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People in the NEWS Candace Schiffer, RN, AOCNP, a nurse practi- tioner at the North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute in Lake Success, was recently honored by the Long Island/Queens Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society for her efforts at mentoring oncology nurses and educating patients. Schiffer, a hematology/oncology nurse, received the Kay O'Brien Memorial Award for encouraging oncology nurses as they pursue additional certifications. Having earned advanced oncology nurse practitioner certification, Schiffer encourages others to pursue similar qualifications. Her philosophy is that nurses should understand the questions asked on these certification exams rather than focusing solely on getting the right answer. The Kay O'Brien Memorial Award is named after late Long Island/Queens Oncology Nursing Society Chapter member Catherine (Kay) O'Brien, AOCN, and was presented March 11 at the Stewart Manor Country Club. Candace Schiffer, AOCN at North Shore- LIJ Cancer Institute, is pictured with the Oncology Nursing Society Award and Carolyn McCarthy. St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center's Outpatient Parkinson's Disease Information and Referral Center Coordinator Julie Garofalo, St. Catherine's Community Outreach Coordinator Lisa Lasner, and Catholic Home Care Community Liaison Allison Damiano attended the American Parkinson Disease Association's Annual Seminar at the Melville Marriot. The free educational event provided attendees infor - mation about current medical management, new treatment strategies and deep brain stimulation. The CDC rated complications from Parkinson's disease as the 14th leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, it is estimated that as many as 10 million people suffer from the condition. There is hope, however, as scientists work towards a cure and make progress in identifying the best treatment options for patients. St. Catherine's American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Service is available to offer support and is staffed by a part-time nurse coordinator and a medical director who is a board-certified neurologist. (L-R) St. Catherine's Outpatient Parkinson's Disease Information and Referral Center Coordinator Julie Garofalo, St. Catherine's Community Outreach Coordinator Lisa Lasner, and Catholic Home Care Community Liaison Allison Damiano The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research announced that Lewis C. Cantley, PhD, the Meyer Director of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medical College and New York–Presbyterian Hospital, will be the recipient of the third annual Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine. The Ross Prize is issued via the Feinstein Institute's peer-reviewed, open-access jour - nal, Molecular Medicine. The prize, which in- cludes a $50,000 gift, will be formally pre- sented to Dr. Cantley on June 8 at the New York Academy of Sciences in Manhattan. An academic lecture by Dr. Cantley and other preeminent researchers will follow the awards ceremony. The Ross Prize is made possible by the generosity of Feinstein Institute board mem - bers Robin and Jack Ross of Upper Brookville, New York. It is awarded annually by Molecular Medicine to scientists who have made a demonstrable impact in the understanding of human diseases, pathogenesis and/or treatment, and who hold significant promise for making even greater contributions to the general field of molecular medicine. Krishan Kumar, MD, Director of Pediatric Emergency Services in the Nassau University Medical Center, met with the Indian Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, MS, and the United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD. They held a meeting in which they had oppor - tunities to discuss healthcare issues nationally and internationally. Nassau University Medical Center's Krishan Kumar, MD, meets with the Indian Health Minister and United States Surgeon General. (L–R) Dr. Kumar, Dr. Vardhan and Dr. Murthy Nassau University Medical Center hematol- ogy/oncology nurse Carla Vultaggio, RN, was honored at the NuHealth Staff Recognition Dinner at which she received the Earl Stroughton Award for the compas - sion and work ethic she demonstrates on a daily basis for her pediatric patients. Vultaggio was also presented with a cita - tion from Nassau County Executive Edward 1 2 | Long Island MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M