First Lupus Center opens at Jamaica Hospital

BY JESSICA LYONS
The first Lupus Center in Queens has been opened at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in collaboration with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. The opening coincides with National Lupus Aware-ness Month.
Each year, the autoimmune disease lupus develops in more than 16,000 Americans, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. According to the foundation s website, www.lu-pus.org, Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. Lupus is a chronic &autoimmune disease in which the immune system, for unknown reasons, becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue. 
The new Lupus Center of Queens is located in St. Albans at the MediSys Family Care Center. At the center, expert physicians will provide diagnosed lupus patients and those who might have the disease with specialized care. There will also be medical and group support and patients will be able to participate in clinical research. Another feature of the center will be educating both patients and the community about issues related to lupus.
Through our lupus clinic, we hope to provide excellent patient care, in addition to establishing a patient cohort that will further scientific research in lupus and immunology,  said Dr. Meggan MacKay of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.
Silvia P. Heredia, Community Outreach Director for the Lupus Alliance of America, Long Island/Queens Affiliate, said, This new lupus initiative is very exciting. It not only stands for a greater commitment from the scientific community, but more importantly a partnership between doctors and local community-based lupus organizations, which ultimately translates into better patient services and care. 
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has also opened a Lupus Center at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital.
For more information, contact the institute by calling 877-33-LUPUS.