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Brooklyn, NY - December 3, 2008 - The Honorable Thomas DiNapoli, Comptroller of the State of New York, delivered this year's Joseph Silver, M.D., Memorial Lecture at New York Methodist Hospital on the morning of December 2nd. The annual lecture series was established five years ago, in honor of Joseph Silver, M.D., who was affiliated with the Hospital for over 40 years, and who served as chief of orthopedic surgery for 20 years.
"I am privileged to spend some time talking with you about issues affecting the State, primarily healthcare," said Mr. DiNapoli, a first time visitor to the Hospital and friend to the Silver family, at right in photo with Mark J. Mundy, President and CEO of New York Methodist Hospital.
Mr. DiNapoli spoke highly of the late Dr. Silver, describing him as a physician who understood the "human dimension" of excellence. "Too often, healthcare is accused of being impersonal," he said. In addition, Mr. DiNapoli told the audience that "a lot is owed to Sheldon Silver for standing up for healthcare." Mr. Silver is the younger brother of the late Dr. Silver and the Speaker of the New York State Assembly.
The focus of this year's lecture was the nation's economic downturn and the effect it will have on not only New York State but, in particular, on the healthcare sector. Because of the crumbling economy, healthcare spending, which occupies the largest percentage of the State budget, has become a major concern in Albany and throughout New York.
"We're going through a tough time," said Mr. DiNapoli. "It's likely going to get worse before it gets better. As revenue declines and expenditures increase, healthcare dollars are very precious and in short supply."
However, Comptroller DiNapoli's lecture wasn't all doom and gloom. He assured the audience that the State will survive the current economic crisis just as it survived the 9/11 attacks. He went on to say that this crisis offers an opportunity for the State to re-examine its policies with regard to healthcare spending. "We do try to encourage good policy decisions as well as good budgeting decisions," said Mr. DiNapoli.
New York Methodist Hospital
New York Methodist Hospital, a voluntary, acute-care teaching facility located in Brooklyn's Park Slope, houses 651 inpatient beds (including bassinets) and provides services to over 34,000 inpatients each year. An additional 350,000 outpatient visits and services are logged annually. The Hospital offers Institutes in the following areas: Advanced and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Asthma and Lung Disease; Cancer Care; Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery; Digestive and Liver Disorders; Diabetes and Other Endocrine Disorders; Vascular Medicine and Surgery; Family Care; Neurosciences; Orthopedic Medicine and Surgery and Women's Health. The Hospital, founded in 1881, has undergone extensive renovation and modernization over the years. New York Methodist is affiliated with the Weill College of Medicine at Cornell University and it is a member of NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System.
