A physician-scientist and a clinical investigator at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx were presented with the 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in Science and the Environment for their groundbreaking contributions to improving the health care and quality of life of paralyzed veterans. The ceremony took place on Monday, September 22, in Washington, D.C.
The Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that celebrates excellence in the federal civil service, awards medals annually in seven areas of accomplishment. They are highly competitive and known as the “Oscars” of public service. The winners and finalists also attended a ceremony at the White House, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama.
William A. Bauman, MD, and Ann M. Spungen, EdD, the Director and Associate Director, respectively, of the National Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury at the Mount Sinai-affiliated VA Medical Center, were recognized for advancing the understanding and treatment of the many complex medical conditions that result after spinal cord injury, and for developing novel therapeutic interventions. Dr. Bauman is Professor of Medicine and Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Spungen is Associate Professor of Medicine with a secondary appointment in Rehabilitation Medicine.
In testimonials, their work was described as revolutionary, creative, and having a profound impact on how physicians now care for these patients. One nomination letter said: “Dr. Bauman has been the single most important scientist and physician leading the way to improved medical management of persons with spinal cord injury.”
Dr. Bauman has worked at the Bronx VA hospital for 35 years, starting in the laboratory of the late Rosalyn Sussman Yalow, PhD, a physicist and Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 1977, and a former Mount Sinai faculty member. Dr. Spungen began working with Dr. Bauman in 1990.
“They lead a team of talented doctors to address many of the largely neglected, but highly relevant, issues faced by patients with spinal cord injury,” says Erik Langhoff, MD, PhD, Director of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. “Their efforts further reinforce why maintaining a strong system of federal funding for research is key to medical progress. Their successes would not have happened without continued research support from Veterans Affairs and a strong affiliation with Mount Sinai.”
The team’s many accomplishments include: studies revealing that patients have an increased risk for heart disease, and are susceptible to an asthma-like lung condition; novel drug therapies for low blood pressure and poor bowel function; investigating new ways to reduce bone loss that occurs after the immobilization of spinal cord injury; and advancing the understanding and treatment of chronic, nonhealing pressure ulcers. They were also among the first to test and reveal the benefits of using the ReWalk exoskeleton, an assisted-walking robotic device now being used by individuals with paraplegia.
Says Kristjan Ragnarsson, MD, Professor, and Chair, Rehabilitation Medicine, Mount Sinai Health System: “Drs. Bauman and Spungen have created an outstanding research center. Through presentations and publication of their research results, they have contributed in a large way to the reputation of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center.”