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| Internal Medicine:
Creating an Environment that is Achieving Excellence in Quality |
Bronx-Lebanon’s Department of Medicine is its largest medical department, with 80 Attending Physicians and 110 Residents and Fellows.
The department consists of fourteen major divisions: Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Epidemiology, Gastroenterology, Hematology, Infectious Diseases/AIDS, Nephrology, Neurology/ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oncology, Primary Care and Preventive Medicine, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Rheumatology, and Geriatrics.
Its highly trained physicians, under the direction of Dr. Sridhar S. Chilimuri, provide services in many specialty areas.
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In the Ambulatory Care area, the Department
of Medicine is taking a pivotal leadership role in
bringing quality, comprehensive, and accessible
care directly to patients. The Department’s
Division of Primary Care and Preventive Medicine
(its largest division) is the anchor from which
care is coordinated.
“Our emphasis is on keeping
the community healthy, through early treatment,
as well as disease prevention and management,” stated Dr. Abayomi Salako, Chief, Division of
Primary Care and Preventive Medicine.
Among the common health problems having a
significant impact on the Bronx are heart disease,
diabetes, asthma, and chronic lung disease. |
“We are proud to have an expert team of physicians that are achieving excellence in quality..."
Dr. Sridhar Chilimuri, Chairman, Department of Medicine |
DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION
Innovative programs and educational initiatives are an essential
part of the Division of Endocrinology’s efforts to combat diabetes,
another potentially devastating disease that is often undetected.
“Our health care team is succeeding in alerting community residents
to the seriousness of diabetes, educating them to recognize
its symptoms, seek help, and improve their quality of life,” stated
Dr. Marcia Palace, Chief, Division of Endocrinology. |
ASTHMA and CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE
The Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care, under the leadership
of Dr. Gilda Diaz-Fuentes, is taking an active role in the treatment
and management of asthma and chronic lung diseases.
A new
Sleep Laboratory is addressing the serious problems associated
with such disorders as sleep apnea and insomnia.
An asthma
service in the ER is also providing patients with immediate treatment.
These patients are then scheduled for a follow-up appointment
with providers throughout the hospital’s BronxCare Network. |
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CANCER OUTREACH
Winning the war against cancer represents another important challenge for the Department of Medicine. Its Division
of Oncology is achieving a high survival rate for cancer patients. A new Outpatient Oncology Center is providing
specialized diagnostic treatment and support services.
Bronx-Lebanon is also making significant progress in the
treatment of colon cancer. “Our specialized Endoscopy Suite has dramatically improved the accuracy of diagnosing
colon cancer at an early and more treatable stage,” stated Dr. Bhavna Balar, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology. |
CARDIOLOGY
Bronx-Lebanon is clearly taking the community to heart in treating
cardiovascular disease. Its Division of Cardiology, under the
direction of Dr. Jonathan M. Bella, is a leader in addressing coronary
disease and preventing heart attacks. The Cardiology
Division’s inpatient functions, including the Coronary Intensive
Care Unit, are an essential part of its daily activities.
Bronx-
Lebanon’s Angioplasty/PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)
program also offers patients the benefit of minimally invasive
procedures to address cardiac disease. Additionally, the hospital’s
new Short Stay Observation Unit is monitoring and evaluating ER
patients in cardiac distress.
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It provides a most effective conduit
for determining whether these patients require additional cardiac
inpatient care or can be discharged. In the outpatient area, Bronx-Lebanon’s state-of-the-art Cardiac
Catheterization and Nuclear Stress testing facilities provide vital
assistance in the diagnosis and treatment of the often life-threatening
problems associated with heart disease.
“We work with
our patients to determine the best strategy for them, including
assessing and reducing their risk factors,” stated Dr. Hussein
Shaqra, Director, Interventional Cardiology.
Learn more here... |
NEUROLOGY, PHYSICAL MEDICINE, AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
The potential and often serious consequences of stroke are being
addressed by the Department’s Division of Neurology, through
its 911 Designated Stroke Center, located in the ER. This division,
under the direction of Dr. James Morris, is also providing expert
care in the treatment of migraine headaches and other neurological
problems.
For many patients, rehabilitation programs are an essential part
of their care. Bronx-Lebanon’s new Rehabilitation Center is
providing the necessary follow-up to assure a speedy recovery.
“We offer complete rehabilitative medical care and treatment,
as well as physical and occupational therapies, designed to restore
function and maximize mobility,” stated Dr. Marshall Kurtz,
Chief, Division of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. |
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CANCER OUTREACH
Winning the war against cancer represents another important challenge for the Department of Medicine. Its Division
of Oncology is achieving a high survival rate for cancer patients. A new Outpatient Oncology Center is providing
specialized diagnostic treatment and support services.
Bronx-Lebanon is also making significant progress in the
treatment of colon cancer. “Our specialized Endoscopy Suite has dramatically improved the accuracy of diagnosing
colon cancer at an early and more treatable stage,” stated Dr. Bhavna Balar, Chief, Division of Gastroenterology. |
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GASTROENTEROLOGY
As far as stomach, intestinal, and liver disorders, the department’s Division of Gastroenterology, under the direction of Dr. Bhavna Balar, is meeting the diverse needs of patients by providing a full range of accessible and quality medical services.
Its state-of-the-art Endoscopy Suite has dramatically improved accuracy in diagnosing
colon cancer.
The division is also participating in a citywide colorectal cancer screening initiative that is reaching a large segment of the Bronx population. |
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OTHER KEY SERVICES
In addition to the services offered at the hospital, the Department of Medicine has significantly expanded its efforts in the community.
Its physicians provide the medical staffing and leadership for many of the BronxCare primary practices, as well as specialty programs, including those in the Gastroenterology area, under the direction of Dr. Bhavna Balar; Renal Dialysis, under the direction of Dr. Mahendraray Dave; Endocrinology, under the direction of Dr. Marcia Palace; and Dermatology, under the direction of Dr. Donald Rudikoff. |
“We are eager to develop a medical home model
for outpatient care at our various sites,
including the new Ambulatory Care Facility,
now under construction.”
DR. ISAAC P. DAPKINS, MEDICAL DIRECTOR, AMBULATORY CARE |
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| Yvonne Cruz, M.D., BronxCare Medical and Dental at POE |
Yvonne Cruz, M.D., Medical Director, BronxCare Medical and Dental at POE, often refers to Bronx- Lebanon as her home. As a primary care provider, Dr. Cruz sees close to 25 patients a day.
Along with her expert staff, she works closely with the divisions within Bronx-Lebanon’s Department of Medicine and with the hospital’s many centers of excellence.
“I help my patients comprehend their illnesses and teach them how to maintain their health,” stated Dr. Cruz.
“They are my extended family.”
While growing up in the Bronx, Dr. Cruz knew she wanted to practice medicine.
By the time she was 13, Dr. Cruz was helping nurses and physicians as a hospital volunteer.
“I always knew I would serve my community and would come back to help them,” stated Dr. Cruz. |
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She received her undergraduate degree and completed the physician assistant program at Long Island University.
“I am one of the first in my family to graduate from college,” stated Dr. Cruz. “It wasn’t an easy path for me.” After years of working as a physician assistant, she attended medical school in Tampico, Mexico and completed her training at New York Medical College.
The need for quality medical care in Mexico reinforced Dr. Cruz’ desire to work in her own Bronx community. She became a medical resident at Bronx-Lebanon and joined the hospital as a full- time attending physician in 1996. Teaching medicine is also Dr. Cruz’ passion.
She currently oversees 16 residents at the POE Medical and Dental Practice and instructs a course on physical examinations at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. When she’s with her students and residents, Dr. Cruz consistently emphasizes the importance of learning beyond textbooks.
“I tell them medicine is more than science, it’s about compassion, caring and understanding their patients’ physical and emotional needs,” stated Dr. Cruz.
Outside of the hospital, Dr. Cruz enjoys spending time relaxing with her close friends and family. She is very proud of her 22-year-old son, Jamil, who graduated from Wesleyan University and works for the Harm Reduction Coalition in the Bronx.
He is now following in his mother’s footsteps by studying science as he moves toward a career in medicine. “He grew up at this hospital into a strong man and knew all of the doctors well,” stated Dr. Cruz. She credits her father, who recently retired at 82 years old, and her late mother, for teaching her the importance of hard work.
Looking ahead, Dr. Cruz is eager to be part of Bronx-Lebanon’s ongoing efforts to expand primary care services for the community. She also takes pride in the hospital’s emergence as “Doctor to the Community.” “Word of mouth is very important here and people know they can trust our doctors. I feel called to serve the Bronx,” stated Dr. Cruz. |
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