New Year’s Eve before 2020, everyone was hopeful that this was a special year. It was a year to have clear vision. Little did we know then that this was the year to have the worst pandemic in history. Society’s horrible greed was put on hold. 

The worldwide epidemic of this vicious disease, COVID-19, closed down our lives into lockdown and isolation, and the threat of death pervades the world. 

The masks hide who we are and thus further isolates us from others emotionally. Isolation has forced communication virtually through the technology. Technology inhibits touch, feel, and eye contact, almost how an autistic individual communicates. 

My work as a physician in palliative care and oncology as a pioneer years back in the 70’s and 80’s was all about touch and feel and comfort. I faced the horrors of the worst diseases then, cancer and AIDS, and never thought of the danger to me. I was passionate about caring, consoling, and giving comfort to my patients in whatever way I could. 

The health care workers of today have that altruistic trait. They are the brave ones who faced the danger to themselves in order to help others— a duty beyond their understanding.

I wish to honor them for their courage to save humanity and me. It is a story of the WE, not the ME.  I painted their portraits as I see them and wrote the narrative as “my heroes.” I asked them to express what they learned about life and what they learned about their own life force as a final question in a video. 

I thank those who offered themselves to me. I am ever grateful to these heroes who helped to save the world.      

For more information please visit https://spark.adobe.com/page/REV2JE8COm4Bf/

The Art Curator and Archives are pleased to announce the latest installment of "Spotlight on Montefiore", Laboratories Get Results, focusing on the Department of Pathology. The center display case features artwork that evokes a garden, but it is actually a mosaic of pathology slide images. The work was created by Jodi's summer intern, Livia Bartels. This exhibit was made possible by contributions from several people in the Department of Pathology and always reliable assistance from Engineering.

Founded as the MonteFiore Home for Chronic Invalids, only patients with incurable diseases and long-term illnesses were admitted for care. Often patients were here for months, if not years. The Ladies’ Auxiliary provided entertainment for all patients and education for the children with the NYC Board of Education supplying a teacher. The adult patients published their own paper, the Montefiore Echo. Radio shows were broadcast live from the hospital with stars like Ethel Merman. Harry M. Warner, a Montefiore Trustee, donated equipment for talking pictures and built a movie hall for the patients. Special meals and entertainment were provided during holidays to remove the sting of being away from home. This tradition continues today with a myriad of visitors and activities arranged year round for the patients at the CHAM.

For more information, click here.

Courtesy of the Fine Arts Program at Montefiore.

For more information, click here.

Courtesy of the Fine Arts Program at Montefiore.

For more information, click here.

Statement by Elizabeth Knowles, artist:

Night Vision, x-ray film, staples 

By exploring the visual patterns of growth and form in nature, my work with X-ray film cut-outs investigates the relationship between intimate human patterns and organic forms in the larger natural world.  Dozens of conventional rectangular x-rays have been cut and transformed into plant-like shapes, revealing various skeletal structures inside an array of organic formations.

Courtesy of the Fine Arts Program at Montefiore.

An introspective look at the staff of Montefiore for over 100 years.  This exhibition is a true showcase of the many duties, tasks, and jobs that go on everyday behind the scenes.  Without these individuals the hospital would cease to function and we want to thank you them for their years of service.  

Each and every one of our staff plays a vital role in providing an exceptional patient experience. Some of those roles are more visible, while others are behind the scenes.  

Our Facilities and Engineering Department is responsible for ensuring that all of our facilities are state-of-the-art, clean and safe, and welcoming to all patients and visitors. Our Nutrition Department is responsible for providing food for our patients, visitors and associates. And not just any food—our culinary offerings have received Gold Star recognition, the highest award possible, from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

Many others work in administrative roles. These roles—whether in Montefiore Information Technology, Finance or Community Relations, to name just a few—are critical to the operations of the health system. They are all responsible for advancing the health of our patients and communities.

There are countless other departments collaborating daily to elevate the Montefiore experience. It would not be possible to provide the highest levels of care to all those we serve without their expertise, passion and commitment. We thank them for all that they do every day to make Montefiore a truly remarkable place.

Montefiore presents The Art of Transplant, an exhibition that illustrates the evolution of transplant surgery in conjunction with a contemporary interpretation by artist-in-resident Brittany Miller. The exhibition represents the culmination of Miller’s yearlong collaboration with the Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation.

For more information, click here.

Sir Moses Montefiore was the most widely known Jewish leader and philanthropist of the 19th century.  Born in Italy on October 24, 1784, he spent most of his life in England, marrying into the Rothschild family, achieving great wealth, becoming sheriff of London, being knighted by Queen Victoria, and using his money and influence to protect his fellow Jews from the rulers of the Ottoman and Russian empires.

For more information, click here.

The partnership between Montefiore and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is 50 years strong. The agreement comes more than a half century into Montefiore and Einstein’s partnership, which has resulted in centers of excellence advancing science, clinical care and education, attracting the very best students, scientists, clinicians and teams of the future.

Today, these institutions are embarking on a momentous new chapter that promises to advance their shared goal to shape a world where future generations are assured of the most advanced and comprehensive healthcare services available.

For more information, click here.

Acknowledgements: D. Samuel Gottesman Library, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Harry M. Zimmerman, MD Archives, Montefiore Medical Center, Montefiore Fine Art Program and Collection Office of Development, Montefiore