Andrew Jacobson '20, MS '21. September 18, 2026 Andrew Jacobson '20, MS '21, saw Adelphi's ability to develop students as leaders through his older sister's experience as an Adelphi graduate. He made the opportunity his own as a finance student in the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, an Honors College scholar, a saxophonist in the Jazz Ensemble, and a tutor in the Learning and Writing Center. His mentors, including Robert Goldberg, the James F. Bender Clinical Professor of Finance, and Richard Garner, PhD, then dean of the Honors College, helped him connect technical knowledge with critical thinking and personal growth. Jacobson graduated at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and began his career remotely as a financial analyst at Northwell Health. While learning a new job from home, he returned to Adelphi for an accelerated MS in business analytics, gaining skills in programming, data analysis and modeling that he continues to use in his work. He advanced to senior analyst after three years and was subsequently promoted to supervisor. Today, as supervisor, corporate finance, at Northwell, Jacobson performs financial modeling and analytics related to insurance reimbursement across Northwell's hospitals. He interprets contracts, analyzes data and helps the health system understand the financial implications of reimbursement arrangements. As a supervisor, he also trains and develops newer analysts - drawing directly on the individualized approach he learned as a peer tutor in Adelphi's Learning and Writing Center tutor. He finds particular satisfaction in seeing his team members master new skills, complete important projects and present successfully to senior leaders. Jacobson continues to make space for the interests and relationships that enriched his Adelphi experience, including regularly returning to Adelphi to perform with the Jazz Ensemble. Adelphi honors Jacobson for his rapid professional growth, his investment in others' success and his enduring engagement with the University community. Member of Adelphi University's 10 Under 10

Northwell Health's Phelps Hospital earns Level 3 epilepsy center accreditation. Northwell Health's Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow has been accredited as a Level 3 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), recognizing the hospital's epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) for meeting the highest standards of patient safety, clinical expertise and diagnostic capability in epilepsy care, a spokesman said. The three-year accreditation confirms that Phelps has the professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest-level medical evaluation and treatment for patients with epilepsy, a chronic brain disorder characterized by abnormal electrical activity that creates recurring, unprovoked seizures. Level 3 centers must demonstrate board-certified epileptologist oversight, specialized neurology nursing training, advanced diagnostic tools, including 24/7 video electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, and a formal partnership with a Level 4 surgical epilepsy center. "This accreditation represents a rigorous validation of what our team has built - a safe, compassionate environment where patients can receive expert epilepsy care without having to travel to (New York City)," said Nisali Gunawardane, M.D., co-director of the epilepsy monitoring unit at Phelps Hospital. "Level 3 designation from the NAEC means we have met the national standard for what matters most - patient safety and quality of care for our community." With epilepsy affecting some 3.4 million Americans - including more than 200,000 people in New York state and almost 36,000 in Connecticut, need for accessible, high-quality seizure care is significant. Phelps' EMU, located on the hospital's dedicated neuroscience unit, serves four distinct patient populations: * Those with epilepsy who need medication adjustments in a safe, monitored setting; * Patients with epilepsy and developmental delay who may have difficulty communicating their symptoms; * Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who require monitoring to identify where seizures originate for potential surgical intervention; * Individuals experiencing unexplained spells, including episodes of confusion, staring, abnormal movements or episodes of loss of consciousness. (Evaluation is needed with inpatient video EEG monitoring to determine whether these episodes are seizures.) During an EMU admission, patients are connected to continuous video EEG monitoring around the clock, with an epileptologist maintaining 24/7 access to the recordings. Specially trained nursing staffers monitor patients on camera for the duration of their stay, enabling rapid response if a seizure occurs. For patients whose monitoring reveals they may be candidates for epilepsy surgery, Phelps coordinates directly with Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, a Level 4 NAEC-accredited center. "The relationship between our Level 3 center at Phelps and the Level 4 center at Lenox Hill creates a seamless continuum of care for epilepsy patients across the region," said Derek Chong, M.D., co-director of the epilepsy monitoring unit at Phelps Hospital and vice chair of neurology at Lenox Hill Hospital. "Patients benefit from expert monitoring close to home, and when advanced interventions are being considered, the Phelps team remains actively involved to shape the treatment plan. Our regional epilepsy program provides comprehensive epilepsy care, including advanced surgical options in the city, with the confidence that the Phelps team they know and trust has a voice in every decision." The accreditation process required extensive documentation demonstrating specialized education for all clinical staff involved in epilepsy care, as well as verification of the epileptologists' board certification, sufficient patient volume and access to comprehensive support services, including neuropsychological testing, physical therapy and occupational therapy. "Achieving this accreditation is a direct reflection of the investment we continue to make in neurology across Westchester - in our people, our facilities and our clinical programs," said Anna Hohler, M.D., director of neurology for Northwell Health's Westchester Region, chair of neurology at both Phelps Hospital and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. "Our goal is to ensure that patients in this region never have to choose between convenience and quality when it comes to complex neurological care, and this milestone moves us closer to that vision." The EMU accreditation adds to Phelps' suite of neurology services, which includes comprehensive care for conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, movement disorders, headache disorders, neuropathy and neuromuscular disease. Phelps Hospital is a full-service 218-bed acute care community hospital with more than 1,700 employees and 1,400-plus medical staff members representing 60 medical specialties. It's part of Northwell Health, the largest nonprofit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and 20,000-plus physicians. For more, visit here or call (914) 366-5300.

Doctor to focus on elevating community-based psychiatric services and expanding medical education. Northwell's Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) in Mount Kisco, New Yofk, has appointed Jason Andrus, M.D., as chair of psychiatry. In this role, Andrus will oversee both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services, focusing on advancing clinical quality, fostering programmatic growth and cultivating an academic environment dedicated to innovative, evidence-based practices. Andrus is board-certified in both general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. At NWH, he will focus on enhancing clinical outcomes, expanding comprehensive mental health services and strengthening vital programs. "I am thrilled to return to Northern Westchester Hospital, a place that has long stood for excellence in community care," Andrus said. "As a Westchester resident myself, I understand the critical importance of ensuring high-quality, comprehensive mental health services are readily available to people of all ages. My goal is to build upon the department's outstanding track record and foster a culture of continuous learning and growth to meet the evolving needs of our diverse community." Andrus brings a wealth of experience, having most recently served as associate director for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at Northwell's Zucker Hillside Hospital, where he played a key role in clinical innovation and education. Prior to this, he was associate director of the emergency psychiatry division for telepsychiatry and education at Cohen Children's Medical Center and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. His Northwell tenure also includes supervising child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, teaching in an advanced ECT fellowship, and authoring numerous publications. Before joining Northwell, Andrus held significant leadership positions, including medical director for behavioral health at Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he developed and managed multiple service lines. He also served as a staff physician at Boston Children's Hospital, working across its pediatric consultation-liaison service and its inpatient medical-psychiatric unit, and co-directed the International Child Mental Health Training Program. His extensive experience includes working with diverse patient populations across Queens, Long Island, Manhattan and Hawaii, fostering a deep understanding of culturally appropriate care. "Dr. Andrus's extensive experience in clinical leadership and his deep commitment to community mental health make him an exceptional choice to lead our psychiatry department," said Derek Anderson, president of Northwell's Northern Westchester and Putnam hospitals. "His dedication to advancing patient care and fostering a robust academic environment aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver top-tier mental health care to the communities we serve." In 2025, Andrus was named a Fellow of the International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation. He was also named a Laughlin Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists and a Ginsburg Fellow of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. He earned his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, receiving research honors and thesis honors for work conducted at the World Health Organization. He completed his psychiatry residency and child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, where he served as chief resident. Northwell Health extened its sincere gratitude to Timothy Sullivan, M.D., for his dedicated support and service as interim chair of the Department of Psychiatry. Northwell's Northern Westchester Hospital is a full-service 245-bed acute care hospital and recognized as a unique medical institution that serves as a teaching hospital, combined with medical and surgical expertise, leading-edge technology and a commitment to person-centered care. Over 1,400 highly trained medical staff members ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, empowering, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. It is the only hospital in Westchester County to receive Healthgrades 2024 America's 250 Best Hospitals Award, placing it among the top five percent in the nation. Northwell is the largest not-for-profit health system in the Northeast, serving residents of New York and Connecticut with 28 hospitals, more than 1,000 outpatient facilities, 22,000 nurses and over 20,000 physicians. Northwell cares for more than three million people annually in the New York metro area, including Long Island, the Hudson Valley, western Connecticut and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from communities. Northwell is New York state's largest private employer with over 104,000 employees, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners and Nuvance Health Medical Practices who are working to change health care for the better. Photo caption: