Governance Committee as well as
his groundbreaking work on neural the Residency Program and Fellowship
prosthetics in tetraplegia. Ona Bloom, Directors Council. Finally, I stepped into
PhD, the Department’s Director of the role of President-Elect of the AAP, a
Research, offered a podium presentation position I will hold for two years.
of her work entitled “Differential Gene
Expression in Persons with Chronic Spinal It is certainly gratifying to witness the
Cord Injury with Pain”. Our residents and national visibility of our faculty and
medical students presented a total of five trainees in this critically important
posters during the meeting, four of them organization. We look forward to our
continued contribution to the AAP and
other national organizations.

Physicians in the news

At the 2017 On October 1st, Sarah Khan, DO, Eric Leung, MD, has Congratulations Congratulations
Association 2016, Rosanna has received her received his Board to Eduardo Chen, to Emily Gray, MD,
of Academic Sabini, DO, Board Certification Certification in Pain MD, recent who has been
Physiatrists (AAP) received the in Brain Injury Medicine through graduate of the elected by her
Annual Meeting in “Trauma Hero” Medicine through the American Board Hofstra-Northwell fellow Residents
Las Vegas, Adam award at Southside the American of Pain Medicine. residency program, and Faculty to be
Stein, MD, was Hospital’s Trauma Board of Physical on being elected Chief Resident
elected President- Hero Recognition Medicine & by the residents as for the 2017-2018
Elect of The AAP, Night. Rehabilitation. Teacher of the Year. academic year.
which is dedicated
to creating the
future of academic
physiatry through
mentorship,
leadership and
discovery.

2 Northwell Health | Always In Motion

New and notable STARS Rehabilitation —
Moving forward together

Northwell Health Rehabilitation STARS Rehabilitation has expanded
celebrates Physical Therapy Month their services to a new location at 833
Northern Boulevard in Great Neck, NY.
In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, the Their 2016 Press Ganey mean score for
Rehabilitation Departments at LIJ Valley Stream and Staten “likelihood to recommend” was 94.4 —
Island University Hospital organized a month-long physical the sixth consecutive year they ranked
therapy awareness campaign that engaged both staff and above 94. For the third time in a row,
patients alike. Recognizing that there is always room for STARS has been ranked above the 96th
improvement and added knowledge in the area of wellness, percentile nationally by Press Ganey for
and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, employee engagement, and are the proud
the teams set out to celebrate in the best way possible: by recipient of four consecutive Press Ganey
making sure that fellow hospital employees, as well as patients and family members, Guardian of Excellence Awards.
got that much-needed dose of prevention.
Transitions of Long Island
A bright future for Glen Cove Hospital
Transitions of Long Island received a
With a new director and a new generous donation of $25,000. The
direction, Glen Cove Rehab donation is being used to purchase
has started down the path of equipment to assist patients with
modernization and growth, with acquired neurological challenges function
the goal of becoming a regional and progress more effectively.
destination rehab facility for
patients and staff. In addition Inpatient rehabilitation
to growing census from 44
beds to 60 by the end of 2017, The inpatient rehabilitation units at Glen
Glen Cove is also modernizing Cove Hospital, Southside Hospital and
and expanding the entire rehab Staten Island University Hospital – North
department. Both patients are proud to have surpassed both the New
and staff will see tremendous York State average percentage of patients
benefits this year and beyond. discharged to community, as well the
New York State average in the Functional
New technologies, such as Improvement Measure (FIM) score, which
the G-EO Robotic Gait Trainer is a worldwide measure of functional
for floor walking and stair climbing have been acquired. With extended hours and improvement in rehabilitation outcomes.
additional therapists, we’ll be expanding our outpatient treatment capabilities to
have the best care and flexible hours for our patients. We will also be deploying new
strategies, initiatives and programs to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing
health care environment.

Glen Cove Rehab, in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Service Line, is investing
in professional development by financially supporting clinical specializations and
certifications such as vestibular certifications, Certified Brain Injury Specialists and FEES.
These are great opportunities for young therapists and emerging leaders to learn and
grow while providing the best patient experience in the region. We’re also in the process
of achieving CARF certifications in several areas, including all inpatient rehab units.

Glen Cove Rehab will be an exciting place to be throughout 2017 and beyond for top
therapists and emerging leaders.

Summer 2017 3

After tragic accident, a long road
leads back to the kitchen

Ever since she made her first dish at four years old, food State College intending to one day work
has been Catherine DiGiovanni’s passion. with other TBI patients. “Who better to
help them get through it than another TBI
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of recovery given the challenges she has patient?” Sitting in Dr. Elbaum’s office, she
America, she was well on her way to faced.” Catherine had a challenging road, beams as she talks about her passion, and
her dream of becoming a chef when and it wasn’t always easy, but her drive advancing her career. “I’m still finding my
a drunk driver crashed into her car in and determination were among her path but I’m cooking and baking again.
2010. Given a five percent chance of “ingredients to success”. At Buffalo State College, I have a 4.0 GPA.
survival, she miraculously pulled through, I was worried I would have trouble with
waking from a coma days later in North Also vital to her recovery: a good support my memory, but the memory exercises I
Shore University Hospital. Catherine system, “good music” and understanding learned here really help.”
had suffered a traumatic brain injury, a that she would not be the same person
collapsed left lung, loss of vision in her she was before that night. “I was so She also says being able to talk to other
right eye and a multitude of other injuries. angry at first, that’s all I knew. I couldn’t brain injury survivors helped her progress.
Nearly a dozen surgeries followed, but even cry”, adds Catherine. Dr. Elbaum So, she’s inspiring others who’ve suffered
that was just the beginning of her journey. explains that’s part of the process. “Part brain injuries by doing what she does best:
of our therapy is working with the family, cook. At a recent event, she showed nearly
After regaining the ability to walk at an helping them to understand disinhibition a dozen TBI patients at Transitions how to
inpatient rehabilitation facility, Catherine (a lack of restraint manifested in disregard make a no-bake s’mores treat. The dessert
was then transferred to Transitions for social conventions, impulsivity, and is one of her childhood favorites. “We’re
of Long Island in Manhasset, part of poor risk assessment) can come with TBI making arrangements to have her come in
the Northwell Health Rehabilitation and how to react to these emotions.” regularly and work with our patients,” said
Network, which assists people recovering Dr. Elbaum.
from neurological injury or illness. At Now, seven years later, Catherine
Transitions, the staff worked with her to continues to progress. At 29, she has “I can’t go back into the high-production
overcome several physical, cognitive and written a memoir/cookbook, “Mise En world of restaurants anymore, but the
emotional challenges. “Catherine had a Place of Life,” created a Facebook page great thing is I’ve realized that I’m not at
severe traumatic brain injury. The more by the same name in which she interacts a loss” says Catherine. “I can still find my
severe the injury, the more challenging the with others overcoming brain injuries, way in my industry. I still have the power
journey,” said Jean Elbaum, PhD, director and is enrolled in a post-baccalaureate to be creative with food and incorporate
of Transitions. “She’s made a remarkable teacher certification program at Buffalo that with what has become the biggest
part of me, my TBI.”

4 Northwell Health | Always In Motion

Coming back
from a stroke

A young man’s story

Ten days after suffering with minimal assistance. He was able to
read and comprehend short paragraphs
a stroke last January, and engage in functional conversation.
He could even text messages back to
29-year-old Joseph friends and family who were concerned
about him. The day Joe left the unit, an
Melillo arrived at Phelps entourage of hospital staff congregated
in his room for pictures with him and
Hospital’s inpatient his mom, each one sharing a personal
anecdote or funny story about just how
rehabilitation unit. far he had come. It was a very emotional
farewell for everyone. After an additional
Multiple challenges faced Joe and his new sub-acute stay, Joe required further
rehab team. He was completely flaccid and rehabilitation to more fully regain his
unaware of his right side, as well as unable mobility. His mother’s first thought was
to speak and morbidly obese. “It was a Phelps’ outpatient services, so she made
fight for Joe’s life to bring him back to us, an appointment to bring him in for an
and the commitment of the Phelps staff outpatient rehab evaluation. The day Joe
to his successful recovery was nothing returned for his appointment, he was met
short of miraculous,” says Joanne Melillo, by a pleasant surprise.
his mother. “They worked overtime and
gave it everything they had. Everyone, “A group of nurses, therapists, technicians
from the doctors, to the nursing staff, to and hospitality staff who had taken care
the team of therapists, to the hospitality of me while I was an inpatient came out
to the parking lot to greet me. It was really
reps and janitorial exciting to be around the people who had
staff, treated us like influenced me so much and helped me get
family. They always so far,” says Joe.
made us feel
comfortable and Joe continues to make gains with the
cared for, which outpatient physical, occupational and
was amazing, speech therapists at Phelps to this
considering we day, including exercise sessions in the
had dozens of hospital’s aqua-therapy pool. It is still a
friends and family thrill for the therapists to see him walking
members visiting into the hospital by himself, knowing that
every day.” When they each played a part in his recovery.
Joe finally left the “With the love and support of family and
inpatient rehab friends, and my girlfriend who stuck by
unit in early April, me through everything, I just had to keep
he was able to going,” says Joe. He is now making plans
dress himself with to get married and create a family of his
minimal help, walk own. “I thank God for every day, He kept
with a small quad me alive. And through some of the worst
cane with only one times, the team at Phelps was there every
person at his side step of the way. They’ve given me all the
and even negotiate tools I need – the rest is up to me.”
a flight of stairs

Summer 2017 5

Educational updates

Medical education update –– US Dept. of Defense Contract –– On October 20th, 2016, Sarah Todd, PT,
W81XWH-15-1-0614 (PI: Dr. Ona Bloom) DPT, CLT, presented “Injury Prevention in
Three students from the 2017 class at the Biomarkers of Spontaneous Recovery from the Youth Athlete” at the Young Athlete
Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Total Costs Symposium in Pleasantville, NY.
chose a career in Physical Medicine and $1,676,895.00 Dates: 09/30/15-09/29/18
Rehabilitation and successfully matched in –– On October 21, 2016, Adrian Cristian,
the following residency training programs: –– NY State Spinal Cord Injury Research MD, presented “Disability” to the
Board, DOH01-ISSCI6-2016-00018 (PI: Dr. undergraduate Public Health Class
–– Arline Edmond – Rutgers New Jersey Ona Bloom) Institutional Support for SCI in the School of Public Health at
Medical School/Kessler Institute for Research, round 6 Direct Costs $242,500 Tulane University.
Rehabilitation Dates: 3/1/17-2/28/22
–– On October 21, 2016, Susan Maltser,
–– Shina Satoh – Montefiore Medical Center/ Publications DO, presented, “Head and Neck Cancer
Albert Einstein College of Medicine Rehabilitation” at the American Academy
–– Maltser S, Wisotzky E, Khanna A, Hanrahan of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in
–– Perry Zelinger – New York University N, et al. Scope of Practice in Cancer New Orleans, LA.
School of Medicine/Rusk Institute Rehabilitation, Current Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation Reports (2017), 5: 55. –– On October 22nd, 2016, Rosanna Sabini,
In addition, Perry was the recipient of the doi:10.1007/s40141-017-0144-y DO, presented “Concussion Management”
Department of PM&R Award for his academic during Family Medicine Academic Day at
excellence and his leadership of the PM&R –– Papatheodorou A, Stein A, Bank M, Sison Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine.
Student Interest Group, while Arline was C, Gibbs K, Davies P, Bloom, O. High-
elected to the school’s chapter of the Gold Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) is Elevated –– On October 24, 2016, Michele Comen, OT,
Humanism Society. Systemically in Persons with Acute or CHT, presented “Common Knitting Injuries:
Chronic Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury, Prevention and Treatment Strategies”
As a result of the 2017 Match, the following Journal of Neurotrauma, 2016 Sept. 27 at the Chappaqua Knitting Group in
newly graduated physicians will be joining PMID: 27673428 Chappaqua, NY.
our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Residency Training Program in July, 2018: –– VanPatten S, Sun S, He M, Cheng KF, Altiti –– On November 3rd, 2016, Rosanna Sabini,
A, Papatheodorou A, Kowal C, Jeganathan DO, presented “Current Concussion
–– Edward Degerman – Albert Einstein V, Crawford J, Bloom O, Volpe B, Grant Management Guidelines: How Much Do
College of Medicine C, Meurice N, Coleman T, Diamond B, You Know?” at the 66th Annual Cortland
Al-Abed, Y. Amending HIV drugs: a novel Recreation Conference, SUNY Cortland, NY.
–– Samuel Jacob – New York Institute of small-molecule approach to target lupus
Technology College of Osteopathic anti-DNA antibodies. Journal of Medicinal –– On November 15, 2016, Ona Bloom, PhD,
Medicine Chemistry, 2016. Oct. 13; 59(19) 8859-8867 Katie Gibbs, DO, Peter Gregersen, MD,
PMID: 27603688 Paige Herman, and Ilya Korsunskiy, PhD,
–– Catherine Jameson – New York Institute presented “Transcriptional profiling of
of Technology College of Osteopathic Presentations circulating leukocytes in persons with
Medicine chronic spinal cord injury” at the Society
–– On September 21, 2016, Brittany Garrett, for Neuroscience (SFN) Annual Meeting,
–– Carly Rothman – New York Institute PT, DPT, and Rena Wiseman, OT, presented Session: Inflammatory Mediator Function
of Technology College of Osteopathic “Wellness and Balance” at the Senior in Models of Neurodegeneration.
Medicine Wellness Fair in Chappaqua, NY.
–– On November 17th, 2016, Rosanna Sabini,
Active research –– On September 22, 2016, January 17, 2017 DO, presented “Sports and Concussion”
and January 25, 2017, Asha Jacob, DPT, at Brentwood High School Medical
–– Weber KT, Alipui DO, Sison C, Bloom O, WCC, presented community lectures Career Day.
Quraishi S, Overby C, Levine M, Chahine N. in Ozone Park, NY, Howard Beach, NY
Serum levels of the pro-inflammatory and Merrick, NY on bone health and –– On January 12, 2017, Carol Bruno-Amico,
cytokines IL-6 vary based on diagnoses in fall prevention. PT, Shiri Cantor, PT, Brittany Garrett, PT,
individuals with lumbar intervertebral disc DPT, Emily Hoult, PT, Liezl Punzalan, PT,
diseases. Arthritis Research and Therapy, –– On October 8th, 2016, Rosanna Sabini, DO, DPT, Marty O’Brien, PT, and Rita Rourke,
2016 Jan. 7;18 (1):3. PMID: 26743937 presented “When to call it? Concussion PT, presented “Ergonomics” at Northern
in Boxing and now…MMA” at the New Westchester Hospital Safety Day in Mount
Grants York Athletic State Commission Boxing Kisco, NY.
Physician Symposium.
–– National Institutes of Health (NIH)
1R01AR069668-01 (PI: Dr. Nadeen –– On October 8, 2016, Sarah Todd, PT, DPT,
Chahine, Dr. Bloom, Co-Investigator) CLT, presented “Oncology Rehabilitation”
Mechanobiology of Inflammation in at Dominican College in Orangeburg, NY.
the Intervertebral Disc Direct Costs:
$2,106,250 Dates: 09/5/2016-03/31/2021

6 Northwell Health | Always In Motion

Team news

Shannon M. Clearwater OTD, OTR/L, Lisa Henselder, DPT, has been promoted Andrea Kleess, DPT, WCC, DWC, OMS, has
CHT, CEAS II, supervisor of rehabilitation to supervisor of the Outpatient been promoted to clinical administrative
services at Phelps Memorial Hospital and Rehabilitation Department at Northern director of hospital operations at Long
Asha Roy, OTD, OTR/L, CWcHP, CEAS, have Westchester Hospital. Island Jewish Forest Hills.
both received their Doctor of Occupational
Therapy (OTD). Juliann Wolf, MA, CCC-SLP, received Melissa Mancuso, PT, MS, CPST, has been
the Recognition for Outstanding promoted to manager of rehabilitation
Carey Otterstedt, OTR/L, CBIST, has been Professionalism, Honorable Character, services at Cohen Children’s Medical
promoted to administrative director of High Standards of an Allied Health Center of New York.
rehabilitation services for the Department Professional from the Long Island Jewish
of Rehabilitation at Glen Cove Hospital. Valley Stream Medical Staff.

Monica Metri, DPT, WCC, CEAS, has been
promoted to director of rehabilitation
services for the Department of
Rehabilitation at Long Island Jewish
Valley Stream.

On February 9 and 10, 2017, at the Association of
Academic Physiatrists 2017 Annual Meeting in
Las Vegas, Nevada, the following were presented:

–– Katie Gibbs, DO, and Susan Maltser, DO, –– Veronica Chehata, MD, and Eduardo –– Thomas Lione, DO, and Susan Maltser,
presented the poster “An Uncommon Chen, MD, presented the poster DO, presented the poster “Metastatic
Presentation of Chemotherapy Induced “A Rare Case of Subarachnoid Breast Cancer Presenting as Upper
Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report.” Hemorrhage in Behçet’s Disease Extremity Skin Rash: A Case Report.”
Despite Normal Brain Vasculature:
–– Chad Bouton, Director of Bioelectric A Case Report.” –– Viven Solomon, medical student,
Medicine at the Feinstein Institute and Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine,
Keynote Speaker, presented “Neural –– Komal Patel, DO, and Susan Maltser, and Susan Maltser, DO, presented the
Bridging: Reconnecting Mind and Body.” DO, presented the poster “Severe Back poster “Baroreceptor Failure following
Pain Progressing to Acute Inflammatory Chemotherapy for Neck Cancer: A Case
–– Ona Bloom, PhD, presented Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Report.”
“Differential Gene Expression in as Symptoms of Undiagnosed
Persons with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Lyme Disease.”
with Pain.”

Summer 2017 7

Northwell Health ADAM STEIN, MD PATRIC MCQUADE, MS, PT SARAH DURDALLER
Rehabilitation Network Chairman, Department of Assistant Vice President Coordinator of Marketing and
1983 Marcus Ave, Suite 117 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service Line Education
Lake Success, NY 11042 Rehabilitation EMILY JONES Rehabilitation Service Line
Comments/Suggestions: NINA DEPAOLA, MHA, PT Managing Editor
[email protected] Vice President Rehabilitation Service Line
Rehabilitation and
Orthopaedic Service Lines

Praise for early intervention
physical therapy team at Phelps

The following email praising Phelps’s missed. Physical therapy was approved
Early Intervention services was sent to and I chose to bring her to Phelps
Michael Glennon, senior administrative Memorial Hospital, which is close to our
director of Ancillary Services: home.

My name is Dr. Elizabeth Patsy Bobde. Both Puja and Ave have been her
I have been a pediatrician in a private therapists, guiding her along her
practice in Westchester County for transition from neonate to baby to
close to 20 years. I’m writing this email, toddler. She is 19 months old and
however, as a first-time mother and continues to thrive as though her
grateful local resident of your amazing premature life never existed. It is
Early Intervention Physical Therapy baffling to me, both as a mother and
Team, better known to you as Puja a pediatrician. I am speechless every
(Agarwal) and Ava (dela Cruz). time Yashwini meets her milestones on
target despite her medical history.
Let me briefly share our story. Yashwini
is our only child. She was born after Even with my many years of experience,
many years of fertility issues and Ava and Puja have taught me so many
miscarriages. She was born at 26 weeks, things on which Yashwini’s success
weighing only 1 pound, 11 ounces at continues to build upon. I cannot say
Westchester Medical Center in February enough wonderful things about the two
2015. Yashwini spent four months in the of them. Everyone who is part of your
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of team has been so helpful and kind.
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. While
in the NICU, she endured heart surgery Yashwini’s success story is known by
and multiple episodes of not breathing. many, and your physical therapy team
She came home after four months in is definitely a part of her success story. I
the hospital, miraculously, with no signs write this email, both as a mother and a
of the effects of her prematurity. Her physician. In an atmosphere where the
outcome is nothing short of a miracle. community hospital is a dying breed,
your physical therapy department and
As a result of her micro-preemie history, staff are the exceptions. They are not
she automatically qualified for early only experts in their field, but they give
intervention services, along with the Phelps the sense of community that is
multitude of services offered along with being lost in medicine today. I thank
it, helping us ensure that none of her them and you for that.
(developmental) milestones would be

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