Supporters Like You

Meet the supporters who are helping Montefiore redefine what is possible in medicine.

Charles Gassenheimer

Charles Gassenheimer was once a collegiate track star. But by his mid-forties, he found himself 70 pounds overweight, suffering from chronic joint pain and memory issues, and dependent on high doses of statins. “Over two decades of 80-hour work weeks, I still thought of myself as this skinny kid that could run around the track at lightning speeds,” he recalls. “How did I get here?”

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Charles decided that he needed to dramatically transform his diet. “I was tired of working more and more and eating more and more crap,” he says. “Fortunately, my then-girlfriend and now wife, Jen, had suggested that I check out plant-based diets. So, I started to educate myself and do some research, and having looked up some nutritionists and cariologists, I decided to consult Dr. Ostfeld.”

After a few months of experimenting with a “flexitarian” diet (“That one-foot-in-one-foot-out thing didn’t work for me,” he quips), Charles went fully plant-based in April 2017, under Dr. Ostfeld’s guidance. Since then, Charles has lost 71 pounds and reversed his cholesterol issues. “It’s not just about the weight loss,” he emphasizes, “I feel young again. I ran last year’s New York City Marathon for Montefiore in three hours and 55 minutes—that’s 21 minutes faster than I managed in my twenties.”

Marathons aside, the effects of a plant-based diet have brought greater comfort and relief to Charles’ everyday life. Now 51, he notices that his body recovers faster from workouts, and he does not fall ill as often—even at the peak of the pandemic. “The reduced inflammation that I experienced was extremely noticeable. Even my dentist noticed my gums are healthier,” he adds.

Charles’ story is one of resilience, discipline, and hope—and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when clinical care meets lifestyle medicine. Today, he is the proud father of three-year-old triplets, and he is committed to being present for every milestone of their lives.

Looking back on where he started, Charles reflects, “It has not been an easy journey, but it’s been a worthwhile journey. And I couldn’t have done it without Dr. Ostfeld and all the luminary doctors in his orbit whom I had met at his conferences.” As a steadfast donor to the Cardiac Wellness Program, a committed sponsor of the program’s outreach events, and a tireless advocate for democratizing information on plant-based nutrition, he shows no signs of stopping.

In a few months, he will be running the New York City Marathon for the sixth time since embarking on a plant-based diet, to raise funds and awareness. “It’s never too late to start. And I’m just going to keep going.”

Carol A. Sheridan, RN

Carol grew up in the city projects, the child of first-generation Irish and Puerto Rican parents. Her early experience with healthcare came through public health clinics, an experience that inspired her to become a lifelong nurse. In the 1970s, she was first drawn to Montefiore because of its family medicine program and its dedication to helping the poor and underserved.

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Early in her career, Carol worked with a cancer surgeon who truly appreciated the knowledge and expertise of a cancer nurse, and she knew she had to become one. It was the best decision she ever made (besides having children and getting married, of course!).

Over the next 40 years, she was nurtured and encouraged. She was given leadership and educational opportunities and even got to work on the clinical trials that brought the revolutionary CAR-T cell therapy to patients.

When she and her husband needed to create a will, Carol asked herself, “What has been important in my life and how can I ensure that it continues into the future?” The answer was Montefiore. So, she decided to direct $50,000 from her life insurance policy to create a fund in the name of her dear friend and colleague Karen Wright. Through this gift, she hopes to honor Karen’s legacy and support the next generation of cancer nurses.

Join a Giving Society

Together we can do so much. Join a community of people who share your passion for healthcare by becoming a member of the Sir Moses Society or 1884 Society.

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