The Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness

Millions of people around the world survive an acute viral or bacterial infection, only to develop debilitating chronic symptoms. These people are living with Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS). The Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness (CoRE) is a new center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai that recognizes the critical need for clinical innovations to treat people living with PAIS. We are committed to using the latest in evidence-based medicine to assess, diagnose and treat individuals with state-of-the-art clinical interventions. In addition to clinical excellence, we are also conducting rapid, action-oriented clinical research that leads to the development of novel treatments and assessments for those living with PAIS.

Our guiding principle is that clinical CoRE offers comprehensive interdisciplinary care through a unique hybrid clinical research and education program that centers on pinpointing and addressing the root causes of diseases and managing symptoms. Our facility features an autonomic testing clinic, a skilled physical therapy team specializing in autonomic rehabilitation, professionals in non-pharmacological chronic pain interventions, dedicated social workers, and a patient care navigator to assist you through your journey. By examining and addressing these patients collectively, we can identify crucial treatment options that could benefit related patient groups. Our objective is to establish ourselves as a global authority in treating and researching complex chronic illnesses, including post-acute infection syndromes.

Conditions We Treat

The Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness was a clinic designed to specialize in treating people with Long COVID. As we learned more Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), tick-borne/vector-borne (TB/VB) illnesses, connective tissue disorders such as hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and joint hypermobility disorders associated with PAIS.

Long COVID symptoms arise post initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. ME/CFS often starts after a viral infection, but various factors can trigger it. TB/VB illness patients develop chronic symptoms following a bacterial pathogen infection. Some connective tissue disorders worsen after an acute illness, leading to vasculature issues and unstable joints. hEDS is common in patients with long COVID, ME/CFS, and TB/VB illnesses.

Patients with long COVID, ME/CFS, TB/VB illnesses, and EDS share similar biological issues contributing to their debilitating symptoms.

Testing and Rehabilitation

All CoRE participants undergo a variety of routine testing and individualized assessments before treatment. Our routine testing and sample collection include, but not limited to validated measures of:

Metabolic health
Vascular/Endothelial function
Immune function
Viral activity and reactivation
Hormonal health and regulation
Autonomic nervous system
Cognitive testing
Tick-borne/vector-borne testing

Rehabilitation

At CoRE, we pride ourselves on providing personalized care to each patient. After our initial testing and assessment, we offer advanced rehabilitation options.

Autonomic rehabilitation
Breathwork
VR/AR therapy for chronic pain
Non-invasive brain stimulation for pain and cognition
Electrophysical interventions
Musculoskeletal rehabilitation for hypermobile joint disorders

CoRE also offers remote patient monitoring and telehealth services, neuropsychology and psychology support, and peer support services. The Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness serves as a model for other institutions to understand and care for complex chronic illnesses.

Educational Resources

As a leading center treating complex chronic illnesses, CoRE is actively developing a suite of educational resources for patients, providers, caretakers, and the general public. As they are made available, these open-access resources can be accessed here.

Meet Our Team

Our team at the Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness is staffed by dedicated physicians committed to providing the highest quality of patient-centered care.

David Putrino, Ph.D.
Nash Family Director