NYU Langone Health

04/28/2026

More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ transplant—including about 95,000 who need a kidney—making living donors a critical part of the solution.

To close out Donate Life Month, Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, and Academy Award–nominated actor, playwright, and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg joined The Checkup with Doctor Mike to discuss the life-saving impact of organ donation. Dr. Montgomery reflects on his own heart transplant, while Jesse shares what inspired him to become a living kidney donor at NYU Langone.

Watch the episode ⤵️

4.6K likes, 534 comments. "Why Jesse Eisenberg Donated His Kidney"

04/27/2026

04/27/2026

Cardio or strength training—which is better for your heart?

In a recent interview with Today Show, cardiologist Dr. Nieca Goldberg explains why combining both can support overall heart health and well-being. Read more ⤵️

In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a cardiologist weighs in on the best type of exercise routine for heart health and heart disease prevention.

04/25/2026

In December 2025, Academy Award-nominated actor, playwright, and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg donated a kidney to a stranger at NYU Langone Health. Now, he’s sharing what his experience was like as a living donor.

Before surgery, Jesse completed a comprehensive evaluation to ensure he was physically, mentally, and emotionally ready. Once cleared, he underwent the procedure and was back to normal activities—like biking around New York City and picking up his child—within six weeks.

He says what surprised him most was how straightforward and efficient the entire process was. “I wish I had more kidneys to give,” he shares.

“Living kidney donation is extraordinarily safe,” adds Dr. Nicole Ali, medical director of our Kidney Transplant Program. “We do such a thorough workup that if someone clears the evaluation and is approved to donate, it means they are actually healthier than the general population, with a lower risk of developing kidney disease.”

Read about Jesse’s experience and learn more about living kidney donation ⤵️

Jesse Eisenberg donated a kidney to a stranger at NYU Langone. Learn what living kidney donation is, who can do it, and what recovery is really like. Learn more.

04/23/2026

Join us at Industry City in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 2 for the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital Block Party—a vibrant, family-friendly celebration supporting the children and families we care for.

Enjoy hands-on activities like a sticker design competition and cookie decorating, get an inside look at an NYU Langone ambulance, meet some of our expert pediatric specialists, and more. There’s something for everyone!

📍 Industry City (51 34th Street, Brooklyn)
🗓 Saturday, May 2, 12-4pm

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4vJQBzL

04/22/2026

Herb grilled chicken breast, braised beef short ribs, and mushroom ragout over ravioli might sound like they belong on the menu at one of New York City’s top restaurants—but at NYU Langone Health’s Tisch Hospital and Kimmel Pavilion, they’re the daily specials. We even invited Food & Wine into our kitchen to see (and taste) them for themselves.

For more than a decade, we’ve been reimagining what hospital food can be by prioritizing fresh ingredients, bold flavor, and meals thoughtfully designed to promote health and wellness. The result? A dining experience that feels far closer to a restaurant than a hospital room.

Typical hospital food "relies largely on frozen, pre-fabricated food engineered based on a very low price per patient,” says Dan Dilworth, our system senior director of Food & Nutrition Services. “We prioritize from-scratch cooking with the highest quality ingredients and products.”

Don’t just take our word for it. Read Food & Wine’s take ⤵️

NYU Langone is redefining hospital food with chef-driven, from-scratch meals tailored to patient needs, blending nutrition, flavor, and sustainability.

04/22/2026

04/22/2026

We’re pleased to announce that Dr. Marcus D. Goncalves has been appointed director of the Holman Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at NYU Langone Health!

A nationally recognized endocrinologist and physician-scientist, Dr. Goncalves leads research at the intersection of metabolism, cancer, and endocrine signaling, with a focus on translating discovery into better patient care. As director, he will guide the division’s clinical, research, and training missions while expanding clinical trials and collaboration across other medical specialties.

“Our goal is to bring the very best science to our patients—through innovative clinical trials, expanding and refining our subspecialty programs, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration that leads to new therapies and better outcomes while reinforcing NYU Langone’s position as a destination for complex endocrine care,” says Dr. Goncalves.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4e3xSc8

04/21/2026

04/16/2026

Perimenopause, the time before menopause, can bring a range of symptoms. In a recent interview with SELF, endocrinologist Dr. Rachel Pessah-Pollack explains how it can affect appetite and what you can do to manage these changes.

Read more ⤵️

Changes in your appetite can be a natural side effect of this life stage—but that doesn’t make them any less jarring.

04/15/2026

Staying active looks different at every age. Your training should, too.

In a recent interview with Men's Health, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kirk A. Campbell breaks down common injuries by age and how to adjust your workouts so you can always perform at your best.

Read more ⤵️

A sports medicine doctor explains how to adapt your training and recovery to perform at every age.

04/15/2026

For more than two years, Elliot Vargas spent three days a week on dialysis for end-stage kidney disease caused by diabetes. A transplant offered hope, but it also meant protecting the health of his wife, Natalie Vazquez, who stepped forward as his donor.

Natalie’s left kidney functioned better, making it safer for her to keep. But removing the right kidney tends to be more complex. At NYU Langone Health, a multidisciplinary team carefully weighed every risk, choosing an approach that prioritized Natalie’s long-term health while still giving Elliot a successful transplant. “It’s important to make sure kidney donation is as safe as possible for the donor, and at the same time have an organ that can be transplanted successfully,” explains Dr. Nicole Ali, medical director of our Kidney Transplant Program.

Read more about Elliot and Natalie’s story ⤵️

NYU Langone is the only health system in New York that performs single-port, robot-assisted, right-sided donor nephrectomies, often with same-day discharge.