Sam Altstein
Brooklyn
Summary
Dynamic Telehealth Medical Director with a proven track record at Mount Sinai Downtown Practices, spearheading the transition to virtual care during the pandemic. Expert in digital workflow optimization and medical leadership, enhancing access and efficiency while fostering team collaboration. Committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care and improving patient outcomes.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Telehealth Medical Director
Mount Sinai Downtown Practices
01.2018 - Current
- Appointed approximately six months before the COVID-19 pandemic, providing early leadership in digital-care strategy.
- Led the system-wide transition of physicians to telehealth during the onset of COVID-19 to ensure continuity of care, patient and staff safety, and rapid access to education and treatment.
- Developed and implemented clinical protocols, provider training, and digital workflows to support high-quality virtual care.
- Expanded telehealth services across multiple practices, improving access, efficiency, and hybrid-care integration.
- Served as a system resource for virtual-care best practices and operational problem-solving.
Medical Director & Attending Physician
Mount Sinai - Beth Israel
New York
01.2010 - Current
- Lead clinical operations for a high-volume primary care practice serving a diverse and medically complex patient population.
- Supervise and support primary care and multi-specialty physicians, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care.
- Oversee quality metrics, patient safety initiatives, and workflow optimization.
- Maintain a full clinical panel with strong continuity and patient satisfaction outcomes.
Medical Director
Inner Imaging (Affiliated with Mount Sinai - Beth Israel)
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Performed cardiac exercise and pharmacologic stress testing with ECG interpretation.
- Interpreted CT coronary artery calcium scans and integrated findings into preventive care plans.
- Developed a primary care practice with a focus on early detection and management of coronary artery disease.
Chief Resident (PGY-3)
Beth Israel Medical Center
New York
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Provided clinical and administrative leadership for a 26-resident program.
- Led morning report, journal club, sports medicine curriculum, and CQI initiatives.
- Coordinated resident scheduling, supervision, and educational programming.
Education
Doctor of Osteopathy - Medicine
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University
Chicago, IL06-1996
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI06-1988
Skills
- Telehealth implementation
- Digital workflow optimization
- Medical leadership and clinical education
- Quality metric evaluation
- Team management and emergency readiness
Scholarship Media Contributions
- Lectures on EBCT heart scans and coronary artery calcium scoring.
- Presenter at HIV conference: 'Treating HIV as a Primary Care Physician.'
- Speaker at community health events on cancer screening and preventive care.
- Contributor to online health columns and blogs.
- Featured in multiple television interviews on influenza, vaccine education, and public health topics.
- Participant in national media events including ABC News Twitter chats on foodborne illness and safety.
Teaching Experience
- Active educator for medical students and residents throughout career.
- Preceptor for primary care rotations, telehealth training, and clinical skills development.
Service Committees
Mount Sinai Health System, Antibiotic Stewardship Committee, 2015, Variation Reduction in Congestive Heart Failure Initiative, 2015, Laboratory Quality Improvement Committee, 2014
Professional Interests
- Preventive medicine: cardiovascular disease, tobacco cessation, mood disorders
- STD/HIV prevention
- Medical writing (internet and print)
- Public health communication
References
Available upon request
Hobbies and Interests
- Endurance training (marathons, triathlons)
- Cooking
- Travel
Residency Training
Urban Family Practice Residency, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, 01/01/96, 01/01/99, True, Provided clinical and administrative leadership for a 26-resident program., Led morning report, journal club, sports medicine curriculum, and CQI initiatives., Coordinated resident scheduling, supervision, and educational programming.
Research
Inter-Country Adoption Study, Israel, 01/01/88, 01/01/89
Affiliations
Endurance athlete
Timeline
Telehealth Medical Director
Mount Sinai Downtown Practices
01.2018 - Current
Medical Director & Attending Physician
Mount Sinai - Beth Israel
01.2010 - Current
Medical Director
Inner Imaging (Affiliated with Mount Sinai - Beth Israel)
01.2007 - 01.2010
Chief Resident (PGY-3)
Beth Israel Medical Center
01.1996 - 01.1999
Doctor of Osteopathy - Medicine
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
University of Wisconsin-Madison