In the past, patients having colorectal surgery required an operation with large incisions, called open surgery. Today, colorectal surgeons perform many procedures using minimally invasive techniques. “This means smaller incisions, faster recovery, with less pain and less need for opioid painkillers,” said Ziad N. Kronfol, M.D., a colorectal surgeon with Highland Surgical Associates and Montefiore Nyack Hospital.

On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds. Nearly 795,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke each year.

A stroke is a medical emergency. It can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death. During a stroke, every minute counts. ‘The faster a person having a stroke gets to the Stroke Center, the faster we can intervene to save the brain and the person’s quality of life,” said Andrew Erian, MD, Director of Stroke at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Highland Medical, P.C.

Clinical trials are medical research studies that look for new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. Cancer patients at Montefiore Nyack Hospital are evaluated to see if they are eligible for a clinical trial. Those who choose to participate in a clinical trial receive comprehensive, advanced care, sometimes well before it is available anywhere else, according to Sung Ho Lee, M.D., Director of Clinical Research at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.

As a growing number of patients are discharged from the hospital sooner, with more complex medical needs, the role of home care is expanding. Today, home care nurses care for very sick patients who require extremely skilled high-tech nursing care at home.

Home care organizations also provide physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, as well as social workers and home health aides.

An estimated 8 million people in the United States have congestive heart failure (CHF). Today, there are a variety of effective treatments for CHF. That wasn’t always the case, according to Ulrich Jorde, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Co-Director, Montefiore Nyack Hospital Congestive Heart Failure Program.

Choosing well-fitting footwear is one important way to protect your feet this summer, says Steven Adler, D.P.M., Director of Podiatry at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.

“Make sure summer shoes fit appropriately,” he said. “Flip-flops are fine for around the pool, but don’t wear them to play football or Frisbee—you can easily injure yourself.” Flip-flops with padding or thick bottoms can cushion the ball of your foot. Look for flip-flops with arch support to provide stability and balance.

The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain. But women are more likely than men to report other less obvious heart attack warning signs such as severe fatigue, shortness of breath or nausea, according to David Southren, MD, FACC, Director of Cardiology at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Cardiologist with Highland Medical, P.C.

If you have shoulder pain, it may not be obvious whether you should see a doctor about it, or try to tough it out with over-the-counter pain relievers, ice, and rest. If your shoulder aches after an activity such as shoveling snow, you can most likely give it time to heal. But if you experience pain after falling, have a significant strain injury or feel a pop or tearing sensation in your shoulder, then it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible, says Jason Fond, MD, Director of Orthopedic Surgery, Montefiore Nyack Hospital.