Doctors in City’s public hospitals celebrated for improving the health of New Yorkers

New York City – The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) today recognized National Doctors’ Day by honoring 27 remarkable physicians who represent the approximately 5,000 diverse men and women who treat 1.3 million New Yorkers in public hospitals, health centers and long term care centers across the City each year. Doctors who work in HHC facilities reflect the cultural diversity of New York City. This year’s awardees hail from different corners of the globe, including Puerto Rico, Spain, India, Pakistan, Korea, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and various parts of the United States.

“HHC has an impressive cadre of remarkable physicians who have made New York City’s public hospitals one of the most safe, effective, efficient and patient-centered health care systems in the country,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. “This recognition day allows us to honor a very select group of physicians who exemplify the expertise, compassion, and collaborative spirit that is helping to drive performance improvements across our vast system.”

HHC recognized its doctors in three separate award categories, each representing the recipient’s dedication, service and leadership. The HHC Special Award for excellence in public service was given to Daniel D. Ricciardi, M.D., for his selfless dedication to furthering the mission of HHC as a member of the HHC Board of Directors, the chairperson of the Medical and Professional Affairs Committee and a member of the Quality Assurance Committee of the Board of Directors for the past six years, and serving as a member of the Board of the HHC Foundation.

“We value all of our doctors,” said HHC Chief Medical Officer Ramanathan Raju, M.D. “Not only for their leadership and clinical skills, but also for their cultural competence and sensitivity in treating a vulnerable and diverse patient population.”

HHC presented its annual President’s Award to four distinguished physicians. Yolanda Bruno, M.D., Medical Director of Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital & Nursing Facility and Miguel Sanchez, M.D., Director of Dermatology at Bellevue Hospital Center were both recognized for developing corporate guidelines to treat and prevent pressure ulcers, ultimately leading to a 50 percent ulcer reduction corporate-wide. Abha Agrawal, M.D., Director of Medical Informatics and Munish Khaneja, M.D., of Kings County Hospital Center, were honored for their leadership in developing and implementing a medication reconciliation program to improve patient safety.

The HHC Doctors’ Day Award was given to 22 gifted physicians who exemplified collaborative leadership, including Gregory Mintz, M.D., HHC Health & Home Care and Sanjiv Shah, M.D., MetroPlus Health Plan.

The following HHC physicians were also honored:

Manhattan

• Andrew Wallach, M.D., Bellevue Hospital Center
• Chaudhry Ghumman, M.D., Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital & Nursing Facility
• Pura Castillo, M.D., Gouverneur Healthcare Services
• Velvie Pogue, M.D., Harlem Hospital Center
• Rodica Alexandrescu, M.D., Metropolitan Hospital Center
• Carol McLean-Long, M.D., Renaissance Health Care Network Diagnostic & Treatment Center

Brooklyn

• Sreedhar Kallakuri, M.D., Coney Island Hospital
• Julien Elizee, M.D., Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center
• Nydia Reddy, M.D., East New York Diagnostic & Treatment Center
• Steven Weiss, M.D., Kings County Hospital Center
• Lucia Nixon, M.D., Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
• Mario F. Sabado, M.D., Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center

Bronx

• Leonard Golden, M.D., Jacobi Medical Center;
• Benamanahalli Rajegowda, M.D., Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center
• Carlos E. Rivera, M.D., Morrisania Diagnostic & Treatment Center
• Cynthia Chong, M.D., North Central Bronx Hospital
• Artemio Camacho, M.D., Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic & Treatment Center

Queens

• Unsup Kim, M.D., Elmhurst Hospital Center
• Bhupinder Khurana, M.D., Queens Hospital Center

Staten Island

• Rufina Binlayo, M.D., Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home

Last year HHC physicians helped deliver nearly 22,000 babies, treated more than 1 million emergency room cases, and provided nearly 5 million routine clinic visits.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country, is a $4.9 billion public benefit corporation that serves 1.3 million New Yorkers and nearly 400,000 who are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based health centers. For more information about HHC, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.