Medical Updates to Highlight HIV and Lung, Eye Disorders

While New york City is known for its world-class theatric, artistic, athletic, musical, and financial performances, it also boasts an impressive concentration of medical schools and teaching hospitals. Indeed, there are four medical schools affiliated with multiple hospitals in Manhattan, two in the other boroughs, and three in nearby counties. Drawn from this distinguished pool of medical talent are four academic physicians who will be featured in the medical update series at APA's 58th Institute on Psychiatric Services, to be held in the Big Apple October 5 to 8.

These four sessions are intended for a general medical audience, and each will cover a topic area of special significance to psychiatrists.

On Thursday, October 5, at 8 a.m., kenneth M. Prager, M.D., will discuss pulmonary disease. This topic is especially important because of the staggering prevalence of cigarette smoking among people with mental illness. Prager will review the evaluation of pulmonary functioning, the effects of smoking and pollution, and the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive and interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary neoplasms.

Prager is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Medical School. He was trained in internal medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in Manhattan and Billings Hospital of the University of Chicago. In addition to his work as a clinical professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, he serves as the director of clinical ethics and chair of the Medical Ethics Committee at New york Presbyterian Hospital.

At 10 a.m. that day, Joseph z. Lux, M.D., will discuss HIv and AIDS. Although neuropsychiatric and psychosocial issues pertaining to HIv will be addressed in an institute symposium, this presentation will focus on the medical progress in evaluating and treating patients infected with the virus and its common comorbidities.

Lux is board certified in internal medicine and infectious disease in addition to psychiatry. He completed a residency in internal medicine at New york University and an infectious disease fellowship at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons before training in psychiatry at St. vincent's Hospital in Manhattan. Lux is an attending psychiatrist in the HIv and consultation-liaison services at Bellevue Hospital and an assistant professor at New york University School of Medicine.

Also on Thursday, at 3:30 p.m., James C. Tsai, M.D., will offer an overview of ophthalmology, a topic that is particularly relevant as baby boomers—both our patients and ourselves—grow older. Tsai will discuss the latest advances in the diagnosis and medical and surgical management of glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and corneal disease.

Tsai completed his medical degree at Stanford, his residency at the University of Southern California's Doheny Eye Institute, and two clinical fellowships at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and at the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. He is an associate professor of ophthalmology and director of the Glaucoma Division at the Harkness Eye Institute of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

On Friday, October 6, at 10 a.m., F. Russell kellogg, M.D., will discuss preventive health care. Timely care provided by primary care physicians can reduce the death rate among people under age 65. kellogg will analyze current medical evidence for common preventive interventions, including screening, immunizations, and counseling. He will also discuss the role of routine health examinations and testing for asymptomatic persons and the value of understanding each patient's risk profile.

Kellogg is a graduate of New york Medical College and is a board certified internist and geriatrician with a faculty appointment at New york Medical College. He has spent his career in the Department of Community Medicine at St. vincent's Hospital in Manhattan. For the past five years he has served as department chair and director of the primary care adult medicine resident training program.

More information on the institute is posted at<www.psych.org/edu/ann_mtgs/ips/06/index.cfm>.▪