World’s First HIV-Positive to HIV-Positive Heart Transplant Performed at Montefiore Health System

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The world’s first HIV-positive to HIV-positive heart transplant has been successfully performed at Montefiore Health System in The Bronx. The patient, in her sixties, suffered from advanced heart failure and received the life-saving donation, along with a simultaneous kidney transplant, in early spring. After the 4-hour surgery, the patient spent five weeks recovering in the hospital and now sees her transplant physicians at Montefiore for monitoring. According to Montefiore officials, the health center is one of only 25 such centers in the United States eligible to offer this complex surgery, having met prior surgical benchmarks and outcomes set by

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi chief executive officer, Christopher Mastromano, announced on Monday, July 25, that Dr. Komal Bajaj, Jacobi’s chief quality officer, has been appointed to national advisory council of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The AHRQ is a 21-member panel of healthcare experts which contributes a varied perspective on the health care system and the most important questions that AHRQ’s research should address in order to promote improvements in the quality, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of clinical practice. The panel provides advice to the secretary and director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The unidentified man, seen in the accompanying photo, who was discovered unconscious and unresponsive on a Kingsbridge Heights street has since been identified, police say Wednesday. The NYPD had asked for the public’s help identifying the man on Tuesday, July 26. On Friday, July 22, at 6.33 a.m., in the vicinity of University Avenue and Reservoir Avenue, the person was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in the middle of the street with no apparent injuries. A police spokesperson said, “He was transported to Montefiore Hospital where he remains unresponsive in critical condition. The male was not in possession of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi and North Central Bronx, Christopher Mastromano, announced on Friday, July 22, that both hospitals received gold awards from the American Heart Association (AHA) for their quality treatment of heart failure. Additionally, Jacobi received an award for its quality treatment of stroke conditions. The Heart Failure Quality Achievement Award honors healthcare facilities for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure, which means reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home. Additionally, the Stroke Quality Achievement Award recognizes noteworthy patient care institutions for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is reminding veterans of the number to call to reach the veterans crisis helpline. The number to dial is 988, then press 1. The service offered helps veterans and their loved ones reach crisis support quickly and efficiently. Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The new, shorter number addresses the need for ease of access and clarity in times of crisis. Veterans can use this new option to reach the Veterans Crisis Line by

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a heat advisory earlier this week which was originally due to be in effect until Wednesday, July 20, at 8 p.m., but NWS has since announced that the period of extreme heat will continue through Sunday, July 24 at 8 p.m. Temperatures of between 95 and 100 degrees were expected on Wednesday in New York City. Heat index values in the upper 90s to around 100 are expected for New York City through Sunday, at 8 p.m., according to NWS. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illness, health officials said. Heat

By SÍLE MOLONEY

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the New York Public Library’s Belmont Library will be hosting the second ever Anti-Prom in The Bronx for kids ages 12 to 18 on Friday, August 5. NYPL officials said “It will be a very fun event that offers an inclusive, safe space for attendees to embrace their sexuality, gender identity, culture, and style of dress. Anti-Prom will take place between 6:30 pm-9 pm eastern at 610 East 186th Street.” Officials said this year’s theme is Bronx Rising, a celebration of the resilience and perseverance of Bronx teens both past and present,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Beat the Heat Amid the current heatwave, which has now been extended to July 24 at 8 p.m., for tips on how to beat the heat, click here. For more information on public pools, click here. It’s going to be a hot week in NYC. Take steps to stay safe & #beattheheat: ✅Keep cool and hydrated.✅Find your nearest cooling center: call @nyc311 or visit https://t.co/9PRlDTeUgY ✅Be a buddy and check on your neighbors.✅Stay informed and sign up for @NotifyNYC alerts. pic.twitter.com/9MUQVnU3m9 — NYC Emergency Management Commissioner (@NYCEMCommish) July 19, 2022 Con Edison Discounts According to Bronx Community Board 7, this summer,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson has thanked NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) for listening to calls and agreeing to open more vaccination sites to facilitate the ongoing roll-out of the monkeypox vaccination across The Bronx and the City. The news follows the opening of a one-day, pop-up monkeypox vaccination site at Bronx High School of Science, located at 75 West 205th Street in Jerome Park, on Sunday, July 17. Further to the announcement on Friday, July 22, Gibson said, “I want to applaud the decision by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for designating Lincoln

Norwood News

Serving Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights

Health

World’s First HIV-Positive to HIV-Positive Heart Transplant Performed at Montefiore Health System

Jacobi Doctor Appointed to National Advisory Council for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

UPDATE Kingsbridge Heights: Unconscious Male Found on Bronx Street Has Been Identified Police Say

Jacobi, North Central Bronx Receive Gold Awards for Quality Heart Failure & Stroke Treatment Care

VA Reminds Veterans of National Veterans Crisis Helpline Number 988

UPDATE How to Beat the Heat & Stay Cool This Week as Heat Advisory Extends to July 24 at 8 p.m.

Belmont: Anti-Prom Event Returns after 2-Year Hiatus on Friday, August 5

UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Monkeypox Vax Updates, Free Yankees Tickets, August Primaries & More!

UPDATE Gibson Thanks DOHMH for Opening Additional Bronx Monkeypox Vax Sites