Contact:

Alisa White Holland

Communications

(914) 787-5004

aholland@lawrencehealth.org

Bronxville, NY - April 28, 2008 - The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted a Three-Year Approval with Commendation to the Cancer Program at Lawrence Hospital Center.  For the second consecutive time, Lawrence received this honor after an exhaustive examination during two back to back review periods.   Also, in order to win this distinction, the hospital had to demonstrate a high level of compliance with a number of strict standards including:  cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, and community outreach and quality improvement.

Why is this important?  It gives patients the confidence that they will have access to the highest quality comprehensive care.  The Lawrence Cancer Care Program offers a wide range of state of the art services and equipment; a multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options; information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatments; access to cancer related information, education and support and most importantly - quality care close to home.

To learn more about Lawrence Hospital Center's Cancer Care Program, visit our website at www.lawrencehealth.org.

Contact:

Sara Bodnar

Public Affairs
(718) 780-5367

ssb9004@nyp.org

Brooklyn, NY - April 28, 2008 - While the effects of stroke can be debilitating, this serious health condition is often preventable or treatable. In order to educate the public about stroke prevention and detection, New York Methodist Hospital recently hosted a free Stroke Alert Day. "Many strokes are preventable, and education is the first step to preventing a stroke," said Cary Buckner, M.D., vice chairman of the department of neurosciences at NYM. "Through Stroke Alert Day, NYM aimed to increase public awareness of risk factors that lead to stroke, stroke symptoms, and what to do if you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms."

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel or artery that carries blood and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked or when the blood vessel or artery bursts. Although strokes occur suddenly, usually one or more warning signs will signal an impending stroke. These warning signs include numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg on one side, a sudden and severe decline in consciousness, difficulty understanding or speaking, sudden, severe headache, blurred or decreased vision, loss of balance, dizziness, and vomiting.   

Contact:

Phyllis Fisher

Director, Public Relations

(212) 606-1197

fisherp@hss.edu

Tracy Hickenbottom

Public Relations

(212) 606-1197

hickenbottomt@hss.edu

New York, NY - April 25, 2008 - How are the weekend warrior, early morning runner, health club enthusiast and professional athlete going to return to their routine without risking injury again? This is the No. 1 question most people ask after a sports-related injury.

"We support the idea of getting back on your bicycle or skis, slamming a tennis racket, swinging a golf club, running a marathon or swinging a bat," said Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Barry Heyden of Hospital for Special Surgery's Sports Performance Center. "A personal training program based on a comprehensive evaluation allows clients to go on safely for their personal gold--their ultimate level of mobility."

Contact:

Karen Huxtable

Manager, Public and Media Relations

(607) 547-4581

karen.huxtable@bassett.org

Cooperstown, NY - April 24, 2008 - Nursing students and those who teach them now have more support than ever before, which is good news for Bassett clinical and teaching staff as well as patients. Bassett Healthcare was awarded a $250,000 grant by the Scriven Foundation for its work as a part of the Partnership for Nursing Opportunities, with Hartwick College and the State University of New York (SUNY) Delhi.  (Photo above: Nathan Feldman, R.N., Bassett clinical adjunct nursing faculty member, works with Partnership for Nursing Opportunities student Mary Farrell.)

Contact:

Jennifer Rampersad

Communications

(718) 281-8529

jrampersad@stmaryskids.org

Bayside, NY - April 15, 2008 - Nintendo's Wii has become a phenomenon in the healthcare industry after recent findings show the game system's benefits in rehabilitating patients. St. Mary's Healthcare System for Children, one of the nation's leading providers of post-acute pediatric care for children with special needs and life limiting conditions, is a leading force behind this remarkable discovery. St. Mary's began using Wii therapy to create an environment of fun while helping children with special needs develop strength and agility. Dr. Holly Phillips of WCBS Channel 2 joined children and staff today to get a first hand look at some of the innovative rehabilitative techniques St. Mary's therapists are involved in.

It began as a mere videogame; children of all ages found themselves glued to the television sets while parents and spouses urged them do their homework or make conversation instead. But now St. Mary's patients' parents are actually encouraging their children to pick up the controls and get involved with a healthy game of tennis, golf, basketball or bowling. WCBS Channel 2 health reporter Dr. Holly Phillips met with staff members, physicians and inpatients of St. Mary's Children's Hospital to better understand their use of Wii therapy for children with special needs, and was impressed with the results.

Contact:

Jack Routledge

Director, Marketing

(914) 681-1119

jroutledge@wphospital.org

White Plains, NY - April 8, 2008 - Expectant parents are faced with a bewildering range of pregnancy and parenting information - books, magazines, television, and the well-meaning advice of friends and family. It's difficult to know how to sort it all out. Now, OB patients at White Plains Hospital Center have a resource to guide them through their pregnancy and the first year of their baby's life: the White Plains Hospital Center weekly parenting e-mail.

Joan Carlin-Halpern, RNC, NNP, Director of Nursing, Maternal-Child Health at the Hospital views this as a great tool for couples, "this free weekly service offers expectant and new parents customized information, news, and resources from the parent education staff." Ms. Carlin-Halpern explains, "it also allows our clinicans to develop a richer, more supportive relationship with their patients."

Contact:

Scott Orstad

Manager, Corporate Communications

(203) 276-5933

sorstad@stamhealth.org

Stamford, CT - April 7, 2008 - Stamford Hospital's Diagnostic Imaging Center at Tully Health Center has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).  The hospital is one of five out of the state's 133 breast imaging centers to have achieved this level of distinction.

The designation recognizes breast imaging centers' dedication to improving women's health through a rigorous quality assurance program.  The program is administered by ACR's Commission on Quality and Safety and the Commission on Breast Imaging.

Contact:

Phyllis Fisher

Director, Public Relations

(212) 606-1197

fisherp@hss.edu

Tracy Hickenbottom

Public Relations

(212) 606-1197

hickenbottomt@hss.edu

Contact:

Katherine Emmanouilidi
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
(201) 833-7092
emma@holyname.org

Teaneck, NJ - April 1, 2008 - When they learn they need radiation therapy to treat breast cancer, the first question on most women's lips isn't, "How will I be positioned during treatment?" But studies have shown that receiving radiation while lying facedown has benefits for many women, while delivering the same quality outcomes as conventional positioning.

Prone-breast radiation therapy is "a very unique approach," according to Benjamin Rosenbluth, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Holy Name Hospital. It is not widely available outside of only a handful of the larger academic medical centers in the United States.

Contact:

Katherine Emmanouilidi
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
(201) 833-7092
emma@holyname.org

Teaneck, NJ - April 1, 2008 - Holy Name Hospital was recently named as one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey. The award program, created in 2005 is produced by NJBIZ and sponsored by Gibbons, P.C., Sobel & Co., LLC, Staffing Alternatives, Novo Nordisk and Atlantic Health System. This is the third consecutive year the hospital has achieved this prestigious honor.

This survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New Jersey, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The Best Places to Work in New Jersey program is made up of 50 companies split into two groups: 25 medium-sized companies (25-249 employees) and 25 large-sized companies (more than 250 employees). (Name of Company) has been named one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey in the (medium or large) category.