Does Anyone Remember “The Purple Book”?
I found my Purple Book in the bottom of a drawer when doing some cleaning. Although well used it was in good shape, and brought back memories of my early career. The book was published just as I was beginning my first job as attending physician and director of research in a large nursing home in the Bronx. During my geriatric fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center I became interested in chronic wounds because many patients suffered with them but there was little information available on prevention and treatment.
Wound Care for Geriatricians and Primary Care Practitioners
For this issue of Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, I invited leaders in the field to share their knowledge and expertise with the goal of educating clinicians on the basics of wound care. It is both an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to bring together information that will improve care of vulnerable adults in an area where it is most needed.
New Reference Work on Pressure Injuries and Chronic Wounds
I am proud to introduce my volume in Elsevier's series of Clinics in Geriatric Medicine entitled Pressure Injuries and Chronic Wounds. To complete this work I invited leaders in the field to share their knowledge and expertise with the goal of educating clinicians on...
Wet Cement—A Preventable Cause of Chemical Burn
Few people are aware that wet cement is a strong alkali that can cause deep third-degree burns necessitating surgical debridement and prolonged healing time. Chemical burns from cement can be avoided by adequate skin and eye protection as well as immediate first aid.
Wound Care Education for Medical Doctors: Filling the Gap
Doctors need to be taught how to assess and document wounds, prognosticate healing, address underlying comorbidities, and choose among the multiplicity of wound care treatment modalities. The task is huge, but I am pleased to make a small contribution to closing the gap.
Academic Promotion at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine
I am delighted to announce my promotion to Clinical Professor of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Teaching medical students, residents, and fellows has been a passion, and over the years I had the honor and privilege of mentoring trainees through dozens of research projects related to wound care.
Medicine & Art (Not necessarily in that order)
This video presentation was delivered in March 2023 in the Winter Talk series sponsored by NYC Urban Sketchers, hosted by Mark Leibowitz. Here I discuss how I have integrated medicine with art, and art with medicine, in the course of my career as a medical doctor in Manhattan.
New Textbook Chapter on Pressure Injuries & Chronic Wounds
I am thrilled that my chapter entitled Pressure Injury and Chronic Wounds was just published in a major new reference work. The textbook is entitled Geriatric Medicine: A Person Centered Evidence Based Approach and is available on Springerlink. My chapter is illustrated by photos taken over years in practice, and illustrations that demonstrate pressure injury staging and aging skin.
Pressure Relief and Pressure Redistribution: What is the Difference?
These terms refer to different strategies and techniques used to alleviate and prevent excessive pressure on a person’s skin and underlying tissues, which can lead to tissue damage and the alterations in skin integrity.
Malnutrition Can Impact Wound Healing
To promote effective wound healing, it’s essential for individuals who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition to address their nutritional deficiencies through dietary improvements or, in severe cases, medical interventions such as nutritional supplements, feeding tubes, or intravenous nutrition.
Wound Bed Preparation is a Crucial Strategy to Heal Chronic Wounds
Wound bed preparation is a dynamic process that may require multiple interventions and ongoing care. The goal is to create an environment conducive to healing, reduce complications, and promote the restoration of normal tissue. Healthcare professionals, including wound care specialists, play a critical role in managing wound bed preparation for patients.
Vitamins and Wound Healing
Wound healing is a complex biological process that involves inflammation, tissue formation, and tissue remodeling. Vitamin supplements can play a role in wound healing by supporting various aspects of the body’s natural healing processes.