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Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders Opens

ALBANY, March 18, 2008 - Albany Medical Center unveiled today the new Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders of Northeastern New York. The Center, located at 215 Washington Avenue Extension, provides treatment for patients struggling with eating disorders through an integrative approach focusing on mind, body and spirit. 

“We are delighted to be able to offer our patients an expanded range of services which treat the whole person, all in one location,” said Sharon Alger, M.D., associate professor of medicine and medical director for the Eating Disorders Center. “This comprehensive center is an invaluable resource for Capital Region residents, especially patients and families who are struggling to recover from anorexia, bulimia, or obesity.”

The Center is staffed by 3 physicians, 1 nurse, 2 dieticians and a full time psychologist who work collaboratively to diagnose patients and establish individualized treatment plans.

Using the latest state-of-the-art equipment—including the Bod Pod and the emWave system—physicians at the Center can monitor changes in body composition and physical responses to stress.  The Bod Pod is a large egg-shaped device that uses air displacement technology to calculate total body fat percentage and lean mass percentage (overall body weight). Albany Med is the only healthcare institution in northeastern New York to acquire the device. The emWave system uses sophisticated electronics and visual imagery to stabilize and monitor heart rate and stress levels.

The Center also addresses psychological needs and provides services both for the patient and their family members. In addition to individual therapy, multi-family and parenting groups are also offered at the center. Support groups are also held both at the Center and throughout the community.

“Treating patients who suffer from an eating disorder requires attention to the mind as well as the body,” said Julie Morison, Ph.D., director of psychological services, “And it is not only the patient who suffers. Their family and support system also feel the impact of these diseases. Psychotherapy and support groups are critical components in the recovery process and provide coping skills and guidance to patients and family members.”

In addition to medical and psychological services, the Center’s mission also includes community outreach and prevention. Staff members educate students in schools ranging from elementary through college level, and at healthcare facilities throughout the region about eating disorders and the importance of good nutrition.

Adorning the facility is a permanent exhibit titled “The Beautiful Women Project” by local artist Nancy Bruno. The exhibit focuses on life experiences of 35 women of all ages.

The Center is funded in part by the New York State Department of Health with a $500,000 grant secured by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. It is a collaborative effort between Albany Medical Center and Four Winds Hospital in Saratoga. In addition to the new positions and expansion of programs at Albany Med, the funds will support an adolescent intensive outpatient program at Four Winds, which began earlier this month.

Albany Medical Center is northeastern New York’s only academic health sciences center. It consists of Albany Medical College, Albany Medical Center Hospital and the Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc. Additional information about Albany Medical Center can be found at www.amc.edu.