Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to announce that its Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) has earned a gold Beacon Award for Excellence, and its Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), a silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve unit outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that earn this annual award with a gold, silver, or bronze designation meet specific criteria established by AACN that represent the characteristics and components of the unit environment that nurses can influence to achieve nursing excellence.

A gold designation signifies the highest achievement, indicating that a unit meets national benchmarks in leadership, staffing, communication, learning, and evidence-based practice. Jamaica Hospital’s SICU is the only unit in New York City to earn gold for 2025. The hospital received a gold award within its first year of applying, which is highly unusual. The silver designation was awarded to 14 units in New York State, including Jamaica Hospital’s MICU.

This is a significant achievement as more than 575 units from around the country applied for the award. This accomplishment would not have been possible without extensive participation from physicians and support staff, and by including staff satisfaction surveys, in addition to data analysis.

AACN President Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN, applauds the commitment of the caregivers at Jamaica Hospital for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence to achieve a gold and silver level designation. These dedicated healthcare professionals join other members of our exceptional community of nurses, who set the standard for optimal patient care.

“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes,” Marsh said. “Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.”

Jamaica Hospital’s SICU and MICU are proud to have received the distinction of gold and silver Beacon Units. This achievement highlights the high-quality, compassionate healthcare provided to critically ill patients across both units. “The Beacon Award validates the efforts of an entire team. It is a testament to their hard work, high-quality care, and dedication to a healthy, collaborative work environment. I’m proud and privileged to be associated with such remarkable individuals,” said Susan Iovino, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Nursing, at Jamaica Hospital.

The Beacon Award for Excellence gold and silver designations are for three years, with an annual review. Jamaica Hospital plans to apply for its Cath Lab and is highly confident that this unit can also achieve a Beacon Award.

Good Catch awardees receive recognition and a certificate of excellence for their efforts in preventing accidents. These actions may include keeping our facilities safe, correcting a medication order, preventing a patient from falling, or reporting a significant change in a patient’s status.

Please join us in congratulating the following employees on their Good Catch:

1. Falaurie Bastien, RN – Jamaica Hospital
2. Bikram Totaram, PCA – Jamaica Hospital
3. Filamae Corpuz, RN -Jamaica Hospital
4. Alwyn Spencer, PCA – Jamaica Hospital

By identifying problems before they became patient-safety issues, our awardees have helped our hospitals provide excellent patient care. We thank them for being exemplary team members and contributing to our goal of being a high-reliability network.

The CARE Award program recognizes employees who receive positive written remarks from patients or their families for providing high-quality and compassionate care.

The criteria for the award are:

C: Compassion- Through listening, identifying patient vulnerabilities, and conveying empathy.

A: Advocacy- Ensuring quality care is given and the safety of the patients and environment is maintained.

R: Respect-Greeting or speaking to others in a kind and respectful way.

E: Engagement- Making individuals feel valued, important, and recognized.

Please join us in congratulating:

1. Jonathan Kruh, MD – Jamaica Hospital

2. Ophthalmology Clinic – Jamaica Hospital

3 . Donald Doukas, MD-  Flushing Hospital

4. Palliative Department & 3 West – Flushing Hospital

We thank our employees for their contributions to making our hospitals high-reliability facilities that focus on patient-centered care.  

The Jamaica Hospital Ambulatory Care Center is excited to announce that it has relocated several of its specialty departments to a brand-new, modern space at 132-47 Metropolitan Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11418.

The following specialty services have moved to this location: general surgery, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), plastic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, vascular surgery, urology, and wound care.

The new site, which spans 6,468 square feet, has been designed to enhance comfort, accessibility, and support for all patients. It features 15 examination rooms, a modern layout, and a range of amenities.

The hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Patients can schedule an appointment by calling (718) 301-0720.

Jamaica Hospital thanks its patients for trusting the organization with their care and looks forward to welcoming them at the new location.

The MediSys Health Network Cancer Center recently held a town hall meeting to share updates on the program’s latest accomplishments and new developments.

The network’s leadership, along with Shelly Anderson, Hospital President of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, presented to a packed auditorium of attendees eager to learn about the center’s progress.

The presentation focused on key achievements, important patient cases, the formation of medical boards, research efforts, community engagement, educational outreach, and the expansion of the cancer program.

Speakers included MediSys Health Network President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sabiha Raoof, who chronicled the center’s growth from its inception in 2021. What started as a concept aimed at providing high-quality cancer care to an underserved community has transformed into a rapidly growing program recognized for its commitment to equitable cancer care.

Mr. Flanz and Dr. Raoof discussed significant milestones, such as the signing of the first affiliation agreement between the MediSys Health Network Cancer Center and MSK in 2023, and the receipt of a $188 million transformation grant in 2025 from New York Governor Kathy Hochul to build a brand-new facility, with construction set to begin this year.

Clinical leaders from the MediSys Health Network Cancer Center, Dr. David Pfister, Chair of Oncology, and Dr. Rosa Nouvini, Site Director, proudly shared the program’s latest advancements, including the:

• Growth of the cancer care team, and the introduction of new staff members and leadership
• Establishment of a cancer research steering committee
• Establishment of a breast tumor board
• Acquisition of new technology and delivery of new therapies
• Completion of a circle of care for a specialized patient case
• Execution of successful community and educational outreach initiatives
• Successful integration of MSK expertise
• Successful application of supportive services
• Introduction of a bone marrow biopsy program

The town hall meeting offered valuable insights about the MediSys Health Network Cancer Center. The future looks promising as the program continues to expand. Leadership presented their vision for the center, aiming to establish it as one of the most trusted cancer treatment facilities in the community. Their goal is to ensure that everyone feels confident they are receiving world-class care right in their own neighborhood.

Congratulations to the MediSys Health Network’s Safety Excellence in Infection Prevention (SEIP) award winners.

The SEIP award recognizes employees who contribute to the success of infection control initiatives.

The criteria for the award are:

S: Surpasses above and beyond expected job responsibilities related to infection control.

E: Enforce actions that support best practices in infection prevention.

I: I do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

P: Performs awesome acts of safety related to infection prevention.

We thank the following team members for leading by example and doing their part to reduce the risk of infection transmission:

1. Sajith Panakal, PT – Jamaica Hospital

2. Pedro Degante, Dennis Multari, Kayon Glave, Printing & Mail Services – Flushing Hospital

The MediSys Health Network cultivates a culture of safety by prioritizing infection control and prevention. All employees play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections, and their contributions to safety are highly valued.

Congratulations to the MediSys Health Network’s Safety Excellence in Infection Prevention (SEIP) award winners.

The SEIP award recognizes employees who contribute to the success of infection control initiatives.

The criteria for the award are:

S: Surpasses above and beyond expected job responsibilities related to infection control.

E: Enforce actions that support best practices in infection prevention.

I: I do the right thing, even when no one is looking.

P: Performs awesome acts of safety related to infection prevention.

We thank the following team members for leading by example and doing their part to reduce the risk of infection transmission:

1. Rowell Ong, Assistant Head Nurse – Jamaica Hospital

2. Vivianne Beltrand, Language Assistance Program Coordinator- Flushing Hospital

The MediSys Health Network cultivates a culture of safety by prioritizing infection control and prevention. All employees play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infections, and their contributions to safety are highly valued.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has been named as one of New York State’s 2025 Top Mental Health Care Providers by City & State New York magazine.

According to City & State New York, its list of Top Mental Health Care Providers features dozens of elite healthcare organizations that offer innovative programs and standout services to help New Yorkers thrive and successfully face challenges to their mental health.

Being named as one of New York State’s top mental health care providers highlights Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry’s commitment to meeting the mental health needs of the community it serves.

Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry provides comprehensive mental health care for the most culturally and ethnically diverse community in the United States, including a Comprehensive Psychiatry Emergency Program with about 6,000 annual visits, two inpatient units with over 1,800 admissions annually, and New York City’s only 24/7 mobile crisis team responding within two hours. At our sister institution, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, we complement these services with our complete substance use disorder and chemical dependency program.

Additionally, the department offers integrated outpatient care through about 42,000 annual visits and specialized programs in psycho-oncology, obesity care, and perinatal health.

Jamaica Hospital is proud to be recognized for its high-quality mental healthcare and as a Top Mental Health Care Provider among New York’s distinguished healthcare organizations. “This recognition honors our commitment to a simple but powerful idea: exceptional mental health care must be accessible, culturally attuned, and integrated with overall health. We are proud to serve as a beacon of hope and healing for the resilient and diverse community we call home,” stated Dr. Daniel Chen, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services at Jamaica Hospital.

Good Catch awardees receive recognition and a certificate of excellence for their efforts in preventing accidents. These actions may include keeping our facilities safe, correcting a medication order, preventing a patient from falling, or reporting a significant change in a patient’s status.

Please join us in congratulating the following employees on their Good Catch:

1. Teyanah Cleve, RN – Jamaica Hospital
2. Geniva Pierrot, RN – Jamaica Hospital
3. Chinonyelum Obodo, RN -Jamaica Hospital
4. Amber Miles, RN – Jamaica Hospital
5. Vanessa Rivera, ACR – Jamaica Hospital
6. Zhihe Zhou, RN – Flushing Hospital

By identifying problems before they became patient-safety issues, our awardees have helped our hospitals provide excellent patient care. We thank them for being exemplary team members and contributing to our goal of being a high-reliability network.