March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. To reduce your risk, maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, and drink alcohol in moderation.

Gary Tannenbaum, MD, RVT, FACS, Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, NY, now offers a full range of services in Southern Westchester country.

"In the past ten years, we have been emphasizing prevention for many forms of heart disease,” says Dr. Edward Schuster, assistant clinical professor of Cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia. "With a healthy diet, no smoking and proper medication, we have cut the death rate from coronary events by 50 percent. In Fairfield County, where Columbia has an affiliate hospital, this figure has dropped by an impressive 80 percent, indicating that lifestyle changes can have a big effect."

One of the most advanced and comprehensive in the world

PAD now affects more than 8.5 Americans and is becoming more prevalent as the population ages--yet this condition often goes undiagnosed. Patients with peripheral arterial disease have a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack or stroke. Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation.

David Kalfa, MD, PhD, has received a grant from the CHD Coalition to create and test a new type of heart valve that can grow and conform to the patient’s anatomy over time. Such a device would benefit neonates, children and young adults with congenital heart disease, reducing the need for multiple surgeries and greatly improving their quality of life.

The Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Comprehensive Care Center at NYP/Columbia is making great strides in the treatment of children with this relatively rare diagnosis. In 2014, the hospital received accreditation as a Center of Comprehensive Care by the National PH Association. Established 20 years ago, Columbia’s program continues to be one of the largest in the world, drawing patients across the United States and from other countries.

In February 2017, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital was verified as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. “This honor sets our program apart from others in the region,” says Steven Stylianos, MD, Director of the Trauma Center and chief of Pediatric Surgery.

Trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses live inside the human body. Some aid in digestion while others promote a healthy immune system. When these microbes get out of balance, this can set the stage for disease.

Jeffrey A. Ascherman, MD, site chief of the division of Plastic Surgery at NYP/Columbia, is now offering breast cancer patients a new device that allows them to do part of their breast reconstruction at home, and with faster results.