Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women who live in the MediSys Health Network’s service area.  In an effort to reduce the number of fatalities and lessen the negative impact the disease has on our communities, our network proudly supports the American Cancer Society’s, “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” initiative to provide breast health services and information to women.

Each year,  the MediSys Health Network’s, “Dream Believers Team,” consisting of Flushing and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center staff coordinates events to educate the community and raise funds to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease.  In addition to fundraising and educational efforts, team members further demonstrate advocacy by participating in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

Over the years, the team’s dedication to raising funds to fight breast cancer has been recognized by the American Cancer Society but special recognition was given several weeks ago when the MediSys Dream Believers was named a Pacesetter Team and the number one fundraising team in Queens. The team rose over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society during the 2016 calendar year.

Team co-leader, Arlette Cunningham credits this great achievement to the hard work and support of hospital staff.  Cunningham hopes that MediSys Dream Believers will once again raise more than $30,000 this year and receive even more participation. “We are anticipating an increase in our numbers of walkers and supporters,” she shared.

To learn more about the MediSys Dream Believers Team and how you can support their mission, please call 718-206-6003.

It came as no surprise when Jamaica Hospital Medical Center volunteer Marguerite Luizzo, fondly known as “Margo,” was selected as NY1 News’, Queens Person of the Week.  The TV segment highlights individuals who make a difference in their communities by volunteering and helping others.   Luizzo has served as a volunteer at the hospital since 2012; her kindheartedness and positive attitude are some of the qualities that patients and staff have enjoyed over the years.

Margo has had a knack for helping others for as long as she can remember.  “As a child, I was always the first to grab the mercurochrome bottle when my siblings got hurt and put the Band-Aids on,” Luizzo shared with reporters.  She would continue to provide that special care to others for nearly 45 years throughout her professional career as a nurse.

Luizzo retired from Jamaica Hospital in 2012 but she knew her duty to help others could not stop there. “I like being around people and I just feel that we are put here to help one another,” she explained.   Never one to sit around; Margo decided that she would pursue a personal mission to provide community service in and around her Queens neighborhood.

Currently, Margo devotes her time to the hospital by serving as a patient liaison for the Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU).  Her duties include providing a supportive and caring environment for patients and their families. Her dedication and compassion are appreciated by all who have the pleasure of meeting her. Luizzo also serves as a comfort captain; training other volunteers to carry out their work efficiently.

In addition to volunteering in Jamaica Hospital’s ASU, Margo is also a co-leader for the hospital’s MediSys Dream Believers Cancer Walk team and has helped raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and the American Cancer Society.

Congratulations Margo Luizzo for being featured as NY1 News,’ Queens Person of the Week. It is an honor that is well deserved.  Thank you for dedicating your time to the MediSys Health Network and in helping us to achieve our goal of providing quality care to the communities we serve.

WATCH news clip here:

The flu season began in October but many in our community still wonder, “Is it too late for me to get the flu shot?”  Jamaica Hospital Medical Center physician, Dr. Socorro De Jesus addressed this concern in a recent television interview by informing viewers that it is not too late and it is best to get vaccinated sooner rather than later.

Dr. De Jesus reminded everyone that receiving the flu shot can reduce the chances of becoming infected with the influenza virus by 50-60%.  She also discussed with reporters that receiving the flu shot not only protects the individual but it also protects the community, as the more people who are immunized in a vicinity the less likely the flu virus will spread in that environment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that “All persons aged 6 months and older are recommended for annual vaccination, with rare exception.” Vaccinations are very important for people who are at high risk of becoming infected with the flu virus. This includes children ages six months through four years old, older adults, people who are immunosuppressed, pregnant women and health care professionals.

In an effort to protect staff, patients and members of the community, Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center encourages everyone to receive a flu shot each year.

WATCH here:

The Nutritional Services Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center participated in several successful community outreach events during this holiday season.

In November, the hospital’s registered dietitians, Lindsay Chetelat and Alessandra Venditto collaborated with the New York City Department of Health to host an event at the Jamaica Farmers Market.  The event promoted the health benefits of eating fresh, seasonal produce.

Chetelat and Venditto shared recipes with participants and demonstrated ways to prepare fruits and vegetables for a healthy meal. Health Bucks were distributed to guests as part of an initiative to increase access to fresh produce within the five boroughs. Health Bucks are paper vouchers created by the Health Department’s District Public Health Offices. The vouchers provide opportunities for residents to buy fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables while supporting regional farmers.

In December, the Nutritional Services Department’s Clinical Nutrition Manager, Nelly Katan, assisted in the coordination of a NY1 News segment about ‘Eating Healthy during the Holidays.’ Dietitian Lindsay Chetelat shared several healthy eating tips with viewers which included sticking to the Plate Method, eating slowly and allowing yourself one treat.  The segment was well-received by many in our community.

To view the news segment, please watch here:

Both initiatives were a great success and are examples of some of the community outreach efforts conducted by the Nutritional Services Department in an effort to increase public education by engaging with residents in our neighborhood.  Members of the department work continuously to assist our patients in growing their knowledge about nutrition, wellness and healthy eating.  We look forward to their advancements in the New Year.

Dr. Harrison Mu FACS, Director of Neurosurgery at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, was recently recognized as a Healthcare Hero by the Queens Tribune.  The momentous achievement came on the heels of the previous announcement that Mu has been chosen to serve as an Honorary Police Surgeon for the NYPD by police Commissioner James O’Neill.

Dr. Mu specializes in brain and spinal injuries. He is best known for treating and saving the life of NYPD Officer Kenneth Healey in the highly public incident in which Healey was attacked by an assailant with a hatchet.

The Health Care Heroes were carefully selected from medical institutions and programs in Queens and Long Island. Each honoree was nominated based on their contributions in helping to shape the future of healthcare and implementing innovations or philosophies that will ultimately improve and save the lives of patients.

Dr. Mu’s philosophy is, “Every person is unique and every patient should be treated as such,” he said. “My approach to every patient is individualistic. It is my feeling to help you understand your situation first. And with this understanding, we can discuss the management options and formulate a plan within the context of medicine and within your value and goals.”

Congratulations on your achievement Dr. Harrison Mu and thank you for all your contributions to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and the communities we serve.

On November 19, 2016, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated the important milestone of serving the community for 125 years.  The momentous occasion was commemorated at the hospital’s annual Rainbow Ball dinner- dance and fundraiser which took place at Citi Field.

The venue was filled to the maximum capacity of 650 guests, consisting of hospital staff, community leaders and supporters of Jamaica Hospital.

Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz commenced the evening by welcoming everyone and sharing a brief history of the hospital since its humble beginnings in a rented four- bedroom house to the 408-bed institution it is today.

Mr. Flanz exuded pride as he spoke about the institution’s evolution over the last century and continuous commitment to providing quality health care.  He took a moment to highlight Jamaica Hospital’s ability to engage with the community and identify services needed to improve the population’s health.   One of the departments to provide a much-needed service over the years has been the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

(L-R) Jamaica Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz and Chief of Orthopedic Surgery Nader Paksima MD

The department was recognized for providing highly specialized care to hundreds of thousands of patients and producing some of the nation’s best surgeons from its residency program.  Department head and Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, Nader Paksima MD., accepted an award on behalf of the stellar team. Proceeds from the Rainbow Ball were earmarked to benefit the Department of Orthopedic Surgery to help them continue their outstanding work.

(L-R)Honorees Ryan Eller; President Resorts World Casino and John O’Keefe; Senior Vice President of Operations, Underpinning and Foundation Skanska Inc.

Additional awards were presented to the honorees for the evening, Ryan M. Eller; President of Resorts World Casino and John O’Keefe; Senior Vice President of Operations, Underpinning and Foundation Skanska Inc.  Both were honored for displaying a strong commitment to Jamaica Hospital as well as communities in which the organizations operate.

In all the 2016 Rainbow Ball was a fantastic night of celebration.  Thank you to all who have contributed in making the event a success and to those who have supported Jamaica Hospital in its endeavors over the years.

Last month, MediSys Health Network celebrated the grand opening of the New York Surgical Specialists center by hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony.  The new multi-specialty practice located on Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows, sits in the heart of one of the most highly-trafficked streets in Queens. The beautifully decorated 3700 Sq. Ft facility evidently designed with the comforts of the patient in mind, boasts a modern aesthetic and several state-of-the-art amenities.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was hosted by the practice’s head surgeons, Michael Stracher MD, Sanjeev Rajpal MD, Juan Sandoval MD and Frederick Gulmi MD. MediSys Health Network’s President and CEO Bruce J Flanz welcomed guests and gave opening remarks. He was later joined by Mournir Doss; Executive Vice President and CFO who spoke about the vision the network’s leadership had for New York Surgical Specialists and the hard work that brought it to fruition. He expressed his appreciation to project managers Rosemary Brandt and Tracey Agostini for facilitating and overseeing many aspects of the process.

Guests were granted office tours during which they learned about the sophisticated technologies, such as the Artemis Robot which will be utilized by the surgeons. The facility’s waiting area was furnished with comfortable seating, colorful pieces of art and a centrally located reception area. The eight examination rooms were impeccable and expansive.

New York Surgical Specialists is open for business and offers patients a wide range of surgical services that include general, bariatric, urological, gynecological and orthopedic surgery. The surgical group is one of few in Queens to provide patients with surgeons who specialize in laparoscopic and robotic surgery in addition to traditional surgery. Most surgical procedures will be performed at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.  New York Surgical Specialists’ friendly and professional staff is available to facilitate and expedite patient referrals and can be reached by calling, 718-408-NYSS (6977).

Last month, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated breaking ground for what will be the newly renovated Ferrara Family Center for Hospice Care.  The event was held in the Trump Pavilion Garden Room North and was filled to capacity by staff, elected officials, media and supporters of the hospital.

The ground breaking ceremony commenced with remarks from Jamaica Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz who excitedly welcomed everyone and shared a brief history of the renovation project from inception to reaching the milestone that was achieved on that day.  Mr. Flanz’s excitement proved infectious as others including elected officials Senator Joseph Addabbo and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz later followed his speech expressing the same sentiment while applauding the hospital for its commitment to providing quality care to the community over the years.

The highlight of the event took place when the Borough President, along with Mr. Flanz and board member Neil Foster Phillips introduced hospital trustee Mr. Joseph Ferrara, the namesake for the unit. Mr. Ferrara went on to explain how important this day was for him and for the advancement of the hospital’s community initiatives. “It’s a necessary thing,” he said. “The community deserves this.”

Ferrara praised the high level of care and dedication offered by the Hospice Care Unit’s multidisciplinary staff led by Dr. Alan Roth; Chairman of Family Medicine and Chief of Palliative Care Medicine and Angelo Canedo PHD; Vice President of MediSys Health Network: by sharing his personal experience of the support received when his wife passed away. “I met many wonderful and caring people”, he said.

Guest speaker and former Jamaica Hospital employee Edward Schraeger also shared his story “I was fortunate enough to have a place like Jamaica to bring my relatives. Without Jamaica, I honestly don’t know what we would’ve done,” Schraeger said. “It warms my heart to see this program will continue to flourish.”

Hospital leadership later presented Mr. Ferrara with a sledge hammer with a gold- covered head and a plaque as a commemoration of his generosity. He found it a great honor for his family to be a part of the momentous occasion.

The Ferrara Family Center for Hospice Care is slated to begin construction this fall. The unit’s redesign will offer patients and families many upgraded amenities that promote serenity, privacy and will allow them to feel more at home. Some of the new upgrades will include private and spacious suites for patients, family meeting rooms and a relaxing family lounge that offers loved ones a space to gather decompress or reflect.

“The needs of our patients and community are at the top of our list of priorities; our commitment to patient satisfaction is reflected in every amenity and feature we will offer at the Ferrara Family Center for Hospice Care,” concluded hospital CEO and President Bruce J. Flanz.  “We want to ensure that compassion and comfort are received at all times,”stated Mr. Flanz.

The possibility of a Zika virus outbreak in the United States has been a looming issue for health organizations, elected officials and the general public.  This growing concern has sparked a quest for information and communities are looking to their local hospitals as one of the resources to provide education about the virus.

Jamaica Hospital has collaborated with key influencers in the community to raise awareness and share measures of prevention against Zika.  Some of those collaborations included working with elected officials, local media and participating in nationally recognized social media forums to get the message out.  The hospital’s Director of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Farshad Bagheri has helped greatly in providing the information needed to facilitate these initiatives.

This summer, in a Queens Chronicle article, titled “Doctors Worried as Zika Hits Queens,” Bagheri explained to reporters that actions against Zika must be carried out with urgency as the threat of an outbreak is more imminent than many realize.  He further explained the protocol that area hospitals were advised to follow if they received a patient displaying symptoms.

The full article can be read here: http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/doctors-worried-as-zika-hits-queens/article_09fa954c-81fb-595e-9da5-3d067cc24a1a.html

Additionally, as part of a social media, community outreach campaign, Jamaica Hospital collaborated with Councilman Eric Ulrich to educate the public about the virus.   Dr. Bagheri provided vital statistics, safety tips and a public service warning to pregnant women travelling to countries with high levels of transmission.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to serve as a trusted resource for the wellness and betterment of our community. Hospital leadership and staff are consistently exploring new ways to communicate with and educate those we serve.

Dr. Rick Conetta and TV Host Dr. Alexander van Tulleken

During the summer of 1999, Queens became the epicenter of the first West Nile Virus outbreak in the United States.

The chain of events began when patients were taken to Flushing Hospital with unusual symptoms that alarmed staff and prompted them to conduct a medical investigation that is still described by many as a superb case of medical sleuthing.

The findings from the investigation submitted by the hospital’s team of doctors which included the late Dr. Deborah Asnis, Dr. Rick Conetta and others helped the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies to solve one of the most renowned medical mysteries of that time.

Although the events that led to this discovery occurred several years ago, many are still intrigued and continue to share the story to this day.

In fact, this summer, a production company associated with MSNBC TV visited Flushing Hospital to film a documentary about solving medical mysteries.  The host, Dr. Alexander van Tulleken, best known for his work during the Ebola outbreak, interviewed Dr. Rick Conetta, Flushing Hospital’s Director of Critical Care about the significant role the hospital played in discovering the West Nile virus.

Dr. Conetta later invited the TV host to take a supervised tour of the units and facilities in the hospital that served as the locations in which the mystery illness was first observed, researched, treated and reported.  This included the Three West Nursing Station, the Medical Library and the hospital’s laboratory.

The two wrapped up the interview with the notion that if not for the diligence of the staff at Flushing Hospital, it was quite possible that the symptoms of the West Nile virus would not have been identified as quickly and the disease could have spread more widely. Their quick actions saved many lives.

The show is still in its productions stages but is scheduled to air next year and is tentatively titled, “The Chain.” The Department of Public Affairs will provide updates about possible air dates.

Over the years Flushing Hospital has built a reputation in the community for being sensitive to the needs of patients and going above and beyond to provide quality medical care.  The dedication of the hospital’s staff resonates in achievements such as serving as the epicenter for the discovery of the West Nile virus to making certain that each day; all patients who enter our doors receive quality health care.