The United States has one of the highest rates of premature births among industrialized nations and locally, Jamaica Queens has one of the highest rates in New York City. While there are differences in geographic significance, one problem remains the same- the numbers are alarming.  Research attributes high rates in pre-term labor to socioeconomic factors such as income and education.  Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and the March of Dimes have partnered to find solutions to this growing health problem and address the contributing factors.

On July 16^th both organizations officially launched the Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait program. Jamaica Hospital is one of two hospitals selected by the March of Dimes to execute the comprehensive initiative.  The hospital was selected based on their unique program offerings such as the Centering Program and fulfilling the requirements of a rigorous screening process.

Jamaica Hospital plans to enhance the Centering Pregnancy program by using an innovative approach to educate patients in a group-based setting that infuses mobile technology with traditional prenatal care.  The hospital has partnered with SocialWellth to create interactive digital applications with specific content about preterm labor prevention. All Centering patients will be given tablets loaded with these applications as a tool to help guide them throughout their pregnancies.

Mitchell Cornett, administrator of Jamaica Hospital’s Ob/Gyn department   expressed his excitement for the program launch in a recent interview, “Jamaica Hospital is thrilled to be a partner in the March of Dimes’ Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait Program.”  “We are equally excited that we have successfully initiated group prenatal care. Mothers participating in the program are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for their babies. By including the multifaceted concept of Centering Pregnancy as a growing part of our prenatal care services, Jamaica Hospital is fulfilling its goal of increasing the rate of full-term deliveries in the communities we serve.”

Mr. Cornett and Dr. Tamara Magloire, as well as other members of the Jamaica Hospital Ob/Gyn department serve on the advisory board of the Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait program and have been influential in establishing the relationship between the hospital and the March of Dimes.  They have done a remarkable job in bringing recognition to Jamaica Hospital as a resource and institution that offers a solution to the high rates of premature labor in New York City.

To see the press coverage of the Healthy Babies Are Worth The Wait launch, please click the links below:

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/queens/news/2015/07/16/two-local-hospitals-join-a-campaign-to-help-reduce-the-number-of-premature-births-in-queens-.html

http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/march-of-dimes-takes-on-premature-birth/article_7512c0b0-0d28-5365-9ffc-36fcb8ab3719.html

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On Tuesday June 23^rd NYPD Commissioner William Bratton met with Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s President and CEO, Bruce J. Flanz to express his personal gratitude as well as the appreciation of the entire police department for the excellent level of care that the hospital provides to members of the NYPD in times of distress and injury.

Mr. Bratton presented Mr. Flanz with a beautiful plaque, which will be displayed prominently at the hospital, as well as a personal letter recognizing the tremendous skill of the doctors, nurses and support staff of our facility. The Commissioner commended the hospital’s dedication to trauma care and noted how it is highly regarded by everyone within the ranks of the NYPD.

Accompanying Mr Flanz at this meeting held in the Commissioner’s office at 1 Police Plaza were John Arline, Dr. Angelo Canedo, Dr. Geoffrey Doughlin, Dr. Kenneth Fretwell, Charles Neacy, and Dr. Andrew Rubin.

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Staff from the Department of Psychiatry

On May 20^th Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry observed Child Mental Health Awareness Day.  In recognition of the nationwide event, members of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry division provided free screenings for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression to the community.

Over one hundred people attended the event in anticipation of receiving assistance or information for their loved ones. Screening children is very important if they exhibit symptoms of mental health disorders and the sooner they receive treatment, the better.  They will be more likely to manage their diagnosed disorder in the future.

The event follows a series successful community outreach efforts conducted by the department of psychiatry this year. Several initiatives were implemented to educate communities.

Some of the other initiatives included:

• Partnering with the New York State Psychiatric Association and the Queens District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association to host the Veterans Mental Health Primary Care Training Initiative.
• Raising awareness on the benefits of using creative arts therapy to treat mental illnesses by transforming the main hospital lobby into an impressive art gallery exhibition. The exhibit featured the anonymous art work of patients who were participants in creative arts therapy.

The rate of people diagnosed or suffering from mental illness in the United States has steadily increased in recent years.  It is estimated that one in five U.S. residents have a diagnosable mental health disorder.  Often these people do not seek treatment as they are embarrassed by the stigmas attached to mental illness. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is continuing its outreach efforts to educate the community about the impact that mental health issues can have if left untreated and that treatment is available.

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Dr. Giglio, Flushing Hospital’s New Chairman of Emergency Medicine

Flushing Hospital Medical Center is happy to announce the addition of James F. Giglio, MD as the new Chairman of Emergency Medicine.  Dr. Giglio joined Flushing Hospital on April 27, after serving 17 years as the Chief of Emergency Medicine for New York Presybertian Hospital’s Columbia and Allen campuses.

Dr. Giglio brings many years of Emergency Room experience and is very excited to be in his new role of serving one of the most culturally rich and ethnically diverse communities in the entire nation.  Flushing Hospital treats over 40,000 patients in its Emergency Department every year. Many of those patients have roots from around the world and they bring their languages and customs with them when they come to Flushing Hospital’s ER. Dr. Giglio believes that is the job of the ER doctors to understand and respect everyone’s beliefs and traditions and to treat each patient as an individual.

Dr. Giglio’s philosophy comes from years of experience working in the emergency room. In that time, he has seen a dramatic change in how care is delivered. “In the past, ER doctors had a singular role – to save lives, and the long ER waits and impersonalized care that was associated with this way of providing treatment was accepted,” states Dr. Giglio, who added, “That way of thinking needs to be flipped upside down.  I believe that just as important as providing life-saving care is doing it in a compassionate and respectful manner, where every person who visits our ER feels like they are our only patient.”

What made Flushing Hospital the right fit for Dr. Giglio is both share a desire to improve the health of the community. Many of the people who come to Flushing Hospital don’t have a primary care physician and need assistance finding the best resources to maintain and improve their health.   Flushing Hospital has added many services and initiatives to educate the community and provide them with the tools to live a healthier lifestyle.  “Improving the wellness of our community is one of our highest priorities for Flushing Hospital and those efforts should start in the ER” states Dr. Giglio

While compassion and individualized care are priorities for everyone in Flushing Hospital’s ER, running an efficient department that provides well-coordinated care with the hospital’s entire network of services is equally important. To ensure that every aspect of patient care is addressed, Dr. Giglio plans to take a very “hands-on” approach to running the Emergency Department.  Dr. Giglio states, “I can’t wait to get to know the community, take care of the emergency care needs, and offer them help to better manage their health so together we can build a healthier Flushing.”

Two Thousand Fifteen marks the 110th year anniversary of the former Flushing Hospital School of Nursing. Dozens of nursing graduates came together to celebrate the esteemed school and share their nostalgic stories.

The attendees, many of whom made their career at Flushing Hospital, marveled at how the hospital has grown over the years. Some, now supervisors in various clinical specialties, spoke about the invaluable nursing education they received from the institution that centered on compassionate patient care. “We were well prepared when we graduated, eager to make a difference,” said Maria DeMarinis-Smilios, Director of Nursing.

Lynn Slitzan, a Nurse Practitioner in Obstetrics and Gynecology, spoke to the attendees saying, “The Flushing School of Nursing put out an excellent product, many great registered nurses!”

The event drew kind words from Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Robert Levine, “It’s great to celebrate this anniversary with you. You are valued members of the Flushing Hospital family.”

There are, currently, 30 nurses who still practice at FHMC. They are a group of dedicated individuals, not only to the hospital, but to the community. The milestone was commemorated with a group photo of the smiling faces that have made a difference!

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Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is excited to announce the launch of a new program called Seniors Coaching Seniors. Seniors Coaching Seniors is a UHF grant funded program that helps connect volunteers and recently discharged patients aged 65 years and over.  These volunteer coaches provide telephone support and guide their peers through their doctor’s recommendations.  All coaches are trained by the Department of Care Transitions Clinical Team, including a registered nurse and licensed social worker.

We encourage all staff to spread the word to eligible patients. Let them know a Volunteer Coach will be reaching out to them after discharge to assist them. We’re also looking for volunteers age 65 and over to participate in the program.

For more information please contact:

Lisa Sigismondi, LCSW

718-206-8501 [email protected]

or

Winnie Wong, RN

718-206-8591 [email protected]

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Flushing Hospital Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®–Target: Stroke Honor Roll-Elite Quality Achievement Award at the association’s International Stroke Conference 2015. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized and research-based guidelines.

The hospital is one of 559 hospitals to be recognized. To receive the Target: Stroke Honor Roll-Elite award, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. Flushing Hospital has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

These quality measures are designed to help hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients.

“We are pleased to recognize Flushing Hospital Medical Center for their commitment to stroke care,” said Deepak L. Bhatt, M.D., M.P.H., national chairman of the Get With The Guidelines steering committee and Executive Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Programs at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Studies have shown that hospitals that consistently follow Get With The Guidelines quality improvement measures can reduce length of stay and 30-day readmission rates and reduce disparities in care.”

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On May 18, Medisys Health network held the 17^th Annual MediSys Classic at the Old Westbury Country Club.  Each year this highly anticipated event is coordinated to raise funds to benefit both Flushing and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Guests were invited to participate in a day of fun and relaxation at the beautiful and elegant facility.  They were offered a selection of activities to choose from which included golf, tennis, yoga and calming massages.

Although the day of the event was a bit chilly, it did not stop golfers from showing up, playing well and heating up the golf course.

Those who were not golfers but wanted to enjoy a day of fitness played an energetic game of tennis or got limber during yoga and Pilates classes.  Others who were looking for a day of rest and relaxation retreated to the spa.

Dinner and cocktails were served later on in the evening.  Guests were treated to a feast of treats and delectable cuisines.  Dinner was not only a social affair but also charitable as generous patrons bought fists full of raffle tickets and rushed to the silent auction table for  their chance to win  golf packages to exclusive clubs on Long Island.

Awards and recognitions were presented after dinner to key players and contributors to the event, including Honorary Chairman, Dr. Cono Grasso.  Raffle prize winners were also announced; they received highly coveted items such as iPads, cameras and plane tickets.

The 17^th Annual MediSys Classic was a great success thanks to the staff of Jamaica and Flushing Hospital, our generous participants and the staff of Old Westbury Country Club. We are looking forward to next year.

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MediSys Hollis, one of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s family health care facilities was recently awarded Level Three National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) – Patient Centered Medical Home 2011 status.

All nine of the MediSys’ Family Health Centers at Jamaica Hospital and the Ambulatory Care Center at Flushing Hospital have now achieved this status.

NCQA’s Patient Centered Medical Home 2011 (PCMH) is an innovative program for improving patient-centered primary care delivery. The objectives of the program include:

• Establishing long-term partnerships between clinicians and patients, instead of a series of hurried and sporadic visits.
• Clinician led teams who coordinate prevention and chronic condition care for patients.
• The promotion of shared decisions by medical teams, which will enable patients to make informed choices and get better results.

This model of quality assurance was created with a key focus on providing stellar primary healthcare and patient satisfaction.  MediSys Health Network’s ability to secure this designation for its outpatient care centers at Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital is a reflection of the networks dedication to ensuring that patients receive the highest level of care at all times.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Ambulatory Care offers more than 50 outpatient general and specialty services for children, adolescents and adults. In an effort to better serve the communities served by the hospital, the department has extended the hours of operation for the Pediatric Care Center and the Women’s Health Center.

“The extended hours were designed with the focus on the needs of patients who work, have school-aged children and patients seeking care over the weekend.” stated Mary McNamara, Administrative Director of the Ambulatory Care Center.

The Pediatric Care Center’s hours of operation have been extended to 8:00pm Monday through Thursday, and is now open on Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. Additionally, the Woman’s Health Center has extended their hours on Tuesday until 8:00pm.

If you would like to make an appointment for your child, please call the Pediatric Care Center at 718-670-3007.  If you are interested in making an appointment with our Women’s Health Center, call  718-670-8992.