Physician Affiliate Group of New York’s 9th Annual Research Day Showcases Transformative Research to Combat Health Disparities in NYC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2024

Media Contact:
Erin Schmidt
(612) 269-0336
eschmidt@threefuries.com

NEW YORK – Physician Affiliate Group of New York, P.C. (PAGNY) proudly hosted its 9th Annual Research Day on November 13, bringing together health care professionals and researchers from across the New York Metropolitan area at Columbia University’s Low Memorial Library. This year’s event emphasized the critical need for community-focused research to reduce health disparities and improve care for New York’s most underserved populations.

“The research presented at PAGNY’s Research Day is not only groundbreaking but deeply rooted in our shared mission to provide equitable, high-quality care,” said Edward Chew, MD, Chief Executive Officer of PAGNY. “By bringing together providers committed to patient-centered research, we are setting the stage for lasting improvements in the health outcomes of the most vulnerable communities.”

Co-hosted with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and COMMUNITY Center, the event featured poster presentations of 100 research abstracts spanning more than 14 medical specialties and addressing over 50 unique health conditions, as well as oral presentations from research winners in three categories. This year, for the first time, the research platform was expanded to include health care professionals from across the New York metropolitan area, fostering multi-institutional collaboration.

Maisha Maliha, MD, a second-year postgraduate at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, presented a comprehensive meta-analysis on inclisiran, a novel siRNA-based therapy targeting PCSK9 to lower LDL cholesterol. The review encompassed data from seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving nearly 4,800 patients, assessing safety outcomes such as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), injection-site reactions, and diabetes risk. The findings revealed a strong safety profile, with only mild injection-site reactions noted, and no significant increase in new-onset diabetes—differentiating inclisiran from traditional statins. “This therapy offers a promising approach for patients in diverse, often underserved communities, where adherence to cholesterol-lowering treatments remains a challenge,” Maliha emphasized, noting the potential for insurance coverage advocacy to make this life-saving drug more accessible.

Sheena Chen Lin, MD, a pediatrics resident at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, shared a compelling case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a 16-year-old presenting with rare pancytopenia, despite no initial reported history of travel outside the U.S. The case highlighted the diagnostic complexity and underscored the need for malaria consideration in differential diagnoses, particularly among immigrant populations. “This case illustrates the importance of clinical vigilance and comprehensive patient history,” Chen Lin said. The findings also explored potential immune responses, like cytokine storms, that may explain such atypical hematological presentations.

Kelly Henige, MD, a second-year general surgery resident at NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, detailed an innovative quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing 30-day hospital readmissions following bariatric surgery at Metropolitan Hospital. The program, “When Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Meets Discharge Reassessment and Outreach Program (DROP),” incorporated a comprehensive approach: a dedicated care team, multilingual educational videos, and proactive follow-ups via the DROP questionnaire. Preliminary results showed no readmissions in July and August 2024 and a significant decline in ER visits.

Speaking at the event, Mary Beth Terry, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, underscored the power of community engagement in advancing medical research. “We need everyone at the table to solve health disparities,” Dr. Terry said. “Clinical providers are on the front lines of care, and their perspectives are invaluable in driving research that is both relevant and impactful.” She highlighted the COMMUNITY Center, a collaboration with PAGNY and other institutions funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), which seeks to address health disparities in chronic disease through a community-centered, cross-disciplinary approach.

Dr. Terry emphasized the importance of breaking down silos between research areas. “The root causes of health disparities—whether environmental, social, or economic—are interconnected,” she explained. “Our work, such as training community health workers to improve cancer screening rates within African American church congregations, shows that research and community-driven health interventions go hand in hand.”

PAGNY Research Day serves as a vital platform for disseminating research that directly impacts New York City’s diverse patient population. From studies on social determinants of health to evidence-based solutions for chronic disease management, the research presented offers a pathway toward a healthier and more equitable future.

“Research saves lives,” Dr. Terry stressed. “By prioritizing collaboration and placing community needs at the forefront, we can create research outcomes that are not only scientifically sound but also culturally and socially meaningful.”

Physician Affiliate Group of New York, P.C. (PAGNY) is one of the largest physician groups in New York State and directly employs nearly 4,000 physicians and allied health professionals as part of the NYC Health + Hospitals health care system. PAGNY’s mission is to provide accountable, responsive, quality care with the highest degree of sensitivity to the needs of the diverse population that lives in our New York community.

For more information, and to view the winning abstract posters, visit https://www.pagny.org/research/research-day/2024/. Media inquiries: Erin Schmidt at eschmidt@threefuries.com.