Share

Learn how to choose the right sunscreen, read Mateo’s recovery story, and see how BMC is advancing scleroderma treatment.
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Boston Medical Center Logo

Read in browser

JUNE 2026 EDITION

Your BMC

Where care meets community - every month at BMC

BMC's Dr. Tuhina Neogi and patient

Dr. Tuhina Neogi, rheumatologist and epidemiologist

Mateo is Back on the Field After a Life-Threatening Pulmonary Embolism  

BMC Patient Mateo Turletti
Amy Sobota, MD, Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Dr. Sobota

With soccer taking center stage in Boston this month, it’s a fitting time to share the story of an athlete with Boston-ties whose toughest opponent wasn’t another team – it was a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Thanks to timely care and determination, he was able to return to the sport that meant so much to him.


Mateo Turletti has been playing soccer for as long as he can remember. His parents, Natalia and Pablo, say he kicked a ball even before he walked. By 2025, Mateo 

But in late July, just a few days before preseason, Mateo started having shortness of breath while traveling with friends. “I’m pretty stubborn, so I just went with it,” he remembers. “And then one day, I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t breathe.” He immediately flew back to his home to Spain, where doctors discovered he had a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs called a pulmonary embolism.


Upon return to Boston University, Mateo began receiving care from a multidisciplinary team at Boston Medical Center, including Amy Sobota, MD, Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Together, his specialists carefully evaluated his condition and developed a treatment plan to help him safely manage his blood clotting disorder while exploring whether a return to competitive soccer could be possible.


At first, Mateo feared he might never play again. But with support from his family, coaches, and care team, he stayed focused on his recovery and remained connected to the sport he loved. In April 2026, after extensive testing and careful monitoring, Mateo achieved what once seemed impossible: a safe return to the soccer field.

Read How Dr. Sobota Helped Mateo Safely Return to the Field  →

A BMC Dermatologist’s Guide to Finding the Most Effective Sunscreen 

Dr. Debjani Sahni

With summer sunshine finally here, it’s the perfect time to brush up on sun safety. For years, mineral sunscreens have been the go-to recommendation for many dermatologists because of their broad protection and established safety profile. Now, a newly approved sunscreen ingredient may give us another effective option, expanding the range of chemical sunscreens that offer strong protection against harmful UV rays.


This spring, the FDA approved the first 

new sunscreen ingredient in 20 years. Bemotrizinol, known as BEMT, has been used safely in other countries for decades and may help expand access to sunscreens that provide stronger protection against UVA rays – the rays that can contribute to skin cancer and premature skin aging.


As sunscreen options continue to evolve, understanding what’s on the label is more important than ever. To help you choose the right protection for you and your family, , Dr. Debjani Sahni, a BMC dermatologist and director of the Cutaneous Oncology Multidisciplinary Program, offers a step-by-step review of what to look for on the labels. 

Choose a mineral sunscreen; the ingredients help provide longer-lasting protection. Look for “broad spectrum” on the label. It covers both types of wavelengths, UVA and UVB, which contribute to aging, damage, and formation of cancers. Select a product between the ranges of SPF30 and SPF 50. Choose a lotion, not a spray; the thickness of the lotion allows for better coverage. For outdoor activities involving water or sweat, it’s best to look for “water resistant” products. Not all sunscreens are created equally; so, it is best to read the label to get the most out of whatever product you choose. The label will tell you how often it needs to be applied to be as effective as it is advertised. To get the best protection, apply the sunscreen lotion 15 minutes before you go outdoors.

BMC Health System has dermatology practices available to patients across Greater Boston, including BMC Brighton Dermatology.

Learn More About Dermatology Care at BMC →

How BMC Is Advancing Detection and Treatment of this “Hidden Disease"

Dr. Andreea Monica Bujor

June is Scleroderma Awareness Month. Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too much collagen, leading to thickened skin, and in some cases, damage to organs such as the lungs, heart and digestive system. It most often affects women between the ages of 30 and 50 and can range from mild to life-threatening.


Because scleroderma can affect multiple parts of the body, care often requires a team of specialists. At Boston Medical Center, patients have access to expert, coordinated care through the Scleroderma Clinic, the largest and oldest scleroderma program in New England. The clinic brings together specialists from across the health system, including combined dermatology and rheumatology care, to provide comprehensive, patient-centered treatment, in addition to advancing new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Like many autoimmune diseases, scleroderma can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms vary from person to person and may develop gradually over time, making early detection challenging. Timely diagnosis and specialized care are critical to helping people manage symptoms.


BMC researcher Andreea Monica Bujor, MD, PhD, and her team are studying innovative imaging technology that can identify changes beneath the skin, even before they can be detected during a standard physical exam. This research could help clinicians better understand disease progression and guide treatment decisions, improving the management of symptoms and the quality of life for those who are navigating scleroderma.

Learn More About Advances in Scleroderma Detection →

Celebrating Cancer Survivors Across BMC Health System  

This Cancer Survivors Month, we’re celebrating the strength and resilience of patients across our health system. These three survivor stories highlight not only the personal journeys behind a cancer diagnosis, but also the compassionate, expert care available close to home.

Stanley Mattox

BMC and BMC Brighton: Esophageal Cancer

Stanley Mattox

“There’s always a little light at the end of the tunnel. Especially with surgery, you don’t know exactly how it’s going to turn out, so you just kind of have a positive attitude and keep praying.”  


Read Stanley’s Full Story

Sister Barbara McHugh

BMC Brighton: Pancreatic Cancer

Sister Barbar McHugh

“I like stories and have learned from people sharing. So, I figure if I can share my story and help some people, that matters.”


Read Sister Barbara’s Full Story


Peter Akeke

BMC South: Prostate Cancer

Peter Akeke

“Get over to the doctor and get checked out...if nothing else, it’ll give you a baseline if something pops up later.”


Read Peter’s Full Story

We celebrate these survivors, their loved ones, and the care teams who support them every step of the way.

Awards

BMC Named One of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026

BMC Named One of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026 


Boston Medical Center has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2026. The distinction highlights hospitals that deliver exceptional care for mothers and newborns, with strong clinical outcomes, positive patient experiences, and a commitment to advancing maternal health.


BMC remains dedicated to providing high-quality, equitable care for every family throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Learn More About BMC's Maternity Care.


Events

BMC Health System Celebrates Pride Month

BMC Health System Celebrates Pride Month 


We were proud to join The Boston Pride Parade and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community that helps make our city stronger, more vibrant, and more welcoming for all. 


Thank you to the employees, patients, families, and community members who marched with us and helped make the day one of joy, connection, and pride. Together, we celebrated the importance of belonging, visibility, and equity in our communities. See Highlights and Photos from the Parade. 


BMC Celebrates Juneteenth

Celebrating Juneteenth in Community 


BMC Health System was proud to participate in some of this month’s Juneteenth celebrations. On June 16th, our staff enjoyed a powerful spoken word performance, Juneteenth: Recognition and Reflection, by Sydney Jackson, Kahn Award recipient a BU Graduate, who blends acting and music to educate, inspire, and celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth through storytelling and artistic expression.


Thank you to everyone who came together to make the day meaningful and memorable. Explore Highlights from This Year’s Juneteenth Celebrations.


BMC In The News

We’re excited to spotlight recent media coverage that features BMC experts sharing insights on timely health topics. From national outlets to local platforms, these stories reflect our commitment to improving care, advancing equity, and supporting our patients and communities every step of the way.

Dr. Paul J Maglione

Here’s Why Pollen Is Out of Control Around New England This Spring


This spring’s delayed start to the pollen season, followed by a sudden burst of heat, has created a recipe for a rough allergy season across New England. Fortunately, there are steps people can take to help limit symptoms. Dr. Paul J Maglione, board-certified allergist-immunologist at BMC, explains, “There are several things someone can do to reduce symptoms due to pollen allergy. Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning, changing clothes worn outside when returning indoors, and using HEPA filters can all reduce indoor pollen exposure.” Read More About This Story in Boston Globe.

In Your Words

“In Your Words” features patient comments from patient experience outreach surveys. We appreciate your time completing these surveys and for sharing your thoughts with us. The information gathered in these surveys is used to learn where we can improve, to continue to provide exceptional care to all.

Quotation mark

“If there was an award being given for the doctor with the best bedside manner, I would definitely, most definitely give it to Dr. Merjanah. From the very first visit, she made my mother feel welcome even when my mother wasn't in the best of moods. She took her time, she explained everything in detail. And it's not very often that I come across doctors like Dr. Merjanah. I know most doctors have best intentions, but I have to say Dr. Merjanah is an exceptional doctor” – BMC Rheumatology Patient

Patient Resources

iconFind a Doctor
iconVisitor Information
iconCode of Conduct
iconMake an Appointment
Mychart Logo

Reminder: You can send your doctor non-urgent medical questions through MyChart. Create your account or sign in today!

Email Marketing by ActiveCampaign