Jamaica Hospital Medical Center recently celebrated the major milestone of becoming the first hospital in Queens to offer a milk depot to the community.

To mark the momentous occasion, the hospital hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Staff involved in the coordination of the project as well as representatives from the New York Milk Bank and other community organizations were in attendance.

During the opening remarks, Roseanne Motti; Operations Manager for the New York Milk Bank,  applauded members of Jamaica Hospital’s staff for their determination to bring the project to fruition and offer women and babies in the community a much-needed service.

The event’s guest of honor, Conny Suriel, was recognized for being the milk depot’s first donor.  Upon accepting a beautiful bouquet of roses, Conny shared with guests why giving back was so important to her. “I’m a donor because I am honoring the memory of my baby.”  Although Conny’s daughter passed away, she felt that it was important to give other babies a chance to survive by becoming a donor.

Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot is vital because it serves as a safe location where women in the community who choose to donate their excess breast milk can make a deposit.  After the milk is collected, it is sent to the New York Milk Bank for testing and pasteurization.   Once processed, the milk is distributed to help mothers who are unable to breastfeed their premature babies or infants with weakened immune systems.

For babies who are born premature, breast milk not only serves as nutrition but also as medicine. It helps to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening disease that can damage or destroy the intestinal tracts of preemies.

Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot is now open to the public and welcomes donors approved by the New York Milk Bank to donate their excess breast milk.

If you are interested in becoming a donor, please contact the New York Milk Bank at 212-956-6455.  A representative will help you with the process, which includes a health screening and a blood test.  Further information is also provided on their website, www. NYMilkBank.org.

To learn more about depositing milk at Jamaica Hospital’s milk depot, located on the 3rd floor of the Axel building, in the WIC department, please call 718-206-8607 or visit, www. JamaicaHospital.org.

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 their hard work, team spirit, kindness, and professionalism.

This month’s G.E.M recipients are:

• Evelyn Loli, ACR, Emergency Department
• Giselle Byjoo, Sr. Accounting Clerk, Patient Financial Services
• Ana Pacora, ACR, Emergency Department

Congratulations to you all. Keep up the excellent work in helping us to serve our community.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Shape Up NYC, a program created by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, to offer a free low impact exercise class to the community.

Improving the health and wellness of the community it serves is a high priority at Jamaica Hospital. The hospital offers many free programs that provide its population with the resources needed to lead a healthy life.

Providing a free low impact total body workout offers many benefits to participants including improved balance, coordination, strength and flexibility. The program also promotes good heart health.

Classes begin on September 27, 2017, and are offered every Wednesday from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. They will take place at the hospital’s fitness center, the MediFit Gym; 134-20 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica NY 11418, on the third floor.  All are welcome to participate.

For more information, please visit

 https://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation/shape-up-nyc

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has been named as a recipient of the prestigious National Research Corporation Health (NRC Health) Excellence Award.

The hospital, recognized at the 23rd Annual NRC Health Symposium for Patient –Centered Care on August 6th, was selected as one of several top-performing hospitals across the nation to exhibit an exceptional commitment to each patient’s and family’s care journey as well their overall satisfaction.

Jamaica Hospital received recognition in the category of Most Improved Facility among large hospitals (300+ beds) in the United States. The hospital earned the award based on receiving positive and improved scores in satisfaction from patients and their families; an accomplishment achieved by focusing on providing compassionate and quality care, as well as showing a genuine understanding of the community it cares for.

The hospital’s leadership has implemented several programs to bolster patient satisfaction as part of their goal in becoming a “High-Reliability Hospital.”   “Patient experience is very important to all levels of our staff,” shared Dr. Kathleen Scher, Vice President of Nursing.  “We are striving to become a high-reliability hospital- an institution that our community can count on to receive excellent health care.”

This level of dedication has earned the hospital several recognitions in 2017 including the NRC Health Excellence Award.  “Each year our partners inspire us with their commitment to service,” says Helen Hrdy, Senior Vice President of Client Service at NRC Health. “The individuals at these organizations show a genuine understanding for their patients, which is revealed in their extraordinary, compassionate care. It is always a special pleasure for us to honor and recognize these efforts with the Excellence Award. We congratulate Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for embodying human understanding and demonstrating a commitment to patient-centered care.”

“We are extremely proud of our recent achievements.  However we are most satisfied when we engage with our patients and their families and they express gratitude for the great care we have provided,” this sentiment expressed by Scher and the hospital’s leadership is reflective of the culture of Jamaica Hospital- To serve our patients and the community in a way that is second to none.

Last year over 5,000 babies were delivered at Flushing and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. The safety of each infant is a very high priority for both hospitals. When these babies are under our care, we take many precautions to ensure they are in a safe sleep environment.

However, our dedication to their well-being extends well beyond their stay. MediSys Health Network’s commitment to infants’ safety continues after they leave as we educate parents about the importance of providing a safe sleep environment for babies.

Each year, sleep-related injuries result in the death of approximately 3,500 babies in the United States and are the leading cause of death for infants in New York City. As part of our ongoing effort to reduce this occurrence, the MediSys Health Network recently joined a city-wide safe sleep campaign dubbed “Katz’s Cradles” in honor of Queens Borough President Melinda Katz to donate free portable cribs to families in need.  The initiative was created to provide more households in Queens with a safe place for babies to sleep. The cribs are equipped with Safe Sleep Kits which include educational materials, a sleep sack and fitted sheets.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital actively promote the importance of providing babies with safe sleep environments by offering newborn-care classes and support groups to families.  Last year, Flushing Hospital was recognized as a National Bronze Certified Safe Sleep Hospital by Cribs for Kids. The certification program recognizes hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to reducing infant sleep-related deaths.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital are proud to participate in programs that benefit their communities and offer helpful resources and Katz’s Cradles supports a cause that each institution highly values which is patient safety. “Our hospitals serve a very diverse population; we are sensitive to their needs and committed to providing resources that improve their overall wellness and health. Teaching families how to make certain their babies have a safe space to sleep not only empowers them but insures the well-being of parents and children, “stated Bruce J. Flanz; President and CEO of MediSys Health Network.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to announce that it has been officially awarded Baby-Friendly USA® designation.

Baby- Friendly® designation is a globally known and prestigious recognition awarded to hospitals and birthing facilities that uphold strict breastfeeding and maternal care guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The process of becoming a Baby-Friendly® institution is rigorous and 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.

As a Baby- Friendly® facility, Jamaica Hospital, which delivered over 2,200 babies in 2016, joins an elite group of healthcare providers in New York State that has earned this recognition.

The hospital now ranks as part of the 21% of healthcare facilities in the nation to boast Baby-Friendly USA® designation. “This achievement is a reflection of our dedication to providing our community with quality care,” states Dr. Steven Inglis, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

To achieve this monumental accomplishment, Jamaica Hospital collaborated with other health agencies including the New York City Breastfeeding Hospital Collaborative(NYC BHC) to implement initiatives aimed at improving exclusive breastfeeding rates and promoting mother-infant bonding practices.  “By encouraging breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, we are addressing health problems that may develop during infancy but can also affect a person’s health later in life” shares Paula Utilla, Lactation Consultant.

Evidence shows that babies who are fed breast milk exclusively are less likely to develop respiratory diseases such as asthma or gastrointestinal diseases.  Breastfeeding is also beneficial for a mother’s health as women who breastfeed are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease, breast or ovarian cancer.

Jamaica Hospital provides the community with several medical, social and educational services all created to offer women support during and after pregnancy; some of these services include breastfeeding education and support programs, childbirth classes, and a highly successful Centering® program.   Last year,  the hospital opened a Mother’s Nursing Room, designed to offer members of the community, hospital visitors and employees who are nursing a clean and comfortable place to feed their babies or express milk.

“We have made great strides and will continue to work diligently to create services and programs that will improve the overall health and wellness of our community, “states Marge Lilienthal, Director of Nursing.

The kids are home for the summer and parents are now challenged with providing them with healthy and nutritious snacks throughout the day. Finding the balance of between snacks that children are drawn to and snacks that are healthy can become difficult.

Sugar, high sodium, colorful packaging, fun shapes and unnatural food coloring are a few factors that make junk food enticing to children. However, parents can win the fight against junk food by making healthy food more appealing to their kid’s senses.

Here are a few tips on swapping kid favorites with healthier choices:

• Hot dogs- Instead of regular beef and pork hot dogs, purchase turkey franks with low sodium and without added nitrates. Decorate the hot dog with colorful vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, red and yellow peppers.
• Salty cheese snacks- Make plain cheese fun by cutting it into quirky shapes or adding bright and sweet fruit. You can make cheese and fruit shish kebabs.
• French fries- Opt for baked sweet potato fries and sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin C, B6, and D. They are a source of Iron, magnesium and potassium.
• Ice cream- Frozen yogurt is just as tasty and contains less sugar and fat. Adding toppings such as fruit and granola is a plus.
• Popsicles- Freeze real fruit juices with bits of fruit into bars.
• Potato chips- Kale chips are rich in vitamin A and easy to make at home. Make them delicious by adding herbs and spices.
• Candy- Healthy alternatives to candy include raisins or strawberries and bananas lightly drizzled with chocolate.
• Milkshakes- Smoothies made with fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt are a healthier option.
• Macaroni and cheese-Use low-fat cheese, add Greek yogurt to make it creamy and spinach to make it nutritious.

The battle against junk food is not lost. Keep food exciting and nutritious for your family by sourcing healthy recipe websites or visiting Jamaica Hospital’s Facebook and Twitter pages for suggestions.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is proud to announce that it officially re-opened its Hospice Care Unit, The Ferrara Family Center for Hospice Care, after undergoing a complete renovation.

To commemorate the important milestone, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held earlier this month on the unit. Joining Jamaica Hospital in celebrating the completion of the project were elected officials Borough President Melinda Katz, Senator Joseph Addabbo and Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer-Amato as well as others who support the hospital’s efforts to provide essential services to the community.

The journey for the Ferrara Family Center for Hospice Care began last year when a $1.3 million capital campaign was initiated by the Hospital’s leadership in an effort to facilitate the renovation. Thanks to the generosity of several donors, including Board Member Joseph Ferrara, the namesake of the unit, the hospital has successfully completed construction.

News of the grand re- opening of the unit has been well received by many in the community, as the  Ferrara Family Center for Hospice Care was designed to offer end-of-life care in a family-oriented environment. Many upgraded amenities have been provided for patients and families that promote serenity, privacy and will allow them to feel more at home during a difficult time.  Additionally, the unit offers comforts such as private and spacious suites for patients, family meeting rooms and a relaxing family lounge that offers loved ones a space to gather, de-compress or reflect.

Jamaica Hospital’s staff is very appreciative of the community’s positive reception of the Ferrara Family Center for Hospice Care and the services it will provide. “It is our goal that our patients and their loved ones receive compassion and comfort during a time that can be very difficult,” said Dr. Alan Roth; Chairman of Family Medicine and Chief of Palliative Care Medicine. Dr. Roth continued “We will continue to apply this approach in a new, modern and family environment.”

Watch our Interview on  NY1 News.

In April, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated National Donate Life Month. The hospital participated in a public education campaign to raise awareness about the importance of registering to become an organ donor.

Community outreach efforts included collaborating with LiveOnNY and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz to promote the initiative and encourage New Yorkers to sign up for the organ donor registry.

To mark the end of the month-long campaign, Jamaica Hospital hosted a special flag raising ceremony to pay tribute to organ donor families and recipients. LiveOnNY President Helen Irving joined hospital leadership and staff as well as Borough President Katz and organ donation advocate Jimmy Nolan, in raising the nationally recognized Donate Life flag in honor of Michael Nolan -Jimmy’s brother.

Michael Nolan who tragically passed away a few years ago was on his way to becoming a professional baseball player when his life was taken. He was a registered organ donor and by giving the gift of life he saved the lives of six people. While the loss of their loved one has been difficult, the Nolan family takes pride in knowing that Michael’s legacy continues.

In addition to hosting the flag raising ceremony, Jamaica Hospital was selected by the Hospital Association of New York (HANYS) as one of two hospitals to participate in a video advocating organ donation.  In the video the hospital’s President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz, Chairman of Family Medicine and Palliative Care Alan Roth and Medical Director of Long Term Care Anthony DiMaria each shared their thoughts on why more New Yorkers should enroll as organ donors.

To see the full video, click here https://hanys.wistia.com/medias/b8prgr1yxt

Congratulations to the MediSys Health Network for achieving one of the highest levels of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS) Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model, also known as EMRAM.

The Network received a certificate of achievement and recognition from the HIMSS Analytics Healthcare Advisory Services Group for successfully completing all the requirements needed to secure a Level 6 status.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center are two of few hospitals in New York State to earn this high-level ranking and join an elite group of health care providers who best use information technology (IT) to provide quality health care services to patients.

HIMSS, globally renowned for transforming health and healthcare by way of information technology, works with 640 corporate members and 450 nonprofit organizations in North America to “improve the quality, cost-effectiveness, access, and value of healthcare.”

The organization created EMRAM to “score hospitals around the world” on their EMR (electronic media record) and data analysis capabilities.  There are stages in which hospitals need to satisfy strict requirements that demonstrate their ability to “harness technology to support optimized patient care.” Only 30% of healthcare institutions nationwide boast level 6 accreditation.

While earning a level 6 EMRAM status is a significant accomplishment for the MediSys Network, there are also several advantages for patients.   A level 6 designation indicates that Jamaica and Flushing Hospital have established stringent processes to provide safeguards to reduce medical errors and inefficiencies such as duplicate or unnecessary testing.

The Information Technology Department of the MediSys Health Network works diligently to keep Jamaica and Flushing Hospital at the forefront of technological innovations that improve staff functionality and patient experience.  We look forward to future projects and celebrating the department’s accomplishments as they continue to strive toward the Network’s overall goal of providing quality health care in all facets.