In an effort to identify and implement ecological initiatives that have a positive impact on the environment and to create a cleaner and better world for our patients and the community, the MediSys Health Network recently developed “ecoMediSys.”

The ecoMediSys initiative is a multi-faceted, network wide program with several components created to help reduce waste, increase recycling, and conserve energy. Some of the changes Flushing and Jamaica Hospitals have made include:

• The conversion to a paperless electronic medical records (EMR) system throughout the hospital and our ambulatory care centers. This drastically reduces the amount of paper that was previously used in patient charts. The EMR includes ePrescribing of medications and a patient portal to allow for physician/patient information exchange.
• The implementation of a digital radiology system that eliminates the use of chemicals associated with conventional x-rays.
• The elimination of blood pressure machines and thermometers that contain mercury.
• The installation of energy efficient boilers and chillers, and a conversion from oil to gas.
• A transition to energy efficient LED lighting and the implementation of a fluorescent tube and bulb recycling program.

Other ecoMediSys initiatives include the use of more environmentally safe cleaning and building supplies, the replacement of high mpg hospital vehicles, the use of auto-off light switches in hospital offices, the replacement of old PCs with energy star-rated computers, and the implementation of a no-idling program for all hospital vehicles.

In addition to these changes, both facilities have further developed their existing “green” efforts. There has been an increase in the paper, bottle, and can recycling programs and additional shredding and recycling containers have been added throughout the campuses in both offices and patient care areas.

As a major healthcare provider to millions and employer of thousands, Jamaica Hospital understands the impact of these environmental initiatives and embraces its role as a leader in any efforts to improve the well-being of the community we serve.

On Monday, May 20^th, Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals held their 15^th Annual MediSys Golf Classic at the Old Westbury Country Club. The event was attended by 123 golfers and five tennis players.

After a day of golfing and tennis, participants attended a cocktail/dinner reception, where remarks were made by  Bruce J. Flanz, President and CEO of the MediSys Health Network and the event’s honorary chairman, Dr. Cono Grasso, Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology. Prizes were awarded to the highest scoring players/foursomes and a wide variety of raffles prizes were given away.

The highly anticipated raffle drawings included prizes donated by several departments at Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals. Some of these prizes included a spa gift basket, AMEX gift cards, Hickey Freeman neckties, a “Casino Night” basket, a Lenox giftware basket, Beats by Dre, and much more. The top three prizes included tickets to a Mets vs. Yankees game, an iPad mini, and a Broadway Theater package for two. The grand prize was two Jet Blue tickets and a Sony camera. In total, over $13,300 worth of prizes were donated by employees.

The event raised slightly over $180,000 and will be used to benefit Jamaica Hospital’s Trauma Program and to help finance the renovation of Flushing Hospital’s Cardiac Care Unit.

Administration at both Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center are urging their medical staff to nominate their colleagues for this up-coming year’s edition of Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors Guide.

Voting is now underway for the 2014 edition and leadership at both hospitals believe that we have many excellent physicians that are deserving of this recognition.  Any physician with an NPI number can log on to the Castle Connolly website, www.castleconnolly.com/nominations to vote for their fellow physicians. Doctors can nominate up to 10 colleagues in their specialty. In addition, they can nominate five Family Medicine physicians, Internists, and Pediatricians. They can also vote for a total of three physicians from other specialty groups.

Mailings have gone out to the medical staff at both institutions and the campaign to nominate is being urged at meetings as well.  “We feel it is important that the community is aware of the quality physicians at both Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals,” said William Lynch, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Jamaica Hospital. “The Top Doctors Guide is read by many and considered a resource by both those in the medical community, as well as those in the general public. By having a strong presence in the guide reflects positively on our physicians as well as the hospitals.”

Voting is now underway and will continue through the remainder of the year.

For more information about voting, please contact the Public Affairs Department at 718-206-8739.