First Patient Treated at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with New, Minimally Invasive Technology to Help Control High Blood Pressure

February 2026 – Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to announce that it is the first hospital in Queens to offer a new renal denervation (RDN) procedure to treat certain patients with high blood pressure. The hospital’s cardiology team recently and successfully completed its first case. 

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2023, the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system involves a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure. The procedure – also known as the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure – is approved for use as an adjunctive treatment in patients with high blood pressure (or hypertension) when lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control blood pressure. 

Hypertension is the single largest contributor to death,1 and affects about 50% of U.S. adults. Of the U.S. adults who are aware of their hypertension, about 80% do not have it under control. 

The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is clinically proven to help reduce high blood pressure, which can lower serious health risks. After mild sedation, the doctor inserts a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then administers energy to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind. 

High blood pressure is a significant problem for patients all around the world. For people with hypertension, medication and/or lifestyle changes can help reduce blood pressure, but studies have shown that many people still don’t have control over their condition. The Symplicity blood pressure procedure can provide patients with a blood pressure reduction benefit that is ‘always on’ and doesn’t require a permanent implant – it can also help patients regain their peace of mind. We are pleased to have treated our first patient with this new technology, and we look forward to the future of hypertension care by offering innovative solutions to the people of Jamaica, Queens. 

Jamaica Hospital’s Hypertension Center provides the highest quality, patient-centered hypertension care. The Hypertension Center was created to treat patients who do not respond well to traditional hypertension medication treatments. The American Heart Association has recognized our Hypertension Practice Center as meeting or exceeding standards for hypertension treatment. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing high blood pressure or difficulty controlling blood pressure, talk to your doctor to see if the Symplicity blood pressure procedure is a possible treatment option: visit this link to learn more 

 

Congratulations To The MediSys Health Network’s Good Catch Award Winners

Good Catch awardees receive recognition and a certificate of excellence for their efforts in preventing accidents. These actions may include keeping our facilities safe, correcting a medication order, preventing a patient from falling, or reporting a significant change in a patient’s status.

Please join us in congratulating the following employees on their Good Catch:

1. Falaurie Bastien, RN – Jamaica Hospital
2. Bikram Totaram, PCA – Jamaica Hospital
3. Filamae Corpuz, RN -Jamaica Hospital
4. Alwyn Spencer, PCA – Jamaica Hospital

By identifying problems before they became patient-safety issues, our awardees have helped our hospitals provide excellent patient care. We thank them for being exemplary team members and contributing to our goal of being a high-reliability network.

Congratulations To The MediSys Health Network’s CARE Award Recipients

The CARE Award program recognizes employees who receive positive written remarks from patients or their families for providing high-quality and compassionate care.

The criteria for the award are:

C: Compassion- Through listening, identifying patient vulnerabilities, and conveying empathy.

A: Advocacy- Ensuring quality care is given and the safety of the patients and environment is maintained.

R: Respect-Greeting or speaking to others in a kind and respectful way.

E: Engagement- Making individuals feel valued, important, and recognized.

Please join us in congratulating:

1. Jonathan Kruh, MD – Jamaica Hospital

2. Ophthalmology Clinic – Jamaica Hospital

3 . Donald Doukas, MD-  Flushing Hospital

4. Palliative Department & 3 West – Flushing Hospital

We thank our employees for their contributions to making our hospitals high-reliability facilities that focus on patient-centered care.  

  

Jamaica Hospital Specialty Departments Move to New Metropolitan Avenue Location

The Jamaica Hospital Ambulatory Care Center is excited to announce that it has relocated several of its specialty departments to a brand-new, modern space at 132-47 Metropolitan Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11418.

The following specialty services have moved to this location: general surgery, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), plastic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, vascular surgery, urology, and wound care.

The new site, which spans 6,468 square feet, has been designed to enhance comfort, accessibility, and support for all patients. It features 15 examination rooms, a modern layout, and a range of amenities.

The hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Patients can schedule an appointment by calling (718) 301-0720.

Jamaica Hospital thanks its patients for trusting the organization with their care and looks forward to welcoming them at the new location.

Congratulations To The MediSys Health Network’s SEIP Award Winners

Congratulations to the MediSys Health Network’s Safety Excellence in Infection Prevention (SEIP) award winners.

The SEIP award recognizes employees who contribute to the success of infection control initiatives.

The criteria for the award are:

S: Surpasses above and beyond expected job responsibilities related to infection control.

E: Enforce actions that support best practices in infection prevention.

I: I do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

P: Performs awesome acts of safety related to infection prevention.

We thank the following team members for leading by example and doing their part to reduce the risk of infection transmission:

1. Sajith Panakal, PT – Jamaica Hospital

2. Pedro Degante, Dennis Multari, Kayon Glave, Printing & Mail Services – Flushing Hospital

The MediSys Health Network cultivates a culture of safety by prioritizing infection control and prevention. All employees play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections, and their contributions to safety are highly valued.

Congratulations To The MediSys Health Network’s SEIP Award Winners

Congratulations to the MediSys Health Network’s Safety Excellence in Infection Prevention (SEIP) award winners.

The SEIP award recognizes employees who contribute to the success of infection control initiatives.

The criteria for the award are:

S: Surpasses above and beyond expected job responsibilities related to infection control.

E: Enforce actions that support best practices in infection prevention.

I: I do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

P: Performs awesome acts of safety related to infection prevention.

We thank the following team members for leading by example and doing their part to reduce the risk of infection transmission:

1. Rowell Ong, Assistant Head Nurse – Jamaica Hospital

2. Vivianne Beltrand, Language Assistance Program Coordinator- Flushing Hospital

The MediSys Health Network cultivates a culture of safety by prioritizing infection control and prevention. All employees play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections, and their contributions to safety are highly valued.

Jamaica Hospital Named City & State New York’s Top Mental Health Care Provider

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has been named as one of New York State’s 2025 Top Mental Health Care Providers by City & State New York magazine.

According to City & State New York, its list of Top Mental Health Care Providers features dozens of elite healthcare organizations that offer innovative programs and standout services to help New Yorkers thrive and successfully face challenges to their mental health.

Being named as one of New York State’s top mental health care providers highlights Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry’s commitment to meeting the mental health needs of the community it serves.

Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry provides comprehensive mental health care for the most culturally and ethnically diverse community in the United States, including a Comprehensive Psychiatry Emergency Program with about 6,000 annual visits, two inpatient units with over 1,800 admissions annually, and New York City’s only 24/7 mobile crisis team responding within two hours. At our sister institution, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, we complement these services with our complete substance use disorder and chemical dependency program.

Additionally, the department offers integrated outpatient care through about 42,000 annual visits and specialized programs in psycho-oncology, obesity care, and perinatal health.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to be recognized for its high-quality mental healthcare and as a Top Mental Health Care Provider among New York’s distinguished healthcare organizations. “This recognition honors our commitment to a simple but powerful idea: exceptional mental health care must be accessible, culturally attuned, and integrated with overall health. We are proud to serve as a beacon of hope and healing for the resilient and diverse community we call home,” stated Dr. Daniel Chen, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services at Jamaica Hospital.

Congratulations To The MediSys Health Network’s Good Catch Award Winners

Good Catch awardees receive recognition and a certificate of excellence for their efforts in preventing accidents. These actions may include keeping our facilities safe, correcting a medication order, preventing a patient from falling, or reporting a significant change in a patient’s status.

Please join us in congratulating the following employees on their Good Catch:

1. Teyanah Cleve, RN – Jamaica Hospital
2. Geniva Pierrot, RN – Jamaica Hospital
3. Chinonyelum Obodo, RN -Jamaica Hospital
4. Amber Miles, RN – Jamaica Hospital
5. Vanessa Rivera, ACR – Jamaica Hospital
6. Zhihe Zhou, RN – Flushing Hospital

By identifying problems before they became patient-safety issues, our awardees have helped our hospitals provide excellent patient care. We thank them for being exemplary team members and contributing to our goal of being a high-reliability network.

 

Congratulations To The MediSys Health Network’s CARE Award Recipients

The CARE Award program recognizes employees who receive positive written remarks from patients or their families for providing high-quality and compassionate care.

The criteria for the award are:

C: Compassion- Through listening, identifying patient vulnerabilities, and conveying empathy.

A: Advocacy- Ensuring quality care is given and the safety of the patients and environment is maintained.

R: Respect-Greeting or speaking to others in a kind and respectful way.

E: Engagement- Making individuals feel valued, important, and recognized.

Please join us in congratulating:

1. Isolyn Wilson, RN – Jamaica Hospital

2. Daniel Persaud, RN – Jamaica Hospital

3 . Emily Fricano, RN-  Flushing Hospital

4. Azizi Thompson – Flushing Hospital

We thank our employees for their contributions to making our hospitals high-reliability facilities that focus on patient-centered care.

Congratulations To The MediSys Health Network’s CARE Award Recipients

The CARE Award program recognizes employees who receive positive written remarks from patients or their families for providing high-quality and compassionate care.

The criteria for the award are:

C: Compassion- Through listening, identifying patient vulnerabilities, and conveying empathy.

A: Advocacy- Ensuring quality care is given and the safety of the patients and environment is maintained.

R: Respect-Greeting or speaking to others in a kind and respectful way.

E: Engagement- Making individuals feel valued, important, and recognized.

Please join us in congratulating:

1. Rachel McCanis- Jamaica Hospital

2. Dr.Rafia Jawed – Jamaica Hospital

3 . Yesenia Rivas, RN-  Jamaica Hospital

4. Katrina Bencio, RN – Jamaica  Hospital

5. Francesca Oriol, RN – Jamaica Hospital

6. Britney Watson, RN – Jamaica Hospital

7. Ana Petrakis RN- Flushing Hospital

8. James Reichert, PA – Flushing Hospital

9. Maritza Guerrero CNA -Flushing Hospital

10. Matilde Salazar LMHC – Flushing Hospital 

11. Irawatie Tjie CNM- Flushing Hospital

We thank our employees for their contributions to making our hospitals high-reliability facilities that focus on patient-centered care.