FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 2008

DONATION FROM BENEFIT FUND TRUSTEE, GEORGE GRECO

Robert V. Levine (left), President and Chief Executive Officer recently accepted a $30,000.00 donation from Benefit Fund Trustee, George Greco (right), New York City District Council of Carpenters and Joiners of America Benefit Funds.  Mr. Greco, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Peninsula Hospital Center, facilitated this donation to the Hospital Center to sponsor the no-cost AngioScreen program for the community currently offered by PHC.  Prior years’ donations from the NYC District Council of Carpenters and Joiners of America Benefit Funds have been utilized to benefit the hospital’s pediatric diabetes and health information technology programs to enhance the Hospital Center’s services to the community.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19th 2008

Peninsula Hospital Volunteers Trained In Hospice Care

Peninsula Hospital Center and the Hospice Care Network completed the training and orientation of 25 new volunteers for the new Eisenstadt Hospice Center at Peninsula this past week. Hospice Care Network and the Hospital Center personnel were very touched and encouraged by the overwhelming response from members of the community who wanted to become an active part of the new hospice program and volunteer their time. The new inpatient Hospice Unit at Peninsula Hospital Center is a seven private- bed hospice program which began accepting patients on July 21st.   The official dedication of this special program is scheduled for October 2008.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2008  

Press Release:

HOSPICE CARE NETWORK AND PENINSULA HOSPITAL CENTER JOIN TOGETHER TO INTRODUCE NEW INPATIENT HOSPICE UNIT

 --Patients are now able to stay close to home as they receive the most

comprehensive end-of-life care –

Peninsula Hospital Center’s

Far Rockaway, NY August 2008 --  Hospice Care Network is collaborating with Peninsula Hospital Center to open a new state-of-the-art inpatient hospice unit, serving the needs of individuals in Queens and Nassau.  The facility opened to the public on July 21st with the official ribbon cutting ceremony set for sometime in the fall.  The new unit is located in the west wing of the Hospital Center and features seven single rooms and a large family room.  This facility will offer patients a comfortable, private setting where they can spend quality time with their families and loved ones.  Modeled after the Hospice and Palliative Care Center at Franklin Hospital Medical Center in Valley Stream, the new unit will be dedicated to the memory of Barbara Eisenstadt, a Rockaway community activist and compassionate human being who passed away in the fall of 2007.  The generous endowment for the inpatient unit was made by Marvin Eisenstadt, the Eisenstadt family and Sweet’N Low.  Additionally, several members of the Board of Directors, Benefactors and Auxiliary of the Hospital Center donated generously to the Unit.

 Up until now, Queens residents had to travel to other facilities for inpatient hospice care.  No longer.  Luckily, Hospice Care Network and Peninsula Hospital Center recognized the need to provide this type of service in their community.  “It is a great privilege for all of us at Hospice Care Network to be able to offer local residents a place they can go that is close to home where they will receive compassionate and skillful care,” says Maureen Hinkelman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospice Care Network.

            The addition of this new inpatient hospice unit will continue Peninsula Hospital Center’s mission of helping to care for all the individuals in the community – a community which includes a disproportionate number of elderly, frail nursing home patients and underserved population.

“Peninsula Hospital Center has provided comprehensive quality health care – close to home – for the residents of the Rockaways and neighboring communities for more than a century,” says Robert V. Levine, PHC President and Chief Executive Officer.  “We are very pleased to now add another dimension to our provision of care which will allow the patient and family the time to focus on each other – when time matters the most.” 

ABOUT HOSPICE CARE NETWORK (HCN)

Hospice Care Network (HCN) is a nonprofit organization that has served patients and their families in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens counties with care and compassion since 1988.  HCN utilizes an approach that cares for the total person, addressing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families.  Care is provided by an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aides, dieticians, pastoral care providers, bereavement counselors and trained volunteers.  HCN, a member of the North  Shore-LIJ Health System , is committed to the highest quality care and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) as meeting the highest standards expected in the field.

 For more information, visit www.hospicecarenetwork.org or call 1-800-2-HOSPICE. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE: July 29, 2008 

Peninsula Hospital Center Honors Its Own

Peninsula Hospital Center pays honor each quarter to an individual as its “Employee of Excellence.” This quarter, Peninsula Hospital Center singled out David Reyes, an Environmental Aide, for his high degree of professionalism, respect, initiative and for the dedication and empathy that he demonstrates in the performance of his duties. Reyes was nominated by their peers and confirmed by committee for this distinction.

  Reyes, from the Environmental Department of Peninsula Hospital Center, has been working at the Hospital Center since 1990 and is highly regarded by his fellow workers, as well as the supervisors who oversee his department. He is described as, “truly deserving of the Employee of Excellence Award, remarkable in every respect of his job, in which he takes great pride.” No job is too big or too small for Reyes, a diligent worker who goes above and beyond and always responds to emergency situations efficiently and effectively.   Congratulations, David!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release: July 21, 2008

 Peninsula Hospital Welcomes New Radiation-Oncologist

 Robert V. Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Hospital Center recently announced the appointment of Dr. Gurmukh Sadarangani as a new Attending Physician and Radiation-Oncologist.  Dr. Sadarangani comes to Peninsula Hospital directly from a 23-year career at Manhattan’s Cabrini Medical Center, where served most recently as the director of Cabrini’s highly acclaimed radiology-oncology department. Cabrini closed recently during the New York State’s mandated hospital closings, but Manhattan’s loss is a gain for the patient population of Peninsula Hospital Center, who will benefit tremendously from Dr. Sadarangani’s vast experience and organizational expertise. His longtime professional association with Dr. David Schwartz, Director, Radiation-Oncology Department at Peninsula Hospital Center and President of the Hospital Center’s Medical Board, will serve as an exceptional partnership in the continued delivery of the highest quality cancer treatment.

  According to Dr. Sadarangani, who trained in his specialty at Montefiore Medical Center, his immediate goal is to be an integral part of the continued expansion of the Hospital Center’s Radiation-Oncology Department, as well as providing high quality cancer treatment in a friendly, community-oriented environment. Additionally, Dr. Sadarangani is very excited to be at Peninsula Hospital Center at this time when its Hospice Unit is scheduled to open soon. The vast majority of the radiation-oncology patients at Peninsula are outpatients, but with the opening of the Hospice Unit, the department will become part of the hospice program, providing the complimentary palliative care required by many of these patients. Dr. Sadarangani has considerable experience with hospice patients, having provided such care to his Cabrini patients for the past two decades. He is extremely community-oriented and looks forward to working at Peninsula Hospital Center, providing much needed cancer treatment to patients from the local patient population. He believes that local cancer patients and their families are best served by the availability of the highest quality of radiation-oncology services, delivered in a professional and patient-friendly environment, at Peninsula Hospital Center, their local community health care provider.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 20th 2008  

Press Release:

PHC Hosts Graduation Ceremony

Peninsula Hospital Center’s Graduate Medical Education Program held its graduation ceremonies at the Lawrence Country Club on June 13, 2008.   Present at the ceremony to congratulate graduates (l-r): Peninsula Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Robert V. Levine; Board Chairman Joel A. Miele, PE, Sr.; Dean Abraham Yaeger, Ph.D., New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM); David Broder, President of New York College of Osteopathic Medicine Educational Consortium (NYCOMEC); Gerald Teplitz, D.O., Director of Medical Educaton; PHC Vice President of Operations, Allen Corby; and Peter Guiney, D.O., Director, Family Practice Residency Program.

Family Practice Residents (center) Jeanne Fabian, D.O. and Chief Resident Artemio A. Perez, D.O. pictured with Dr. Peter Guiney, Dr. Gerald Teplitz and Dr. Aaron Nesoff.

Leonard Schiffman (center), D.M.D., Director of the Dental Residency Program, now in its 40th year, is pictured here with Dental Resident Graduates: Dong-Youn Shin, D.D.S. and Collin E. Williams, D.D.S. (not pictured is Aditi A. Parikh, D.M.D.)

Exceptional Educator Awards went to Dr. Peter Guiney, Dr. Howard Sussman, Dr. Horace Herbsman, Dr. Lawrence Horl and Dr. Daniel Canario.  Not present for the picture but receiving Exceptional Educator Awards were Roy DeBeer, D.O., Emmanuel Decade, D.O., Narendra Hadpawat, M.D., Larissa Kleymenova, D.O., Salli Laufer, M.D., Truong Nguyen, D.O. and Olajide Olawepo, M.D.

General Surgery Residents Bogdan Makartchuck, D.O. and Victor Lopez, Jr., D.O. and pictured here with Howard Sussman, M.D., Acting Director, Surgery.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 18th 2008  

Press Release:

TOP DOCS CUT RIBBON AT NEW CEDARHURST OFFICES

Martin Grossman, M.D. and Jay K. Mehlman, M.D. celebrated the opening of new, independent ambulatory office suites in the 123 Maple Avenue Professional Building in Cedarhurst.  Dr. Grossman is the Director of Medicine at Peninsula Hospital Center and Dr. Mehlman is the Chief of Gastroenterology at Peninsula Hospital Center so the event drew staff from the Hospital Center along with friends, family and colleagues.  Cedarhurst government officials also participated in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and presented official citations to both physicians to welcome them to their new Five Towns offices.  In attendance were Robert V. Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Hospital Center; PHC Board Member and Five Towns resident Frances Rudolph; Cedarhurst Mayor Hon. Andrew Parisi; Steven Schneider, Chairman of the Cedarhurst BID and Ronald Lanzilotta, Sr. and Myrna Zisman, both Trustees of the Village of Cedarhurst. 

Pictured left to right:  Jay K. Mehlman, M.D., Martin A. Grossman, M.D. , Cedarhurst Mayor Honorable Andrew Parisi, Steven Schneider, President Cedarhurst BID, Ronald Lanzilotta, Sr. and Myrna Zisman, Trustees, Village of Cedarhurst.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 16th, 2008  

Press Release:

Annual Meeting of Peninsula Hospital Center

 Peninsula Hospital Center held its 101st Annual Meeting on Monday night, June 16th. Board Chairman Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., PE, welcomed all the elected officials, invited guests, administration, board members, staff and residents of the community who gathered to commemorate this very special annual event. President and Chief Executive Officer Robert V. Levine spoke on the progress at the Hospital Center during the past year and the plans for growth in the coming year. The invocation was delivered by Reverend Joseph Medlin, Pastor of the First Congregation Church of Rockaway Beach and the members of the 2008 Board of Directors were installed by Marvin E. Eisenstadt, Senior Vice President. The musical interludes were performed by the wonderful chorus from “Setting the Stage, Inc.” Special donations were made by the American Parkinson Disease Association, the Hospital Center’s Medical Board and two of the Hospital Center’s major fundraising groups, the Volunteer Guild and the Hospital Auxiliary.  

Children from musical group “Setting the Stage, Inc.” performed at the Annual Meeting.

Board member Lou Caucig, Volunteer Extraordinaire Josephine Miele, who runs the gift shop in the Extended Care Facility, Board Member Joseph Gambino and Janet Miele Powers, Senior Vice-President and Administrator of Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation.

Valerie West, Director of Community Affairs and Government Relations at Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation; PHC Board member Reverend Evan Gray; and Betty Leon, RN,MA, Esq.from the Hospital Center’s Community Advisory Board.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 2nd, 2008  

Press Release:

PHC Angels on the Bay Receives Donation from PS 105 Penny Harvest

The children of one of  P.S. 105’s First Grade classes recently visited Peninsula Hospital Center’s Angels on the Bay Pediatric Unit  bearing a Penny Harvest donation in the amount of $1,000.00!!  Even though these first grade children are only 5 and 6 years old, their class collected more pennies than any other class in the school.  Liz Sulik, PHC’s Director of External Affairs took the children for a first hand look at Peninsula Hospital Center’s pediatric unit. Under the guidance of teacher, Shawnya Johnson (right) and math coach/Penny Harvest Coordinator, Helene Schneider (left), the children spoke with hospital personnel and became acquainted with the pediatric unit’s ambiance including mesmerizing fish tank.  Assistant Head Nurse Dale Murray, RN (far right) was very pleased to receive the donation on behalf of the Hospital Center. “Incredible gifts like these,” said Nurse Murray in thanking the children, “are used to purchase special items for our patients to make the Angels on the Bay unit feel more like home to the hospitalized children and we are so grateful for their hard work.”

Shown are the children of one of  P.S. 105’s First Grade class

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 30th, 2008  

Press Release:

A CHILD'S GIFT 

Timmy Mills of Belle Harbor celebrated his 5th Birthday in April of 2008 and decided that he was perhaps, a little too mature for some of his toys!  With some hearty encouragement from Mom, he selected  some “hardly been used and still in the box” toys and new duplicate toys from his collection and offered them to the Angels on the Bay Pediatric Unit at Peninsula Hospital Center.  After the toys passed an approval “inspection” by the nursing staff in pediatrics, Timmy and his mom, Sabina Mills, delivered them to the play room in the pediatric unit and were given a tour of the Angels on the Bay Pediatric Unit by Theresa Pakingan, R.N., pediatric nurse.   Generosity and sharing have no age limitations! 

5-year-old Timmy Mills (center) is all smiles as he donates toys to Peninsula Hospital Center as is his mom, Sabina Mills (left).  Theresa Pakingan, R.N. (right) gratefully accepted the new toys for the pediatric unit.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22nd, 2008  

Press Release:

PHC Nurses Receive TLC

Peninsula Hospital Center nurses were treated to a special meals prepared in their honor at the Hospital Center recently when Nurse Executive Robin Blackwell, RN honored all of her nurses as part of the National Nurses Appreciation Week celebration.  Each nurse received a gift of appreciation and as an expression of appreciation, Chief Nurse Executive Blackwell personally served the food along with the nurse management staff!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30th, 2008

Press Release:

Peninsula Hospital Center Celebrates Laboratory Professionals

For “Delivering Today’s Results for a Healthier Tomorrow”  

  Peninsula Hospital Center recently celebrated National Laboratory Professionals Week and honored this department for being an excellent example of this year’s theme: “Delivering Today’s Results For a Healthier Tomorrow.”

   National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is now in its 33rd year and it is important to reflect on its important history. In 2005, National Medical Laboratory Week was changed to National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week to emphasize the people whose expertise is needed in the performance of laboratory testing. There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the United States, including the 50 full time laboratory staff personnel at Peninsula Hospital Center.  Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, the clinical laboratory science professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease. Today, the clinical laboratory professional is a key member of a health care team.

  As team members of one of the largest industries in the United States, the dedicated efforts of laboratory professionals often go unnoticed by the general public.

  With the public now demanding the assurance of quality health care and professional accountability, organizations representing practitioners of this critical science have a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed about clinical laboratory competency. Beyond meeting this public need, the celebration of National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week will help increase recognition for the profession as it improves the individual practitioner's sense of self-worth. Further, as the various professional groups within laboratory practice work together on this project, the sense of unity and purpose necessary to further the goals of all laboratory professionals are reinforced.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14th, 2008  

Press Release:

PHC Will Honor LPN’s

Luncheon Set For May 7th At Russo’s

  Peninsula Hospital Center will be holding its Annual Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, honoring four “Nurses of Distinction:” This year, for the very first time, the Peninsula Hospital Center and Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation (PCECR)  have chosen two of its nursing honorees from the ranks of its Licensed Practical Nurses. This year’s LPN Nurses of Distinction are Elaine Coleman, LPN, from 2 East, a medical surgical unit and Susan Singer, LPN,  a charge nurse from 3 Ocean, the Dementia Care Unit.

  Elaine Coleman, LPN is the Hospital Center’s clear choice for this year’s Nurse of Distinction designation. She has been employed by the Hospital Center since 1990, at which time she began her career as a nursing assistant assigned to 2 North, a medical-surgical unit. According to Elaine, “There are so many different things that you see in med-surg. It is the foundation for everything else in nursing.” Elaine is presently working toward trying to complete courses to obtain her license as an RN.  She was enthusiastic to learn that she had been selected as one of this year’s nurses of distinction. “I wasn’t even aware that the LPNs were going to be honored this year,” said Elaine. “I was trained not to expect acknowledgement because my duty as a nurse is to do my best,” said Elaine. “My achievement is shared by a lot of people who helped me along the way.” She credits her success as a nurse to the patience and knowledge imparted by a former charge nurse who promoted team work as the tool to be effective. Elaine said she is honored to be a nurse and to know she can help someone along the way. “Elaine is an asset to 2 North,” said Kim Branche, Elaine’s nurse manager. She is respected by her peers for her knowledge and calm, endearing spirit and shows compassion, respect and dignity to her patients.  Elaine has shown herself to be a mentor and support to her co-workers and she truly embraces the spirit of nursing.”

  According to Robin Blackwell, RN, Vice President of Nursing, “Elaine has a long history with PHC. Ms. Coleman started her career as a nursing assistant and is now pursuing her RN. She is a model to all not only for her accomplishments, but also for her dedication to her patients, co-workers and Peninsula Hospital Center.”

  Susan Singer, is the LPN Nurse of Distinction honoree from PCECR. Susan currently works as the charge nurse of 3 Ocean, the Dementia Care Unit. Susan began her career as a nurse at Peninsula Hospital Center in October, 1966. Within a year, she transferred from a medical surgical floor to pediatrics, which at the time was her first choice. Susan worked in pediatrics until 1970 when she took some time off after the birth of her child. Upon returning to nursing in 1974, Susan chose to go to work at PCECR and has remained there for 23 years. She has worked in the Dementia Care Unit of PCECR since it first opened and it is there where she found her true calling. “In this unit you are constantly with the patients,” said Susan. “It is mostly a home-type atmosphere. Some patients are here up to 10 years and you get very close to them.” On the success of her unit, Susan credits the aides who she feels are hardworking, wonderful with the patients and very caring.” According to her Ann Greenhall, RN, Nurse Care Manager of the Dementia Care Unit, “Susan consistently demonstrates exceptional ability to lead her team as charge nurse. She recognizes that the residents are the most important members of the team and always treats them with respect and dignity. Susan communicates the excellence of nursing to others by her own example and the results of her efforts are seen daily in the calm, clean and well-organized unit that she charges.”

   Each year Peninsula Hospital Center honors outstanding nursing professionals who practice compassion and have been exemplary and distinctive in the performance of their duties and who serve as an example of the Hospital Center’s mission to provide the highest quality of health care. This year, the Hospital Center is especially pleased to include among its nursing honorees two very special Licensed Practical Nurses who go above and beyond every day in the performance of their nursing duties. According to Robin Blackwell, “Licensed Practical Nursing has a long history here at Peninsula Hospital Center. It seemed only appropriate to honor their long and dedicated service during the 100th anniversary. Many of the distinguished LPN’s who began their career here have continued on in the education process to obtain their RN licensure. Those who remain are all respected by the staff working side by side with them. Their experience in years often is the guidance a new graduate will seek during the beginning of their career here at Peninsula and experience is an invaluable tool in the profession. Here at Peninsula, we are very proud to have been here for 100 years and consider ourselves especially fortunate to have several long term LPN’s  serving the community with us.”

  At the annual nurses’ luncheon, the Hospital Center is extremely proud to pay tribute to our Nurses of Distinction along with the entire nursing staff who give above and beyond each and every day. The Nurse of Distinction Award is given to an extraordinary professional who clearly exhibits the three “C’s,” including Competence, which is judged by on the job experience; Commitment, which is measured in dedication to self, patients, peers and the profession of nursing; and Connection, which is shown in the effective communication of the excellence of nursing to others. 

  Several prizes have been generously donated for the Spring Luncheon Raffle, including Broadway Theatre tickets, courtesy of Lou Caucig, Caucig Utilities; an original framed Watercolor Artwork donated by acclaimed Rockaway Artist Arlene Cornell; a flat screen monitor, courtesy of Alan Camhi, Condor Pest Control; and a Summer Fun Bonanza Basket, courtesy of Kings Pharmacy, Beach 116th Street.

  For further information regarding ticket or raffle sales, please contact the Department of External Affairs and Development at 718-734-2506/07.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 10th, 2008

Press Release:

Peninsula Hospital Center Honors Employees

Richards and Bell Are Excellent!

  Peninsula Hospital Center and Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation (PCECR) pay honor each quarter to two distinctive individuals as their “Employees of Excellence”. These special employees are singled out for their high degree of professionalism, respect, initiative and for the dedication and empathy that they routinely demonstrate in the performance of their duties. Each honoree has been nominated by their peers and confirmed by committee for this distinction.

  The most recent Employee Excellence Awards were presented last week to Rupert Richards, a Dietary Aide from the Food and Nutrition Department of Peninsula Hospital Center. He has been working at the Hospital Center since 1999 and is very highly thought of by his fellow workers as well as the supervisors who oversee his department. He is described as a diligent worker who goes above and beyond and who always shows up to work with a happy disposition. For these reasons Rupert was unanimously chosen as Peninsula Hospital’s Employee of Excellence.

  Lynette Bell is a Certified Nurse Assistant who works in the Dementia Unit of PCECR. Lynette has been employed by Peninsula since 1973 and was chosen an Employee of Excellence because she always “goes the extra mile” for all of the residents that she works with and for her polite and professional demeanor in dealing with the families of those assigned to her are. Lynette was so honored as this quarter’s Employee of Excellence from PCECR because of the difference she makes every day in her unit.

The Employee Excellence Program is designed to recognize valued employees who consistently exemplify an exceptional quality of work, the ability to work as part of the Peninsula Hospital Center team, and excellence in their interactions with patients, other staff, visitors, physicians and the community

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 2008

PHC BOARD MEMBER CELEBRATES 90TH

Frances S. Rudolph, long standing member of Peninsula Hospital Center’s Board of Directors and past President of the Auxiliary, recently celebrated her 90th Birthday amongst friends and family at the Inwood Country Club.  “Her dedication and devotion to Peninsula Hospital Center has been greatly appreciated throughout her many years of involvement,” said Liz Sulik, PHC’s Director of External Affairs, who, along with Dr. Richard Steinberg, represented the Hospital Center at the celebration to wish her well.  “Even now, Fran continues to volunteer and help in any way she can.  She is still on the PHC Board of Directors and personifies the words commitment and service.”  Ms. Rudolph has received many awards of appreciation for her service including the United Hospital Fund’s Trustee of the Year Award, Hospital and Auxilian Volunteer Achievement Award and a Certificate of Merit from former NYS Governor Mario Cuomo.  Congratulations, Fran!!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 2008

“HATS OFF” TO PHC AUXILIARY

Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary held its annual raffle drawing and fundraising celebratory luncheon on August 5th with a “Crazy Hat” party.  Due to the overwhelming success of this year’s fundraising activities, the Auxiliary was able to donate more than $15,000 to the Hospice Center this year by holding two simultaneous raffles. The Auxilian’s donation has been earmarked for the Eisenstadt Hospice Center at Peninsula. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE: August 11th, 2008 

PHC RESIDENT CLAIMS NATIONAL HONOR

Doctor Dipak Patel Ranked Nationally As Outstanding Resident

  Dipak Patel, D.O., Chief Resident, Family Practice Residency Program of Peninsula Hospital Center, has been selected as one of only four residents from across the country to receive the prestigious American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Outstanding Resident Award for 2008. In addition to this prestigious national honor, Dr. Patel will receive a $5,000 cash award during a reception and awards presentation to be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2008.

  The recipients of the four national Merck awards are all osteopathic physicians in a residency program who demonstrate outstanding commitment to osteopathic philosophy, compassion, commitment to patient care, strong leadership skills, as well as an extraordinary commitment to education.   In each case, they have achieved a unique accomplishment  worthy of national recognition.

  Dr. Peter A. Guiney, Director of Medical Education and Director, Family Practice Residency Program at the Hospital Center, explained that this annual competition is extremely competitive. “There are only four awards presented throughout the United States and residents compete in all areas of medicine specialty medicine to family practice,” said Guiney.  “This speaks to the high quality of the residents attracted to our teaching program at Peninsula Hospital Center.  This is the just the type of physician we are looking to bring to our program and our community.”

  Dr. Patel embarked on a formal research study in March, 2007 during his intern year. He completed a comprehensive evaluation of PHC’s Family Health Center’s diabetic patients, based on the parameters from the AOA’s Clinical Assessment Program concerning diabetes mellitus.  Dr. Patel was granted a rare privilege to present his study at the Hospital Center’s Grand Rounds and subsequently developed his study into a research poster, which was presented to the American College of Osteopathy Family Practice research conference this past March in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Patel also presented his research to the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine Education Consortium in May and has submitted it for publication. Dr. Patel is also actively involved with medical education and has been given a leadership role. After the end of his internship year, he created a “Resident Lecture Series” – a collection of 90 major family medicine topics and put together a twice a week lecture schedule to be given by family practice residents.

  In addition to his commitment to improving patient care in the Rockaways, for the past five years, he has been the co-director of a non-profit, 501c3 tax exempt charity organization – Aamar Nijer (“My Own”) - providing for the education, health care and basic needs of several hundred women and children in Calcutta, India.

  According to Dr. Patel, “My residency at Peninsula Hospital Center has provided the skills necessary for dealing with any population of patients, including the most challenging.  I carry this commitment to primary care with me in my day-to-day work in the field of family medicine and look forward to applying my experiences to those who need a stronger relationship with a family physician.  Even here in Rockaway there are patients who still use the Emergency Departments as their primary doctor and I would like to help them get their own physicians for ongoing, continuous health care.  In the long run, it’s better for everyone.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release: July 28, 2008

 Melanie Zipagan Retires After 37 Years

Peninsula Hospital Center Bids Farewell

  After nearly 38 years serving as a critical care nurse at Peninsula Hospital Center, Melanie Zipagan is retiring from her position as the Clinical Assistant Director of the Hospital Center’s Telemetry Unit.

  Nurse Zipagan began her long and illustrious career at Peninsula Hospital Center in 1971 as a staff nurse in the Coronary Care Unit. It wasn’t long after that that she was recognized for her superior nursing skills and her ability to teach, guide and direct other nurses and was promoted to Graduated Care Unit (now known as Telemetry) where she was named the Assistant Head Nurse and eventually, Head Nurse, ,and has ably continued to serve in this department for the past 25 years.

  Not surprisingly, Melanie opted out of the big “retirement” gala that her friends, co-workers and administrators wanted to plan for her. She is far too emotional about the departure and celebrated quietly with her fellow co-workers on the Telemetry Unit who honored her this past weekend. They presented her with a beautiful plaque, commemorating their heartfelt feelings.   “It is with great sadness that we must see you go,” was the first line of the plaque’s inscription which went on to say “Working with you was an enriching experience, one we will remember for many years. You gathered us near and taught us so much, from a simple smile to a gentle touch. Your constant guidance and direction was an asset to our unit. We salute your commitment as a leader and nurse. May your future bring you the greatest comfort, ease and peace of mind, for you are truly a blessing.”

  Melanie Zipagan certainly made her mark on Peninsula Hospital Center. Although she rose in the ranks to the position of an assistant director, Melanie never left bedside nursing so she could be there for her patients, and fellow nurses alike, leading the unit with caring, compassion and professionalism.

  Robin Blackwell, RN, Vice President of Nursing, Chief Nurse Executive at PHC, praised Melanie by saying, “Melanie has left her mark on the cardiac services of Peninsula Hospital Center which will remain long after she has gone. Her dedicated service will be evident in the compassion, understanding and knowledgeable staff she has entrusted to us.  I wish her all the best.”

 Although the Hospital Center bids a fond farewell to a dedicated employee who has served so well for so long, Melanie is moving forward with a new chapter in her life. After nearly four decades of nursing, Melanie is looking forward to spending much more time with her family. First off, she plans a well- deserved vacation with her husband, Raymond, an engineer. Her plans also include sharing more time with the prides of her life, her two daughters – Rachel, an engineer, who followed in her father’s footsteps and Jillian, a Nurse Practitioner, who has emulated Melanie. Melanie is also anxiously awaiting the birth of Jillian’s child, with whom she plans on spending many, many glorious days as first time grandmother

  However, Melanie is not closing the door entirely on her nursing stint at the Hospital Center, as she plans to return – when her timing is right – when she is called occasionally for a shift or two. In the words of her fellow nurses, Melanie Zipagan’s “expertise is tremendous, her professionalism true and her dedication and leadership are immeasurable and incomparable.”   She will be truly missed.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release: July 8, 2008

Peninsula Hospital Auxiliary Raises $10,000

Peninsula Hospital Center’s Vice President, Operations, Allen Corby is presented with a $10,000 check from enthusiastic Auxiliary fundraisers. Pictured (l-r): Auxiliary President Sheila Schwartz, Corby, Fundraiser Extraordinaire Gertrude Oltchick and Auxiliary Treasurer Rose Marie Curley. Due to the steadfast efforts of Mrs. Oltchick, who personally sold nearly 150 tickets this year, the Auxiliary’s raffle packed twice the punch. By hosting two consecutive raffles, the Auxiliary raised $10,000 which was donated to Peninsula Hospital Center. The lucky raffle winners will be drawn at the August Auxiliary meeting.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release:

VNS Asthma and Diabetes workshops to address health concerns

At the invitation of P.S. 183, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the Addabbo Family Health Center and Peninsula Hospital Center will be collaborating to set up a series of family-focused asthma and diabetes workshops to address the health concerns of asthmatic and diabetic children in the school. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 17th, 2008

Press Release:

PENINSULA HOSPITAL CENTER’S Ball Committee Planning Session

Peninsula Hospital Center’s Ball Committee members gathered to continue planning for yet another auspicious occasion – the Hospital Center’s 101st Anniversary Ball.  This year, the ball will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the El Caribe in Brooklyn.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29th, 2008

Press Release:

PHC AUXILIARY RECOGNIZED BY HANYS

The Health Association of New York (HANYS) recently awarded the Peninsula Hospital Center Auxiliary the 2007 Auxiliary Advocacy Recognition Award.  For the third year in a row, PHC’s Auxilians were recognized for their commitment of significant time and effort to serving as advocates for the Hospital Center in the community.  Under the leadership of local resident Sheila Schwartz, the PHC Auxiliary meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 12 noon in the Meditation Room of the Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation and each month, an interactive, informative speaker from the Hospital Center is on hand to present information and provide feedback about hospital programs and services.  INDIVIDUALS HONORED:  Auxilian Gert Oltchick was recently presented the United Hospital Fund’s Hospital Auxilian and Volunteer Achievement Award at a luncheon held at the Waldorf Astoria for her outstanding contributions and efforts.  ALSO HONORED for her outstanding volunteer service to the Hospital Center was Ms. Margaret Payne McDonald who spends much of her free time volunteering in the Hospital Center’s Gift Shop.  Congratulations to both!

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 Peninsula Hospital Center continues its AngioScreenings

            Peninsula Hospital Center continues its AngioScreenings as part of its proactive commitment to the community.  This is a screening tool to help determine your risk for heart attack and stroke and costs you absolutely nothing.  The screening results are forwarded to your physician for review and if anything questionable is found, early detection and treatment could save your life.  During the past year, preliminary statistics have shown that this screening has in fact, saved lives and many who didn’t realize they had some significant health issues are now being treated successfully.  All you have to do is call for an appointment: 718-734-3119.  Aren’t you worth 10 minutes of your time?

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 SPECIAL EVENTS

            UPCOMING EVENTS include the ANNUAL MEETING on Monday, June 16, 2008 in the Meditation Room of the Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation at 7:00 P.M.  The Hospital Center extends an invitation to the entire community to hear about PHC’s most recent developments and the exciting new plans for the future.  

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC at Lido Golf Club – Tuesday, July 8th, 2008.  ShotGun start at 1:00 P.M. and includes 18 holes of golf, locker room facilities, brunch, driving range, course refreshments, dinner and awards ceremony.  

ANNIVERSARY BALL at El Caribe – Saturday, October  25th, 2008.  For additional information or to make reservations, please call 718-734-2506/07.

             Peninsula Hospital Center wishes you all a very safe and healthy summer.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13th, 2008

Press Release:

GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT!

 Ms. Lois Mann, Math Coach and Penny Harvest Coordinator at Far Rockaway’s P.S. 215, brought 4th and 5th graders and chaperones from the school’s Penny Harvest Round Table Group to visit Peninsula Hospital Center’s Angels on the Bay Pediatrics Unit.  The youngsters raised $1,000.00 which they are donating to the Pediatrics Unit at PHC.  During their visit to the Hospital Center, the children met with President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert V. Levine, several Board members, nurses and physicians all of whom expressed their sincere appreciation for the children’s hard work and generosity.  After a tour of the Angels on the Bay Pediatrics Unit, the children dined in the Executive Cafeteria at the hospital before returning to school.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1st, 2008

Press Release:

Peninsula Hospital Center Appreciates Volunteers

  Peninsula Hospital Center celebrated National Volunteer Appreciation Week by hosting a special luncheon in honor of all the volunteers from the Hospital Center and Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation (PCECR). The volunteers were treated to an afternoon of music, good food and fellowship and presents of appreciation for all.

  At Peninsula Hospital Center, volunteers are vital to the Hospital Center’s mission of serving others in need. With a commitment of a just a few hours a week, volunteers find great fulfillment in helping patients and their families, hospital staff, and members of the community. Many people reap the benefits of volunteering.

  Peninsula Hospital Center offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for seniors, adults and teens. Volunteers play a key role in delivering quality health care with compassion. They assist our administrators, medical staff and employees as well as serve hospital patients and residents of our PCECR. Volunteers find personal satisfaction in helping others and enjoy the companionship of fellow volunteers. For teens, volunteering can be an excellent way to fulfill their community service obligations for high school, give back to their community, explore career opportunities and develop job skills.  

 Students benefit from the opportunity to explore career possibilities, develop workplace skills and add valuable volunteer experience to their college applications. Working adults enrich their lives through volunteer work and contribute to a better community. Retired adults enjoy staying active in the community and continuing to help others. Volunteer positions available at Peninsula Hospital Center include Clerical/Office Assistant, Receptionist, Gift Shop Staff, Mat, Courier, Greeter, Patient Visitor and Adult Day Health Care and Recreational Therapy Assistant. To become a volunteer at Peninsula Hospital Center, call the Volunteer Office, 781-734-2507. For more information on how to become a volunteer at Peninsula Hospital Center, call the Volunteer Office at 718-734-2507. Applications are available at the front desk of the Hospital Center and on-line

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29th, 2008

Press Release:

Occupational Therapy Day at PHC  

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14th, 2008

Press Release:

PHC  Receives Respiratory Care Award

  Peninsula Hospital Center recently received its annual renewal as a national Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) hospital for 2008. This national certification program is aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in the hospitals in their communities.   

  To qualify for the QCRC recognition award, Peninsula Hospital Center provided documentation showing that it met the following conditions: All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services or hold the CRT or RRT credential; Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours; other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of supervision must be designated in writing; a doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

  Only 700, out of the 5,000 hospitals in the United Sates have been named a Quality Respirator Care institution and received this prestigious award. Ed Ozechowsky, Director of Cardio-Pulmonary Services, oversees the respiratory therapy department of the hospital center was very pleased when he recently announced that Peninsula Hospital Center holds the distinction of receiving this award for the past six consecutive years.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8th, 2008  

Press Release:

PHC RN’s To Be Honored

Luncheon Set For May 7th At Russo’s

Peninsula Hospital Center will be holding its Annual Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, honoring four “Nurses of Distinction:” Alicia Kelly, RN, Nurse Care Manager on 2 Bay in the Rehabilitation Unit of Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation (PCECR); and Dulce Martinez, RN, Angels on the Bay Pediatric Unit in the Hospital Center are the two registered nurses who will be honored at this year’s event.

  Dulce Martinez, RN began her career as a nurse in the early 1980’s in her native home in the Philippines where she received her professional nursing training. She started work at Peninsula Hospital Center in June of 1988 and went straight to work on the Oncology floor and continued there until 2001. At the urging and recommendation of a Nurse Manger who saw Dulce’s tremendous work ethnic and potential, she began working at her present assignment at the Hospital Center’s Angels on the Bay Pediatric Unit, and is still working there. According to Dulce, she most enjoys working with her pediatric patients because of the quick turnover in that unit. “You see them when they are admitted and really sick, and then a few days later they go home healthy, playful and happy,” said Dulce. After hearing that she was chosen from among her peers to be this year’s Nurse of Distinction for the Hospital Center, Dulce said,” I just hope that I am not dreaming. It is such an honor for me, but I am receiving this award on behalf of the other nurses in my unit and the rest of the hospital who are also very deserving. The nurses’ luncheon each year is a great celebration for all of our nurses.”

  According to Robin Blackwell, RN, Chief Nurse Executive/Vice President of Nursing Services at Peninsula Hospital Center, “Dulce’s manner contributes to the camaraderie of her unit. She is a caring, compassionate coworker and caregiver. Her energy is unending and her humor enviable.  It is the combination of all these attributes that make her not only a Nurse of Distinction, but also a valued part of the Peninsula Hospital family.”

   Alicia Kelly, RN, is the Nurse Care Manager of 2 Bay in PCECR. She began her work at PCECR as an Assistant Head Nurse on 3 Bay just a little more than a year ago, but she made her mark early on and began to move up to her present supervisory position within a few short months. Alicia’s nursing background is as a medical/surgical nurse, but she made the move to PCECR in order to gain experience working with geriatric patients. According to Alicia, “What I enjoy most about geriatric nursing is engaging my patients and sharing in their lives. They love to tell you all about themselves and I love caring for them and working with them on their daily activities.” She still loves bedside nursing and keeps her skills up as a private duty nurse. Although she is an active mother with four young sons, her ultimate professional goal is to go back to school and become a family nurse practitioner.

  According to Sharon Brown, RN, the Director of Nursing at PCECR, “Alicia exhibits commitment to her residents, staying late and often coming in on the weekends to follow up with appointments. She is a strong advocate for all of the residents in her unit and always demonstrates positivity. Alicia is a credit to PCECR, a true example of nursing professionalism and most deserving of this year’s Nurse of Distinction Award.’ 

  The Nurse of Distinction Awards are a tradition at Peninsula Hospital Center and this year, they are very much in the forefront as the Hospital Center celebrates its 100^th Year of Nursing Services. These most distinguished service awards are bestowed this year by Peninsula Hospital Center and PCECR on two very extraordinary professionals who clearly exhibit the three “C’s,” of nursing:   Competence, judged by on-the-job experience; Commitment, measured in dedication to self, patients, peers and the profession of nursing; and Connection, shown in the effective communication of the excellence of nursing to others. 

  Several prizes have been generously donated for the Spring Luncheon Raffle, including Broadway Theatre tickets, courtesy of Lou Caucig, Caucig Utilities; an original framed Watercolor Artwork donated by acclaimed Rockaway Artist Arlene Cornell; a flat screen monitor, courtesy of Alan Camhi, Condor Pest Control; and a Summer Fun Bonanza Basket, courtesy of Kings Pharmacy, Beach 116^th Street.

  For further information regarding ticket or raffle sales, please contact the Department of External Affairs and Development at 718-734-2506.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 1st, 2008

Press Release:

PENINSULA HOSPITAL CENTER PROMOTES NUTRITION AT BEACH CHANNEL HIGH SCHOOL

  Peninsula Hospital Center’s Clinical Nutrition Manager Rachel Hodelin-Wetzel, MSRD spent several hours at Beach Channel High School on Friday, March 28th, promoting healthy eating habits and good nutrition choices to the students and faculty.  Many took advantage of having their BMI (body mass index) assessed and appreciated the opportunity to discuss good nutrition with a registered dietician. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18th, 2008

Press Release:

Peninsula Hospital Center’s Diabetic Research Study Showcased at the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice in Denver, Colorado 

Dipak Patel, D.O., a second year Family Practice Resident at Peninsula Hospital Center, recently completed a comprehensive outpatient single center research study of the diabetic patients in Peninsula Hospital Center’s diabetic program.  The compiled statistics generated by these 274 patients were compared to the national patient averages utilizing 20 different medical parameters including wide spectrums of economic, social and medical issues, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, weight, cardio vascular, smoking, kidney function and neuropathy, etc.   “It is extremely gratifying that the research our residents are doing at Peninsula Hospital Center and the care being provided is being recognized on a national level,” says Dr. Peter A. Guiney, Director, Family Practice Residency Program.

The study concluded that the diabetic patients receiving care at Peninsula Hospital Center actually scored better than most diabetic patients at the national level particularly in the key elements making up diabetic control:  blood sugar levels, blood pressure levels and cholesterol.   These findings were transformed into a research presentation poster which was subsequently entered into the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice annual research poster competition, held in Denver, Colorado.

It is expected that this ongoing research will lead to a publication of these research findings at the end of the next data collection cycle.  Other ongoing research projects at Peninsula Hospital Center under the guidance of Dr. Sadhana Gupta, Director of the Family Health Center, will include adult onset obesity, Hepatitis C and hypertension.

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