Stony Brook University News

Lyme Disease Vaccine Shows Promise in Clinical Trials

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:24:41 PST

The results of a phase 1/2 clinical trial in Europe of an investigational Lyme disease vaccine co-developed by researchers at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and at healthcare company Baxter International S.A., revealed it to be promising and well tolerated, according to a research paper published online in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The vaccine was shown to produce substantial antibodies against all targeted species of Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease in Europe and the United States. Baxter conducted the clinical trial of the vaccine.

SBUH Upgrades CT Imaging Technology

Tue, 07 May 2013 10:04:01 PST

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) has enhanced its CT imaging capabilities with an advanced reconstruction technology that enables clinicians to capture high-quality images while reducing patient radiation exposure by up to 40 percent.

Stony Brook Medicine Appoints Ellen Li as Chief of GI Division

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:04:28 PST

Ellen Li, MD, PhD, a gastroenterologist and research scientist investigating digestive diseases, has been appointed Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the Department of Medicine at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, announced Vincent Yang, MD, PhD, the Simons Chair of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Dr. Li will oversee the clinical, research and training of a Division that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract and liver.

SBUH Forms New Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:03:52 PST

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) has formed a new Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery and Surgical Critical Care to reflect its expert capacity to provide around-the-clock care for trauma and emergency surgery patients as a regional Level 1 Trauma Center. Stony Brook Trauma Surgeon James A. Vosswinkel, MD, was appointed Chief of the division in an announcement by Alexander B. Dagum, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, Interim Chair of the Department of Surgery at Stony Brook University School of Medicine and Chief of the Department of Plastic Surgery at SBUH.

Stony Brook Vascular Surgeons Perform Long Island's First Fenestrated Endografts

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:38:14 PST

Two vascular surgeons at Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) are the first on Long Island to successfully implant custom-made fenestrated endografts in patients with complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The new procedure is the latest advance in AAA treatment, enabling experienced vascular surgeons to treat patients with very complex aortic anatomy in a minimally invasive way.

Stony Brook CTICU Earns Silver Beacon Award for Excellence

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:30:30 PST

The Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) at Stony Brook University Heart Institute has earned the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Stony Brook is one of only eight hospitals in New York State that have units with the Beacon designation.

Help Install 6,000 Pinwheels for Stony Brook "Ride for Life' Event

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:33:26 PST

Volunteers are needed to assist Stony Brook University staff on May 4, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, when 6,000 pinwheels will be installed in a field at South P Lot on the Stony Brook University Campus. The pinwheels represent the lives lost annually to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The pinwheels will serve as a powerful backdrop at Stony Brook University's annual "Ride for Life" Celebration and Remembrance Ceremony, which will take place on May 11 starting at 2:00 PM.

SBU Students Sign Up Classmates During Organ Donor Registration Drive

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:10:16 PST

A group of Stony Brook University students helped register 118 of their fellow classmates to become organ donors in conjunction with Organ Donor Awareness Month at the annual Earthstock festival on the Stony Brook University campus on April 19.

SBU Heart Institute's Echocardiography Laboratory Earns Three-Year Reaccreditation

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:36:13 PST

The adult Echocardiography Laboratory of Stony Brook University Heart Institute has been granted a three-year reaccreditation in echocardiography for adult transthoracic, adult transesophageal and adult stress by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). The accreditation also extends to Stony Brook’s echocardiography outpatient facilities in Hauppauge and East Setauket. It is effective through 2016.

Clinical Trials for Cellulite Treatment on the Horizon

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:38:51 PST

Projected to start in the second half of 2013, researchers at Stony Brook University plan to begin phase IIa placebo-controlled clinical trials using a drug treatment method developed here to treat cellulite. The treatment method is licensed to BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (“BSTC”), sublicensed to Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (“Auxilium”), and uses clostridial collagenase histolyticum (“CCH”), an injectable form of the enzyme collagenase.

Stony Brook Specialist Freezes Nerves to Knock Pain Out Cold

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:10:23 PST

For the millions of Americans who rely on pain medications for neuralgia, a condition where nerves damaged by surgery, traumatic injury, or diseases such as diabetes cause chronic pain, an emerging non-pharmacological treatment may offer relief. By placing a tiny ball of ice on damaged nerves by way of a minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment called cryoneurolysis, William Moore, MD, a thoracic interventional radiologist at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, is able to safely short circuit chronic pain caused by nerve damage.

"Living Book Project" Brings Bioethics Issues to Life for Area High School Students

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:09:30 PST

More than 230 Suffolk County high school students from eight school districts learned about bioethics, disparities in healthcare, patient advocacy and related topics from Stony Brook University faculty, educators from the Three Village Central School District and other healthcare professionals at the first annual “Living Book Project: A Day of Conversation, Exploration and Reflection Inspired by Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Stony Brook University in partnership with the Three Village Central School District hosted the educational event on April 5 at the Charles B. Wang Center.

Stony Brook Reduces Elective Early-Term Deliveries By 75 Percent

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:48:18 PST

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) has reduced its rate of elective early-term deliveries by 75 percent to lower the risk of serious health problems and deaths for newborns in their first year of life. SBUH is among a group of hospitals nationwide that have significantly reduced their rates, as reported in a study in today’s edition of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Hospital Auxiliary Reaches $2 Millon Milestone, Fulfilling Pledge from 'Promise to Give' in 2008

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:31:37 PST

The Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) Auxiliary on April 1 presented a check for $2 million to the hospital’s leadership team, representing the culmination of a pledge made in 2008 through its “Promise to Give.”

Stony Brook's Dental School Provides Free Preventive Services to Riverhead Elementary School Students

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:18:28 PST

Stony Brook University’s School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has launched a comprehensive School-Based Dental Health program through which it is providing free preventive oral healthcare services to all elementary school students in the Riverhead Central School District. In December, the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) donated $25,000 to develop and build a sustainable dental care community outreach program targeting at-risk child populations across Long Island.

Primary Care Specialties are Top Choice for Stony Brook Medical Students Matching to Residencies

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:41:42 PST

A jubilant scene unfolded as fourth-year Stony Brook University School of Medicine students and their families learned about their residency matches at the School’s annual “Match Day,” held on March 15 in the Health Sciences Tower. All 127 students matched to residency training programs in New York and 17 other states. The successful Stony Brook match will bring an influx of physicians into the workforce come July. One-third of the Stony Brook students will enter primary care disciplines.

Family of Girl Recovering from Cancer Sings the Praises of Stony Brook Surgery Team

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:45:24 PST

For 11-year-old Veronica Franco, music has always been a passion. The Rocky Point, N.Y., native loves playing cello and singing in the choir at Rocky Point Middle School. Her outstanding singing ability has garnered her recognition: Veronica earned a coveted spot in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) children’s chorus and performed at Carnegie Hall on March 16.

SBUH Vascular Screening Saves the Day for Riverhead Man

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:03:04 PST

When Robert Rouge of Riverhead, NY, signed up for what he thought would be a routine vascular screening at Stony Brook University Hospital on July 16 last summer, he didn’t expect the results to show any problems. What actually happened was far from routine: the screening ultrasound revealed a dangerously large abdominal aortic aneurysm, which needed immediate surgical intervention.

SBU Nursing School Dean Honored for Community Service by VIBS

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:58:49 PST

Lee Xippolitos, RN, PhD, CARN, CS, NPP, CNAA, BC, Dean of the Stony Brook University School of Nursing, has received the Community Service Award from the Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk County (VIBS) in recognition of her efforts to establish the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Center at Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH).

Stony Brook Medicine Receives $750,000 Pledge for Endowed Chair in Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:52:27 PST

Charles A. Gargano, former U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago and long-time friend of Stony Brook University, has agreed to establish the Ambassador Charles Gargano Chair in Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging at Stony Brook Medicine.