Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center

Internal Medicine: An Unmatched Commitment in Providing the Highest Quality Medical Care to the Adult Population

Dr. Sridhar S. Chilimuri, Chairman, Department of Medicine.

The Department of Medicine is the largest medical department at Bronx-Lebanon, with 70 Attending Physicians and 96 Residents. Its highly trained physicians, under the direction of Dr. Sridhar S. Chilimuri, provide services in many specialty areas. The department consists of fourteen major divisions: Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Epidemiology, Gastroenterology, Hematology, Infectious Diseases/AIDS, Nephrology, Neurology/Physical, Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oncology, Primary Care and Preventive Medicine, Pulmonary/Critical Care, Rheumatology, and Geriatrics.

Among the major diseases that are having a significant impact on the Bronx community are diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.

Dr. Dimple Patel, Chief, Primary Care and Preventive Medicine, examining patient, Ariel Sprauve.

DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION
In the diabetes and hypertension areas, the Division of Primary Care and Preventive Medicine, under the direction of Dr. Dimple Patel, has been most successful in alerting community residents to the seriousness of diabetes, as well as encouraging them to recognize the symptoms, seek help, and improve their quality of life. Education and treatment services are provided by a multi-disciplinary team.

The Division of Primary Care and Preventive Medicine was also selected by the New York City Department of Health to launch important disease prevention initiatives. As a result, the first Diabetes Registry in the Bronx was established. More than 2,500 diabetics are enrolled in this important program.

In the hypertension area, a blood pressure monitoring effort was implemented, which was also made possible through the NYC Department of Health. It involves home blood pressure monitors being distributed, with the ultimate aim of helping patients control their blood pressure. 300 patients are now enrolled in this innovative program.

ASTHMA

The Division of Pulmonary Medicine/Critical Care, under the leadership of Dr. Gilda Diaz-Fuentes, has been taking an active role in the treatment and management of asthma.

Educational programs have been implemented to teach patients and community residents how to address their asthma and prevent crisis situations.

An asthma service was also recently established in the ER, enabling patients to be immediately treated and then referred to the Asthma Center.

Dr. Gilda Diaz-Fuentes, Chief, Pulmonary/Critical Care, and her patient, Josefa Rojas.

HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY Another important focus of the Department of Medicine has been winning the war against cancer. Its Division of Hematology and Oncology, under the direction of Dr. Zwi Schreiber, Chief, Hematology and Dr. Mary Reed, Chief, Oncology, has been a leader in the fight against this deadly disease, achieving a high survival rate for cancer patients.
	Dr. Mary Reed, Chief, Oncology, examining patient, Amelia Gidi.

NEUROLOGY, PHYSICAL MEDICINE, AND REHABILITATION

When it comes to addressing stroke related problems, and even migraine headaches, the department’s Division of Neurology/Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, under the direction of Dr. Jay Lombard, is providing expert care.

It is a New York State Department of Health designated Stroke Center.

The division’s neurologists are also treating Multiple Sclerosis, through an affiliation with the New York City Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Dr. Jay Lombard, Chief, Neurology/Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation, reviewing brain scan.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

As far as stomach, intestinal, and liver disorders, the department’s Division of Gastroenterology, under the direction of Dr. Bhavna Balar, is meeting the diverse needs of patients by providing a full range of accessible and quality medical services.

Its state-of-the-art Endoscopy Suite has dramatically improved accuracy in diagnosing colon cancer.

The division is also participating in a citywide colorectal cancer screening initiative that is reaching a large segment of the Bronx population.

Dr. Prospere Remy, Attending, Gastroenterology, performing endoscopy procedure.

OTHER KEY SERVICES
The Department of Medicine has significantly expanded its efforts in the community. Its physicians provide the medical staffing and leadership for many of the BronxCare primary practices, as well as specialty programs, including those in Renal Dialysis, under the direction of Dr. Mahendraray Dave; Endocrinology, under the direction of Dr. Marcia Palace; and Dermatology, under the direction of Dr. Donald Rudikoff.

“Our community deserves the best and we are proud to have the best team of physicians, with an unmatched commitment and compassion, delivering the highest quality of medical care,” stated Dr. Chilimuri.

Dr. Pamela Jakubowicz, Attending Dermatologist, Department of Medicine, examining patient, Ramona Hogans.