May 7 is Health Care Auxilian Day in New York State
May 7, 2014
(New York, NY) - Bellevue Hospital Center, part of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), today recognized the three auxiliaries that support programs and services at Bellevue to help New Yorkers recuperate and stay healthy throughout the year. The non-profit organizations are: Children of Bellevue, The Auxiliary to Bellevue and The Bellevue Association.
“We want to say a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated members of the three auxiliaries that support Bellevue Hospital as we continue our 278-year tradition of providing healthcare for all New Yorkers, especially those least able to care for themselves,” said Steven R. Alexander, Bellevue Executive Director. “Through their donation of time, funding, and programs, these three organizations work with staff to improve our patients’ health and enrich their lives.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo proclaimed May 7, 2014 as Health Care Auxilian Day in New York State to recognize the dedicated members of auxiliaries who annually donate more than five million hours of service to their health care facilities and to their communities around the state.
Here is a description of Bellevue’s auxiliaries:
Children of Bellevue (Marc E. Bothewell, President): Helps young patients and their families cope with illness, medical treatment, and hospitalization; funds innovative pediatric programs including Reach Out and Read and the Video Interaction Project for parents and children from newborn to age 5. Contact: (212) 562-4130 www.childrenofbellevue.org
The Auxiliary to Bellevue (Kathy DiBernardo, President): Helps enhance patient services with programs such as the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Work Program, which assists patients with their transition to the workplace, and the Patient Clothing Room, which provides donated new and gently worn clothing for those in need. Contact: (212) 562-5255 www.bellevuehospitalauxiliary.org
The Bellevue Association (Lola Finkelstein, President): Sponsors large capital projects and programs that help us to better serve our patients, including the Saul J. Farber Auditorium, Therapeutic Comfort Garden and Survivors of Torture Program. Contact: 212-562-2546
PHOTO CAPTION: Bellevue Hospital Parent Educator Yanilda Gomez distributes books to children as part of a Reach Out and Read event sponsored by Children of Bellevue.
About Bellevue
Bellevue is a member of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and is America's oldest hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU School of Medicine, Bellevue is a major referral center for highly complex cases. The 828-bed hospital has more than 4,000 employees and works closely with interdisciplinary staff throughout the hospital. Its emergency room sees more than 125,000 visits every year. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Comprehensive Children's Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services.
About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area's largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission's John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc or find us on facebook.com/nycHHC or twitter.com/HHCnyc.
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Contact: Bellevue Public Relations, 212-562-4516
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