Featured Researcher: Dr. Casey Crump
February 2, 2016
Dr. Casey Crump is the new vice chair for research in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at Mount Sinai. In addition to being a researcher, Dr. Crump is a family practitioner and will practice at the Harlem Family Health Center. Below is a brief interview of Dr. Crump.
What research are you currently working on?
I’m currently studying the interactive effects of aerobic fitness, muscular fitness, and body mass index on the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, using military data for all men nationwide in Sweden. My previous research has included studies of long-term outcomes of preterm birth, early-life risk factors for cancer, and premature mortality among persons with mental disorders. As a family physician, I’m a generalist at heart, and I’m interested in any topics with clinical or public health impact.
Are there any areas of research you are hoping to explore in the future?
I look forward to collaborating with other faculty and trainees to study health disparities and social determinants of health in underserved populations of New York City, and personalized medicine in primary care. I believe that the Institute and the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at Mount Sinai are well-positioned to have the premier national programs especially in these areas. I look forward to not only contributing to these endeavors but also helping spread the word nationally about the outstanding work you are already doing to serve the most vulnerable urban populations.
What are you looking forward to the most about working at the Institute, Mount Sinai, and in New York?
In my earliest visits to the Institute and Mount Sinai, I was struck by the extremely impressive and highly dynamic work in research, education, and patient care already being done by your Family Medicine faculty and trainees. I cannot wait to get involved and contribute to those efforts. I also left behind many good friends and colleagues at Stanford, so I look forward to building new relationships. I place a very high value on mutual support and kindness in the workplace, and want to do my part to help nurture this kind of environment.
Why did you decide to become a family physician?
I became a family physician because I’m deeply interested in promoting health across the lifespan and in its social context, which I believe is essential for improving both individual and population health. Family Medicine is also a fantastic and underrated background for clinical and public health research.
What do you like to do when you aren’t researching or seeing patients?
I love hiking, biking, yoga, and skiing. I have never lived on the East Coast and am excited about exploring New York City and the surrounding area.
Do you have any must-see recommendations for someone visiting the Bay Area?
The Bay area is great for all kinds of outdoor activities. Although Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge are famous attractions, many people are unaware of the great hiking in the hills adjacent to the north end of the bridge, offering spectacular views of the city, the Bay, and the Pacific. Napa Valley wine country is also just a short drive away and is beautiful.
Your wife is also starting at Mount Sinai as a researcher in Population Health Science and Policy. Have you ever worked together on a project?
Yes, my wife (Weiva Sieh) is a genetic epidemiologist who studies hormone-related cancers such as breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. She is joining the Departments of Population Health Science and Policy and of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at Mount Sinai. Our interests and skills are complementary and we’ve collaborated on several studies of early-life and familial risk factors for cancer.
