The Children's Hospital at
Montefiore (CHAM) is bringing the medical miracle of pediatric heart
transplantation to the Bronx, following the recent approval of its
transplant center application by the New York State Department of Health.
This important approval clears the way for specialists at CHAM, recently
ranked among America's top children's hospitals, to treat any congenital or
acquired heart abnormality in children and adolescents.
"By adding pediatric heart transplantation to the full range of care we
offer our youngest patients, we better meet the significant health needs of
our Bronx community," said Steven M. Safyer, MD, president and CEO,
Montefiore Medical Center. "The long-standing impact of social, economic
and access-to- healthcare issues means children in the Bronx suffer from a
disproportionate number of congenital heart abnormalities and other serious
conditions. Now they have access to the high quality care they need right
in their own community."
CHAM's heart surgery team and heart center program are already
established as among the most active in the region treating congenital and
acquired heart defects in children. Key to addition of the new pediatric
heart transplant capabilities was the recruitment of nationally renowned
pediatric cardiologist Daphne Hsu, MD, who joined CHAM as Division Chief of
Pediatric Cardiology and Co-Director of the Pediatric Heart Center. She was
also appointed Professor of Pediatrics at Montefiore's affiliated medical
school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Einstein).
In addition to Dr. Hsu, several prominent specialists in pediatric
cardiology have recently joined the Pediatric Heart Center team, including
Jacqueline M. Lamour, MD, Director of Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Therapy;
Robert H. Pass, MD, Director of Pediatric Electrophysiology and Director of
Pediatric Interventional Cardiology; and, Leo Lopez, MD, Director of
Pediatric Noninvasive Imaging.
"The new pediatric heart transplant program at CHAM and its acclaimed
cardiology team are important milestones for both Montefiore and Einstein,
" said Allen M. Spiegel, MD, The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Albert
Einstein College of Medicine. "Dr. Daphne Hsu and her team are outstanding
clinical investigators and national leaders in the study and treatment of
pediatric heart disease and transplantation. Their presence here is a
tangible demonstration of our joint efforts to strengthen the links between
Einstein research and Montefiore medicine."
"The pediatric heart transplant program and the addition of Dr. Hsu and
her team greatly enhance our capabilities for treating any heart
abnormality in children," said Philip Ozuah, MD, chairman of the Department
of Pediatrics at Montefiore Medical Center and Einstein and
physician-in-chief at CHAM. "The Children's Hospital at Montefiore has
become a hospital of choice for patients and families from around the world
seeking excellence and innovation in specialty care. Building one of
America's finest children's hospitals in the Bronx reinforces Montefiore's
commitment to improving the health of its community by offering our
patients access to the highest quality care and services available anywhere
in the world."
A graduate of the Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Hsu was previously
Associate Director of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Program at New York
Presbyterian's Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, and Professor of
Pediatrics and Director of Clinical Research at Columbia University's
College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) is one of the most
clinically and technologically advanced children's hospitals in the U.S.,
providing innovative and specialized medical treatment for children from
the New York- metropolitan area and around the world.
In 2008, The Children's ranks as one of "America's Best Children's
Hospitals" in US News & World Report's prestigious annual listing.
Montefiore is ranked by the Leapfrog Group among the top one percent of all
U.S. hospitals based on its strategic investments in sophisticated and
integrated healthcare technology.
CHAM's pediatric specialists include nationally recognized experts in
cardiac care, oncology, emergency medicine and critical care, as well as
other clinical areas. Among the hospital's specialized services are the
Pediatric Heart Center, where the most advanced cardiology and cardiac
surgical treatments are available for infants and children; New York's only
fully integrated cancer center for children and its only pediatric sickle
cell center; and the complete range of surgical services, including a team
of specialists in pediatric neurosurgery and plastic and reconstructive
surgery, world-renowned as the first in history to successfully separate
twins conjoined at the head without neurological damage.
The hospital also provides treatment programs including dedicated
pediatric epilepsy and sleep disorders centers, one of the nation's leading
adolescent AIDS programs, treatment for chronic conditions such as asthma
and diabetes, as well as dialysis, allergy/immunology and nephrology. The
CHAM team's unique integration of clinical excellence, technology and
education supports its guiding philosophy of providing family-centered care
-- to treat the "whole" child and his or her family. Working side-by-side
with physicians are specially trained pediatric nurses, social workers,
nutritionists and child life therapists who support the physical and
emotional needs of children during the course of their medical treatment.
CHAM is also a key provider of community-based care through its network
of 16 school-based clinics, the Child Advocacy Center for diagnosis and
treatment of child abuse and neglect, a Safe House for lead poison
prevention, mobile pediatric centers and other unique initiatives.
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