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Damara Gutnick
Senior Director at Montefiore Office of Community and Population Health
Professional Background
Dr. Damara Gutnick is a distinguished healthcare professional with a robust commitment to enhancing chronic disease management through empowering patients. Her philosophy centers around the belief that enabling individuals to participate actively in their healthcare can significantly elevate both personal health outcomes and the well-being of entire communities. With extensive experience in training and consultation, Dr. Gutnick has marked her place within the healthcare landscape as a leader in patient-centered care.
Currently, Dr. Gutnick serves as the Senior Director at the Montefiore Office of Community and Population Health. In this strategic role, she drives initiatives focused on improving healthcare delivery for diverse populations, ensuring that the care provided is both effective and equitable. Her previous positions include Medical Director at Montefiore Hudson Valley Collaborative and Director of Quality & Research at the Centre for Collaboration, Motivation, and Innovation, further showcasing her extensive background in quality improvement and research within healthcare settings.
Education and Achievements
Dr. Gutnick's academic journey began at Cornell University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science. She further pursued her passion for medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, obtaining her MD degree. This solid educational foundation has greatly contributed to her extensive knowledge and expertise in internal medicine and psychiatry.
Dr. Gutnick's academic appointments reflect her dedication to the fields of medicine and psychiatry. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center, where she not only teaches the next generation of healthcare professionals but also contributes to research aimed at improving patient care.
Recognized for her expertise in motivational interviewing (MI), Dr. Gutnick is a proud member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Her enthusiasm for training and consultation is evidenced through her well-attended workshops, such as "Motivational Interviewing for Busy Clinicians", and "Shared Decision Making", which emphasize practical strategies for healthcare professionals.
Notable Contributions
Dr. Gutnick's work extends beyond the classroom and into the community, where she helps design and implement collaborative care programs aimed at managing chronic diseases, particularly depression. By blending evidence-based practices with patient-centered approaches, she has devised strategies that not only improve outcomes for patients but also foster a collaborative environment between patients and healthcare providers.
Dr. Gutnick has been a sought-after speaker at numerous national and international conferences, actively sharing her insights and research impact within her specialized fields. Her participation at prestigious events such as the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the International MINT Forum illustrates her commitment to advancing healthcare knowledge on a global stage.
Her specializations encompass a wide range of areas including consulting and training in Motivational Interviewing, depression screening, collaborative care, and health system redesign. With a focus on training healthcare providers, she equips them to efficiently and effectively manage depression, ensuring comprehensive care pathways for patients facing mental health challenges.
Through initiatives like shared decision-making and brief action planning in medical settings, Dr. Gutnick is pioneering the way healthcare is delivered, striving to shift the paradigm towards greater patient involvement and satisfaction in their own care journeys.
Achievements
- Engaged in designing and implementing collaborative care programs for chronic diseases such as depression.
- Successfully trained healthcare professionals in the principles of Motivational Interviewing.
- Developed and presented workshops focusing on effective strategies for chronic disease management and patient engagement.
- Contributed to various prestigious national and international healthcare conferences, sharing knowledge and insights with peers.
- Authored impactful content aimed at enhancing patient-centered medical home designs and care transitions.
