Contact:

Cynthia Bacon

Public Affairs and Marketing

(718) 670-2515

crm9002@nyp.org

Flushing, N.Y. – December 17, 2009 – A 58-year-old man who lives in Corona, Queens came to the emergency room of New York Hospital Queens (NYHQ) with extreme pain and tingling in his left arm.  Although he did not realize it at the time, he had lung cancer.  Recently, he made medical history as the first patient in the United States to be treated for lung cancer through the use of radioactive pellets placed directly in the tumor, and today his recovery is going well.  Known as brachytherapy, this treatment approach is commonly used to treat prostate cancer.

“Although the patient came in because of pain in his arm, it was not due to an injury. It was discovered that the cause was a Pancoast tumor, a tumor in the lungs that affects the arms and shoulders but rarely causes symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, typically associated with the lungs," according to Dattatreyudu Nori, M.D., chairman, Radiation Oncology. 

Contact:

Amy Massimo

Director, Public Affairs

(845) 348-2773

massimoa@nyackhospital.org

Nyack, NY – December 21, 2009 – At a celebratory gathering at Nyack Hospital, KeyBank presented a generous donation of $20,000 in support of the Hospital’s award-winning Emergency Department.   This donation recognized the role of Nyack Hospital’s Emergency Department in providing outstanding emergency care to the community.   Representing KeyBank at this event were Robert Cerminaro, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking and Fran Reinstein, Vice President, Community Relations.

Photo Caption:

Pictured, left to right: Fern Schwartz, Vice President , Development, Nyack Hospital; Fran Reinstein, Vice President, Community Relations, KeyBank; Robert Cerminaro, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, KeyBank; David H. Freed, DHA, President & CEO, Nyack Hospital; Michael Rader, MD, VP/Medical Director, Nyack Hospital; Oscar Marcilla, MD, Director, Emergency Services, Nyack Hospital

The gathering was held in the Hospital’s newly renovated ExpressCare Unit, located on the first floor of the hospital.  ExpressCare was developed to treat patients with minor injuries and illnesses and is open 7 days a week from 9 am – 1 am. 

Contact: 

Anthony Ercolano

Special Projects

(212) 801-1702

anthony.ercolano@downtownhospital.org

New York, NY – November 19, 2009 – World renowned architect Frank Gehry, front center, looks up at Beekman Tower during a topping-out ceremony, on Nov. 19.  Ms. Sarah Jones represented the Hospital at the topping-out ceremony.  The high-rise will include 903 apartments, a public school, ground floor retail space, below-grade parking for 175 cars, and two landscaped public plazas.  As a primary stakeholder in this venture, New York Downtown Hospital will occupy the fifth floor of the Beekman Tower.  The Hospital is in discussion with its affiliate, the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and community representatives to insure that the appropriate healthcare services are provided at the Beekman Tower. The Hospital also owns the underground parking area, providing an additional source of parking for our patients.  The 76-floor high-rise is designed by Gehry and developed by Forest City Ratner Companies. It is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2011. (AP Photo)

Contact:

Katherine Emmanouilidi

Manager, Marketing and Public Relations

(201) 833-7092

emmanouilidi@holyname.org

Nicole Russell

Public Relations Coordinator

(201) 833-3284
n-russell@mail.holyname.org

Teaneck, NJ – December 1, 2009 – The Holy Name Hospital Gift Shop, under the direction of Patrick Finnegan, Gift Shop Manager, recently donated $100,000 for Villa Marie Claire, the Hospital’s hospice facility in Saddle River, which is currently under construction and set to open next year. The donation was presented to Michael Maron, President and Chief Executive Officer, Holy Name Hospital; Kevin McCarthy, Vice President, Development, and Executive Director of the Holy Name Health Care Foundation and Charles Vialotti, M.D., Holy Name’s Chief of Radiation and Oncology and Medical Director of the Villa Marie Claire. The monies donated are proceeds from the sale of Gift Shop merchandise throughout the year.

Caption:

Jane Ellis, Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations at Holy Name Hospital; Charles Vialotti, M.D., Chief of Radiation Oncology and Medical Director, Villa Marie Claire; Michael Maron, President and Chief Executive Officer Holy Name Hospital; Patrick Finnegan, Manager, Holy Name Hospital Gift Shop; and Kevin McCarthy, Vice President, Development, and Executive Director of the Holy Name Health Care Foundation.

Three Kings Day Health Fair at CABS Health Center

When: Friday, January 8 from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. 

What: Stop by the health center to celebrate Three Kings Day. Free health screenings including blood pressure, glucose, HIV counseling and testing, pregnancy.

Where: CHN's CABS Health Center, 94-98 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn 11206.

 More Info: Call (718) 388-0390 or email info@chnnyc.org. 

 Men's Health Clinic 

When:    The first and fourth Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

What:     Primary healthcare services for men in a male-centered environment.

Where:   CHN's Helen B. Atkinson Health Center, 81 W. 115th Street, New York 10026

To Make an Appointment: Call (212) 426-0088

Mammogram Mondays 

When:    First Monday of each month from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

What:    Mammograms for women ages 40 and older, with or without insurance who are New York City residents. Mobile mammogram unit provided by American Italian Cancer Foundation.

Where:  In front of CHN's Helen B. Atkinson Health Center, 81 W. 115th Street, New York 10026

To Make an Appointment: Call (212) 426-0088

About Community Healthcare Network

Community Healthcare Network (CHN) is a not-for-profit organization that includes 10 health centers that provide access to affordable, culturally-competent and comprehensive community-based primary care, mental health and social services for diverse populations in underserved communities throughout New York City. CHN is accredited by The Joint Commission. Our services are completely confidential and as a Federally Qualified Health Center CHN does not turn anyone away. CHN serves more than 65,000 individuals a year who would otherwise have little or no access to critical health care.

Contact: 

Karen Huxtable

Manager, Public and Media Relations

(607) 547-4581

karen.huxtable@bassett.org

Diane L. Wells

(607) 547-6354

diane.wells@bassett.org,

Cooperstown, N.Y. – December 21, 2009 – Reginald Q. Knight, M.D., has joined Bassett Healthcare as Director of the Center for Spine Care. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and fellowship trained in advanced spine surgery, Dr. Knight will specialize in spine disorders and work in collaboration with other medical providers in treating patients. The Center is a collaboration of many areas within Bassett, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry/pain management and physical therapy.

"Dr. Knight is a national leader in developing new techniques and devices to perform less invasive back surgery," said Chief of Surgery Steven Heneghan, M.D. "Under Dr. Knight’s direction, our Center for Spine Care will provide a comprehensive and streamlined program of treating community members suffering with back pain." 

Contact:

Amy Massimo

Director, Public Affairs

(845) 348-2773

massimoa@nyackhospital.org

Nyack Hospital – December 21, 2009 – At their Annual Holiday Luncheon gathering, The Nyack Hospital Auxiliary presented the Hospital with a generous donation of $25,000.  In 2009, the Auxiliary raised over $100,000 for Nyack Hospital through the Gift Shop, Thrift Shop, Cafeteria Sales, Membership dues, and other events held throughout the year. 

The Auxiliary is made up of volunteers who are dedicated to raising funds to support Nyack Hospital programs and services. They run and manage the very busy Gift Shop located in the main lobby of the Hospital and Thrift Shop on Main Street in Nyack. They are also very involved in the planning and executing of some of the hospital’s biggest fundraising events throughout the year.

Photo Caption:

Pictured, left to right: Phyllis Darrin, Thrift Shop Manager; Elaine Weiss, Vice President, Nyack Hospital Auxiliary; David Freed, DHA, President & CEO, Nyack Hospital; Brigitte Simon, President, Nyack Hospital Auxiliary; Mindy Rader, Auxiliary Coordinator; John Burke, CFO, Nyack Hospital

The Auxiliary is always looking for motivated and energetic volunteers to bring new ideas and excitement to fundraising efforts for Nyack Hospital. Your community connections, career skills, and unique background can be a great asset to The Auxiliary, as well as the community Nyack Hospital serves.

For more information about becoming part of The Auxiliary at Nyack Hospital, please call 845. 348.2772.

Nyack Hospital

Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital located in Rockland County, NY.  Founded in 1895, it is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. For additional information, please visit our web site at www.nyackhospital.org.

Contact:

Melissa Weisstuch                              

Vice President, Marketing

(914) 681-2380          

mweisstuch@wphospital.org

White Plains, NY – December 2009 – There is a little-known art gallery in Westchester that boasts a striking collection of drawings, paintings and sculptures. What’s unique about this showcase is that the works of art are not created by professional artists and it’s not open to the public. Nonetheless, there’s a lot of art here worth viewing and all of it has been created by adults who are recovering from emotional disorders or suffer from psychiatric illness which affects their functioning.

The exhibition area is actually the offices and walls of White Plains Hospital Center’s Continuing Day Treatment Program (CDT) — an intensive, multi-disciplinary day program serving adults with a wide range of  emotional difficulties. Since its inception thirty years ago, the professional staff at CDT has helped countless numbers of patients make the transition from inpatient care to the community as well as others who are undergoing outpatient psychotherapy.

Contact:

Melissa Weisstuch                              

Vice President, Marketing

(914) 681-2380          

mweisstuch@wphospital.org

White Plains, NY – December 2009 – White Plains Hospital Center has named Ann T. Rupp, R.N., of Ossining as Head of the Hospital’s Diabetes Education Program.   She will be responsible for directing the Hospital’s extensive community education outreach program about how to prevent diabetes, the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. which has seen a 22% increase since 1990.

Ms. Rupp brings a wealth of experience to the position. Recently, she was Diabetes Educator for the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University Medical Center where she provided independent clinical education and developed workshops and classes for diabetes patients and their families.

As a registered nurse, she served in a variety of clinical positions at Henry Street Settlement, Montefiore/Einstein Hospital, The Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Hudson Valley Hospital Center, Phelps Memorial Hospital Center and at White Plains Hospital Center where she cared for patients on the neurological/medical surgical unit.

Contact: 

Maureen Curran Kleinman

Marketing and Communications

(201) 291-6310

mcurran@valleyhealth.com

Ridgewood, NJ – December 15, 2009 – The Valley Hospital, has been recognized for service excellence for a 7th consecutive year under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program.SM This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by The Valley Hospital to provide “An Outstanding Inpatient Experience.”

Valley is one of only two hospitals in the country to receive the award for a seventh consecutive year.  

Caption:  J. D. Power and Associates recently recognized The Valley Hospital as a Distinguished Hospital for Service Excellence for the seventh year in a row. Shown here is Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital (center), and hospital staff celebrating the recognition in the hospital’s lobby. 

Contact:

Anthony Ercolano

Special Projects

(212) 801-1702

anthony.ercolano@downtownhospital.org

New York, NY – December 2009 – Jeff Menkes, President and CEO of NewYork Downtown HospitaI is pleased to announce that Anthony Smith, M.D., has been appointed, and has assumed his duties, as our new Chairman of The John T. Flynn Department of Medicine.  Dr. Smith received his medical degree from New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY and completed his residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City.  He completed his fellowship in Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care Medicine at St. Vincent’s.  Dr. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College and is Board Certified in Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care and Internal Medicine.  He is fluent in English and Spanish.  Dr. Smith was recognized once again as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in the New York metropolitan area in 2009 and was a recipient of the Patients’ Choice Award in 2008.

Contact:

Cynthia Bacon

Public Affairs and Marketing

(718) 670-2515

crm9002@nyp.org

Flushing, NY – December 11, 2009 – New York Hospital Queens presented over 600 toys to representatives from the U.S. Army - 99th Regional Readiness Command (formerly the 77th Regional Readiness Command) at the seventh annual FreeMAT(The Freedom Medical Aid Team) ceremony on December 4th. The toys will be distributed to the children of those soldiers who are stationed overseas and will miss the holiday season with their loved ones.

City Council member and NYC Comptroller-elect John Liu has participated in the initiative since its inception in 2002 and was on hand to express gratitude to those who donated toys and to the men and women who are serving in the military. Council members-elect Peter Koo and Dan Halloran as well as many leaders from Community Board #7, the Flushing BID (Business Improvement District), Flushing Rotary, NYPD and the Queens Center Mall participated in the initiative.

Founder of FreeMAT Peter Kwiath, Asst. Supervisor of EMS at the hospital, stated he is planning on continuing this program until every man and woman serving in the military returns home.

Pictured are New York Hospital Queens FreeMAT team, community groups and elected officials who presented a mountain of toys to the U.S. Army recently.

Contact:

Mary Creagh

Public Affairs

(845) 947-3187

creaghm@helenhayeshospital.org

West Haverstraw, NY – December 10, 2009 – Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw and The Wadsworth Center in Albany are recruiting volunteers to participate in a study of spinal reflex training, The results of this study will help to develop reflex training as a therapeutic treatment for better functional recovery after spinal cord injury or other damage to the nervous system. Both institutions are part of the New York State Department of Health. 

After spinal cord injury, stroke or other traumatic events to the nervous system, reflex functions often change. Because reflexes play an important part in movement and behavior, when reflexes are not working well, movements may be disturbed.  Researchers have found that people can learn to increase or decrease a reflex response by means of training. Learning to change a reflex response may become an effective approach as a rehabilitation treatment.

Contact:

Maureen Curran Kleinman

Marketing and Communications

(201) 291-6310

mcurran@valleyhealth.com

Ridgewood, NJ – December 7, 2009 – The Valley Hospital has been named a “2009 Top Hospital” based on the results from the annual Leapfrog Hospital Quality and Safety Survey. To achieve a spot on the elite list, Valley scored among the best hospitals in the nation on four key indicators of hospital quality and efficiency.

The Leapfrog Hospital Survey is the only national, public comparison of hospitals on key issues, including mortality rates for certain common procedures, infection rates, safety practices, and measures of efficiency, and is considered the “gold standard” for comparing hospitals’ performance.

Caption:

Shown accepting the Top Hospital Award for The Valley Hospital are Mitchell Rubinstein, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs & Education; and Michael Mutter, Director of Patient Safety, accompanied by Leah Binder, CEO, The Leapfrog Group.

Contact:

Elizabeth Howell

Development and Public Relations

(212) 545-2404

ehowell@chnnyc.org

Brooklyn, NY - December 2009 - Community Healthcare Network's President and CEO Catherine M. Abate is this year's recipient of the Shirley Gordon Public Policy Leadership Award. The award, presented by Family Planning Advocates of New York, honors Catherine's tireless work and leadership in the fight to protect women's health care services for women and families in New York.

Community Healthcare Network

Community Healthcare Network (CHN) is a not-for-profit organization that includes 10 health centers that provide access to affordable, culturally-competent and comprehensive community-based primary care, mental health and social services for diverse populations in underserved communities throughout New York City. CHN is accredited by The Joint Commission. Our services are completely confidential and as a Federally Qualified Health Center CHN does not turn anyone away. CHN serves more than 65,000 individuals a year who would otherwise have little or no access to critical health care.

Contact: 

Melissa Weisstuch                              

Vice President, Marketing

(914) 681-2380          

mweisstuch@wphospital.org

White Plains, NY – December 3, 2009 – Starting Monday, December 7, OB patients receiving care at Greenburgh Health Center (GHC) — a primary health care facility located at 330 Tarrytown Road in White Plains — will have their babies delivered at White Plains Hospital Center. The change will make it more convenient for expectant mothers in the greater White Plains area to deliver their babies closer to home. They previously delivered at Sound Shore Medical Center in New Rochelle.

In addition, to help provide healthcare services to the approximately 300 new patients and their newborns who will be cared for at White Plains Hospital Center each year, GHC’s five OB/GYN specialists and four pediatricians have joined the Hospital’s medical staff. The Hospital’s William & Sylvia Silberstein Neonatal & Maternity Center is one of the busiest in Westchester with nearly 2,000 births last year.

Contact:

Amy Massimo

Director, Public Affairs

(845) 348-2773

massimoa@nyackhospital.org

Nyack, NY – December 3, 2009 – Over 350 members of the Nyack Hospital Medical Staff came together to honor their own at the Annual Physician Celebration held at X20 Xaviars on the Hudson.  Honorees Howard Feldfogel, DO, and Richard King, MD, were surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, who recognized their important contributions to Nyack Hospital and their commitment to caring for the community.

Dr. Feldfogel, an internist, has been a member of the Nyack Hospital Medical Staff since 1992.   A longtime resident of Rockland County, Dr. Feldfogel is a partner with Clarkstown Medical Associates.   His dedication to his patients, family and friends is admired by all who know him.

Family Practitioner Richard King is a native of Valley Cottage and was educated in Nyack schools.  His dedication and service to the armed forces is well-known throughout Rockland County, and has earned him numerous community service awards throughout the years.  Dr. King has been a part of the Nyack Hospital Medical Staff for over thirty years.

Guests enjoyed spectacular views, delicious food and drink, and an outstanding level of service that one expects from dining at any of famed chef Peter X. Kelly’s restaurants. 

Nyack Hospital

Nyack Hospital is a 375-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital located in Rockland County, NY.  Founded in 1895, it is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. For additional information, please visit our web site at www.nyackhospital.org.

The President’s Message, with photos, can be accessed at

http://www.nyhq.org/Archive_The_President_s_Message

Dear Colleagues:

In September, we were the proud host of Governor Paterson’s press conference announcing the $30 million in grants money awarded to health care facilities via the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law of New York State (HEAL NY). We were awarded $4 million toward the much needed renovation and expansion of our emergency room. Sixty days later, a budget gap closing effort in Albany now threatens HEAL funding to hospitals that were counting on that money, including ours.

Health care is a community service. Health care providers are on the front lines of protecting New Yorkers, and health care is constantly under fire as an area that that is cut during budget actions.

Four state budget actions over the past 18 months have resulted in annualized health care cuts of $1.7 billion; the deficit reduction proposals on the table would increase that to over $2 billion each year.

Exacerbating these state cuts, recent federal budgetary actions have resulted in an additional $240 million in cuts to hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care providers. All of these cuts including the MTA tax will mean a reduction of approximately $22 million for New York Hospital Queens through 2010. Hospitals and health systems also face $10 billion to $12 billion in reductions over the next decade as the result of federal health care reform. Many health care providers will not survive this.

Any additional health care cuts may result in the elimination of needed health care services. We cannot take another blow for health care. We are opposed to the idea of pulling back HEAL monies that hospitals have been promised, in exchange for reducing the amount of cuts to Medicaid reimbursement for the hospitals.

Enough really is enough. We urge all stakeholders, which includes our elected officials, our physicians, employees and New York residents, to take a stance against further cuts to health care funding. You can state your position and be heard on this matter, by going to the following Web site: http://capwiz.com/hanys/state/main/?state=NY.

Sincerely,

Stephen S. Mills, F.A.C.H.E. 

Contact:

Katherine Emmanouilidi

Manager, Marketing and Public Relations

(201) 833-7092

emmanouilidi@holyname.org

Teaneck, NJ – December 1, 2009 – Holy Name Hospital's Nursing Services sponsored a tricky tray, raising $30,000 for Villa Marie Claire, the Hospital's hospice facility in Saddle River, which is currently under construction and will open next year. More than 400 employees and friends of Holy Name came to the event, and took raffle chances to winning one or more of the 260 donated gift baskets.

"It was just a dream in April, but our dream came true on October 29," said Linda Giordano, Holy Name Operating Room nurse. The Villa Marie Claire will meet a growing and critical need for compassionate end-of-life care for terminally-ill patients and support for their loved ones.

To request additional information on the Villa Marie Claire or to make a donation, please call 1-201-833-3187 or visit www.holyname.org/foundation.

Photo Caption:

Back Row: Michael Maron, President and Chief Executive Officer, Holy Name Hospital, Joseph Parisi, Chairman of the Holy Name Health Care Foundation, and Sheryl Slonim, Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services at Holy Name Hospital

Front Row: Robert Britz, Charles Vialotti, M.D., Medical Director, Villa Marie Claire Hospice of Holy Name Hospital, Mary Canciani, R.N., Holy Name's Operating Room, Johanna Marto, R.N., Clinical Coordinator, 6 Marian nursing unit, and Linda Giordano, R.N., Clinical Coordinator, Operating Room.

Holy Name Hospital

Holy Name Hospital is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, acute care community hospital located in Teaneck, New Jersey. Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in 1925, the hospital is now a comprehensive 361-bed medical center offering leading-edge medical practice and technology, administered in an environment rooted in a tradition of compassion and respect for every patient. Affiliation with the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System brings further advantages to our Bergen County community, including access to clinical trials, highly specialized physicians, and expanded opportunities for professional medical education.