Weill Cornell Medicine

01/08/2026

Addiction Is Treatable. Brian’s Journey Shows How

Brian grew up in a small Massachusetts town. On paper, everything looked promising. But in college, alcohol and painkillers took hold. With a family history of alcohol use disorder, he now sees how genetics and environment played a role.

Brian’s peers drank too, “but maybe not as much as I was,” he says. At 21, he was hospitalized with alcohol‑induced pancreatitis. His body was sending a clear message. He vowed to stop.

But addiction doesn’t loosen its grip easily.

After college, Brian moved to NYC for a demanding finance job. Though outwardly successful, he secretly continued to struggle with addiction.

In November 2022, his struggle peaked. “I had a seizure. My partner called 911, and I ended up spending a couple of days in emergency care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. A few days later, I decided to go to rehab.”

Before rehab, Brian started seeing Dr. Jonathan Avery for ADHD and addiction and was diagnosed with OCD.

Recovery wasn’t a single step. It was a network of support:
• Regular check‑ins with Dr. Avery
• A personal psychotherapist
• A 90‑day intensive outpatient program
• Group therapy
• Alcoholics Anonymous and a dedicated sponsor

Brian has been sober for three years. He volunteers with Weill Cornell Medicine’s SAFE (Support, Advocacy, and Family Education) program, supporting individuals affected by addiction.

He also embraces recovery. “I never assume my addiction issues are gone forever,” he says. That mindset keeps him grounded and compassionate.

More people like Brian recover than most realize. “Stigma blinds us to that hopeful view,” says Dr. Avery. SAFE is proof that with the right support, recovery isn’t just possible—it’s likely.

SAFE offers:

• Family consultations with an addiction psychiatrist
• Guidance on inpatient and outpatient treatment
• Peer support from volunteers like Brian
• Monthly webinars on topics like digital addiction, va**ng, and the brain science of substance use.

Dr. Avery plans to expand the SAFE program, continuing to fight addiction and shame.

Full story: https://weillcornell.org/news/having-overcome-addiction-he%E2%80%99s-living-his-best-life

01/08/2026

Many women assume pelvic floor health issues are simply their fate – part of having vaginal deliveries, getting older, gaining weight or entering menopause.

Perhaps they have watched their mothers and grandmothers live with symptoms, such as urinary incontinence and pain. Though pelvic floor disorders happen when the muscles and tissues that support the bladder, bowel and uterus weaken or don’t work properly, and affect one-third of all women, they are not a normal part of aging.

But the misconception – that nothing can be done – keeps women from seeking help.

“There are so many people suffering from this, but people don't talk about it and are often embarrassed,” said Dr. Larissa Rodríguez, chair of the Department of Urology and the James J. C**t Professor of Urology at Weill Cornell Medicine and urologist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Read more at https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/01/urologist-breaks-silence-womens-pelvic-floor-disorders.

12/23/2025

Just in time for the holidays! Dr. Amanda Kravitz, pediatrician, tells us what to know about the new flu strain as cases rise.

https://cbsn.ws/44L42ng

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there have been 4.6 million flu cases across the U.S. since the season began. Dr. Amanda Kravitz, a pediatrician at Weill Cornell in New York, explains what to know about rising cases, symptoms to watch for and how to protect your family.

12/19/2025

The holidays bring joy, family and celebration but they can also bring stress, especially when political differences surface.

Here are some quick, psychologically informed tips from Dr. Daniel Knoepflmacher of Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital to help keep the peace and preserve relationships this season:

🔔 Set expectations: Ask to avoid controversial topics and focus on what brings everyone together.
🔔 Highlight common ground: Shared values, past experiences, and fun activities like music, games, or food.
🔔 Avoid moral judgments: Skip phrases like “you’re wrong” or “that’s stupid” — they only raise the temperature.
🔔 Listen and show understanding: Reflect on what matters most to the other person.
🔔Use curiosity to reduce conflict: Ask “Can you help me understand how that will work?”
🔔Label emotions: Calm tension by naming what’s happening: “I’m feeling defensive, but I want a calm discussion.”
🔔Disengage gently: If things escalate, switch topics or step away.
🔔Use humor to lighten the mood
🔔Take care of yourself: If needed, skip the gathering and plan something joyful and restorative instead.

12/17/2025

Forty years of research have transformed HIV into a manageable condition, but continued support is essential to find a cure.

Though antiretroviral therapy (ART) has saved more than 20 million lives since 1996, it is not a cure. ART helps people with HIV live longer and maintain their health, but they must continue taking the medication for the rest of their lives to keep the inactive virus reservoir in check.

That’s why Dr. Brad Jones and his team at Weill Cornell Medicine are leading the Innovative Strategies for Personalized Immunotherapies and Reservoir Eradication (INSPIRE) program, funded by NIH, to develop treatments that target hidden HIV-infected cells and move us closer to a cure.

Here’s What We Know:
- HIV research has already saved millions of lives.
- A cure for HIV is possible with basic research and clinical trials supported by funding.

Learn more about the groundbreaking work happening at Weill Cornell Medicine.

12/11/2025

Last week, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated its hepatitis B vaccine recommendations for newborns, now delaying the first dose until two months of age instead of immediately after birth.

This change may have caused uncertainty for some parents, but Drs. Laura E. Riley and Sallie Permar explain why they continue to recommend the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.

Here’s what we know:
- Hepatitis B is highly infectious. Even with prenatal screening, babies can still be at risk between tests.
- Childhood vaccines like the hepatitis B undergo rigorous safety testing.
- The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect newborns and infants from hepatitis B, a serious infection that can cause lifelong liver disease.

Parents, you deserve clear information and confidence in your choices. The hepatitis B vaccine at birth is a proven way to keep your little one safe.

Please speak with your pediatrician and obstetrician to help you make an informed decision about the best approach for your baby.

12/10/2025

Rebecca Gruber was shocked when her first colonoscopy led to a diagnosis of Stage 3 colon cancer.

Now, with the help of Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman of Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Rebecca is bravely sharing her story to encourage others not to delay their colonoscopies, as she did.

More people under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with colon cancer, leading doctors to recommend that people begin to get screened at age 45.

Rebecca and Dr. Schnoll-Sussman want people to know that they shouldn't fear colonoscopies and that early detection from these screenings can save lives.

12/04/2025

At 23, Anya Zach-Salon was chasing her publishing dreams in NYC when persistent headaches led to a shocking diagnosis: a brain tumor in her fourth ventricle, a critical area near the brainstem where cerebrospinal fluid flows.

"I had headaches before, so having a headache wasn't a concern," Anya recalls. "I never thought it could be a brain tumor."

With expert care from Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield of Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Anya underwent complex brain surgery and months of rehab. Her courage never wavered.

“These tumors require precise surgical technique due to their location near critical brainstem structures,” Dr. Greenfield explains. “Our goal is always complete removal while preserving neurological function.”

Ten years later, Anya is thriving: married to her college sweetheart, working in children’s publishing, biking through Minneapolis with her two poodles, and still devouring fiction.

Her advice to others facing brain surgery: “Trust the process and trust the doctors. Life will go on, and it’s going to be okay.”

12/03/2025

Protecting infants from hepatitis B starts at birth.

Since 1991, when the American Academy of Pediatrics first recommended hepatitis B vaccination for newborns, the infection rates among children and young adults have decreased by almost 99%.

Dr. Sallie Permar explains why the hepatitis B vaccine is vital for newborns: it offers lifelong protection against a serious, potentially life-threatening infection and helps prevent chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

Here's What We Know:
- Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for babies within 24 hours after birth and for pregnant women to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Boosters are recommended for infants at one and six months of age to ensure stronger lifelong protection.
- Newborns and infants infected with hepatitis B have about a 90% chance of developing chronic infection, compared to only about 5% of adults who contract hepatitis B.

If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your obstetrician and pediatrician.

Watch Dr. Permar's video to learn more.

11/30/2025

Stomach cancer often flies under the radar but it shouldn’t.

It’s more common in men, especially those with reflux, obesity, or chronic stress. Early signs like abdominal pain, feeling full too soon, or unexplained weight loss can be easy to ignore. Don’t.

Prevention starts with:
• Treating H. Pylori infections
• Eating more fruits & veggies
• Managing reflux and weight
• Knowing your family history (Lynch Syndrome, CDH1 mutations)

The good news? Targeted therapies, such as Zolbetuximab, and immunotherapy are changing the game even for advanced cases.

Talk to your doctor. Ask about endoscopy screenings. Stay ahead of the curve.

11/26/2025

This Thanksgiving, we reflect on the shared passion that unites Weill Cornell Medicine as we work together to improve the lives of those we serve.

We are thankful for the exceptional people and bonds that make our community special. Happy Thanksgiving!

11/23/2025

Ever notice a weird bulge when you stand up?

It might be a hernia and it’s more common than you think.

A hernia happens when part of your insides (like your intestine or stomach) pushes through a weak spot in your muscle wall.

Dr. Anton Kelly explains, “Hernias either stay the same, or they grow. Most of them grow, and eventually, they’ll reach a point where they require medical attention.”

The good news? Surgery is usually quick, outpatient, and has an extremely high success rate, ranging from 95% to 97%.