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  • REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – September 2024

REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – September 2024

Mitchell H. Katz, MD
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
September 26, 2024

NEWSWEEK RANKS ALL NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS LONG-TERM FACILITIES IN THE TOP 20 IN THE STATE; ALL EARN 5-STAR CMS QUALITY RATING

Yesterday, Newsweek announced as part of its fourth annual “Best Nursing Homes 2024” rankings, that all the health System’s skilled nursing facilities were in the top twenty in the State. NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View is the number one nursing home in New York City — it ranked second in the State. NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur moved up three spaces to number four in the State; NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter moved up one to number 5; NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler remained at number 9; and, NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney moved up seven spaces to number nineteen in the State.

New York State has over 600 nursing homes. For the rankings, Newsweek identified 500 top facilities (with more than 150 beds), across 25 States, with 58 in New York state. The rankings are based on data including, performance data, peer recommendations, and accreditations from The Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The rankings are designed to assist patients and their families in making informed decisions about where to receive their long-term and post-acute care.

Additionally, all five of NYC Health + Hospitals’ long-term care facilities recently earned five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency responsible for ensuring that nursing homes meet certain quality standards. All NYC Health + Hospitals Long-Term Care Facilities earned 5-Star CMS Overall Ratings, with the exception of NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler. The stars tell New Yorkers and prospective patients about how well a facility is caring for residents’ physical and clinical needs. CMS ratings are determined by three standards across three domains, including health inspections, staffing, and resident-level quality measures.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS’ FACILITIES ENSURE SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE NECESSARY IMMUNIZATIONS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES AHEAD OF NEW SCHOOL YEAR

NYC Health + Hospitals always plays an important role in preparing students and their families for the new school year, which began Thursday, September 5. Almost all health care system facilities participate in back to school events, which support pediatric patients and their families with immunizations and school supplies such as back packs, notebooks, and pencils. Additionally, this year at the Roosevelt Hotel, our primary humanitarian assistance center, Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom joined religious leaders and the Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to hand out more than 500 backpacks to children living at the hotel.

At these events health care System pediatricians and staff remind parents and guardians to schedule appointments for annual physicals, immunizations, vision and hearing exams, and other regular checkups ahead of the start of school. Having a regular doctor or visiting a pediatrician is essential not only at the beginning of the school year, but all year round. This enables parents to get answers to health-related questions about their child, and to help their child address any emerging physical and mental health needs.

NYC Health + Hospitals offers comprehensive pediatric and adolescent health services at little or no cost. Pediatric services include immunizations and annual flu shots, physicals, asthma and diabetes screenings, obesity prevention, nutrition counseling, dental services, mental health screenings and counseling. Adolescent services for those aged 12 and older include primary care, sexual and reproductive health services, LGBTQIA+ care, mental health and depression help, and sport physical and sports injury care.

NEW CEOS APPOINTED AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/LINCOLN AND METROPOLITAN

In mid-August NYC Health + Hospitals announced the appointments of Cristina Contreras, LMSW, MPA, FABC as the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln and Julian John, MPA as CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan. In these roles, the CEOs will ensure all New Yorkers have access to high-quality health care, grow services at the hospitals, and develop strategies to support staff recruitment and retention. In addition to their professional accomplishments, Contreras and John bring with them a deep personal connection to the public health System and communities they will serve. Contreras has worked at the health System since 1995, and is a native of the Dominican Republic and a leader in the Dominican community. John has served in the health System for a total of 15 years across his career, including the past four years at Metropolitan Hospital. He was born in Trinidad and is rooted in both Trinidadian and Venezuelan communities. Both Contreras and John started in their new positions on September 16.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ALLOCATES $27.5M TO EXPAND MATERNAL AND PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST

Governor Hochul announced that the State will invest $27.5M to expand maternal and pediatric health care facilities at Elmhurst Hospital. The investment will increase access to high-quality prenatal and mental health care by expanding the hospital’s Women’s Pavilion to more than double its current size. This investment will also enable the hospital to build a new, state-of-the-art Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which will allow more local families to access care for critically ill and injured children without traveling miles away to other hospitals.

MORE THAN 1,200 PATIENTS HOUSED THROUGH NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS’ HOUSING FOR HEALTH INITIATIVE

More than 1,200 patients and their families found housing through the health care System’s Housing for Health initiative. Patients experiencing homelessness were referred to the program as part of their healthcare at NYC Health + Hospitals. Patients are supported in gathering key documents, filling out paperwork to apply for housing, identifying housing opportunities that they qualify for, visiting the apartment, and transitioning into permanent housing. Patients who are housed through Housing for Health are placed in affordable or supportive housing and pay no more than 30% of their income towards rent. They live in all five boroughs and are connected to the health system for their healthcare. Housing for Health identifies patients through referrals from their NYC Health + Hospitals care providers, including MetroPlusHealth, the health system’s managed care organization, and the initiative’s medical respite program.

METROPLUSHEALTH EXPANDS FOOTPRINT IN THE BRONX WITH FORDHAM OFFICE OPENING

On July 31, MetroPlusHealth inaugurated its second Bronx community office, located at 25 East Fordham Road. The grand opening event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, refreshments and appearances by local dignitaries such as Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and Assembly member Yudelka Tapia.

This new office, located in the Fordham Road Business Improvement District, is a significant addition to our efforts to address the pressing health challenges facing the Bronx. The borough has the highest rates of asthma-related morbidity in New York City and the highest prevalence of diabetes among all five boroughs. The Fordham office is strategically positioned to provide vital health and wellness resources to address these issues, helping to improve health outcomes for residents.

In addition to offering direct health services, the Fordham office will collaborate with partner organizations to enhance accessibility and bridge gaps between services and individuals. This initiative aims to increase affordable care options in the borough, which is particularly important as the Bronx continues to welcome a growing number of migrants.

MetroPlusHealth initially established a presence in the Bronx in 2018 with a community office at 959 Southern Blvd., serving the South Bronx area. The opening of the Fordham office marks an important expansion of our commitment to supporting Bronx residents with comprehensive and accessible health care.

HALL STREET HUMANITARIAN CENTER HOSTS ASYLUM SEEKER ART EXHIBITION

Last week, NYC Health + Hospitals’ Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center (HERRC) program, in collaboration with the health system’s Arts in Medicine department, held an Asylum Seeker Art Exhibition featuring the works of two asylum seeker artists living at its Hall St. humanitarian center. The artists, Roger Miranda of Venezuela and Marcos Ferrera Batista of Brazil, have dedicatedly produced work over the several months they have lived at the facility. A video recap of the event and videos of remarks given by NYC Health + Hospitals and New York City leadership can be found on the health care system’s website. The Hall St. humanitarian center, which opened in September 2023, currently houses approximately 3,200 asylum seekers, including over 200 families with children.

NATIONAL NONPROFIT BABY2BABY DISTRIBUTES MATERNAL HEALTH AND NEWBORN SUPPLY KITS TO MOTHERS AT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HOSPITALS

Baby2Baby, a national nonprofit that has distributed over 450 million essential items to children living in poverty across the country, provided maternal health and newborn supply kits filled with critical supplies to several of NYC Health + Hospital facilities. The kits will be provided to new mothers and their babies and contain items that are vital for their health and well-being, including diapers, hygiene products, breastfeeding supplies, postpartum care items, and educational resources.

Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Baby2Baby Board Member and Ambassador Kelly Rowland visited NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County in Brooklyn to deliver Maternal Health & Newborn Supply Kits directly to new mothers alongside Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Officer. The kits, which are part of Baby2Baby’s new initiative to combat the maternal health crisis in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will also be delivered directly to mothers giving birth at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, Woodhull, and North Central Bronx. Baby2Baby has partnered with NYC Health + Hospitals to support mothers and babies since 2021, providing hundreds of thousands of essential items including diapers, wipes, hygiene products, portable cribs and car seats.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS OPENS WELLNESS ROOMS FOR STAFF

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln recently celebrated the grand opening of a dedicated wellness room designed by hardworking staff. The tranquil space offers a serene environment where employees can take a break from the demands of their roles, promoting relaxation and mental well-being. Equipped with comfortable seating and calming decor, the wellness room provides a much-needed sanctuary to support the overall well-being of our hospital team. This initiative reflects the health care system’s commitment to fostering a supportive and caring working environment. Lincoln Hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and has the busiest emergency department in New York City.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health also recently completed its new wellness room for staff at its East New York clinic. It is the second of four new wellness rooms to be established at various Gotham Health sites, and part of the health system’s investment in workforce wellness under its Helping Healers Heal program. This serene space aims to provide a quiet retreat for employees to recharge, de-stress, and heal. The room features visually enhanced environments with beautiful art, calm music, and soothing lighting. Staff can enjoy relaxation and rejuvenation. Additionally, the room offers a space for connection and debriefing, allowing staff to support each other and share experiences in a tranquil setting. Following the recent opening at Gotham Health, Cumberland in Brooklyn, additional wellness rooms will include Gotham Health, Belvis and Gotham Health, Morrisania.

MORE THAN 25,000 PATIENTS HAVE WORKED WITH NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS

More than 25,000 NYC Health + Hospitals patients have worked closely with Community Health Workers since the program’s launch in 2021. Community Health Workers meet regularly with patients to identify and address barriers to health and well-being, such as housing, financial, food, and legal needs, as well as helping them schedule health care appointments and coordinate transportation. With more than 250 Community Health Workers, NYC Health + Hospitals has built one of the largest health system-based Community Health Worker programs in the country.

Community Health Workers are part of the primary care team at all of NYC Health + Hospitals’ 11 hospitals, 6 of its Gotham Health sites, and Virtual ExpressCare and they often come from the communities they serve. They can meet patients in the clinic, in the community, or at home depending on the patient’s preference. The program is open to patients regardless of immigration or insurance status.

The health system’s Arts in Medicine department worked with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to highlight the important work of supporting community health workers. The museum hosted a panel featuring the artist LaToya Ruby Frazier and health system staff to discuss the role of community health workers and premiered a new short film by Pete Ho featuring community health workers. Earlier this year, Frazier gave health system staff a guided tour of her exhibition, Monuments of Solidarity, which features an artwork that celebrates and uplifts the stories of community health workers in Baltimore during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NYC CARE RELEASES STUDIES HIGHLIGHTING PROGRAM AS NATIONAL MODEL FOR PROMOTING HEALTH EQUITY AMONG UNINSURED

Earlier this month, NYC Care announced the release of two observational studies that underscore the program’s role as a national model for municipalities to improve the health of uninsured patients. The studies in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM) and the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice (JPHMP) find that NYC Care has been successful across a range of factors including enrollment, utilization of services, chronic disease management, and implementation. NYC Care’s patient-centered approach includes simplifying steps to affordable care access, building trust with hard- to-reach populations through public awareness campaigns and partnerships with grassroots community-based organizations, and prioritizing health services accessibility, resulting in a patient experience similar to that of Medicaid enrollees. The study in JGIM leveraged statistical analysis to compare NYC Care patients to Medicaid patients and found that, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, NYC Care members had a higher rate of primary care usage, similar emergency department usage, and fewer hospitalizations, demonstrating that the program succeeds in promoting preventative health care services in its members while maintaining high-cost services low. The study in JGIM highlighted health care service utilization among NYC Care members, finding that 83,003 members had completed on average 2.4 primary care visits and 3.9 specialty care visits. 50.7% of enrollees with diabetes had a hemoglobin A1c less than 7.0%, and 75.2% of enrollees with hypertension had blood pressure less than or equal to 140/90 mmHg., chronic disease control metrics comparable to Medicaid enrollees. Together, the studies show how in lieu of increased health insurance access municipalities can use the NYC Care-like health care access programs to improve the care and health of uninsured persons.

NEW CARDIO-OBSTETRICS PROGRAM LAUNCHED AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/KINGS COUNTY

NYC Health + Hospitals announced the launch of a new $1.2M Cardio- Obstetrics program to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity among women of color by focusing on heart disease during and after pregnancy. In New York State, Black women are 4 to 5 times more likely than white women to die during pregnancy or in the year after. More than 1 in 4 of maternal deaths nationwide are due to heart disease. The Cardio-Obstetric practice will target patients’ heart disease or its risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, from the prenatal period for up to a year postpartum. The pilot program will be offered at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, which serves a community with high rates of hypertension and other chronic diseases. The care team will include obstetricians, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, emergency department physicians, other specialists, as well as non-clinical staff in pediatrics and the emergency department. Two local community-based organizations, the Caribbean Women’s Health Association and Life of Hope, will serve as initial sites in a larger community outreach strategy to provide health education in Central Brooklyn about heart disease during and after pregnancy, and support warm referrals to the program. The Cardio-Obstetrics program aligns with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) District II Safe Motherhood Initiative and is funded in part by Robin Hood.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/SOUTH BROOKLYN HEALTH KICKS OFF PLAN TO CREATE COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICE

NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health kicked off a plan for creating a contiguous comprehensive women’s health service on its campus. Services from outpatient care to labor and delivery to post- partum recovery will be brought together to ensure care continuity and safety. Patient rooms and ancillary space will be upgraded to enhance total family care. And, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and nursery will be redesigned to accommodate the needs of families to reflect the hospital’s Baby-Friendly designation. The effort is funded with $18.5 million in capital funding from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. The communities cared for by South Brooklyn Health see even greater risks to safe pregnancy than other parts of Brooklyn. Over 50% of the patients are African American or Hispanic, and nearly 70% of these patients are diagnosed with a chronic illness, such as diabetes or hypertension, substance use disorder, or behavioral health conditions, which are all conditions that can place a pregnant person and her baby in danger. South Brooklyn Health communities are growing, adding more young pregnant people who face higher risks for severe maternal mortality. Over the last several years, births at South Brooklyn Health have increased 30%.

CITY & STATE NEW YORK AND POLITICSNY AND AMNY METRO RECOGNIZE NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS LEADERS IN ANNUAL LISTS

Former NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan CEO and current CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Cristina Contreras, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue CEO William Hicks, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem CEO Georges Leconte were recognized by City & State New York in its “Manhattan Power 100” list for 2024. From government appointees to business executives to advocates, the annual recognition list highlights leaders in Manhattan who affect the lives of New Yorkers.

Additionally, MetroPlus Health Senior Director of Talent Recruitment Carlos Cabrera and NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano were named to the PoliticsNY and amNY Metro “2024 Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” recognition list. Both are celebrated as dynamic leaders taking concrete steps to ensure that their organizations reflect the communities they serve, in alignment with the mission and values of NYC Health + Hospitals.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS PARTNERS WITH FIRSTLINE TO PROMOTE APPROPRIATE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS

On August 20, NYC Health + Hospitals announced a partnership with Firstline, a company with an app designed to help clinicians more appropriately use antibiotics in accordance to NYC Health + Hospital guidelines, to minimize the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance develops when antibiotics are over- prescribed, allowing microbes to develop the ability to resist treatment with antibiotics and threatening the health of people infected with these organisms. Patients who develop antimicrobial resistance may not have any available treatments for their infection. Five NYC Health + Hospitals sites – Bellevue, Elmhurst, Lincoln, Queens, and South Brooklyn Health – are participating in this launch and have uploaded their prescribing guidelines, antibiotic resistance data, and infection control isolation policies. Using this content, healthcare providers will be able to choose how to best treat certain infections and prevent the spread of these infections within the hospital. NYC Health + Hospitals providers can access this content by downloading the Firstline app on their smartphone or from a hospital computer.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS COVID-19 RESPONSE TEXTBOOK PUBLISHED

NYC Health + Hospitals released a textbook about the Covid-19 response, fully written and edited by the leadership and staff of the nation’s largest municipal health system. The 400-page book, The Covid-19 Response in New York City: Crisis Management in the Epicenter of the Epicenter, covers the pandemic from the frontlines of the response, in the nation’s largest city and the first major city hit by Covid-19. The book covers how to respond to an unprecedented influx of inpatients, stand up a 24/7 contact tracing operation, distribute hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses, and manage provider burnout during a historic crisis. The book was written by nearly 100 staff across the health system who participated in the response and edited by three leaders of the emergency response: Laura Iavicoli, MD, MBA, FACEP, CHEP, the Chief Medical Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst; Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP, CHEP, Chief Biopreparedness Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals; and Eric Wei, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals.

NEW COMMUNITY MURALS UNVIELED AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITAL FACILITIES

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur unveiled a new mural as part of the Community Mural Project run by the health system’s Arts in Medicine department. The mural, A Giving Hand at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur, was developed by artist Raul Ayala through a series of focus groups with community members, staff and patients and brought to life at a paint party where the community was invited to paint the mural together. A Giving Hand is one of 7 new murals that will be created this year, adding to 37 murals created at NYC Health + Hospitals since 2019. The first wave of the Community Mural Project is featured in a book, Healing Walls: New York City Health + Hospitals Community Mural Project 2019-2021. This and other murals at NYC Health + Hospitals can be viewed on the free Bloomberg Connects app. The Community Mural Project is made possible through the support of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.

Another mural, We Gon’ Be Alright was unveiled at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. It was developed by artist Fitgi Saint-Louis through a series of focus groups with community members, staff and patients and brought to life at a paint party where the community was invited to paint the mural together.

We Gon’ Be Alright, located at Kings County Hospital’s Wellness and Recovery Center, embodies the collective journey towards healing, showcasing the resilience and unity of individuals reclaiming their lives from addiction. By portraying circular forms and repetitive patterns, the mural symbolizes cultural and gender diversity. Intertwined silhouettes, rendered in vibrant colors and dynamic lines, represent the interconnected lives of those who gather in the Community Room, highlighting the deep connections forged through shared struggles and triumphs. In this project, the artist had a temporary studio space within the clinic, where daily interactions with patients and staff during open studio hours facilitated a unique collaborative process. This environment allowed patients to unwind, take pride in their contributions, and engage in meaningful dialogue.

EMERGENCY NURSING TEAMS AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITAL/QUEENS AND METROPOLITAN RECEIVE LANTERN AWARD FROM EMERGENCY NURSES ASSOCATION

The Emergency Nursing Teams at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens and Metropolitan were selected as recipients of the Emergency Nurses Association’s 2024 Lantern Award for demonstrating excellence in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research performance. The Lantern Award showcases the Emergency Department’s accomplishments in incorporating evidence-based practice and innovation into emergency care. Through collaboration and teamwork, the department achieved the Primary Stroke Center designation, ACEP-accredited Geriatric Emergency Department, and excelled in areas such as early emergency care and intervention, ED follow-up program, sepsis management, medication safety, falls prevention, restraint reduction, and patient experience. This recognition serves as a visible symbol of the team’s commitment to quality, safety, and a healthy work environment, and further highlights the hospitals’ dedication to providing the highest standard of care to the community.

DIVYA PATHAK, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS CHIEF DATA OFFICER, RECEIVES “AI INNOVATOR AWARD”

Divya Pathak, NYC Health + Hospitals’ Chief Data Officer, received the “AI Innovator Award” at MachineCon 2024, an annual gathering of Chief Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) leaders across all industries in the United States. The award recognizes leaders who have successfully transformed data into meaningful insights to support the growth of their organizations. Pathak was honored for her exceptional innovation in the development and deployment of AI technologies in health care. She has been a leader within NYC Health + Hospitals for strategic AI investments, developed best practices and implementation frameworks for AI solutions, and established guidelines for safe and responsible AI use in clinical care. The annual gathering is organized by AIM Research, a global analyst firm specializing in artificial intelligence.

HEALTH SYSTEM LAUNCHES FREE, MONTHLY PRODUCE BOXES FOR PATIENTS OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE PROGRAM

NYC Health + Hospitals is offering free produce boxes to patients enrolled in its nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Program. Patients of the program can receive six free monthly deliveries of seasonal, fresh produce delivered to their home. Patients will work with dietitians to learn about incorporating fruits and vegetables into their diet across culinary traditions and skill levels. Delicious and healthy recipes developed by the team’s dietitians will accompany each produce box. A recent produce box included broccoli, bok choy, tomatoes, potatoes, peaches, and fennel. The majority of the produce is sourced from local or regional farms, and the boxes are packaged and delivered by Farm to People.

The Lifestyle Medicine Program at NYC Health + Hospitals is a nine- month program to support patients in making evidence-based lifestyle changes, including a healthful plant-based diet, increased physical activity, improved sleep habits, stress reduction, avoidance of substance use, and stronger social connections. Adults living with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or health concerns related to excess weight are eligible to enroll. The program is now available at seven sites and can serve approximately 4,000 patients each year.

NYC CARE COMMEMORATES 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH DAY OF ACTION

In late July, NYC Care launched a city-wide day of action to commemorate its five-year anniversary and encourage New Yorkers to enroll in the health care access program. The inter-agency initiative mobilized partners from the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, New York State of Health, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as community-based organization partners and dozens of volunteers for in-person and digital outreach. The sites selected for canvassing and tabling were identified as having the highest rates of uninsured New Yorkers and the lowest rates of NYC Care enrollment. NYC Care Executive Director Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, supported the outreach teams across the city to answer questions and assure New Yorkers that NYC Health + Hospitals does not record information about the immigration status of its members.

NEW SURGICAL RETINA SERVICE AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/HARLEM

On July 31, NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem launched a state-of-the-art Surgical Retina Service. The service broadens ophthalmological capabilities and enables providers to deliver the gift of sight to patients with complex retinal conditions in the Harlem community. The new Surgical Retina Service was developed through a strategic partnership with Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, which offered technical assistance in developing the program. The Surgical Retina Service specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of retinal diseases, including, retinal detachment, complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retained lens fragments or dislocated nucleus/intraocular lens after cataract surgery, among other diseases.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/QUEENS HOSTS FREE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING EVENT

At a recent free prostate cancer screening event using the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens saw 38 patients, including several hospital employees. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, and early detection is crucial. Black men often receive late-stage diagnoses, making early screenings even more vital. This event was part of NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens’ Stage Zer0 initiative, aimed at reducing late-stage cancer diagnoses through early screenings, detection, and treatment.

The Stage Zer0 initiative provides proactive steps to recognize and mitigate racial disparities in cancer outcomes among diverse racial and ethnic groups. By focusing on early identification, preventive measures, equitable access to healthcare, and community engagement, the initiative aims to achieve health equity and optimal care for all individuals affected by cancer. The CDC recommends that men between the ages of 55 to 69 talk to their doctor about prostate cancer screening.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS RECEIVES $5M DONATION TO RECUIT AND RETAIN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STAFF

NYC Health + Hospitals received $5M from Black Family Philanthropies to support its behavioral health workforce. It’s one of the largest donations ever received by the health care system. $4M of the funds will directly support student debt relief for behavioral health staff in exchange for a three-year commitment to NYC Health + Hospitals as part of its Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program (BH4NYC). The additional $1M in funding will be used for staff retention through career advancement and workplace safety initiatives, representing critical capacity-building strategies to complement recruitment efforts. The program is designed to help attract and retain clinicians who care for New Yorkers with mental health or substance use treatment needs as the U.S. faces a national shortage of mental health professionals. The loan repayment program was launched by an inaugural $1 million donation from Three Cairns Group in 2022 and was first announced by Mayor Adams. Additional donors include The Louis and Rachel Rudin Foundation, Inc.

RESPONDING TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS – SERVICES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

NYC Health + Hospitals continues to play a key role in the city’s efforts to manage the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Today we accommodate approximately 23,000 individuals across our 13 humanitarian centers and continue to oversee the city’s Arrival Center. Since the facility was established in May 2023, the Arrival Center has aided over 165,000 new arrivals from over 160 countries. As the front door for all new arrivals, we provide screening for communicable diseases and have administered nearly 150,000 vaccinations at the city’s Arrival Center, humanitarian centers, and our hospital facilities.

Across NYC Health + Hospitals 13 humanitarian centers, our staff maintain a commitment to ensuring that all of our guests, the majority of whom are families with children, receive compassionate, dignified care. Our humanitarian centers offer comprehensive services to support asylum seekers journey toward a better life, including medical services, case management services, food and nutritional support, language services, mental health resources, school enrollment assistance, social and afterschool programming, and aid in family reunification.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS UPDATE

City: On September 23rd, The New York City Council held a hearing regarding “Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD) and Responses to Mental Health Crises”, during which H+H’s Office of Behavioral Health participated in for Q&A.

State: In August, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst was thrilled to welcome Governor Kathy Hochul’s generous $27.5 million maternal and pediatric health care investment. The $20 million provided will enable Elmhurst Hospital to expand its Women’s Pavilion and $7.5 million for the addition of a new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. We thank the Governor for her generous support.

Of the 805 bills that passed both houses of the New York State (NYS) Legislature, 332 bills have been acted upon by the Governor. The Governor has until the end of the calendar year to consider the remaining 473 bills. Most of the significant health care bills the External Affairs team is tracking have not been delivered yet to the Governor.

Federal: Congress continues to debate appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2025, prior to the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, 2024. Included in these conversations are Congressionally-Directed Spending (“earmark requests”), for which NYC Health + Hospitals has applied. Prior to the end of 2024, Congress also has to address a few expiring provisions, including those that allow expanded use of telehealth and continuing the delay of the Medicaid DSH cuts.

Community Affairs: The Central Council of Auxiliaries met on September

4 to discuss fundraising ideas, membership recruitment, and involvement in facility community events. The Community Relations Committee met on September 10 with CAB Chairs from Coler, Jacobi, McKinney, and North Central Bronx sharing reports from their facilities. The Council of CABs met on September 10, where Ms. Robin Hogans, CAB Chair at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, was elected Chair of the Council of CABs. We thank Ms. Hogans and the other members of the Council of CABs Executive Committee for their leadership.

Philanthropy: On September 11, Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Baby2Baby Board Member and Ambassador Kelly Rowland visited NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County to deliver Maternal Health & Newborn Supply Kits directly to new mothers alongside Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals and Deborah Brown, Chief External Affairs Officer of the system. The kits, which are part of Baby2Baby’s new initiative to combat the maternal health crisis in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will also be delivered directly to mothers giving birth at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, Woodhull, and North Central Bronx.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYSTEM

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