Each week, HANYS highlights the many ways their member hospitals and health systems are transforming healthcare. Their “Member Spotlight” showcases care providers’ efforts to deliver quality healthcare to patients and communities.

Recently, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center(JHMC) was highlighted for our commitment to investing in groundbreaking initiatives to improve care quality, health outcomes, patient experience, and, in this case, ensuring a healthy start for newborns.

Breast milk is proven to significantly improve childhood nutrition and development, decrease certain childhood infections and save millions in treatment costs for acute illnesses down the line.

For those reasons and more, JHMC created its Volunteer Milk Depot in partnership with the New York Milk Bank in 2017.  This service provides a safe place where lactating women in the community can donate their excess breast milk to mothers who are unable to breastfeed.

Volunteer human milk depots increase access to donors and help lower operational costs of producing pasteurized donor milk.  This makes donor breastmilk more affordable and accessible to all mothers and babies in need.

During the first year of operation, Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot received milk deposits from 11 different donors.  That equates to approximately 6,300 ounces of breast milk.  In 2019, there were 12 donors.  All donors were approved after undergoing a rigorous screening process.

Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot is located in the breastfeeding area of the WIC Department. It is staffed by volunteers who oversee operations and ensure donations are shipped out to the “parent” milk bank to be processed and pasteurized.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, donate or benefit from the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Volunteer Milk Depot, please contact Ivis L. Penalver, BA, IBCLC, WIC Program Assistant Director at ipenalve@jhmc.org or 718-206-8607.

This has been an unprecedented year; however, one of the things that remains the same is the generosity of the employees at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

The hospital’s Food and Nutrition Department teamed up with a local precinct to collect toys for children currently living in shelters throughout  Queens.  In just a few weeks, almost 150 toys were received from employees.

Additionally, in honor of Radiologic Technologist Week and Pharmacy Week, each department hosted a food drive to benefit food pantries in the community.

“Many people have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Food pantries in the Tri-state area have been experiencing long lines and a shortage of items. We felt having a food drive would be a great way to give back and also show that our Radiology and Pharmacy Departments care about the community. Partnering in the effort, we were able to double food items collected.” stated Shazaad Games, Radiology Supervisor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

All donations were sent to the South Asian Council for Social Services as well as a local community center in Flushing that distributes food to close to 1000 families.

Thank you to all of the employees who donated toys and food.  May you and your families have a wonderful holiday season.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center embarked on a journey into robotic surgery after acquiring the da Vinci Si Robot in 2014. The hospital’s first robotic surgery case was performed on August 20^th  of that year.

Since then, the volume of robotic cases has grown exponentially. Surgical representatives from Intuitive, the company that manufactures da Vinci robots, have said that Flushing Hospital’s first year of growth was faster than most other hospitals.

Over the years, Flushing Hospital’s robotic program developed a stellar reputation highlighted by excellent patient safety and satisfaction. The hospital’s track record for providing quality surgical care has earned the recognition of several renowned leaders in healthcare. This includes the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) which designated Flushing Hospital as a “Bariatric Center of Excellence” in 2018.

In March 2020, Flushing Hospital further demonstrated its commitment to being a leader in robotic surgery by purchasing the da Vinci Xi system, the 4th and most recent generation of robots. The new model has many advancements over its predecessor. The laser targeting system now allows easier docking, a boom-mounted system with a flexible and mobile platform provides better anatomic access in multi-quadrant surgeries, and the thin arms and instruments offer a greater range of motion. Additionally, the robot’s high-resolution 3D camera, 7-degree endo-wrist movement, and stable console make it easier for surgeons to perform fine dissection in deep and narrow working spaces.

With the acquisition of the da Vinci Xi, Flushing Hospital surgeons are able to operate even more precisely, faster and safer than in the past. By utilizing this advanced, minimally invasive technology, patients are offered several benefits including faster recovery times, less pain and discomfort.

The first case performed using the da Vinci Xi was successfully completed in June 2020, after a months-long suspension of elective surgeries due to the pandemic. Now that all surgeries have fully resumed, Flushing Hospital hopes to continue providing patients with excellent surgical care.

The average American is living longer now than ever before, and while this is very good news, it does require the healthcare industry to adapt to caring for a growing senior population.

Senior citizens utilize the hospital system at higher rates than non-seniors and they often require treatment for multiple chronic conditions. While seniors make contact with the healthcare system at many different points of care, the place where they most often receive their care is in the Emergency Department.

Understanding the special needs of its geriatric patients, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Emergency Department has made many special accommodations to treat them. In recognition of their efforts, the hospital recently received a Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Flushing Hospital is one of the only hospitals in Queens to receive this accreditation.

“By receiving this designation, Flushing Hospital has set itself apart from other health care facilities by demonstrating a real commitment to the health and well being of our geriatric community,” stated Dr. James Giglio, Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Flushing Hospital.

To achieve this accreditation, Flushing Hospital had to meet many criteria, including ensuring that physicians and nurses received focused education in geriatric emergency medicine. This training was aimed to help providers better understand and address the complex social and physical challenges of the geriatric patient.

In addition to receiving focused education, the hospital also needed to implement geriatric emergency care policies and guidelines, ensure geriatric patients received access to specific equipment and supplies, and even make accommodations to the emergency department’s physical environment.

Congratulations to Dr. Giglio and his staff for conveying to their patients, colleagues and the geriatric community that Flushing Hospital Medical Center cares about the healthcare they provide to their geriatric patients.

Under the direction of Chairman Steven Quarcoo DDS and Attending Dentist Bijan Anvar DDS, Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s  Dental Department hosted a Veterans Smile Day on Friday, November 8, 2019.

The purpose of the event was to provide free dental exams, x-rays, and cleanings to our veterans. It was the hospital’s way of thanking the men and women of our military for their service.

As part of Flushing Hospital’s community outreach, various Veteran and American Legion groups were contacted and invited to have their members participate. The hospital also invited veterans who are currently living in homeless shelters throughout the borough of Queens to participate.

“This is a great way to give back to those who fought for the freedom we enjoy,” stated Dr. Anvar.

Flushing Hospital would like to thank all the dental department staff, residents and technicians who volunteered their time for this worthy cause.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) employees hit another grand slam last month, at their Third Annual Softball Tournament and Family Day.

Employees from  Flushing Hospital participated in playing ball, volunteering, cheerleading or just being a spectator. Teams of players from Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Healthfirst also participated in the day’s activities.

The event took place at Cunningham Park where employees and their families were treated to a delicious BBQ,  home-cooked specialties, face painting, balloons and healthy snacks.

“I take great pride in organizing this event.  It’s getting bigger and better each year. This year, even the weather cooperated! Coming together as a team is a true moral builder.” stated Rob Arbitello, the event organizer.

FHMC leaders Bruce Flanz; President and CEO, Robert Levine; VP and COO, and Catherine Ferrari; Administrator, were, as always,  on hand to watch the game and encourage the teams, They joined employees’ family members in cheering for every run scored.

“I want to thank our hospital’s Administration for their support. Knowing they were on the sidelines really meant a lot.  The event takes time to prepare, but it is a labor of love.” stated Rob Arbitello. “Healthfirst is a true partner in this event and they are this year’s Champs!”

The Third Annual Softball Tournament and Family Day was an even bigger success than last year’s tournament.  The hospital is looking forward to the 2020 gathering and games.

During the summer, Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center joined a worldwide initiative to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. This year’s slogan was: Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding Now and for the Future.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital raised awareness by holding a series of events such as hosting educational tables in the main lobby of each hospital to promote breastfeeding, participating at Jamaica Hospital’s farmers market, visiting libraries, and speaking at “Mommy and Me” classes about the importance and benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

Educating and supporting families about their choice to breastfeed is a long-standing priority at Jamaica and  Flushing Hospital. Each hospital provides breastfeeding classes and support groups to their communities and offers a Mother’s Nursing Room- a private room for mothers to breastfeed or express milk.  These rooms are located on the ground floors of the hospitals’ main lobbies.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital are proud to be the recipients of the Baby-Friendly USA Designation.  The Baby-Friendly designation is a globally known and prestigious recognition awarded to our hospitals because we uphold the highest quality breastfeeding and maternal care guidelines.  The designation is only awarded to organizations that demonstrate a full commitment to providing the best possible support for breastfeeding mothers and ensuring a high quality of mother/baby care.

During the month of May, mental health organizations across the country promoted Mental Health Awareness Month by reaching millions of people through the media, local events and screenings.

As in past years, Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center hosted informational tables in their respective lobbies to show support and educate the community about the importance of maintaining good mental health.

Literature regarding mental health programs and screening questionnaires for anxiety, depression and addiction services were distributed to over 100 employees and visitors on both campuses.

It is estimated that one in four adults in the United States has a diagnosable mental illness. Mental illness is a disabling health condition that has greatly impacted the communities served by Jamaica and Flushing Hospital.

In an effort to meet the growing need for mental health services in our communities, the Department of Psychiatry at both hospitals offer several mental health programs to treat patients and provide support to their families and loved ones. This includes outpatient and inpatient psychiatry services, as well as sober support groups.