On Monday, January 9^th, members of the New York City Fire Department’s (FDNY), Fire Safety Education Program attended the Community Advisory Board (CAB) meeting at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center to share a presentation on winter home safety.

The goal of the Fire Safety Education Program is to reduce the number of fatalities caused by residential fires by teaching lifesaving, fire prevention tips to the community.  FDNY Lieutenant Steve Vano and colleagues discussed several safety tips with CAB members including; making certain batteries in smoke detectors are operational and identifying escape routes in the case of a fire.

The presentation was highly engaging and was well-received by the attending CAB members, who expressed appreciation for the materials received from Lt. Vano.

Jamaica Hospital’s Community Advisory Board thanks the great men and women of the FDNY for all that they do and looks forward to participating and collaborating in future fire safety education events within the community.

Flushing Hospital saw hundreds in attendance at the annual Three Kings event.

The holiday season was filled with joy and generosity at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Many organizations and community leaders stopped by both hospitals to spread goodwill.

Flushing Hospital staff collaborated with community leader Martha Flores- Vasquez to host the annual Three Kings event in the Main Auditorium. Over 500 children and their parents were in attendance. They were entertained by dancers and singers and given toys which were collected and donated by Healthfirst and the New York City Police Department’s 109th Precinct. Community leaders including Peter Tu, Councilman Peter Koo and Congresswoman Grace Meng also attended the event and showed their support by participating in the festivities.

Jamaica Hospital’s Pediatrics Unit received a visit from NYC DOC Commissioner Joseph Ponte and officers.

At Jamaica Hospital, community organizations and leaders including the Knights of Columbus, Senator Joe Addabbo, the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council and the New York City Department of Corrections as well as staff from the hospital brought a bounty of toys for the children on the Pediatric Unit and those visiting the Pediatric Emergency Room. Additionally, staff from Southwest Airlines treated our little ones to a story time event where they read holiday books to an eager group.

All of these acts of kindness were greatly appreciated. We thank everyone for their contribution in making the holiday season very special and unforgettable.

Baby boy Peralta; first baby born in NYC, 2017.

The first baby of the New Year is always a special event at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical center.  This year, Flushing Hospital had the honor of having the first baby born in New York City. Baby boy Nathan Peralta was delivered at 12:08 am on New Year’s Day.  Flushing Hospital staff reported, baby Peralta weighed 7lbs 11.5oz.

Click here to read the NY Post article on baby boy Peralta:

http://nypost.com/2017/01/01/nyc-welcomes-first-baby-of-2017/

Baby Boy Lopez-Romero

Approximately twenty minutes later, Jamaica Hospital welcomed baby boy Edwin Daniel Lopez-Romero to the world. He weighed 8lbs 1.7oz.

Congratulations to the families on their newest additions. We wish them a lifetime of happiness. Special thanks to the staff who assisted with these deliveries.

The Nutritional Services Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center participated in several successful community outreach events during this holiday season.

In November, the hospital’s registered dietitians, Lindsay Chetelat and Alessandra Venditto collaborated with the New York City Department of Health to host an event at the Jamaica Farmers Market.  The event promoted the health benefits of eating fresh, seasonal produce.

Chetelat and Venditto shared recipes with participants and demonstrated ways to prepare fruits and vegetables for a healthy meal. Health Bucks were distributed to guests as part of an initiative to increase access to fresh produce within the five boroughs. Health Bucks are paper vouchers created by the Health Department’s District Public Health Offices. The vouchers provide opportunities for residents to buy fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables while supporting regional farmers.

In December, the Nutritional Services Department’s Clinical Nutrition Manager, Nelly Katan, assisted in the coordination of a NY1 News segment about ‘Eating Healthy during the Holidays.’ Dietitian Lindsay Chetelat shared several healthy eating tips with viewers which included sticking to the Plate Method, eating slowly and allowing yourself one treat.  The segment was well-received by many in our community.

To view the news segment, please watch here:

https://youtu.be/DhuPFcwEwfw

Both initiatives were a great success and are examples of some of the community outreach efforts conducted by the Nutritional Services Department in an effort to increase public education by engaging with residents in our neighborhood.  Members of the department work continuously to assist our patients in growing their knowledge about nutrition, wellness and healthy eating.  We look forward to their advancements in the New Year.

The  2016 Korean Health Fair was held at Flushing Hospital Medical Center and an astounding 155 participants from various parts of the community received medical screening in the following specialties:

• Internal Medicine
• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Ophthalmology
• Vascular Surgery
• ENT
• Podiatry
• Orthopedics
• Gastro Intestinal
• Pain Management
• OB-GYN
• Dental

Additionally, participants, both male and female, were able to receive Alzheimer’s and obesity screening.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center takes its commitment to community outreach seriously and is continuing to develop innovative ways to bring wellness to those who would not otherwise seek medical attention.

Dr. Harrison Mu FACS, Director of Neurosurgery at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, was recently recognized as a Healthcare Hero by the Queens Tribune.  The momentous achievement came on the heels of the previous announcement that Mu has been chosen to serve as an Honorary Police Surgeon for the NYPD by police Commissioner James O’Neill.

Dr. Mu specializes in brain and spinal injuries. He is best known for treating and saving the life of NYPD Officer Kenneth Healey in the highly public incident in which Healey was attacked by an assailant with a hatchet.

The Health Care Heroes were carefully selected from medical institutions and programs in Queens and Long Island. Each honoree was nominated based on their contributions in helping to shape the future of healthcare and implementing innovations or philosophies that will ultimately improve and save the lives of patients.

Dr. Mu’s philosophy is, “Every person is unique and every patient should be treated as such,” he said. “My approach to every patient is individualistic. It is my feeling to help you understand your situation first. And with this understanding, we can discuss the management options and formulate a plan within the context of medicine and within your value and goals.”

Congratulations on your achievement Dr. Harrison Mu and thank you for all your contributions to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and the communities we serve.

The MediSys Health Network’s 14^th Annual Behavioral Health Conference was a resounding success.

The amply attended conference took place last month at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. This year’s topic, Preventing Suicide: An Aspiration Goal and Practical Steps was  selected due to a recent federal government report indicating that the national suicide rate has increased 24% from 1999 to 2014.

The purpose of the conference was to increase recognition of suicide risk factors and taking steps to prevent them, as well as improving suicide prevention communications amongst individuals, families, providers and communities.

Following welcoming remarks by Seeth Vivek, MD, Chairman of Psychiatry and introductory remarks and comments by Mr. Bruce Flanz, President and CEO of MediSys Health Network, Anthony Maffia, LCSW, Vice-President, Psychiatry and Addiction Services, Mr. Robert Levine Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Flushing Hospital , the eager participants began their day.

This year’s keynote speaker was Carolyn Clancy, MD, Deputy under Secretary for Health for Organizational Excellence, Department of Veterans Affairs.  Dr. Clancy spoke on the topic of Towards Organizational Excellence: Predicting and Preventing Suicide.

Our special invited speaker, Lloyd Sederer, MD, Chief Medical Office, NYS Office of Mental Health spoke to the group on the topic,  Suicide and Depression: Reducing Disability and Death through Depression Management in Primary Care.

Hospital experts in their field, such as Dr. Daniel Chen, Vice Chairman, Psychiatry and Addiction Services, Ira Frankel, PhD, LCSW, Administrator, Psychiatry and Addition Services, Flushing Campus, Carmen James, Esq, Director of Risk Management, Flushing Campus conducted presentations and lively discussions throughout the day.

Dr. Ira Frankel, event organizer and his planning committee thanked all who attended and is looking forward to the 15^th Annual Behavioral Health Conference next year.

On November 19, 2016, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated the important milestone of serving the community for 125 years.  The momentous occasion was commemorated at the hospital’s annual Rainbow Ball dinner- dance and fundraiser which took place at Citi Field.

The venue was filled to the maximum capacity of 650 guests, consisting of hospital staff, community leaders and supporters of Jamaica Hospital.

Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz commenced the evening by welcoming everyone and sharing a brief history of the hospital since its humble beginnings in a rented four- bedroom house to the 408-bed institution it is today.

Mr. Flanz exuded pride as he spoke about the institution’s evolution over the last century and continuous commitment to providing quality health care.  He took a moment to highlight Jamaica Hospital’s ability to engage with the community and identify services needed to improve the population’s health.   One of the departments to provide a much-needed service over the years has been the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

(L-R) Jamaica Hospital President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz and Chief of Orthopedic Surgery Nader Paksima MD

The department was recognized for providing highly specialized care to hundreds of thousands of patients and producing some of the nation’s best surgeons from its residency program.  Department head and Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, Nader Paksima MD., accepted an award on behalf of the stellar team. Proceeds from the Rainbow Ball were earmarked to benefit the Department of Orthopedic Surgery to help them continue their outstanding work.

(L-R)Honorees Ryan Eller; President Resorts World Casino and John O’Keefe; Senior Vice President of Operations, Underpinning and Foundation Skanska Inc.

Additional awards were presented to the honorees for the evening, Ryan M. Eller; President of Resorts World Casino and John O’Keefe; Senior Vice President of Operations, Underpinning and Foundation Skanska Inc.  Both were honored for displaying a strong commitment to Jamaica Hospital as well as communities in which the organizations operate.

In all the 2016 Rainbow Ball was a fantastic night of celebration.  Thank you to all who have contributed in making the event a success and to those who have supported Jamaica Hospital in its endeavors over the years.

Infection control is a top priority at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Both hospitals exercise measures that are as simple as enforcing good hand hygiene among staff or as complex as implementing high-level disinfectant and sterilization processes.

One of the most efficient means of reminding everyone of the importance of infectious disease control is through education. During International Infection Prevention Week Jamaica and Flushing Hospital hosted events in their main lobbies to educate employees and the community about the many different germs and infections that could be found in a healthcare setting and ways to prevent them from spreading.

Jamaica Hospital’s Infection Control Department invited guests to play trivia games, participate in raffles and most importantly learn about viruses such as Zika and bacteria such as MRSA and C-Diff. The group displayed boards that taught passersby about ways to reduce transmission.

At Flushing Hospital, Director of Infection Prevention; Dr. Javeria Shakil and her team hosted an informational table to raise awareness of the importance of proper hand hygiene. They informed guests that while there is no single way to eliminate healthcare-associated infections, practicing good hygiene can have a strong impact. In fact, eighty percent of infections are spread by dirty hands and washing them is often the best defense at preventing the spread of germs and bacteria.

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital will continue to make strides in infection prevention solutions and strive to sustain hand hygiene initiatives. Both organizations are committed to motivating staff to comply with proper infection disease practices.

Special thanks to the Infection Control Departments of both hospitals for their continued efforts.

October 6 2016, was Organ Donor Enrollment Day.  The observance was created to inform New Yorkers that the need for organ donors has never been greater and encourage them to take action by enrolling into the New York State Donate Life Registry.   This call to action is very important because there are currently 10,000 New York residents waiting for an organ donation and each year many die while waiting.

Several health organizations including Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center support this initiative by participating in a statewide campaign to register as many organ donors as possible at their locations.

In previous years both hospitals have conducted outreach efforts on their respective campuses. However this year, in addition to operating hospital-based enrollment stations, Flushing and Jamaica Hospital collaborated with York College and Queens College by hosting donor registration events in their student lobbies.

Organizers from LiveOnNY and hospital staff led teams of volunteers at all locations to speak with potential donors about the importance of becoming an organ donor and that for every one person who registers, up to eight lives can be saved.

Mary Fischer, a CNA at Flushing Hospital knows all too well the importance of organ donation, her daughter Lauren was the recipient of a bi-lateral lung transplant just a few months ago. Lauren accompanied her mother at Queens College as living proof that organ donation is vital to those who need it to live a healthy life.

Overall Organ Donor Enrollment Day was a success as Jamaica and Flushing Hospital accomplished the goal of making a difference and giving the gift of life to many New Yorkers.