Congresswoman Grace Meng Visits NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst to Commemorate Federal Funding She Secured for Two Key Projects
Meng, hospital officials and patients helped kick off major renovation of Infectious Diseases Clinic and took part in ribbon-cutting for new Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Suite treating depression and other mental health conditions
Jun 10, 2024
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) recently visited NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst to commemorate nearly $2 million in federal funding she secured for two key projects: the renovation of the hospital’s nearly 70-year-old Infectious Diseases Clinic, which received $1 million, and a new “TMS” (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Suite, which was awarded $800,000 to help treat patients with depression and other mental health concerns. TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, offering new hope for individuals struggling with these conditions.
The event included a “wall-breaking” by Meng and hospital officials to help kick off the renovations for the Infectious Diseases Clinic, which treated nearly 60,000 patients last year dealing with HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and other conditions, and a ribbon-cutting and tour of the newly-designed TMS Suite. The event also focused on NYC Health + Hospital’s/Elmhurst’s efforts to support the physical, emotional and mental health needs of patients in one of the world’s most culturally and ethnically diverse communities.
“We want to thank Congresswoman Grace Meng for her historic investment in our hospital,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CEO Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde. “The Congresswoman is one of our greatest champions and partners in ensuring that the people of Queens get access to the healthcare they need and deserve. The $1.8 Million she has allocated for the renovation of our Infectious Diseases Clinic and our new TMS Suite will help reduce the health disparities that have long plagued our community.”
“These crucial projects are sorely needed and both will go a long way towards improving care for those residing in Elmhurst and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Congresswoman Meng. “In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst was the ‘epicenter of the epicenter,’ underscoring how vital it is for hospitals like Elmhurst to have the resources they require. Investments like these two projects are needed to ensure that NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst can continue to provide exceptional and state of the art care that many of my constituents need and deserve. It is also critical to meet the growing needs of the area. I’m proud to have secured this nearly $2 million and I look forward to continuing to fight for NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst for many more years to come.”
“I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Meng to deliver this federal investment for New York City Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s Infectious Diseases Clinic and for a new TMS Suite to help patients with mental health conditions,” said U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. “Thanks to these vital federal funds, Queens communities have access to state-of-the-art care at NYC NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. I’ll always fight for investments in our hospitals and healthcare, including securing $2 million for cardiac catheterization services at Elmhurst Hospital, so they can better serve their communities and provide top-quality care for New Yorkers.”
“I am thrilled to have brought home $1 million in federal funding to renovate the Infectious Diseases Clinic at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst in Queens,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “These federal dollars are proof of the federal government at work for the Queens community. I’m proud to have fought to secure this funding, and I’ll continue to work tirelessly to make sure hospitals, health centers, and health care workers in Queens have what they need to thrive.”
“The Immunology Clinic at Elmhurst Hospital has been a medical home for a large community of individuals that we proudly serve,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s Chief of Infectious Diseases Dr. Maurice Policar. “A heartfelt thank you to Congresswoman Grace Meng, who helped facilitate funding for clinic renovations. This funding is very meaningful and especially important, not only for the aesthetics, but for how the patients see themselves. Coming to a new modernized space that feels “special” will go a long way to help them feel respected, and allow them to stay engaged in care.”
“Congresswoman Grace Meng’s support has been crucial in bringing TMS, an advanced therapeutic technology for mental health services, to our community,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s Chief of Behavioral Health Services Dr. Vladimir Gasca. “We would like to express our profound gratitude to her as well as to Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, Milenko Milinic, Chief Operating Officer, as well as other hospital leadership and staff for making this service a reality for our patients, regardless of insurance, ability to pay, or immigration status.”
Renovations on Elmhurst’s Infectious Diseases Clinic are slated to be complete by the end of next year. The new TMS suite is now fully operational and accepting referrals. For more information about Elmhurst’s Infectious Diseases Clinic, TMS therapy, or treatment for mental health services, please call 718 334-4000 or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElmhurstHosp.
###
Contact: Atiya Butler, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, 917-319-5167
#095-24
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, part of the NYC Health + Hospitals health care system, is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The 545-bed hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station, a Thrombectomy Capable Stroke Receiving Center, a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Center of Excellence and a 911-Receiving Hospital. It is a premiere health care organization for several specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and mental health services. Last year, the hospital received close to 700,000 ambulatory care visits and over 130,000 emergency room visits. The hospital has been nationally-ranked by US News and World Report in key areas, including Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Stroke, Hip Fracture, Kidney Failure, Orthopedics, Pneumonia, and COPD. Stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ElmhurstHosp.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.