New Year's Hours at ZP

 

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

 

On December 31st, all offices are open until 6pm.

 

All offices will be CLOSED on January 1st, 2016.

 

Offices will be operating under regular weekend hours January 2nd and 3rd.

 

Open-Sided MRI now Available!

On November 2, 2015, Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology acquired Suffolk MRI’s office, located at 987 West Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, New York, making this Zwanger-Pesiri’s second location in Smithtown and their 19^th office overall.  Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology provides the most advanced technology to its patients, and this office will be the first radiology facility on Long Island to feature a high field strength, OPEN SIDED MRI machine. 

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology prides itself on being a patient-centric practice and an open sided MRI unit will accommodate patients who are not comfortable being imaged on a conventional machine.  Zwanger-Pesiri is unwilling to compromise quality for comfort and believes that the Hitachi Oasis 1.2 Tesla MRI scanner is the first machine available with the ability to provide excellent images with superior comfort. 

This machine is meant to create a relaxing environment for patients who cannot comfortably receive a standard MRI exam due to their size, age, or fear of tight spaces.  The open sided MRI unit offers the patient an unobstructed view for almost every exam it performs, while still allowing for high quality images.  This new open sided MRI scanner joins Zwanger-Pesiri’s fleet of nineteen 3T MRI units.  The 3T MRI system has long been regarded as the best medical imaging device available, as they provide incomparable images, short exam times, and are large enough to accommodate patients weighing up to 550 pounds.

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology is the only radiology facility on Long Island to offer both the 3T MRI, which provides a comfortable experience while providing the highest quality images, and the Oasis 1.2T MRI, which delivers high quality images in the most comfortable MRI environment yet.

Zwanger-Pesiri Holiday Hours

On Christmas Eve, Plainview and Stony Brook will be open 8am-5pm.  

All other offices will close at 4pm.

All offices will be closed on Christmas Day.

On Saturday, December 26th, Merrick, Smithtown, Medford and Plainview will be open 8am-4pm. 

All other offices are closed.

On Sunday, December 27th, Smithtown and Plainview will be open 8am-4pm. 

All other offices are closed.

Zwanger-Pesiri and Siemens

Recently, Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology was selected to be featured in a video produced by Siemens Healthcare demonstrating their state of the art equipment in our new Levittown facility.  The video emphasizes the importance of working together in all aspects, whether it be the technology we use, or the way we interact. 

Siemens teamplay is a cloud-based network that brings together healthcare professionals in order to advance medicine and human health as a team effort. teamplay creates an international environment, in which physicians, clinicians and healthcare executives come together to form one big virtual imaging team.

Zwanger-Pesiri at Local Malls

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology's staff just wrapped up a week of spreading holiday cheer at Roosevelt Field Mall and Walt Whitman Shops.  Employees distributed reusable shopping bags to assist shoppers carrying their many purchases, as well as provide information about the services we offer at our 19 locations.  

Visit our table at the Smith Haven Mall, now through December 20th, located on the first floor right outside Bobby's Burger Palace!

Thanksgiving Hours

Mammogram Debate

In October 2015, a new era in women’s healthcare began in the United States.  The American Cancer Society released new guidelines, recommending that women receive annual screening mammograms between the ages of 45 and 55, and then every other year after the age of 55.   This differs from their original criteria, which stated that women should get annual mammograms starting at the age of 40.  

The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging agree with the original standards, and argue that the new guidelines contradict the research that has regularly appeared in medical journals.  That is, early detection is the best prevention against breast cancer.  A recent article in the New York Times has also recently condemned the new standards.  

Is breast cancer detection continually being undermined by the insurance companies to increase their bottom line, at the expense of early detection?  Are women’s medical rights continually being eroded by the government and insurance companies?  Ninety percent of breast cancer survivors, as reported in the medical journals, have survived due to early detection.  

With new technology, such as 3D mammography and full breast ultrasound, continuously proving to increase early detection and to save lives, we at Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology strongly agree with the American College of Radiology and will continue to recommend that women receive annual mammograms beginning at age 40.  

Movember at ZP

It’s Movember, and that is not a typo!  Every November, the Movember Foundation encourages men to grow mustaches and pave the way for conversations about men’s health.  Gender remains one of the most consistent predictors of life expectancy, and worldwide, men die an average of six years earlier than women.  The Movember Foundation currently focuses on four points of men’s health: mental health, physical inactivity, testicular cancer and prostate cancer.  Prostate cancer is currently the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the number of cases is expected to almost double to 1.7 million cases by 2030. 

While we can’t prevent these cases from developing, we at Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology perform the most precise imaging for our patients.  A prostate MRI provides the clearest, most detailed images of the soft-tissue structures of the prostate, and is used as a screening and diagnostic tool for prostate cancer patients. This test is non-invasive and does not expose patients to any radiation.

Learn more about Movember here. 

Learn more about Prostate MRI here. 

Veteran's Day

We at Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology would like to thank all of the brave men and women who have served our country.

LEVITTOWN NOW OPEN

THE LEVITTOWN OFFICE IS NOW OPEN!

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology Opens New Levittown Location

Radiology Practice Opens 18^th Location on Long Island

Levittown, New York – On Saturday, October 31, 2015, Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, the largest private radiology practice on Long Island, opened its newest location in historic Levittown, New York.  The new office is located at 3235 Hempstead Turnpike, making this their 7th location in Nassau County and 18^th location overall.  This office brings the latest diagnostic technology, including 3T MRI, CT, PET/CT, X-ray, 3D Mammography and Bone Density (DXA) scans, to the original American suburb.  Catherine Masci, the building’s designer, explained the modern look of the building by saying, “We wanted the outside to portray the quality of technology that is on the inside, such as our MRI machines and CT scanners.” 

Levittown was founded in 1947 and is currently among the most populated census-designated places on Long Island.  The new office is at the site of the former Israel Community Center, which closed in 2008 and was demolished in 2013.  As Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray said, “The development of this property which has been vacant for so long is worth celebrating.  That an innovative and thriving business such as Zwanger-Pesiri has chosen to come to Levittown makes this even better.” 

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology is a patient-centric practice and has become well-known for their fast turnaround time of results.  They employ over 50 subspecialty-trained radiologists who only read studies within their field of expertise.  According to Dr. Steven L. Mendelsohn, Chief Executive Officer, this leads to 90% of the studies being read within one hour.  The results and images of exams performed at any Zwanger-Pesiri facility are posted on the Patient Portal for the patient to access at his or her convenience.  Patients can then securely fax or email their information to additional physicians with just a few clicks.

“We are excited to add this new facility and staff to the Zwanger-Pesiri organization. Our goal is to provide easily accessible, superior, outpatient imaging to all of Long Island, and this office takes us one step closer. We are eager to bring our professional expertise and paramount patient care that we are known for to the community,” said Dr. Mendelsohn.

About Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, the largest and most respected practice on Long Island, has been serving the community for over 60 years. To date, there are 18 locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties, each providing a range of radiological specialties including musculoskeletal imaging, neurology, oncology, vascular imaging, and more. 

Having over 50 certified radiologists that have multiple subspecialties, and offering nineteen 3T MRI units, seven 1.5T MRI units, twenty-two 3D Mammography units, four PET/CT scanners, and the first clinical outpatient MRI/PET system in the country, Zwanger-Pesiri continues to provide the highest quality of care and excellence to all of its patients.

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology strives to provide the most advanced technology available today, with a strong focus on delivering a quality of care unmatched in the industry. Visit the Zwanger-Pesiri website for further information at www.zprad.com.

Thank You!

We are happy to report that this year's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Long Island had 55,000 walkers and raised $2.715 million in the fight against breast cancer.  This is on top of the 3,500 participants who raised $170,000 at Making Strides of Eastern Long Island!

Thank you to everyone who supported this wonderful cause!

ZP Radiologist to Present at the Commack Branch of the Smithtown Library

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ZP Radiologist Melinda Staiger will be at the Commack branch of the Smithtown library this Thursday, 10/15, to discuss the importance of breast cancer screenings.  Her presentation, “Breast Cancer Screening-Who, When, How?” will cover risk factors, mammography, 3D tomography, ultrasound and MRI, as well as image guided biopsies.

Dr. Staiger earned her medical degree and completed her residency in Diagnostic Radiology at New York University Medical Center. She brings 30 years of experience as an expert in breast imaging and diagnosis to Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology.

The presentation begins at 7pm at 3 Indian Head Road in Commack, and those interested can register here.

Zwanger Pesiri is Making Strides

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology will be supporting the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer at their two Long Island events.  Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting nearly 300 communities with a shared determination to finish the fight. The two walks on Long Island, one at Jones Beach and one at Dowling College, are among the 300 events that will take place across the country.  Each year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer brings in more than 60 million dollars and since 1993 more than 594 million dollars have been raised.

Please join us to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, raise awareness about the disease, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives.

Making Strides of Eastern Long Island

Sunday, October 04, 2015 at 8:30am

Dowling College Brookhaven Campus

Making Strides of Long Island

Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 8 am-11am

Jones Beach State Park - Field 5

Labor Day Weekend Hours

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology Opens New Dix Hills/Deer Park Location

Radiology Practice opens 17^th location on Long Island

Deer Park, New York – On April 28, 2015, Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, the largest private radiology practice on Long Island, announced the opening of its newest location in Deer Park, NewYork, bordering on Dix Hills.  The new office is located at 2087 Deer Park Avenue, making this their eleventh office in Suffolk County. 

The office offers MRI, CT, X-ray, and Ultrasound, and is conveniently located two miles south of the Long Island Expressway and three miles north of the Southern State Parkway.  The Dix Hills/Deer Park location expands Zwanger-Pesiri’s reach in providing easy access to the most advanced radiological services in the industry and will provide the first 3.0 Tesla Wide-bore magnet in the area.  The 3.0 Tesla MRI provides an unprecedented level of detail and clarity, and is designed to ease claustrophobia and maximize patient comfort.

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology is a patient-centric practice and has become well-known for their fast turnaround time of results.  They employ over 50 subspecialty-trained radiologists who only read studies within their own field of expertise.  According to Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Steven L. Mendelsohn, this results in 90% of the studies being read within one hour.  These results, along with results from previous exams, are posted on the Patient Portal for the patient to access at his or her convenience. 

“We are excited to add this new facility and staff to the Zwanger-Pesiri organization. Our goal is to provide easily accessible, superior, outpatient imaging to all of Long Island, and this office takes us one step closer. We are eager to bring our professional expertise and paramount patient care that we are known for to the community,” said Dr. Mendelsohn.

About Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, the largest and most respected practice on Long Island, has been serving the community for over 60 years. To date, there are 17 locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties, each providing a range of radiological specialties including musculoskeletal, neurological, oncological, vascular and more. 

Having over 50 certified radiologists that have multiple subspecialties, and offering seven 1.5T MRI units, seventeen 3T MRI units, twenty-three 3D Mammography units, three PET/CT scanners, and the first clinical outpatient MRI/PET system in the country, Zwanger-Pesiri continues to provide the highest quality of care and excellence to all of its patients.

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology strives to provide the most advanced technology available today with a strong focus on delivering a quality of care unmatched in the industry. Visit the Zwanger-Pesiri website for further information at www.zprad.com.

3D Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS)

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology recently introduced the 3D Automated Breast Ultrasound System (3D ABUS) at its offices in Plainview and Stony Brook.   3D ABUS will complement other breast cancer screening tests - including Digital Mammography, 3D Mammography (Tomosynthesis), and Breast MRI – as part of Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology’s ongoing commitment to detecting breast cancer at the 
earliest possible stage.

3D ABUS is a new approach to performing an ultrasound (or “sonogram”) of the breasts.  During a painless examination that takes approximately 15 minutes, the 3D ABUS device acquires ultrasound images of the breasts, covering each breast in its entirety.  Instead of a small handheld probe, 3D ABUS uses a large curved panel that can typically cover all of the breast tissue in three quick sweeps.

The images are then reviewed by a radiologist on a 3-dimensional work station.  The radiologist is able to look through hundreds of images from multiple angles and see through layers of breast tissue to find cancers, which might otherwise have gone undetected.  The radiologist can compare the 3D ABUS findings to the patient’s mammogram, as well as to prior ultrasound examinations.

Why is 3D ABUS important?  Mammography is a very powerful tool for detecting breast cancer, but it is not perfect.  Approximately 40% of women have dense breasts, and mammography can miss up to 30% of cancers in dense breast tissue.  3D ABUS is not a substitute for mammography, which is still the single best screening test for breast cancer.   However, adding 3D ABUS as a screening test for patients with dense breast tissue can improve cancer detection.

Because 3D ABUS uses sound waves, there is no radiation exposure. Any patient with dense breast tissue, including those with prior breast cancer, breast surgery or implants, can benefit from 3D ABUS. 

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology is the leading breast imaging facility on Long Island offering 17 locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. 

Cryoablation: The Alternative to Surgery for Fibroadenomas

It can all come down to a moment in the shower -- you’re washing up and then, all of a sudden, you feel a lump. Yes, for some, the most regular action on the most average of days has been exactly the moment that sends hearts falling from the normal course of everyday life into an “Oh my, now what will I do?” realization. So it can be with fibroadenomas, the solid, noncancerous breast tumors that occur most often in adolescent girls and women, ages 12 to 35.

Usually painless, fibroadenomas can vary in size and might feel like a marble in your breast, moving under the skin when touched. Among the most common breast lumps in young women, fibroadenomas are a bit of a puzzle in that they can get bigger or even shrink on their own (due to hormonal changes). The first step is discovery, which can take place during a woman’s normal showering routine or through a brief self-examination. A more proactive, clinical way of diagnosing a fibroadenoma is via an imaging test like a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI. Your doctor will, most likely, recommend one of these imaging tests to confirm that the lump is, indeed, a fibroadenoma.

So how do you deal with a fibroadenoma once discovered? If the fibroadenoma is small and painless, and remains the same size, you would not need any treatment. Often, fibroadenomas can be left alone and no treatment is necessary.  They are, usually, just monitored with follow-up ultrasounds. If however, the fibroadenoma is large, painful, or growing, and your doctor advises treatment, options can include monitoring to detect changes in their size or feel, a biopsy, surgical removal, or cryoablation, an FDA-approved treatment as an alternative to surgery. Cryoablation is a long-established, effective procedure for destroying these types of breast tumors that usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes. After a local anesthetic is applied, a thin hollow needle (called a “cryoprobe”) is used to circulate cooled, thermally conductive fluids which destroy the offensive surrounding tissue (the frozen tissue is absorbed within months). Since no tissue is removed, the shape of your breast will not be affected.

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology is the only outpatient facility on Long Island performing cryoablation, leading the way in breast imaging. For more information, click Cryoablation or call (631)225-7200 ext. 4642 to speak to our radiologist, Dr. Guy Bassis. For a ZPR office nearest you, click locations & directions.

Hospital-Owned Physician Groups Have 20% Higher Medical Costs

As hospital systems nationwide acquire more physician practices, everybody may be getting hurt.  A new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association shows that hospital ownership of physician groups in California led to up to 20% overall higher costs for patient care. Employers and workers have to pay for these increased costs in the form of higher premiums, and consumers face higher prices with insurance deductibles rising.

For the study, data from 2009 to 2012 was analyzed, including nearly 160 medical groups and 4.5 million patients in California. Categories included groups owned by physicians, those owned by large hospital systems across several of the state’s geographic markets, and those owned by local hospitals or hospital systems.

According to the study, total spending was 10.3% higher per patient for hospital-owned physician offices compared with doctor-owned organizations.  When large health systems running multiple hospitals owned medical groups, costs were even higher. Compared with independent physician groups, per patient spending was 19.8% higher.

These physician groups are also under pressure to refer patients to more expensive imaging and other outpatient treatments that can be cheaper at free-standing clinics. It all brings into focus that the consolidation of physicians and hospitals into large mega-systems will not reduce costs, and will increase the cost of healthcare.

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology (ZPR) is a privately owned radiology practice dedicated to providing state-of-the-art radiological services to our patients with a level of care unmatched in the industry. We offer 17 offices throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. Click here to see all the services ZPR offers.