Current News and Press Releases

FREE Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Seminars To Be Held At Healthcare Associates

Healthcare Associates' Neurosurgeons Dr. Edwin M. Chang, Dr. Anthony J.G. Alastra and Dr. John S. Shiau will each give free presentations to the local community on how to provide relief for those suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis. Dr. Shiau will give the first presentation on Monday, March 8th while Dr. Chang and Dr. Alastra will each give separate presentations on Tuesday, March 16th and Tuesday, March 23rd respectively. All three presentations will be held at 6:30 PM at 1099 Targee Street, Staten Island New York, 10304. Those interested in attending are encouraged to R.S.V.P. via e-mail to PR@hca-si.com or by telephone at 718-612-6962.

NEUROSURGEONS TO ACCEPT AWARD FOR TOP RANKING

We at Healthcare Associates in Medicine, P.C. pride ourselves on the ability to provide some of the best and most comprehensive health care in the United States. We were gratified to receive recognition of this when our neurosurgery department was listed in the top one-percent of hospitals nationwide for Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News and World Report this past summer. All three of HCA's neurosurgeons, Dr. Edwin M. Chang, Dr. John S. Shiau and Dr. Anthony J.G. Alastra currently have appointments at SIUH. In addition, Dr. Chang is the chief of Neurological Surgery for the hospital. This prestigious acknowledgement will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at the Vanderbilt in Staten Island, New York when all three neurosurgeons receive awards for their services to the patients of the community. "We are happy to see that our doctors are receiving the recognition that they deserve," said HCA CEO Paul I. Berkley. "This listing proves what the patients in our community already know: our neurosurgeons are three of the best in the country."

With 5,000 hospitals reviewed, we came in at 47 out of 50 nationwide. Our neurosurgeons (the only ones on Staten Island) received 5 out of 5 for patient safety. According to the list, this number indicates the success in minimizing patient injuries and deaths from avoidable accidents and poor medical care. Additionally, the department received 4 out of 5 regarding the availability and implementation of key technologies (e.g. diagnostic radioisotope services, image-guided radiation therapy, etc.) and 8 out of 9 for patient services. Patient services include elements ranging from an Alzheimer's center to palliative care.

Our ranking is even more impressive once the rating factors are fully accounted for. On the scale for "reputation" or awareness, we received a 0.0. According to the survey, reputation is determined by the percentage of relative specialists who recommended the hospital for "challenging cases and procedures." Due to a lack of identity, our ranking in this area was low. Considering that our awareness level was not as high as others on the list, our ranking is further proof of the quality of care we provide; regardless of the popularity level of the department. For further information and to review the full list of hospitals please go to health.usnews.com/health/best-hospitals/neurology-and-neurosurgery-hospital-rankings/

This listing by the U.S. News & World Report demonstrates our commitment to providing the local community with the best and most comprehensive care they deserve. The physicians and staff of Healthcare Associates in Medicine are dedicated to providing every patient with the appropriate care and treatment based on their personal condition. This is accomplished through coordination of service and by aggressively representing each patient's personal circumstances whereby their care is our primary concern.

FREE Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Presentations to be held at Healthcare Associates. - October 26, 2009

Healthcare Associates' Neurosurgeons Dr. Edwin M. Chang, Dr. Anthony J.G. Alastra and Dr. John S. Shiau will each give free presentations on how to provide relief for those suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, it was announced today. Dr. Chang will give the first presentation on Monday, November 2nd while Dr. Alastra and Dr. Shiau will each give separate presentations on Tuesday, November 10th and Tuesday, November 17th, respectively. All three presentations will be held at 7:00 PM at 1099 Targee Street, Staten Island New York, 10304. Those interested in attending are encouraged to R.S.V.P. via e-mail to PR@hca-si.com or by telephone at 718-612-6962.

As the only neurosurgeons on Staten Island, each physician has stellar credentials. Chief of the Neurosurgical Departments at Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center and an NYPD Honorary Police Surgeon, Dr. Chang specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all aspects of complex upper, mid and lower back pain. A true visionary, Dr. Shiau has established himself as a leader and expert in the field of minimally invasive neurosurgery. In addition to having trained colleagues nationwide and abroad in spinal MIS techniques and cranial endoscopy, he has also performed more of these procedures than any physician in the metropolitan area. Dr. Alastra, meanwhile, has pioneered the use of a unique embolization technique to treat aneurysms, AVM's (Arterio-Venous Malformations) and fistulas and to reduce blood loss encountered in many brain, head, neck and spinal tumors. All three neurosurgeons were recently bestowed with the prestigious ranking of the top 1 percent for neurosurgery hospitals in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. Each physician also currently has appointments at Staten Island University Hospital.

Dr. Vincent Ruggiero named President of The Brooklyn Orthopaedic Society - October 2009

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Vincent Ruggiero has been named President of The Brooklyn Orthopaedic Society for the 2009-2010 academic year. The Brooklyn Orthopaedic Society is an ongoing academic and clinical orthopaedic organization founded for the purpose of establishing and evaluating methodology in order to institute and practice the highest standards of orthopaedic care both technically and ethically. This is accomplished in keeping with the needs of the patient population and the community being served.

Dr. Ruggiero has diligently served in all aspects of the society as a Treasurer, Secretary and Vice President. The new President has also been a fixture of Healthcare Associates for over a decade. After completing an internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Dr. Ruggiero completed a fellowship and residency at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse. He soon joined Healthcare Associates, providing general orthopaedic care with a sub-specialty in hand surgery. Dr. Ruggiero is currently on the board of directors for Healthcare Associates.

Consistent with the objectives of The Brooklyn Orthopaedic Society, Dr. Ruggiero has scheduled an array of speakers to address the Society in the upcoming academic year. "I am excited to start my term as President of The Brooklyn Orthopaedic Society," said Dr. Ruggiero. "I am particularly looking forward to the line-up of speakers I have scheduled," he said. Scheduled speakers include Dave Lovett, an attorney at the Washington office for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), in October, Dr. Christopher Ahmad, the team physician for the New York Yankees, in January and Dr. Christopher Bono, the chief of Orthopaedic Spine Services at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston, in March.

Healthcare Associates' board of directors would like to extend their congratulations and wish Dr. Ruggiero the best success in his new leadership role for the society. We are confident that Dr. Ruggiero's newly acquired position will further enhance his already stellar reputation as one of New York City's finest orthopaedic physicians.

U.S. News & World Report: SIUH Top 50 hospital for Neurosurgery - August 2009

Healthcare Associates in Medicine, P.C. is proud to announce that Staten Island University Hospital was recently listed as one of the top 50 hospitals nationwide for Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News and World Report. All three of HCA's neurosurgeons, Dr. Edwin M. Chang, Dr. John S. Shiau and Dr. Anthony J.G. Alastra currently have appointments at SIUH. In addition, Dr. Chang is the chief of Neurological Surgery for the hospital. For more information and to review the entire list, please click here:

http://health.usnews.com/health/best-hospitals/neurology-and-neurosurgery-hospital-rankings/

New physician joins Healthcare Associates in Medicine, P.C - August 3, 2009

Orthopaedic Associates, a division of Healthcare Associates in Medicine, is proud to announce the addition of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Daniel S. Markowicz to our practice. Dr. Markowicz will be specializing in total hip and total knee replacements as well as joint reconstruction at Staten Island University Hospital. "I'm very happy to be joining Healthcare and look forward to serving the patients in the community," said Dr. Markowicz. He currently has office hours by appointment at both our 1460 Victory Boulevard and 3311 Hylan Boulevard offices in Staten Island. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Markowicz please call 718-667-7500 or 718-448-3210.

A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Markowicz recently completed a fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). His advanced training and expertise in the field make Dr. Markowicz a welcome asset as he begins his private practice career in the Staten Island community. "With his training at HSS and his specialty in joint reconstruction, Dr. Markowicz is a welcome addition to our practice," said Dr. Joseph A. Suarez, one of HCA's orthopaedic surgeons.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Markowicz attended the Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health. He then went on to complete an internship and residency at the University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. During his training, Dr. Markowicz conducted research regarding nerve injury following total hip replacement as well as analysis on survivorship of total knee replacements.

HCA to Implement Red Flag Rule - June 22, 2009

Beginning on August 1, 2009 Healthcare Associates in Medicine, P.C. will begin implementation of the Red Flags Rule. This will require certain entities, particularly medical practices, to take steps to protect against identity fraud and theft. To do this, we will ask to look at their driver's license or photo identification of each patient that visits our office. We will then take a picture (via web cam) of the patient for filing. This picture will be part of our EMR (eChart) system. In subsequent visits, the patient will no longer have to provide a valid form of identification. Instead, employees will simply check their chart on our internal system to confirm their identity. Pediatric patients will have to have their photo taken annually. This is an important procedure to insure against identity theft. Those practices not in compliance with the law face up to $2,500.00 in fines.

For more information about the rule and its effects please visit:

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/368/red-flags-rule-edu.pdf

HCA on Health Care Reform

We at Healthcare Associates in Medicine, P.C. are keeping a close eye on the impending attempts by the Obama administration to reform health care in the United States. This is a multi-faceted, complex issue with many competing viewpoints and proposals. As one of the top health care providers for residents living in New York and New Jersey, we have carefully reviewed the options being discussed. We have developed our own opinions and recommendations based on the evidence presented. For more on this, please click on the relevant links below:

Current News and Press Releases

HCA on:

Press Releases for 2009