The Department of Medicine is the largest clinical department at the medical center, providing an impressive staff of in-house and attending physicians. It specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of medical illness. It is comprised of 14 divisions which include the following services:

Allergy-Immunology
The Allergy Division's outpatient ambulatory center focuses on the diagnosis and long-term treatment of allergy respiratory illnesses such as asthma and hay fever. Consultations are also available for patients who experience allergic reactions to medications and other substances.

Monthly sessions of "Breathing Easy," a support group for patients with chronic lung and respiratory problems, are held in conjunction with the American Lung Association and the Division of Pulmonary Medicine.

Cardiology
The Division of Cardiology is equipped with a sophisticated state-of-the-art non-invasive laboratory, including two-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography. Stress testing and Holter monitoring are also performed. In addition, the medical center's Certified Heart Station and dedicated Cardiac Emergency Unit are prepared to handle all types of cardiac emergencies including heart attacks, life-threatening arrhythmias and patients in shock.

Critical Care Medicine
Board-certified intensivists provide consultation services using the most advanced invasive and non-invasive techniques in a modern, state-of-the-art facility.
Endocrinology
Consultation services are provided for patients with diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, and diseases of the pituitary, adrenal and reproductive systems. In addition, a diabetes nurse educator assists with inpatient care and helps hospitalized patients make the transition to home. The Diabetes Club meets monthly for support and patient education. More than 100 people are members of this support group.

Gastroenterology
FHMC provides a modern, fully equipped endoscopy unit for patients with abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or other gastrointestinal concerns. Fifteen gastroenterologists and five nurses, using the newest high-technology video equipment, provide comprehensive patient care.

Geriatric Medicine
A newly-renovated, 30-bed acute inpatient care unit, the Center for Acute Geriatric Medicine, specializing in the care of patients with special geriatric problems, was opened in early 1997. Staff caring for patients on this unit are specially trained and educated to meet the physical, nutritional and psycho-social needs of the geriatric patient. A comprehensive range of services, including an enrichment program with supervised therapeutic activities, is provided.

An Ambulatory Geriatric Clinic is available for senior citizens at Flushing House (Bowne Street), and a Memory Disorders Clinic is held weekly at the medical center.

Infectious Diseases
Consultations to diagnose and treat patients suffering from severe infectious diseases are provided by board certified physicians. Communicable diseases within the medical center are managed in collaboration with FHMC's infection control committee.

Nephrology
Nephrology services include continuous cycle peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) training for home treatment of dialysis patients, kidney biopsy with CAT scanner, and renal artery balloon angioplasty. A four-station inpatient dialysis unit is also on site. FHMC provides dialysis services to patients with acute and chronic renal disease. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are provided in a 13-station outpatient unit Monday through Saturday, from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Board certified nephrologists, professional nephrology nurses, certified social workers, a registered renal nutritionist and technical supervisor make up the multi-language health care team. Patients traveling to our area can also be accommodated. For additional information about outpatient dialysis services, call 670-5950.

Neurology
Consultations are provided for patients with neurological diseases. The division's Neurophysiology Department is available to provide diagnostic testing for both adult and pediatric patients.

Oncology
The Oncology Division offers consultations for both inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with cancer. An ambulatory chemotherapy unit, staffed by 14 compassionate, specially trained nurses, is available for the administration of chemotherapy and blood products. A clinical nurse specialist assists in coordinating nursing care.

Pulmonary Medicine
A newly refurbished pulmonary function laboratory uses the latest equipment to diagnose and treat patients experiencing breathing abnormalities and acute and chronic lung disorders.

Rheumatology
Consultations are provided for patients who develop rheumatological disorders including osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. There is a twice-monthly arthritis clinic and bone mineral density testing for diagnosing osteoporosis.