Our talented staff at Jamaica Hospital has been recognized by The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration for their outstanding work and contributions toward giving the gift of sight.
The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration is the world’s first eye bank that processes, collects, and distributes donor eye tissue for corneal transplants, medical research and education.

Each year 1,300 people have their sight restored due to the organization’s efforts.
Jamaica Hospital staff played an integral role in the Eye- Bank’s sight-restoring mission by ensuring that potential eye donations will be referred with accuracy, information collected will be completed and assisted in the facilitation of the recovery process.

A special thanks to: Bill Lynch, Executive Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer; Jacqueline Holley, Director of Nursing; Flor Canezal, Clinical Nurse Manager; Karen Davis, RN/ Assistant Director of Nursing; Bernabe Rico, RN. Robert “Smitty” Smith, Security; Roslyn Lachana (supervisor), Toni Tello, Kim Shelley (manager), and Annaleah Carson; Giselle Roach, RN; Bernard Pattugalan, RN; Cristina Bacareza, RN; Jose Carlos Acefe, MD; Asit Metha, MD; Radic Murdachayev, PA; Francois Tellus, MD; Reynaldo Punsal, MD; Lijo Mathai, student.)

Jamaica Hospital is now offering a promising free treatment option for those living with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), a rare, but serious lung disease that worsens over time.

Individuals with IPF develop scarring in the lungs, which leads to shortness of breath and an irreversible loss of lung function. The rate of deterioration is variable with many patients worsening over months to a few years. Currently, there is no FDA approved therapy for this disease, but recently published trials suggest that new treatments may be on the horizon.

Pirfenidone is an anti-fibrotic medication that is taken orally and has been shown to slow the loss of lung function and may improve mortality in IPF. Pirfenidone has already been approved for treatment of this disease in Japan, Canada, and most European countries.

Although Pirfenidone is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are indications that it will be in the near future. Recently, the FDA announced that Pirfenidone has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation. This designation is reserved for drugs that are intended to treat serious or life threatening disease where preliminary evidence indicates that the drug demonstrates substantial improvement over existing treatments.

Jamaica Hospital is one of only a handful of hospitals in the region, and the only one in Queens, offering this free treatment as part of an early expanded access program.  Patients are monitored for safety in this program. It is open to most patients with mild to moderate IPF.  This program is being coordinated by the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and the Department of Clinical Research at Jamaica Hospital.

The hospital’s IPF treatment program was recently highlighted by the Queens Chronicle. http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/jamaica-hospital-testing-lung-drug/article_2fe133c0-caef-59c9-8da3-acf621ca01e8.html

For more information about the Pirfenidone expanded access program at Jamaica Hospital, please call 718-206-5844 or 718-206-5800.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center now offers a free, innovative approach to treat patients at risk of developing diabetes. The Hospital’s Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was developed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and is aimed at managing the health of individuals with prediabetes, or borderline diabetes.

There are over 79 million people with prediabetes in the United States, a condition where a person has glucose levels that are higher than normal but not high enough yet to indicate diabetes. When individuals with prediabetes do not manage their condition, they are at a high risk of developing type two diabetes, a condition that is largely preventable.

By adopting this nationally recognized prevention program, Jamaica Hospital plans to reduce the diabetic population in South East Queens. The goal of the DPP is to help individuals reduce their risk of diabetes by moderately reducing weight and increasing physical activity.

Participants meet in a group setting on a weekly basis for 16 weeks. The weekly meetings are facilitated by “Lifestyle Coaches”, theses coaches are specially trained and certified Jamaica Hospital Patient Navigators with strong interpersonal and group facilitation skills. The Lifestyle Coaches review and provide feedback to each participant on a weekly basis.  Each member of the group is expected to maintain weekly diet and exercise logs and get weighed at each session. The sessions are completely customizable to the individual needs of the group and are run in English and Spanish.

After the 16 week program is completed, participants continue to be monitored by a monthly maintenance program to provide on-going support and motivation to continue a healthy lifestyle.

The results of the Diabetes Prevention Program have been overwhelmingly positive. Half of the over 3,000 participants in the original NIH program met the weight loss goal of 7%. Participants who met the weight loss goal  reduced their risk of developing diabetes by 58%; adults over the age of 60 reduced their risk by 71%.  One of the reasons that the program is so successful is the group dynamic. Through engaging and sharing experiences with others with the same condition, participants in the DPP learn to support each other and provide the necessary encouragement for success.

The program is open to all who meet the basic medical criteria including Medisys employees. For more information about eligibility or to sign up for the Diabetes Prevention Program, please call 718-206-7088.

Earlier this month, the Radiology Department at Flushing Hospital held an open house to introduce its two newest pieces of advanced imaging technology – the Magnetom Verio 3T MRI and the Somatom Flash CT Scanner, both manufactured by Siemens. 

The 3T MRI system offers exceptional image quality, but perhaps its greatest feature is its open–bore design, which alleviates any fears about feeling confined. The openness of the MRI not only helps reduce anxiety for claustrophobic patients, but it also accommodates other patients who do not fit comfortably into a conventional MRI. The new system also has a larger field of view, which cuts lengthy scan times in half.

The second piece of equipment, the Flash CT Scanner, uses dual source technology, providing accurate, high definition scans in an instant. In fact, the technology is so precise that it does not require the patient to remain still or even hold their breath, eliminating the need for sedation. The other major feature of the new CT system is that it sets the benchmark for dose efficiency. Due to its dual source technology and the speed of the scan, CT patients are now exposed to the lowest dosage of radiation that is achievable.

The purpose of the open house was to invite members of the hospital’s medical staff as well as community physicians to learn about the many applications and features of these new, state-of-the-art pieces of equipment. In total, close to 2,000 physicians were mailed information in an effort to have them refer their patients to Flushing Hospital for their imaging needs.

In addition to inviting physicians to witness the advanced technology, members of the media were also invited. Both the Queens Tribune and Queens Chronicle attended the open house and wrote articles about the new equipment in recent editions.

Click here to read the articles.
http://www.qchron.com/editions/north/no-more-fears-with-mris-or-ct-scans/article_5d6bdeb7-7dee-5c71-a50f-039601fd38be.html

http://queenstribune.com/flushing-hospital-gets-new-equipment/

On May 29, Jamaica Hospital’s plastic surgery team, from Plastic Surgery of New York, held an informational session for employees. The seminar educated attendees on various types of cosmetic surgery options including breast augmentation, surgical and nonsurgical rejuvenation, such as botox, tummy tuck, and so much more.

The goal of the seminar was to inform everyone about the wonderful plastic surgery services available to them and the community. From teenagers wanting to model their favorite celebrity to new moms trying to get their post-baby back to men wanting very conservative work done, plastic surgery has become very popular and remains a growing trend.

Consultations and surgical procedures are conducted at Jamaica Hospital. If you are interested in learning more about these procedures and their associated cost, please call 718-206-7110 to schedule an appointment.

On Monday, May 19^th, Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals held their 16^th Annual MediSys Golf Classic at the Old Westbury Country Club. The event was attended by 118 golfers and nine tennis players.

After a day of golfing and tennis, participants attended a cocktail/dinner reception, where remarks were made by Mr. 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 about $13,000 worth of prizes donated by various benefactors, as well as several departments at Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals. Some of these prizes included a waterproof digital camera, AMEX gift cards, an Apple TV gift package, Mets tickets, an iPad mini, a Geek/Techie basket of gadgets, which included a BestBuy and iTunes gift card and iPhone accessories, and much more. The grand prize was two Jet Blue tickets, a TUMI luggage gift card, and a Visa gift card.

Over $170,000 was raised, which will be used to benefit Jamaica Hospital’s Gastroenterology Department and Flushing Hospital’s Cardiac Care Unit.

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day was May 8^th, and to celebrate, Jamaica Hospital’s Advanced Center for Psychotherapy hosted its annual children’s art exhibit. This year’s theme was, “If you could change something in your life, what would it look like?”

With original pieces created by children and adolescents, the art exhibit was created as a way to initiate conversations between adults and children about how they can make positive changes in their lives.

“This year the focus is on positive mental health as it is essential to a child’s early development,” said June Wasserman, PhD  and coordinator of Child and Adolescent Services at the Advanced Center for Psychotherapy.

The art work will be displayed in the lobby of the Advanced Center for Psychotherapy for the month of May, National Mental Health.

For the past 116 years, social workers have committed themselves to improving social conditions and the quality of life opportunities for everyone. Every March, National Professional Social Work month highlights the contributions social workers make to society and raises awareness about the profession. This year, the theme is “All People Matter” and to celebrate, the MediSys Health Network organized several events.

Jamaica Hospital held a bake sale to raise money for The Rose Marmo Fund, created in honor of a social worker who worked at Jamaica Hospital for 35 years. Almost $500 was raised and the money will be used to assist patients with the things they need for a safe discharge.

Additionally, the facility organized an educational workshop for patients, visitors, and employees. Attorneys from The Family Center were available to assist individuals with questions regarding health care proxies and to help them complete the necessary forms.

“We wanted to educate the public on the importance of medical decision making,” explained Sheryl Mersten, Director of Case Management/Social Work at Jamaica Hospital. “As medical social workers, we are advocates for our patients and are constantly communicating between them, their loved ones, and staff. Social workers, therefore, become a critical part of the healthcare team.”

The facility ended the month long celebration with a social work appreciation luncheon. Social workers Meghan Wolfman, Karen Rothman, and Michelle Blearie-Samuel were honored by the department and received awards.

At Flushing Hospital, administration and department heads were sent an email informing them about National Social Work Month and thanking the hospital’s social workers for their unyielding dedication to their patients. Also, the Assistant Director of Case Management and Social Work, Christine Wildman, organized a breakfast to honor their social workers, while several hospital employees nominated Roy Naipaul for this year’s National Association of Social Workers/Queensboro Council for Social Work Queens Social Workers Award.

“All people have dignity and deserve respect,” said Denise James, Director of Case Management/Social Work at Flushing Hospital. “Social workers are an immediate lifeline in crisis—providing access to resources and new life options—and deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated for their hard work and dedication.”

The MediSys Health Network employs over 30 social workers, and we extend our gratitude to each and every one of them. Thank you.

Healthy Living Mural at JHMC

The Department of Psychiatry at Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals recently celebrated Creative Arts Therapies week by displaying the artwork made by their patients. From March 17 to March 21, Jamaica Hospital showcased an exhibit titled “Me” in the hospital lobby, while Flushing Hospital’s “Wishing Tree of Life and Hope” and “Healthy Living” murals were displayed on easels in the lobby.

The “Me” exhibit featured over 20 pieces, all depicting the personal expressions of how patients viewed themselves. The artwork includes self-portraits and landscapes.

Each of Flushing Hospital’s murals spanned 30”x40” and were created by patients from the Chemical Dependency Unit and inpatient psychiatry unit. The “Wishing Tree of Life and Hope” mural consisted of a tree full of leaves. Every leaf highlighted a personal value that patients found helpful in their recovery from drug use. The “Healthy Living” mural was a collage of images that patients felt defined healthy living. Some of the images included healthy food, exercising, and sleep.

Over 300 individuals, including Councilman Ruben Willis, visited the

Wishing Tree Mural at FHMC

exhibits and in some cases, wrote words of encouragement and support for creative arts therapy and acknowledged the benefits it provides patients.

“Creative Arts Therapies Week supports creative expression as a cornerstone of mental health and a happy, fulfilled life,” said Elim Mak, Creative Arts Therapist at Flushing Hospital. “Art therapy allows our patients to tap in or reconnect with their creative inner selves. It is a life-affirming intervention because we humans are, by nature, an imaginative and creative species.”

According to American Art Therapy Association, art therapy uses art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, and foster self-awareness. It also manages behavior and addictions, develops social skills, improves reality orientation, reduces anxiety and depression and increases self-esteem.

“Arts therapy is an essential part of treatment for mental health patients because the process of making art is therapeutic,” said Michelle Hololob, Creative Arts Therapist at Jamaica Hospital. “When a person doesn’t have words or when words are too painful, art becomes inspiration.”

“Additionally, every population can benefit from art therapy,” said Heather Grey, Creative Arts Therapist at Jamaica Hospital. “We provide all of our patients with a safe space. Our rooms are warm, friendly, inviting, and display remnants of home.”

"Me" Exhibit at JHMC

Mental health patients admitted to Jamaica or Flushing Hospital participate in creative arts therapy through group sessions. They also receive medication therapy, psychotherapy, and emotional support. The hospitals’ collaborative and comprehensive approach to treatment provides patients with the best chance at functioning in society.

The “Me” exhibit was featured in the Queens Chronicleand the New York Daily News.