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.

Infection control is a top priority at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Both hospitals exercise measures that are as simple as enforcing good hand hygiene among staff or as complex as implementing high-level disinfectant and sterilization processes.

One of the most efficient means of reminding everyone of the importance of infectious disease control is through education. During International Infection Prevention Week Jamaica and Flushing Hospital hosted events in their main lobbies to educate employees and the community about the many different germs and infections that could be found in a healthcare setting and ways to prevent them from spreading.

Jamaica Hospital’s Infection Control Department invited guests to play trivia games, participate in raffles and most importantly learn about viruses such as Zika and bacteria such as MRSA and C-Diff. The group displayed boards that taught passersby about ways to reduce transmission.

At Flushing Hospital, Director of Infection Prevention; Dr. Javeria Shakil and her team hosted an informational table to raise awareness of the importance of proper hand hygiene. They informed guests that while there is no single way to eliminate healthcare-associated infections, practicing good hygiene can have a strong impact. In fact, eighty percent of infections are spread by dirty hands and washing them is often the best defense at preventing the spread of germs and bacteria.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital will continue to make strides in infection prevention solutions and strive to sustain hand hygiene initiatives. Both organizations are committed to motivating staff to comply with proper infection disease practices.

Special thanks to the Infection Control Departments of both hospitals for their continued efforts.

October 6 2016, was Organ Donor Enrollment Day.  The observance was created to inform New Yorkers that the need for organ donors has never been greater and encourage them to take action by enrolling into the New York State Donate Life Registry.   This call to action is very important because there are currently 10,000 New York residents waiting for an organ donation and each year many die while waiting.

Several health organizations including Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center support this initiative by participating in a statewide campaign to register as many organ donors as possible at their locations.

In previous years both hospitals have conducted outreach efforts on their respective campuses. However this year, in addition to operating hospital-based enrollment stations, Flushing and Jamaica Hospital collaborated with York College and Queens College by hosting donor registration events in their student lobbies.

Organizers from LiveOnNY and hospital staff led teams of volunteers at all locations to speak with potential donors about the importance of becoming an organ donor and that for every one person who registers, up to eight lives can be saved.

Mary Fischer, a CNA at Flushing Hospital knows all too well the importance of organ donation, her daughter Lauren was the recipient of a bi-lateral lung transplant just a few months ago. Lauren accompanied her mother at Queens College as living proof that organ donation is vital to those who need it to live a healthy life.

Overall Organ Donor Enrollment Day was a success as Jamaica and Flushing Hospital accomplished the goal of making a difference and giving the gift of life to many New Yorkers.

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.

On Wednesday, September 14, 2016, Flushing Hospital Medical Center hosted its annual Celebration 2016 Dinner Gala, at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach.

Each year, the Celebration event receives overwhelming support from the hospital’s administrators and staff, as well as members of the community.

This year, President and CEO, Bruce J. Flanz welcomed nearly 400 guests to the venue and spoke with great pride about this year’s honorees. The honorees were chosen because of their devotion and contributions to Flushing Hospital.

This year’s nominees included Mr. Sang Ki Han, President, The Korean Channel and Trustee at FHMC, Alexander Kintzoglou, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Medicine, as well as, Barbara Hill-Boyd, Director, Patient Advocacy.As each honoree’s name was announced, those in attendance stood up and cheered in celebration of their achievements.

Each honoree spoke with passion about the place Flushing Hospital holds in their hearts. Honoree, Barbara Hill-Boyd said it best when she stated, “When I think about my time at Flushing Hospital, the word gratitude comes to mind; gratitude for my co-workers, my supervisors, the patients and their families. You have all touched my life in so many wonderful ways.”

Overall the event was a great success. The leadership and staff at Flushing hospital thanks everyone who has supported the hospital and continues to do so over the years.

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.

On August 12, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center held a special ceremony to mark the major achievement of receiving a deficiency-free score following an intensive trauma verification and review process conducted by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

According to the ACS, each assessment is based on “commitment, readiness, resources, policies, patient care, performance improvement, and other relevant features of the program as outlined in Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.”

The American College of Surgeon’s verification affirmed the hospital’s ability to provide first-rate care to trauma patients of all levels. “ACS standards require a hospital to have the best of the best in critical care,” explained Trauma Medical Director; Dr. Geoffrey Doughlin.

While validation from accredited organizations such as the American College of Surgeons is very important to the hospital’s leadership and staff, the experiences of patients are as equally valued.  Each year the trauma team treats over 1,700 patients and on countless occasions has saved the lives of many.

One of the many patients treated includes New York City Police Officer Kenneth Healey, who attended the verification ceremony and was happy to attest to Jamaica Hospital trauma team’s high level of performance and commitment to positive patient outcomes.

Healey shared his testimony with several news outlets as to how the trauma team saved his life. “I feel lucky to be standing in front of you today,” the Officer told reporters. “I had all my needs met and it’s all thanks to the doctors and nurses that were by my side.”  In 2014, Officer Healey was viciously attacked and struck in the head while on duty; he was rushed to Jamaica Hospital where he received life-saving care. During the ceremony, Healey reunited with the team that treated him, this included surgeon, Dr. Harrison Mu.

Jamaica Hospital has been providing trauma care since 1985 and over the years has developed a reputation for experience and expertise in the field.  The hospital is a destination of choice for doctors to train and is actively engaged in trauma research to enhance patient outcomes.

The trauma division’s initiatives also include community outreach, implementing educational programs and embracing plans such as Vision Zero, to help in the prevention of trauma-related injuries and death.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to continue to serve the community and as demonstrated by the recent ACS verification, continue to save lives every day, even under the most extreme circumstances.

Overall, the Trauma Verification ceremony was a tremendous success and has been covered by several news outlets, here are a few:

NY1

New York Daily News 

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/survived-hatchet-slash-returns-jamaica-hospital-article-1.2749218

Queens Chronicle 

http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/jamaica-hospital-mc-to-upgrade-hospice/article_dacf9299-89b9-5554-a92e-ebbcb5414076.html

Every month, employees at Jamaica Hospital who go above and beyond to help coworkers, patients and visitors are nominated for the G.E.M award.  G.E.M stands for Going the Extra Mile and recipients are recognized for simple acts of courtesy, team spirit, kindness and professionalism.  This month’s G.E.M recipients are:

Adrian St. Hillaire, Volunteer – Volunteer Department

Michael Rios, File Clerk – Medical Records

Sookdei Nandkishore, Front Desk Coordinator – TJH