NUMC’S DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2011

PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055

NUMC’S DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

East Meadow, NY…The Nassau University Medical Center’s (NUMC) department of neurology, received a certificate of appreciation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. The certificate is in recognition of the department of neurology’s contribution to the centers for diseases control and prevention’s emerging infections programs surveillance for Guillian-Barre Syndrome (GBS) during the 2009 H1N1 vaccine campaign.

In a letter dated April 14, 2011, Guthrie S. Birkhead, MD, MPH, deputy commissioner, office of public health wrote; “On behalf of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), I would like to sincerely thank you for your commitment to this effort. The Statewide surveillance for hospitalized cases of Guillian-Barre syndrome conducted by the NYSDOH was part of the response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Participation in this public health activity by the neurologists, infection control practitioners, office staff and hospital medical records departments was outstanding and very helpful to the overall study.”

Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, extended his congratulations to the neurology department and said, “I am pleased to congratulate the department of neurology under the leadership of Satish Kadakia, MD, and the assistance of Mary Ellen Samis, MBA, RN, CNRN, clinical coordinator and the entire staff on receiving this well deserved certificate of appreciation. This is a testament to the hard work and commitment by staff in participating in the 2009-2010 influenza vaccine program. This effort demonstrates that medical professionals and public health can partner effectively with the state health department to assure the safety and well-being of all of our residents.”

Guillian-Barre Syndrome is an uncommon peripheral neuropathy causing paralysis and in severe cases respiratory failure and death. GBS often follows an antecedent gastrointestinal or upper respiratory illness, but in rare cases can follow vaccination. A (H1N1) virus was associated with a statistically significant increased risk for GBS in the 42 days after vaccination (approximately 10 excess cases per 1 million vaccinations).

In New York State, over 3,000 neurologists and health care facilities including NUMC were contacted by the NYSDOH and asked to report all hospitalized suspected cases of GBS beginning October 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010. Throughout this time period clinicians submitted 122 reports of suspected GBS cases. In summary, a preliminary analysis of the aggregated data has suggested that .8 excess cases of GBS per 1 million vaccinations may be attributable to the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. This finding is similar to what has been observed with seasonal influenza vaccines in some years.

NuHealth’s Department of Neurology diagnoses and treats a wide range of neurological problems, including pain management, seizure disorders, sensory or memory loss, neuromuscular disorders and more. Once diagnosed, our neurologists work on their own or with colleagues specializing in neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry and other disciplines, coordinating services to provide the appropriate solution for your problem and your lifestyle.
NuHealth’s neurologists are also an important resource for community physicians, and receive frequent referrals from primary care doctors and a variety of specialists. As with our Nassau University Medical Center colleagues, we maintain close collaborative relationships with our referrers, and make sure diagnostic and treatment information is forwarded appropriately.

ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life.  Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community.  By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.

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