Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s dedication to serving residents in its community extends beyond medical care.  The hospital’s leadership and staff are exceedingly passionate about participating in important cultural events that are reflective of the diverse borough of Queens.

This month the hospital joined members of the Asian community to ring in Lunar New Year 2016, which is the Year of the Monkey. It is said that if you are born of this year, you are witty, intelligent and have a magnetic personality. Each year is represented by one of the twelve animals of the lunar calendar. The animals include a rat, rooster, dog, pig, ox, monkey, tiger, dragon, snake, horse, goat and rabbit.

Joann Ariola; Director of Intergovernmental Relations for MediSys Health Network, represented the hospital at a Lunar New Year event organized by Peter Tu, Executive Director; Flushing Chinese Business Association and CenterLight Health to bring well wishes for a Happy Lunar New Year to the seniors at the CenterLight Senior Center on 38^th Avenue in downtown Flushing. The seniors were entertained by a team of dancers performing the traditional Dragon Dance.

Additionally, Flushing Hospital’s Pre-Hospital Care Department participated in the Flushing Community annual Lunar New Year Parade before an estimated 100,000 onlookers.

In the spirit of the Lunar New Year,  Flushing  Hospital would like to wish everyone 恭贺新禧, Gōng hè xīn xǐ – good luck in the year ahead!

More than 150 people attended the 13^th annual Behavioral Health Conference at Flushing Hospital on Friday, November 13^th, 2015. The event was co-sponsored by the Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services and the Department of Risk Management. This year’s topic was Adam and Eve: Can They Share the Apple? The Evolving Role of Relationships for Men and Women in Healthcare and the Larger Culture.

The purpose of the conference was to explore the evolving role relationships between men and women in American culture and, more specifically, in the healthcare workplace.

The conference began with welcoming remarks by Seeth Vivek, MD, Chairman of Psychiatry and introductory remarks by Anthony Maffia, LCSW, Vice-President, Psychiatry and Addiction Services.

The keynote speaker, Rosalind Barnett PhD,  a Senior Scientist at the Women’s Studies Research Center of Brandeis University discussed The New Soft War on Women: Subtle Barriers that Impede Women’s Progress in the Workplace. Special Invited speaker, Ann Marie T. Sulliva MD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health addressed The Role of Psychiatry and the Mental Health Professions in the Evolving Cultural Roles between Men and Women. 

The afternoon session was an integrative symposium which was chaired by Ms. Carmen James, Director of  Risk Management at Flushing Hospital. It consisted of four brief presentations by MediSys Health System faculty and a round table discussion.

The presentations generated a lively and spirited discussion amongst the panel members and the audience.

Dr. Frankel, Conference Co-Chair said, “The 13^th Annual Behavioral Health Conference was a resounding success and demonstrated again by attendance and audience participation the central role that behavior and its change plays in modern healthcare.” The planning committee is looking forward to the 14^th Annual Conference in November 2016.”

On Wednesday, September 9, 2015, Flushing Hospital Medical Center held its annual dinner dance, Celebration 2015, at Leonard’s of Great Neck.

Each year, the event grows with overwhelming support from the hospital’s administrators and employees, as well as members of the community.

This year, President and CEO, Bruce J. Flanz welcomed nearly 500 guests to the venue and spoke with great enthusiasm about this year’s honorees. Each honoree was chosen because of their devotion and contributions to Flushing Hospital.

As the honorees names were announced, those in attendance stood up and cheered in celebration of their achievements. This year’s nominee’s included Mr. John R. Buran, President and CEO of Flushing Bank, Hillary Lewis, FHMC Clinical Nurse Manager and Dr. Robert Slepoy, Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology.

Each honoree spoke about the special place Flushing Hospital held in their hearts; perhaps honoree, Dr. Robert Slepoy, summed up the evening best when he stated, “During my Residency, it was recommended to me that I pursue my career at a community based hospital due to the special care you are able to give each patient.  I found that community hospital at Flushing and have never regretted my choice.”

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Through the generosity of Splashes of Hope and Astoria Bank, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is the proud recipient of two painted murals in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit.

“We are overjoyed about the murals. The NICU, often times, can be perceived as a sterile environment to parents and staff. These murals provide a warmer feeling of hope and happiness,” stated Maria DeMarinis- Smilios, Director of Nursing. “One mural has the inscription ‘Miracles Are Grown Here,’ how true!”

In addition to the murals, JASA, a senior centered organization in Bayside, NY, crocheted hundreds of caps for the babies in the NICU.

These caps are an important part of the babies’ progress. They help prevent body heat loss, via the head. The knitted caps also give parents  a sense of normalcy while their babies are connected to medical equipment and being treated in the  NICU.

If you would like to learn more about Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s NICU, please visit our website at www.flushinghospital.org

For more hospital highlights, health and fitness tips, join Jamaica and Flushing Hospital on Twitter and Facebook.

Two Thousand Fifteen marks the 110th year anniversary of the former Flushing Hospital School of Nursing. Dozens of nursing graduates came together to celebrate the esteemed school and share their nostalgic stories.

The attendees, many of whom made their career at Flushing Hospital, marveled at how the hospital has grown over the years. Some, now supervisors in various clinical specialties, spoke about the invaluable nursing education they received from the institution that centered on compassionate patient care. “We were well prepared when we graduated, eager to make a difference,” said Maria DeMarinis-Smilios, Director of Nursing.

Lynn Slitzan, a Nurse Practitioner in Obstetrics and Gynecology, spoke to the attendees saying, “The Flushing School of Nursing put out an excellent product, many great registered nurses!”

The event drew kind words from Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Robert Levine, “It’s great to celebrate this anniversary with you. You are valued members of the Flushing Hospital family.”

There are, currently, 30 nurses who still practice at FHMC. They are a group of dedicated individuals, not only to the hospital, but to the community. The milestone was commemorated with a group photo of the smiling faces that have made a difference!

For more hospital highlights, health and fitness tips, follow and like Flushing and Jamaica Hospital on Twitter and Facebook.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Ambulatory Care offers more than 50 outpatient general and specialty services for children, adolescents and adults. In an effort to better serve the communities served by the hospital, the department has extended the hours of operation for the Pediatric Care Center and the Women’s Health Center.

“The extended hours were designed with the focus on the needs of patients who work, have school-aged children and patients seeking care over the weekend.” stated Mary McNamara, Administrative Director of the Ambulatory Care Center.

The Pediatric Care Center’s hours of operation have been extended to 8:00pm Monday through Thursday, and is now open on Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. Additionally, the Woman’s Health Center has extended their hours on Tuesday until 8:00pm.

If you would like to make an appointment for your child, please call the Pediatric Care Center at 718-670-3007.  If you are interested in making an appointment with our Women’s Health Center, call  718-670-8992.

Members of the MediSys Health Network met with Members of the State Senate and Assembly

Members of the MediSys Health Network team joined the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) at their Healthcare Leadership Advocacy Day this past March 4th. Each year, members of Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center visit our State’s capital for what has proven to be a vitally important day.

Approximately 25 team members met with members of the New York State Senate and Assembly,  and participated in round table discussions regarding the need to have strong collective advocacy presence when important policy issues are at stake.The large amount of MediSys employees that attended this year’s Advocacy Day demonstrated to the legislature the MediSys Health Network’s commitment to healthcare reform.

On February 6, area children ages 2 through 16 were invited to participate in Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s annual “Give Kids A Smile” day. The event celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month took place in the dental department of the hospital.

The afternoon was filled with educational discussions and engaging demonstrations on good dental health practices. Parents learned ways to prevent early childhood cavities, when to expect the change from primary teeth to permanent teeth and when children should have their first dental visit.

The rest of the day proved exciting as dental residents gave fun and interactive lessons on proper brushing and flossing techniques. Older children were taught about the dangers of smoking tobacco and the negative effect it can have on dental health. Clinical evaluations were also performed by the residents with the consent of parents. Hospital staff scheduled follow-up appointments or referred families to their own dentists.

“Children’s permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child’s self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong,” stated Dr. Stephen Quarcoo, Chairman of Dentistry at FHMC.

“The event was successful and beneficial to both parents and the hospital. Parents and children learned about the importance of regular dental check-ups and saying NO to tobacco use.  Flushing Hospital’s dental department was thrilled to coordinate and share this day with the community,” added Dr. Quarcoo.

For more information on this even, or to make a dental appointment, please call 718-670-5521.

On Wednesday, September 10, 2014, Flushing Hospital Medical Center held its annual dinner dance, Celebration 2014.

Each year, the event grows with overwhelming support from the hospital’s Administrators and employees. This year, a special guest appearance was made by the da Vinci Surgical Robot, who delighted guests with a chance to test drive its simulator.

Attendance forthis year’s event topped the 500 mark. The General Chairmen of the committee, Robert Crupi, M.D. and Alexander Kintzoglou, M.D. spoke with pride regarding this year’s honorees in their categories.

Employee Awards were given to Mary Carr, Manager, Business Office, Paulette James, Transcription Coordinator, Medical Records and Ralph Nappo, Officer, Security. The employees were touted for their years of dedicated service to Flushing Hospital.

Additionally Maria DeMarinis Smilios, Director, Nursing – Maternal and Child Services was given an award for Excellence in Leadership and Dr. Ahamed Moideen, Director, Medical Education and SICU Trustee was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Perhaps Honoree, Paulette James, summed up the evening best when she stated, “This award means so much to me. Flushing Hospital has become my home away from home and its employees are my extended family.