Beautiful sunny skies, warm weather and the smell of freshly cut grass greeted guests as they arrived at the 2019 MediSys Golf Classic.  All signs pointing to the perfect day that lay ahead.

Friends and supporters of Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center gathered on the morning of May 21st at the Old Westbury Country Club to enjoy a full day of activities.  Participants played hours of golf or tennis, while others took advantage of the luxurious amenities provided by the club’s full-service spa.

After hours of play and relaxation, guests transformed into dinner attire and convened in the main dining area for the cocktail hour and dinner.  Diners were served an array of delectable dishes and desserts.

During dinner, Bruce Flanz, President and CEO of the MediSys Health Network warmly welcomed everyone and thanked them for supporting the network.  He also introduced the event’s honorary chairman; Dr. Cono Grasso, who announced the highlights and wins of the golfers and tennis players.

The winners’ streak for the evening did not end there; raffle prizes were later presented to lucky guests. This year’s prizes included a trip to the Berkshires, sports tickets, Amazon Alexa electronics and the grand prize of $2,000 in gift cards to be used for a travel adventure.

Overall the 2019, MediSys Golf Classic was a great success. One hundred and thirty-seven golfers played the course and a record number of dinner guests were in attendance.  We thank everyone for their support.

Join us in congratulating Marina Ramlogan, Clin Doc team member and Billy Diep, Pharmacist on their Good Catch!

Every month, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center recognizes employees for their contributions to patient safety.

Employees who go above and beyond to ensure the safety of our patients are recognized and awarded a Certificate of Excellence for their Good Catch.

Good Catch nominees receive recognition based on their actions in preventing the potential harm of patients. These actions may include correcting a medication order, preventing a patient fall or reporting a significant change in patient status.

By identifying problems before they became patient safety issues, our nominees have helped Jamaica Hospital to improve our quality in patient care.

To our Good Catch recipients, thank you for being exemplary members of our team and contributing to our goal of being a High-Reliability Hospital.

To report a Good Catch, email Letha Walters, PI Director at [email protected],  or call her at ext. 8409 and leave a message.

The American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) recently awarded Tom Younghans, VP of the Trump Pavilion, its 2019 Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award.

The prestigious award is presented annually in memory of Eli Pick who served as an administrator for over 30 years at the Ballard Rehabilitation Center.  Mr. Pick was known to show extraordinary care to the residents of the center and its surrounding community.

The qualifications for receiving the  Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award is based on three years of skilled nursing facility survey data, including health, fire safety, and complaint surveys, as well as top quartile performance on designated quality measures. Fewer than 11% percent of facilities nationwide qualified and only 351 administrators in 45 states received the award.  The award is given to administrators who show the highest level of dedication, professionalism, and leadership in long term care.

“Receiving this award is an honor. This recognition belongs to the entire Trump Pavilion team. Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to serve our residents and the community in a way that is second to none,” stated Mr. Younghans.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is proud to recognize employees for their contributions to patient safety.

Employees who go above and beyond to identify critical events and ensure the safety of our patients are awarded a Certificate of Excellence for their “Good Catch”.

Good Catch nominees receive recognition based on their actions in preventing the potential harm of patients. These actions may include correcting a medication order, preventing a patient fall or reporting a significant change in patient status.

Join us in  congratulating  the following Good Catch recipients for their achievements:

• Nadine Persaud (Respiratory Therapy)
• John Ryo (Physical Therapy)
• Marifelle Macasaet (2N/ Nursing)
• Smitha Sabu (PACU/ Nursing)
• Hyunjung Chavez (MICU/ Nursing)
• Adriana Fuentes (Ambulatory Care/ Nursing)
• Tatiana Giraldo (Ambulatory Care/ Nursing)
• Rachel Bain (Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator/ Pharmacy)
• Kevin Kamara ( Assistant Director/ Security)

By identifying problems before they became a patient safety issue, our nominees have helped Flushing Hospital to improve our quality in patient care.

To our Good Catch recipients, thank you for being exemplary members of our team and contributing to our goal of being a High-Reliability Hospital.

For more information about the Good Catch program at Flushing Hospital, please contact Dr.Rehana Jamali at 718-670-5415.

An average day for Michelle Stoddart, Director of  PR and Community Relations; May Uri, Vice President of Human Resources; Joe DeVito, Director of Player Development at Resorts World Casino New York City involves long hours filled with planning and executing business objectives. Due to their hectic schedules, time is extremely valuable and scarce.

However, on April 12^th, in celebration of National Drop Everything and Read Day (D.E A.R. Day) the executives dropped everything on their busy schedules to join Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s leadership in dedicating their time to read books to children staying in the hospital’s Pediatric Unit.  Also joining the group were reporters from NY1 News, the Queens Chronicle and Queens Courier newspapers.

National Drop Everything and Read Day is an observance devoted to events and activities that encourage the love of reading among children.  Adults and children participating in D.E.A.R. Day are asked to take at least 30 minutes out of their routines to dive into a good book.

“We know firsthand how important story time and other fun activities are to children admitted to our hospital.  Our Pediatric team aims to create an environment that makes children feel at home. A Child Life Specialist is on staff to ensure a positive experience by facilitating recreational and educational activities.” stated Bruce J. Flanz, President and CEO of Jamaica Hospital.

“Drop Everything and Read Day shines a spotlight on the importance of reading and we were excited to put down our work for a day, pick up some great books and share the experience with these inspirational children,” said Scott Molina, President of Resorts World.

In addition to reading stories on D.E.A.R Day, executives from Resorts World toured Jamaica Hospital’s Pediatric Unit and Emergency Department to view newly installed wall mounted, activity centers donated by the casino.   The pediatric activity centers are designed to help develop children’s motor and sensory systems.

“We are grateful for the donation of the pediatric activity centers.  Our team will utilize these tools to engage children in play and help ease their anxieties,” said Jamaica Hospital Child Life Specialist Tracey Kunj-Ramen.

To read more about our D.E.A.R. Day event at Jamaica Hospital, please click the following links:

https://qns.com/story/2019/04/15/jamaica-hospital-and-resorts-world-casino-executives-help-kids-drop-everything-and-read/

https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/resorts-world-comes-up-aces-for-sick-kids/article_98f93701-883a-5139-a861-1aead0881e02.html

The New York City Department of Health’s Community Cares Project (CCP) presented Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center with the Shining Star Award. The hospital was recognized for implementing measures to improve screening rates among uninsured patients and reduce disparities.

According to the City’s Department of Health, “Insurance status continues to play a role in determining whether New York City residents 50 years and older receive a colonoscopy screening.” Flushing Hospital was asked to present its best practices for resolving this issue at a CCP Partner Recognition Ceremony. Some of the hospital’s best practices included:

• Overcoming barriers such as language by providing  interpretation services
• Educating patients about procedure prep instructions
• Scheduling appointments and following up with patients prior to the procedure
• Reviewing results with patients and their Gastroenterologists

Flushing Hospital representatives were applauded for their presentation and thanked for their collaboration with the CCP on this special project.

Pricilla Echevarria de Sepulveda, MPA, Project Manager, Patient-Centered Medical Home, at Flushing Hospital stated, “Our team was happy to work with the Department of Health’s Community Cares Project and we were proud to accept the Shining Star Award on behalf of Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Join us in congratulating Shiz Kumarie Santram, RN; Ingrid Ramirez, Dietary Aide;  David Denobrega, Security Officer; Shelina Aktar, Laboratory Technologist; Gerard Lang and Radica Rampersaud, Respiratory Therapists and Regal Khan, Manager of Environmental Services on their Good Catch!

Every month, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center recognizes employees for their contributions to patient safety.

Employees who go above and beyond to ensure the safety of our patients are recognized and awarded a Certificate of Excellence for their Good Catch.

Good Catch nominees receive recognition based on their actions in preventing the potential harm of patients. These actions may include correcting a medication order, preventing a patient fall or reporting a significant change in patient status.

By identifying problems before they became patient safety issues, our nominees have helped Jamaica Hospital to improve our quality in patient care.

To our Good Catch recipients, thank you for being exemplary members of our team and contributing to our goal of being a High-Reliability Hospital.

To report a Good Catch, email Letha Walters, PI Director at [email protected],  or call her at ext. 8409 and leave a message.

In March, Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center celebrated Social Work Month by hosting a series of events that included bake sales, yoga sessions and educational demonstrations.

Social Work Month was created by the National Association of Social Workers to educate the public about the invaluable contributions of the profession.

Social workers play a vital role in delivering quality health care to patients at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital.  They monitor our patients’ stay from admission to discharge.  Upon admission, social workers help patients to avoid prolonged hospital stays by working with physicians to expedite tests or treatments. They provide counseling services for patients and families to help them adjust to changes and challenges they may face during hospitalization.  Before patients are discharged, social workers assess their needs to determine a plan for support services or follow up care.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital recognizes social workers for their dedication to our patients. We applaud their hard work and thank them for their countless contributions to our community.

It is estimated that 40% of New Yorkers living with mental illnesses do not seek treatment because of the stigma attached.  Creative arts therapists at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center brought light to this issue by hosting the “Drawing Bridges to Wellness” exhibit in March, in honor of Creative Arts Therapy Week.

The exhibit was held in each hospital’s main lobby and showcased over 70 pieces of art that illustrated the musings of patients and therapists participating in Jamaica and Flushing Hospital’s mental health programs.  The artists utilized a variety of mediums such as clay, oil paints, pastels and model magic to express their thoughts and chronicle their journeys to wellness.

Drawing Bridges to Wellness provided the community with a beautiful gallery to explore and served as a platform to raise awareness of mental health issues and destigmatize mental illness.   Many of the art pieces presented echoed the message that people should not feel ashamed about seeking help for mental health disorders.

The Department of Psychiatry further bolstered their efforts to raise awareness by showcasing the exhibit at the Queens Museum, after completing its run at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital. The artwork was displayed in the museum’s New York City building for thousands of guests to see.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital have provided creative arts therapy to patients for close to 20 years.  This form of therapy encourages self- exploration and has a profoundly positive effect on mental and emotional well-being. Patients often begin therapy feeling unhappy, conflicted or isolated but by creating art they are able to engage with therapists and begin their journeys to wellness. Both hospitals are encouraging communities to take advantage of creative arts and other programs designed to treat mental health disorders.