News from NYU Langone Health
Recipients Of Transplanted Pig Kidneys Herald Era Of Xenotransplantation. (CNN International)
(5/31) In the spring of 2024, Lisa Fasano became one of the first patients to receive a gene-edited pig kidney transplant due to her end-stage kidney disease and heart failure, with her surgeon, Robert Montgomery, MD, DPhil, the H. Leon Pachter MD Professor of Surgery, and chair, Department of Surgery, Transplant Institute, suggesting the procedure as a last resort; despite initial improvements, Fasano later developed infections and passed away, but her pioneering spirit inspired others, including Tawana Looney, another transplant recipient, who shared her belief in the potential of xenotransplantation to revolutionize organ transplants for the 100,000 people currently waiting for kidneys.
Face Transplant Recipient Relearned How To Eat, Speak. (WDBJ-TV Roanoke (VA))
(5/31) Richard Norris, the recipient of the world’s first full face transplant 13 years ago, has experienced a transformative journey since the surgery performed by Eduardo D. Rodriguez, MD, DDS, the Helen L. Kimmel Professor of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, chair, the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, who candidly informed Norris of the unprecedented nature of the procedure; Norris, who was disfigured by an accidental gunshot, has since learned to speak and eat again and recently visited NYU Langone Health for a follow-up appointment.
‘Sea Therapy’: The Benefits Of Beach Day Extend Beyond Just Fun In The Sun. (New York Post)
The (5/31) Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, discussed the mental-health benefits of “sea therapy,” which involves spending time at the beach and can include activities like walking, listening to waves, or breathing in sea air, promoting relaxation, cognitive restoration, and mood enhancement; Gallagher said, “The beach allows for mindfulness because it facilitates being more present when you are watching the ocean,” and highlighted the potential benefits of exposure to negative ions in sea air, while also cautioning about possible drawbacks such as sunburn and water safety concerns.
WNYW-NY (FOX)-3 (6/2) Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, says spending time by the ocean can improve mental well-being by boosting mood, reducing stress, improving sleep, and potentially lessening symptoms of depression due to negative ions in sea air.
Also reporting is (5/28).
I Covered My Body In Health Trackers For 6 Months. It Ruined My Life. (Vox)
(6/2) Thea Gallagher, PsyD, clinical associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, commented on the increasing prevalence and complexity of health tracking technology, stating, “We have so much information about everything all the time, so many of us, probably all of us, feel like this is going to be an iterative process for the rest of our life: navigating our relationship with the tech.”
Why People On Protein-Heavy Diets Need To Eat More Fiber. (NBC News)
(5/31) Protein’s popularity as a nutrient for weight loss and muscle maintenance is overshadowing the importance of fiber, with Christina Fasulo, a nutritionist at UCLA Health, warning that high-protein diets often displace fiber, which is crucial for gut health and disease prevention; Rabia A. De Latour, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, said, “If you don’t have enough fiber in your diet, it’s as if you’re starving your microbiome,” emphasizing the necessity of fiber for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which plays a vital role in digestion and immune function, and may help lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and colon cancer.
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) And Surgery: Types, What To Expect, And More. (Everyday Health)
(5/30) Those with ulcerative colitis (UC) whose symptoms continue to flare after taking medicine may consider a surgery called proctocolectomy to better control pain and inflammation; the article is reviewed by Rabia A. De Latour, MD, assistant professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The 50 Best Hospitals For Pediatric Cardiology In 2025: Newsweek. (Becker's ASC Review)
(5/30) Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital was included among the top children’s hospitals for pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery in Newsweek’s 2025 rankings of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025,” the third annual ranking by Newsweek, created in partnership with Statista.
The Residency Report: Clinical Insights From The IStent Infinite Trial. (Opthalmology Times)
(5/29) In the Residency Report, a series between NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmology Times, David S. Friedman, MD, PhD, director of the glaucoma service at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, discussed developments and “cutting-edge research” in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
Could Pulmonary Rehab Help Treat Sleep Apnea? (Health Central)
(5/30) Jonathan H. Whiteson, MD, professor, Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, and Medicine, Division of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, vice chair, Rusk Rehabilitation Clinical Operations, said, “I see people with COPD every day, and we talk about their sleep. No doubt many of them have abnormal sleeping patterns and are later diagnosed with OSA.”
How GLP-1s Could Help People Sleep Better. (Neurology Advisor)
(5/30) reports Alcibiades J. Rodriguez, MD, associate professor, Department of Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, and Sleep Medicine, said, “The number one modifiable risk factor for sleep apnea is obesity. When patients lose weight — whether it’s through traditional means, bariatric surgery, or now with GLP-1 receptor agonists — we often see their sleep apnea improve or even resolve completely.”
FDA Warns Of A Side Effect Of Stopping The Allergy Drugs Zyrtec And Xyzal, FDA Warns. (Everyday Health)
(5/30) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about the rare risk of pruritus, or sudden severe itching, following the cessation of long-term use of antihistamines cetirizine (Zyrtec) and levocetirizine (Xyzal), with 209 global cases reported, 94% of which occurred in the United States; Purvi S. Parikh, MD, clinical assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, and Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Allergy and Immunology, advises patients to consult healthcare providers about long-term use and suggests alternatives like Flonase or Allegra for managing allergies without these side effects, adding that gradually tapering off these medications may minimize itching risks.
Vepdegestrant May Benefit Certain Patients With Advanced Breast 鶹Ƶapp With ESR1 Mutation. (Healio)
(5/31) Vepdegestrant, a proteolysis-targeting chimera ER degrader, showed improved outcomes for patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation, extending progression-free survival (PFS) by approximately 3 months compared to fulvestrant, according to a phase 3 trial presented at the ASCO Annual Meeting; Iris Zhi, MD, PhD, member of the faculty, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Perlmutter 鶹Ƶapp Center, expressed excitement about oral endocrine therapy options for these patients.
Centanafadine “Clinically Meaningful” For Adult ADHD. (Medscape)
(6/2) Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.’s centanafadine, a novel norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in adult ADHD patients in two phase 3 trials, as presented by Lenard A. Adler, MD, professor, Departments of Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, vice chair, education, Department of Psychiatry, at the APA 2025 Annual Meeting, who noted Centanafadine “is a triple reuptake inhibitor, so it’s not a classical stimulant, it’s a compound that offers a unique profile.”
New from NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
In Other News: NYU Langone Health Partners With One Brooklyn Health. (Politico)
(6/2) in its morning newsletter shared that One Brooklyn Health is partnering with NYU Langone Health “to expand access to kidney transplants in Brooklyn,” with NYU Langone Health’s program offering “transplant evaluations, clinical testing and specialist consultations to patients with advanced kidney disease at Brookdale Hospital. Patients will also receive support from social workers, financial counselors and a care navigator.”
News from NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island
NYU Langone Opens Medical Practice In Westhampton Beach. (Dan's Papers (NY))
(NY) (5/30) NYU Langone Health opened an ambulatory care facility in Westhampton Beach on April 28 as “part of a larger eastward expansion by NYU Langone ...to address the historic shortage of medical care on the East End.” The facility “is home to NYU Langone Medical Associates-Westhampton, a practice with five providers offering primary care, cardiology and endocrinology services.” Ricardo J. Monserrate, M.D., clinical assistant professor, Department of Medicine, The Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology—Long Island, said, “It has been difficult to get enough physicians out here for as long as I have been out here,” and NYU Langone Health “has the drive to improve quality of care and expand access to care in all of New York but especially Long Island, and this new practice will help fill the need for more care on the East End.”
Sports Safety: NYU Expert Shares Top Tips To Keep Kids Injury-Free. (Long Island (NY) Press)
The (5/30) Arun Chopra, MD, associate professor and chair, Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island. advises parents to prioritize safety as children engage in summer sports, recommending pre-season physicals to uncover potential issues such as asthma or heart conditions, and emphasizing the importance of proper warm-ups, equipment, and hydration.
NYU Langone-Suffolk To Build 5-Story, 144 Bed Hospital Tower. (Long Island (NY) Advance)
The (5/30) NYU Langone Health has submitted a Full Review Certificate of Need application to construct a 144-bed, 5-story hospital tower at NYU Langone-Suffolk, which will not increase the total bed count but will provide more efficient space and modern facilities, according to Marc S. Adler, MD, clinical associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Innovation, senior vice president and chief of Hospital Operations, NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk, who said the $650 million project will begin in summer 2026 and include renovations to convert all rooms to single-bed units, enhancing patient care, with the infusion center expanding to offer chemotherapy and neurological disease treatments.
