President and C.E.O of Jamaica Hospital, Bruce J. Flanz presented Dr. Cono Grasso with an award of recognition.

Last Saturday Jamaica Hospital Medical Center celebrated its 124^th Anniversary Rainbow Ball at Citi Field. The Rainbow Ball is an opportunity for supporters of Jamaica Hospital to celebrate its accomplishments and raise funds for future projects.  A guest of honor is also recognized each year for their devotion to the hospital. This year’s honoree was Dr. Cono Grasso; Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology.

The event commenced with the singing of the national anthem followed by a warm greeting from President and C.E.O of Jamaica Hospital, Bruce J. Flanz.

Mr. Flanz later introduced Dr. Grasso to over 500 guests and presented him with the distinguished award of recognition-which Dr. Grasso graciously accepted amidst the applause and cheers from the crowd.  He thanked his family, friends and colleagues for supporting him and believing in his vision for the ophthalmology department.

For the remainder of the evening guests enjoyed a delicious spread of food and desserts, participated in mini golf challenges and danced to a live band.  The fun carried on during the raffle and grand prize drawing where contestants won trips, gift cards and electronics.

In all the 124^th Anniversary Rainbow Ball was a great success and celebration of, as best said by our President Mr. Flanz, “a true gentleman whose dedication and compassion to our patients and the community that we serve is an inspiration to all.” Congratulations Dr. Cono Grasso on being this year’s honoree and thank you for your dedication to Jamaica Hospital.

For more pictures from this event, as well as other hospital highlights join Jamaica and Flushing Hospital on social media:

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Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center both received very generous donations from the Queens-based pediatric charity organization, Angels on the Bay, whose mission is “to be the keepers of hope and the guardians of dreams to all children in need of a little miracle.” The money raised for Jamaica and Flushing is to assist both hospitals in our continued efforts to provide high-quality medical care to children in the community.

Flushing Hospital received the first of two annual donations from Angels on the Bay, totaling $40,000. Those contributions will be earmarked for the purchase of special equipment used to provide emergency and critical care for infants and toddlers. The $40,000 that Flushing Hospital will receive over the next two years brings the total donations made by Angels on the Bay to over $200,000.

Angels on the Bay also donated $75,000 to Jamaica Hospital over a three year period. The funds received will allow Jamaica Hospital to purchase echocardiography equipment for its pediatric department. Since 1995, Jamaica Hospital has received approximately $450,000 in contributions from Angels on the Bay.

Hospital Chief Operating Officers William Lynch and Robert Levine were present to accept the checks and offer their appreciation on behalf of Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital.

Angels on the Bay is a non-for-profit organization that was founded in 1994 by Frank Russo with the goal of raising funds to benefit children and pediatric services in the area. In addition to Jamaica and Flushing Hospital, Angels on the Bay has supported numerous pediatric causes, raising millions of dollars for children in the area over the past two decades.

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips, like us on 

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Flu season is here and with it comes dreadful flu symptoms. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, requiring hospitalization and in some cases can lead to death.   The best way to protect yourself and others around you from the spread of the virus is to get the flu vaccine. It is your strongest line of defense. According to Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), the flu shot reduces the chances of getting the flu by 70 to 90%.

It is important to get a flu shot every year because flu viruses are constantly changing.  New vaccines are created each year to offer you optimal protection.  The CDC recommends that everyone from the ages of six months and older receive an annual vaccination. The flu vaccine works by stimulating your immune system to develop antibodies that attack the flu virus.

The flu vaccine is the best preventative step you can take against infection. The shot is now available at Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s offices of Occupational Health or the main lobby in each hospital.

If you choose not to receive vaccination, please inform our offices of Occupation Health Services by completing the Refusal to Receive section of their Influenza Vaccination Encounter form.  Beginning November 16^th those who do  not receive the vaccination will be required to wear face masks at all times in areas where patients may be present.  Hospital employees will be locked out of Kronos beginning December 1^st if the paper work is not received.  Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disciplinary actions.

For more details on the flu vaccine please call Jamaica Hospital’s Occupation Health Services at 718 206 6812 or Flushing Hospital’s Occupational Health Services at 718 670 5630.

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

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and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

Did you know New York is ranked last in the entire country for the percentage of residents registered as organ donors? Even more concerning is the fact that a New Yorker dies every 18 hours while waiting for an organ donation.  In response to these alarming statistics Jamaica Hospital Medical Center partnered with LiveOnNY-a federally designated organ procurement organization to help raise awareness and increase the number of organ donors.

On October 6th both organizations participated in New York’s first ever Organ Donor Enrollment Day. This campaign was executed with one goal in mind: to enroll as many willing New Yorkers as possible in one day to become registered organ donors.  Staff and volunteers from LiveOnNY and Jamaica Hospital rallied passersby in the main lobby and cafeteria of the hospital to sign up.

Key figures who represented Jamaica Hospital at the event were William Lynch, Executive Vice President and COO; Dr. Alan Roth, Chairman of Family Medicine and Palliative Care and Dr. Anthony DiMaria, Vice President and Medical Director of Trump Pavilion.  Each of which have been instrumental in developing our partnership with LiveOnNY and advocating for this important cause.

Dr. Anthony DiMaria understands first-hand the importance of organ donation.  He spoke openly to the media and shared his personal experience of being a New Yorker who received a much needed organ donation.  “I was going out—down to the end when I was informed that I was going to receive a heart,” said Dr. DiMaria. “I’ve said it before but I’ve been given life twice.” He also went on to tell reporters that his donor was a man from the Dominican Republic and that he still to this day keeps in touch with the donor’s family. The media fondly dubbed him as “The Italian with the Dominican Heart.”

Jamaica Hospital been an advocate for organ donation for many years, we have been “sounding the alarm for donor registration for decades,” stated Mr. Lynch. It is our goal to continue these efforts and help save lives.

To read and watch the media stories of Jamaica Hospital’s and LiveOnNY’s Organ Donor Enrollment Day, please click the links below:

http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2015/41/organdonor_2015_10_09_q.html

http://www.qchron.com/editions/eastern/jamaica-hospital-touts-organ-donor-sign-ups/article_925e5ab4-126a-5f2d-8a61-caf6d21c615a.html

http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/10/6/jamaica-hospital-hosts-organ-donor-registration-day.html

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

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and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

Halloween is around the corner and choosing the right costume is always a great treat before the actual day. As adults, we look forward to seeing our kids adorably dressed up in fun and exciting costumes. With a few tips on choosing the right costumes, you can ensure an evening of fun and no fright.

When purchasing costumes, masks, beards and wigs, look for flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, or look for the label “Flame Resistant.” These fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly. To minimize the risk of contact with candles and other fire sources, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. Costumes should also fit well so they do not drag on the ground and prevent trips and falls.

Some additional tips from safekids.org include:

• Purchase or make costumes that are light, bright and clearly visible to motorists. For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights.
• Children should carry flashlights to see and be seen. Bags or sacks also should be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.
• Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes. High heels are not a good idea.
• Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes and obstructing vision.
• If your child wears a mask, make sure it fits securely, provides adequate ventilation, and has eye holes large enough to allow full vision. Skip the mask and opt for face paint instead.
• Swords, knives and similar costume accessories should be made of soft, flexible

Happy and safe Halloween!

Congratulations to the Creative Arts Therapy division of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s psychiatry department for receiving  an official proclamation from the office of Senator Leroy Comrie. This is a remarkable accomplishment as proclamations are usually reserved by government officials to commemorate exemplary achievements or milestones.

In the proclamation Senator Comrie honored and acknowledged members of the department including Dr. Seeth Vivek ,Tony Maffia, Heather Grey, Michelle Hololob and others for their outstanding work in raising community awareness  on mental health  and most importantly for organizing this year’s Therapeutic Art Display- Mandalas, Explorations and Other Self-Reflections.  During the display the main lobby of the hospital was transformed into an impressive art gallery by the group.

Beautiful pieces of art created anonymously by patients were exhibited in an effort to educate the community about the benefits of creative arts therapy in treating mental illnesses.  This form of therapy encourages self- exploration, helps organize emotions and has a profoundly positive effect on mental well-being.

One of the major goals of the psychiatry department this year was to help erase the negative stigmas associated with mental illness through education. They have been very successful in achieving this goal by executing several community outreach campaigns. We are elated that the department has received this recognition for their hard work and as stated by Ms. Hololob, “It’s an honor and much appreciated!”

Recently the New York Times published the highly awaited list of Super Doctors and Rising Stars in medicine.  The list is composed of a roster of outstanding physicians from more than 40 specialties, recognized nation-wide for their achievements or a high degree of admiration from their peers.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s ophthalmologists, Dr. Jonathan Kruh and Dr. Nicolas Biro earned two coveted spots on the Rising Stars list. To gain a place on the list is no easy task as candidates have to endure a rigorous, multi-step process to be selected.  Some of the characteristics that gain physicians this recognition are: professional activities, academic achievements, hospital appointment and prior honors. After a thorough blue-ribbon panel review only 2.5 percent of physicians in each state are selected.

Dr. Nicolas Biro recently joined the Jamaica Hospital family and is fellowship trained in oculoplastics and neuro-ophthalmology.   Dr. Jonathan Kruh, a graduate of our ophthalmology program is a core member of our faculty and clinical director. He is fellowship trained in cornea refractive surgery and uveitis.

As said best by Dr. Cono Grasso, Chairman of Ophthalmology “We are very of proud of our rising stars.” On behalf of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center- we offer our congratulations to doctors Biro and Kruh on this outstanding achievement.

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

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and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

On Wednesday, September 9, 2015, Flushing Hospital Medical Center held its annual dinner dance, Celebration 2015, at Leonard’s of Great Neck.

Each year, the event grows with overwhelming support from the hospital’s administrators and employees, as well as members of the community.

This year, President and CEO, Bruce J. Flanz welcomed nearly 500 guests to the venue and spoke with great enthusiasm about this year’s honorees. Each honoree was chosen because of their devotion and contributions to Flushing Hospital.

As the honorees names were announced, those in attendance stood up and cheered in celebration of their achievements. This year’s nominee’s included Mr. John R. Buran, President and CEO of Flushing Bank, Hillary Lewis, FHMC Clinical Nurse Manager and Dr. Robert Slepoy, Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology.

Each honoree spoke about the special place Flushing Hospital held in their hearts; perhaps honoree, Dr. Robert Slepoy, summed up the evening best when he stated, “During my Residency, it was recommended to me that I pursue my career at a community based hospital due to the special care you are able to give each patient.  I found that community hospital at Flushing and have never regretted my choice.”

 For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital  or Facebook.com/Flushing Hospital 

and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center has partnered with the American Diabetes Association to bring a nutrition pilot program called “What Can I Eat?” to our community. This four week nutrition program is an interactive, group discussion class which reviews healthy food choices for diabetics.

Participants will be empowered to make healthy decisions at home, while grocery shopping, eating out, family occasions and all while staying on a budget. The class is open to adults with Type 2 Diabetes; however, loved ones are encouraged to join as well.

After a successful run in July and continued interest, the class is being offered again.

A participant from the last session reported “It was very informative, and I learned a lot. The class put me on a path to better health.”

Facilitators, Elena Toumaras, RD, CDN and Lindsay Chetelat, RD, CDN, will be offering the classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Family Medicine Center Conference Room (133-03 Jamaica Avenue) starting September 14th from 5:00-6:30 pm.

Anyone who is interested may attend an informational session to be held at the Family Medicine Center on Friday September 11th from 12:00-3:00 pm. You will learn more about the program and will also be able to register.

Space is limited so reserve your space ASAP! You can contact Elena at 718-206-7056 or [email protected]

For more hospital events, highlights, health and  fitness tips,visit us on 

Facebook.com/JamaicaHospital  or Facebook.com/Flushing Hospital 

and follow us on Twitter @JamaicaHospital or @FHMC_NYC

Silvina De La Iglesia and our new Video Remote Interpretation System

Jamaica and Flushing Hospital Medical Center are located in one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world.  According to a recent census, there are over 138 languages spoken in Queens.

Servicing a community that is so uniquely diverse is a responsibility that we take pride in.  This is why Jamaica and Flushing Hospital makes providing efficient ways to communicate with our patients and their families one of our highest priorities.

Effective language communication is critical in our daily operations as healthcare providers.  Proper communication reduces the risk of medical errors and improves the quality of our patients’ experience.  There are several systems and resources set up throughout both institutions to ensure that language needs are being met.

We have many language tools that we utilize, including our Point-To chart, our on-site qualified medical interpreters (which can be located in the Language Bank Manual),  and the over-the-phone interpreters, the Language Line and Pacific Interpreters.

However, the Language Assistant Program headed by Silvina De La Iglesia has added an innovative tool- the Video Remote Interpretation system (VRI), to service our Deaf or hard or hearing community.

The Video Remote Interpreting system is primarily used for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation.  The system is mobile and used on iPads. The devices are kept in the emergency room office or in the Language Assistance Program department at Jamaica Hospital. They are on the way shortly to Flushing Hospital.  Silvina, an advocate for language service accessibility in healthcare facilities wants to encourage staff to become familiar with the new technology.

Silvina demonstrates the VRI and discusses both hospitals’ sensitivity to cultural diversity and language on Univision News

“The system is very easy to use. It’s like using an app on the iPad. It helps us to remain compliant with regulations that require interpreters be available to patients within 20 minutes of arrival to the hospital and within 10 minutes to the ER,” stated Silvina. The technology uses video conferencing –think Face Time, to connect a qualified ASL interpreter to the patient.  The interpreter then conveys the conversation to hospital staff, enabling effective communication.

Welcome Jonathan Sanchez, our new ASL Interpreter/ Coordinator

The Language Assistance Program plans to increase and expand interpreting resources and services provided by Jamaica and Flushing Hospital.  The department recently hired a new ASL Interpreter/ Coordinator Jonathan Sanchez to help fulfill departmental goals.  “My goal is to solidify and promote Jamaica and Flushing Hospital as institutions where our community takes comfort in knowing that we will be able to help and communicate with them in many languages, spoken or signed.”

Silvina was recently featured in the newspaper El Diario and appeared along with our patient navigators on the evening news for Univision TV. She spoke about the hospitals’ sensitivity to language differences and the progressive steps we are taking to meet the demands of our diverse community.

Silvina ‘s Interview with El Diario can be read here: http://www.eldiariony.com/cuando-de-salud-se-trata-a-cada-quien-su-idioma

For more hospital highlights, health and fitness information, visit us on: Facebook.com/ Jamaica Hospital, Facebook.com/ Flushing Hospital and on twitter @JamaicaHospital and @FHMC_NYC.