WINTER/SPRING 2020 EINSTEINTHE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE FORGING THE OF Einstein and Montefiore scholars FUTURE meld research with data to improve MEDICINE patient care INSIDE: Mapping a Roundworm’s Nervous System • The Physician Investigators EINSTEIN A Message from the Dean Science at the Heart of Medicine Winter/Spring 2020 The magazine for alumni, faculty, s 2019 came to a close, students, friends, and supporters of we learned that Einstein Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore researchers had secured $178 million in grants Published by Afrom the National Institutes of Health The Philip and Rita Rosen Department of Communications and Public Affairs (NIH)—our largest annual total ever Gordon Earle, Associate Dean (page 14). The grants included funds Office of Development to study the Ebola virus and HIV, to Rachelle M. Sanders, Vice President and continue research on neuroscience and Chief Development Officer genetics, and to improve health among Director, Science and Research Content minority groups. Larry Katzenstein The year’s end also brought news Senior Director, Strategic Communications and External Relations that Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D., Deirdre Branley has become the new chief executive Managing Editor officer of Montefiore Medicine, the Susan Byrne umbrella organization for Montefiore Director, Creative Services Health System and Einstein (page 2). system of the worm C. elegans for the Marie L. Kurtz Dr. Ozuah has decades of experience better part of two decades. The story of Senior Director of External Relations, in leadership positions at Montefiore his success in completing the first wiring Development Rachel Eddey and a strong commitment to research diagram of an animal’s entire nervous and medical education. He replaces system—a major milestone in biology— Associate Director of External Relations, Development Steven M. Safyer, M.D., who retired begins on page 36. Sean McMahon after 40 years of service to Einstein and For the past 20 years, Einstein’s Art Director Montefiore. Clinical Research Training Program has Lorene Tapellini Moving medicine forward is the trained dozens of physicians in a variety Associate Art Director focus of our cover story (page 22). The of specialties. Five of those scholars talk Jeneffer Gonçalves Lee article describes a talented group of about their research (page 16). Illustrations Einstein and Montefiore faculty scholars New funding, new leadership, and Tatyana Starikova Harris who epitomize what a learning health new research add up to bright days ahead Digital Imaging Donna Bruno system can do: influence complex health at Einstein. I’m looking forward to them. systems to adapt and change behavior Photography jtorresphoto.com thanks to evidence obtained from rig- Multimedia Communications orous research and data collection. The Sunita Reed, Director scholars are members of a new center of excellence established with a $3.3 Address correspondence to: Editor, Einstein Magazine million NIH grant. It is one of only 11 Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus such centers in the nation and the only 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Belfer 905 one in New York State. Bronx, NY 10461 GORDON F. TOMASELLI, M.D. Another example of outstanding Email: [email protected] The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean Website: www.einstein.yu.edu research can be found in the work of Albert Einstein College of Medicine Copyright © 2020 Einstein scientist Scott Emmons, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Academic Officer Albert Einstein College of Medicine who has been mapping the nervous Montefiore Medicine All rights reserved WINTER/SPRING 2020 IN THIS ISSUE COVER STORY 22 FORGING THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE Einstein and Montefiore scholars meld research with data to improve patient care FEATURES 16 THE PHYSICIAN INVESTIGATORS Einstein’s Clinical Research Training Program marks 20 years of giving doctors the right skills for study success 22 32 READY FOR ROTATIONS A new Transition to Clerkship week helps third-year medical students shift from the classroom to the clinic 36 CONNECTING THE DOTS With the help of a tiny worm, Einstein scientists complete the first wiring diagram of an animal’s nervous system 58 SPOTLIGHT: CARING FOR THE LITTLEST HEARTS Expectant mothers find expert resources for congenital heart issues at a new Montefiore center 62 YOUR IMPACT: UNLOCKING A 36 POTENTIALLY DEADLY DISORDER Thanks to one family’s philanthropy, researchers are moving closer to new treatments for Lynch syndrome DEPARTMENTS 2 Campus News 8 Mavens of Medicine: Dr. Jonathan Alpert 10 Research Notes 12 Lab Chat: Dr. Michael Berney 48 Passionate Pursuits: Artist Adele Heib 50 Crossword: Albert’s Puzzler 54 51 Motivations: The Front Line of Philanthropy 54 Continued Connection: Easing Medical Debt 66 Class Notes 69 A Look Back Visit magazine.einstein.yu.edu or scan code ON THE COVER: A depiction of a learning health system, where research and data collection are used to help change behavior and more quickly benefit patients. Illustration concept by Tatyana Starikova Harris. MAGAZINE.EINSTEIN.YU.EDU 1 CAMPUS NEWS Dr. Philip O. Ozuah Named CEO of Montefiore hilip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D., has been named the chief executive officer (CEO) of Montefiore Medicine, the P umbrella organization for Montefiore Health System (MHS) and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He started his new role on Nov. 15, 2019, succeeding Steven M. Safyer, M.D., who retired after 40 years of service to Einstein and Montefiore. As CEO, Dr. Ozuah will lead organization of exceptionally talented Montefiore’s next phase of growth and and compassionate people. Working evolution as a global healthcare leader, closely with the board, I look forward renowned for its excellent medical to continuing to expand inclusive access school, groundbreaking research and to state-of-the-art care and to furthering technology, and highly specialized, coor- Montefiore’s role as a global leader in dinated care of diverse populations in healthcare and biomedical research.” “I look forward to the New York region, across the country, Dr. Safyer, who has worked alongside continuing to expand and globally. Dr. Ozuah for the past 25 years, says, “I “We are thrilled that Dr. Philip know I am leaving our institution in the inclusive access to state- Ozuah, a proven senior executive best possible hands. I have consistently of-the-art care and to and strong strategic thinker, will lead been impressed by Dr. Ozuah’s strate- Montefiore into the next decade,” says gic vision for the Montefiore Health furthering Montefiore’s Dan Tishman, chair of the Board of System. His appointment as CEO will role as a global leader Trustees of Montefiore Medicine. “What guarantee a smooth transition, and I stood out was his impressive record of know he’ll continue to uphold the stan- in healthcare and success, his intellect and warmth as a dard of excellence on which Montefiore biomedical research.” physician, his strength as a leader and has built its reputation.” manager, and his deep commitment Gordon F. Tomaselli, M.D., the to Montefiore’s mission. I’d also like to Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at — DR. PHILIP O. OZUAH thank our outgoing CEO, Dr. Steven Einstein, says, “Dr. Ozuah has a long Safyer, for putting our organization on a and storied history at Einstein, and we path of excellence.” could not have hoped for a better choice Dr. Ozuah joined Montefiore in to lead our joint enterprise. His vision, 1989. “It will be a privilege to lead an commitment to excellence, and dedica- organization with a clear purpose— tion to social justice will undoubtedly to heal, to teach, to discover, and to provide the direction and support for advance the health of the commu- Einstein to thrive in the coming years.” nities we serve,” he says. “We are an Dr. Ozuah previously served as 2 EINSTEIN : WINTER/SPRING 2020 Dr. Philip O. Ozuah Named CEO of Montefiore president of Montefiore and physician- in-chief of the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM), where he worked to deliver best-in-class clinical care with a commitment to healthcare access for the underserved. U.S. News & World Report has ranked MHS’s medical specialties, under his leadership, in the top 1% of the nation’s hospitals and CHAM as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.” Dr. Ozuah has a strong commit- ment to medical education as well as deep academic medical research exper- tise, including as a National Institutes of Health–funded investigator and as a professor and the university chair of pediatrics at Einstein. In these roles, Dr. Ozuah expanded access for underserved communities, Philip Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D., with a young patient at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. recruited and cultivated outstanding Under his leadership, CHAM was named one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” by talent, advanced programs of excellence, U.S. News & World Report magazine. fostered innovations in medical educa- tion, and improved financial and oper- Dr. Ozuah earned his medical degree ational performance by integrating care from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, across a rapidly growing and evolving a master’s degree in education from the Montefiore system that sees more than University of Southern California, Los 6 million patient interactions a year. Angeles, and a Ph.D. in educational He has been recognized regionally leadership and administration from the and nationally for excellence in teach- University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He ing and patient care, including as an completed his pediatric internship and inductee into the Alpha Omega Alpha residency at Einstein and Montefiore, Honor Medical Society and a two-time and his postdoctoral fellowship in recipient of the Academic Pediatric medical education at the University of Association’s prestigious Helfer Award Southern California School of Medicine, for Innovation in Medical Education. Los Angeles.