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An Amazing Comeback from COVID: Dr. Tomoaki Kato’s Story

… First published in NYP's Health Matters For years, Tomoaki Kato’s colleagues have marveled at his … Looking down at his newest medal, he reflected, “This is special, because I may not have been here. … I’m just so happy I was able to …

Last Modified: 02/23/2023 - 18:02

Pancreatic Cysts

… benign (non-cancerous) and some of which are associated with pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas; please … in 1-2% of patients undergoing CT or MRI of the abdomen for an unrelated indication. Inflammatory cysts arise in the … and distinguishing among the different types of neoplasm is often straightforward, but at times can be challenging. …

Last Modified: 05/13/2025 - 12:19

Obesity: Understanding Its Causes and Risks

… What is Obesity? Obesity is an excess of body fat, which is … body weight, or a BMI above 35. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 69.2% of American men and women over age 20 are overweight or obese, with 35.9% of adults meeting the criteria for morbid obesity. …

Last Modified: 11/03/2025 - 15:34

Robotic Liver Transplant Surgery

… procedure (replacing a diseased or failing liver with a healthy donor liver). Robotic systems allow surgeons … and 3D visualization. This minimally invasive approach is used in select high-volume transplant centers with … from a living or deceased donor. Robotic surgery allows for a high level of precision and accuracy. The use of …

Last Modified: 04/09/2026 - 12:03

Sarcoma

… A sarcoma is a form of cancer within the connective tissues in the … are over 100 different subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma, with the most common subtypes being: Liposarcoma: tumor of … others are picked up incidentally on imaging studies done for unrelated medical problems such as kidney stones or low …

Last Modified: 09/16/2025 - 12:50

Retroperitoneal Sarcomas, Pelvic Sarcomas & Proton Beam Radiation with Aggressive Surgical Resection

… that often return even after they’ve been removed. This is called local recurrence (“local” because the tumor … reduced local recurrence rates and higher chances of cure for people with these types of tumors. Key Facts Local … alone group. Subsequently, a multi-institution phase I clinical trial was performed of pre-operative proton beam …

Last Modified: 09/16/2025 - 12:27

Spina Bifida and Myelomeningocele Care at Columbia

… Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect that affects the brain and … The Fetal & Newborn Care Program at the Columbia Center for Prenatal Pediatrics offers life-changing treatments for babies with myelomeningocele, including prenatal procedures that …

Last Modified: 06/30/2025 - 12:02

Pediatric Heart Valve Center

… The Pediatric Heart Valve Center at Columbia is dedicated to improving the quality of care for children and adults with congenital heart valve malformations. We've brought …

Last Modified: 01/21/2026 - 18:33

State of the Union: Liver Care Today

… in the treatment of liver disease? Well, the huge change is viral hepatitis treatment . Hepatitis C used to be a poor target for transplant, but now it's a totally different story; … been discovered. It is no longer a threat—we have a cure. I started doing liver transplants in 1995, and from then …

Last Modified: 11/19/2025 - 12:12

Short Bowel Syndrome: What to Eat and Drink

… of their small intestines removed. Short bowel syndrome is the most common cause of intestinal failure, a condition … patients don't have enough functional gut mass needed for adequate absorption to meet fluid and nutrient … intestinal obstruction, tumors and trauma. Some patients with short bowel syndrome may qualify for an intestinal …

Last Modified: 05/06/2024 - 14:07

NYP/Columbia Welcomes World Leader in Valve Surgery

… largest practice in the UK in complex valve surgery. He is also known for his contributions to physician education and has created … procedure. The invention of transcatheter valve is, I believe, the most important development since the heart …

Last Modified: 02/23/2023 - 18:00

Why Tracking Cardiac Surgery Outcomes Matters

… develop protocols, and enhance clinical pathways, with the Society for Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database serving as a … at Columbia. “But in all fairness, it's an area which is very readily susceptible to outcome analysis, because you …

Last Modified: 03/26/2024 - 10:40

Pericarditis and Pericardial Disease

… Columbia’s Heart Surgery Team , December 2024 Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the membrane forming … The pericardium is a double-walled sac filled with fluid that surrounds the heart and the roots of its … lasts several weeks, in some cases, it can persist for several months before resolving. It can affect anyone. In …

Last Modified: 12/16/2025 - 15:29

Aortic Valve Repair and the Ross Procedure

… Traditionally, patients with leaky aortic valves – known as aortic regurgitation – … developed to repair these aortic valves, avoiding the need for blood thinners or early reoperation. One such procedure is known as the David procedure, in which the aortic valve …

Last Modified: 03/17/2025 - 15:51

Support Services

… Medical Center transplant team recognizes that living with a heart transplant affects your lifestyle in many ways. … with new ones. Social Worker Support The social worker is an important member of the transplant team for patients and their families both before, during, and …

Last Modified: 01/15/2026 - 15:57