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 Rand David
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Ambulatory Care B.A. Adelphi University Dr. Rand David has seen how the divide between varied languages and cultures can harm patients. He tries to bridge those differences as director of ambulatory care service at Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he supervises 100,000 patient visits, 35 doctors and 42 medical residents and interns. For example, at the anti-coagulation clinic, there was a Spanish-speaking patient who didn’t realize he was given a double dose of blood thinners. That potentially fatal mistake came from a system where he saw more than one physician and filled prescriptions at outside pharmacies. Both gave him the same drug, just labeled differently by the generic and brand name. Dr. David, 47, streamlined procedures at the clinic, which sees 10,000 people annually, and made sure instructions are clear and delivered in the patient’s own language. The reforms worked. Two dozen people from the clinic used to rush to the ER every year with excessive bleeding. Today there are none. “I’m excited when I figure out a way to prevent something or make something better, in particular if it’s a common thing so it can be applied to more people,” he said. With the 5,000 diabetics the hospital treats and tracks, Dr. David and his staff began nutrition lessons based on each patient’s native cuisine. For example people from India were shown digital photographs of curry dishes that were good and bad for their condition. Chinese and Latin American patients also were given culturally-sensitive choices. Lessons also included whoever cooked in the households. From his very first patient, when he was a 20-year-old medical student, Dr. David has realized the importance of culture. A Jehovah Witness about to give birth was terrified of getting a transfusion, even with her own blood. It’s forbidden by her faith. The novice Dr. David thought the experienced physicians would ignore her concerns. Instead they respected them, her son was born without complications and the woman left happy. She even picked Rand for her baby’s middle name. “That left such a powerful impression on me,” said Dr. David. “Language and culture, and the focus and emphasis on that, have permeated through all my positions, jobs and role as an educator. I just find it fascinating.” Raised on Long Island, son of an English teacher and school psychologist, Dr. David finished high school in three years and also completed his college courses at that same accelerated rate. From Adelphi University, where he majored in chemistry, he learned some lasting advice from his mentor. “When in doubt turn right, it’s easier,” Dr. David recalled. “Find the simple solutions first and build on that. I really like that idea, because so many people put unnecessary roadblocks towards improving situations.” After earning his M.D. at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. David trained and worked at several hospitals, including Montefiore, Metropolitan and Mt. Sinai. Married to oncologist Carol Aghajanian, the couple has two sons, Jeremy, 8, and William, 5. The family lives in Manhattan. | |