Weill Cornell Medicine

Your bones do a lot more than provide structural support and protect your vital organs. Newly discovered stem cells found exclusively in bone may offer insights into conditions such as cancer and Alzheimer’s and point the way to new therapies for various diseases. “The unifying thread running through my lab’s research is that bone is formed by a composite of site-specific stem cells, where each of those stem cells is adapted to meet the needs of their respective locations,” says Dr. Matthew Greenblatt, who leads the research team. “And the flip side of that is, each site-specific stem cell can account for the signature disease processes of those sites.” In addition to offering promise for treatments for skeletal disorders, cancer and Alzheimer’s, the emerging research points to a “bone-brain axis,” with links to neurodegenerative disorders. “The discoveries of these stem cells are allowing us to identify the specific biology underlying diseases that are associated with different parts of the skeleton,” Dr. Greenblatt says, crediting his pioneering team. “Their engagement and passion have translated into tangible discoveries that we think could really make a difference.” Read our latest issue of IMPACT: https://bit.ly/3T846Yj

Going back to school just got a little sweeter! Our campus-wide Staff Equity and Inclusion Council (SEIC) held its second annual backpack drive, with several departments across Weill Cornell Medicine donating supplies. SEIC members packed 120 backpacks and three teacher bundles for three NYC schools. Each student receives a backpack filled with all the necessary supplies, including notebooks, folders, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, a ruler, scissors, a pencil case, pencils, pens, crayons, highlighters, and erasers. What a successful, kind and thoughtful activity from our Weill Cornell Medicine community.

We won't soon forget the wonderful memories we made at last week's White Coat Ceremony! Watch some of our favorite moments with the Class of 2028 and hear the incredible stories that brought them to Weill Cornell Medicine.

A co-institutional team has received a $12.4 million grant to study diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common form of lymphoma. “This generous grant will allow us to make real advances in understanding lymphoma biology, but it is built on substantial foundations we’ve laid in recent years with our collaborative basic and preclinical research, as well as clinical trials,” Dr. Leandro Cerchietti said. DLBCL represents a significant challenge for cancer biologists because about 40% of patients either don’t respond well to initial chemotherapy or end up relapsing. Response rates also can vary dramatically among different DLBCL subtypes. Led by Dr. Cerchietti of Weill Cornell Medicine and Dr. Christopher Flowers of MD Anderson Cancer Center, projects funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant will focus on understanding the complex processes that trigger and sustain the disease. Full story: https://lnkd.in/eeT_hRHB

Some patients with severe brain injury show clear signs of cognitive function on brain scans in response to requests to carry out complex mental work, even when they can’t move or speak, according to new findings. The international study, co-led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was the largest-ever investigation of the prevalence of cognitive-motor dissociation, a condition in which a patient in a coma or vegetative state cannot make visible responses to bedside commands but appears to retain some cognitive abilities. The researchers observed that among 241 patients in a coma or vegetative state who could not make visible responses to bedside commands, one-fourth had sustained and relevant cognitive responses as shown on electroencephalography (EEG) readouts or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. The patients were tested with consent from a surrogate at six academic medical centers, all part of a larger consortium that undertook the study. “I think we now have an ethical obligation to engage with these patients, to try to help them connect to the world," says Dr. Nicholas Schiff of Weill Cornell Medicine. Full story: https://bit.ly/4dD3VvU

Our annual White Coat Ceremony celebrated our newest class of aspiring physicians. "You will have the opportunity to develop your talents in many exciting ways at Weill Cornell Medicine, an institution that supports a tripartite mission to care, discover and teach," Dean Robert A. Harrington told the Class of 2028. "Today’s ceremony is a rite of passage, marking the start of your lifelong commitment to patient care and ethical practice. The physician’s white coat and stethoscope are the most visible symbols of our honorable profession." Congratulations and welcome to the Class of 2028! Read our story and see more photos here: https://bit.ly/3M5hDff

"I feel honored to begin my medical school journey as the first doctor in my family," says Jhoely Duque-Jimenez. "My parents remember their experiences on Ecuador’s farms, struggling with poverty and the trek it was to get here. This means the world to them." In front of her beaming family, Jhoely slipped on her white coat with the Class of 2028 at our annual White Coat Ceremony, which marks the start of students' medical careers. Jhoely's dedication to serving as a voice and advocating for others began early. "My parents faced the challenges of being immigrants and accessing healthcare," she recalls. Growing up in towns north of New York City, Jhoely would interpret for her mom at doctors' appointments, communicating not only what the doctor said, but helping her mom understand, for example, why she needed to finish a course of antibiotics. During her college and gap years, Jhoely volunteered and led a program at Brigham and Women's Hospital that documents Spanish-speaking patients' life stories and integrates them into their medical records. This solidified her passion for Latine health advocacy. "Over time," she recalls, "my passion for medicine grew." When her younger brother, Jorge, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2021, Jhoely again stepped up to help her family. It was a pivotal experience. "This strengthened my oncology interest and desire to ensure patients feel empowered to advocate for themselves," says Jhoely. A first-generation college student, Jhoely graduated from Boston University in 2022 and spent two years working in the Zhou lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Jhoely was introduced to Weill Cornell Medicine when her brother received care here and interacted with his compassionate team. After being accepted, Jhoely attended a welcome event and felt she belonged. "The students and faculty interacted like family, and family is important to me," she says. After guiding others on their journeys, Jhoely is ready for her own. "I am embarking on this long but worthwhile journey that I am passionate about and hope to inspire others in my community that it is possible," she says. #whitecoat #wcm2028

A year ago, Nick Rosenfeld and Myles Reed slipped on their white coats to begin their medical school careers. Now, the second-year Weill Cornell Medicine students are passing along a few things they've learned to the next class. Watch their special message to the Class of 2028!

Exciting news! Join us in congratulating Dr. Katzen.