White Plains Hospital Center Celebrates Opening of New State-of-the-Art ER that Puts the Patient First ©2010 Stephen E. Morton

Westchester’s Most Active ER Provides Advanced Critical Care Treatment, Reduced Waiting Time and Separate Children’s Area

White Plains, NY (January 27, 2010) – White Plains Hospital Center today unveiled its new and expanded Emergency Room (ER) during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by elected officials, community leaders, special guests and the public.
What they saw is a state-of-the-art facility that has been designed to put the patient first.

Jon B.Schandler, Hospital President and CEO, hailed the Flanzer Center for Emergencies and Critical Care as the “ER of the Future.” He said: “We are very excited today for opening what is clearly one of the most advanced ERs and is truly a model for what an ER should be in delivering the highest possible level of medical care, privacy and comfort.”

The 26,390 square-foot, two-level facility is double the size of the former Emergency Department. It will enable the Hospital to treat 60,000 patients per year. Currently, the ER sees more than 48,500 patients annually, making it Westchester’s most active ER.

The Hospital’s former Emergency Department—which was last renovated in 1996 to accommodate a growing population—came under unforeseen increased demand as a result of its reputation and the closure of St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains and United Hospital in Port Chester in 2003 and 2005, respectively. This significantly expanded the population that White Plains Hospital Center serves. It totals more than 250,000 men, women and children residing in a broad section of central Westchester including White Plains, Scarsdale , Harrison, Mamaroneck, Rye Brook, Port Chester, Hartsdale and parts of Elmsford, Eastchester and Yonkers.

More than three years in planning and development, the new ER is the culmination of extensive input by ER physicians, nurses, the medical staff and patients. Timothy Haydock, M.D., Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine, said: “We have not simply added more space to meet the anticipated growing demand but have created an ER that is truly patient centered. It addresses the needs of patients to receive prompt and efficient treatment and to be comfortable throughout their visit.”

A primary goal of the new ER is to reduce long waiting times that patients encounter when they come to an ER. The solution begins with a rapid triage process and the use of bedside registrations that will significantly expedite the patient to be treated. The Hospital is offering a “30-Minute Promise” for patients to be seen by a medical professional after they arrive.

With more than 30 years as an emergency medicine physician in community hospitals and academic medical centers, Dr. Haydock stated that the new Flanzer Center for Emergencies and Critical Care is “a striking departure from the traditional ER which typically has large open spaces and curtains separating beds. All of our 38 treatment rooms are private spaces with walls and are equipped with flat screen televisions.”

In addition, there is a separate treatment area in the Kylie and Louis R. Cappelli Pediatric Emergency Center to help a child feel more relaxed during his or her visit. “Studies have shown that a trip to the ER can be very traumatic for youngsters. By shielding a child from the sounds and activity of the adult treatment area in this new space, we lessen their anxiety,” Dr. Haydock explained. In addition, the walls will be painted with soft colors and/or murals depicting child-friendly scenes.

Designed by Cerniglia Architecture and Planning, P.C. of Hopewell Junction, NY, the new ER comprises a unique two-story structure. The first floor is dedicated to care of trauma and serious emergencies.

The second floor houses the Maxine & John Bendheim Family Intermediate Care Center to care for “fast track” patients with less serious medical needs who account for about 40% of the total number of patients treated at the ER.

The new Emergency Department is equipped the most advanced monitoring equipment. The acute care area also has a decontamination area for treating injuries from biological, chemical and nuclear incidents.

In addition, in close proximity to the ER, is the cardiac catheterization lab which was recently approved by the New York State Department of Health to provide angioplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that opens blocked coronary arteries and restores blood flow to the heart. White Plains Hospital Center is the only community hospital in Westchester that is licensed to provide both emergency and elective angioplasty. Now, heart attack patients brought to the Hospital’s ER will not need transfer to another facility in order to receive an angioplasty.

 

The expanded capabilities of the cardiac cath lab are the latest in a series of "firsts” for the Hospital in emergency care in Westchester. In 2005, the Hospital’s Ruth & Jerome A. Siegel Stroke Center became the first in Westchester to be a New York State-designated Regional Stroke Center which provides rapid response for patients who arrive with symptoms indicative of a stroke. In 2009, White Plains Hospital Center was also the first hospital in Westchester to implement the therapeutic hypothermia treatment used to cool the body temperature of cardiac arrest patients to 91.4 degrees for 24 hours, to improve survival rate and outcomes.

Dr. Haydock also stated that the members of the ER’s highly qualified medical team have been specially trained in emergency medicine. “Some of our physicians are regularly involved in teaching emergency medicine to other doctors and volunteer in disaster recovery programs around the country,” he stated.

In addition to an experienced ER staff, a full range of specialists such as cardiologists, orthopedists, neurologists and plastic surgeons is available for consultation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The cost to build the new ER was funded entirely by donor support.


METROCARD VAN MAKES ITS MONTHLY ROUNDS

The full-service MetroCard van will make its rounds in Westchester to assist riders interested in purchasing MetroCards.
Staffed by MTA New York City Transit Authority and Westchester County Department of Transportation employees, the van is a "one-stop shop" and is equipped to assist bus riders with all their MetroCard business. Riders will be able to buy a regular MetroCard, apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard if they are 65 and older or have qualifying disabilities and refill their existing MetroCards.
MetroCard is the automated regional fare collection system managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. For more information on the MetroCard Van and other MetroCard locations, call the Bee-Line Hotline at (914) 813-7777.

Monday – February 15, 2010

  New Rochelle Mount Vernon

Huguenot St./ North Avenue August Petrillo Plaza

10 am – Noon 1 pm - 3 pm
 

Tuesday -  February 16, 2010

Peekskill Tarrytown

  Peekskill Library Wildey & Cortlandt Streets

10:30 am - 12:30 am (By McDonalds)

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Wednesday -  February 17, 2010

  Yonkers Yonkers

Getty Square Cross County Shopping Center

S. Broadway (opposite Sears)

10 am – Noon 1 pm - 3 pm

 

Thursday -   February 18, 2010

Yonkers White Plains

Getty Square Galleria Mall

S. Broadway Main St./MLK Blvd

10 am - 11:30 pm 12:30 pm - 3 pm

 

Friday -  February 19, 2010

Yonkers
Will Library
1500 Central Park Ave./
Tuckahoe Rd.
9 am - 2 pm


©2009 Steve Morton

A New Tradition in White Plains


Westchester County Executive-Elect Astorino Announces Transition Executive Committee

White Plains, NY-Nov. 10...Westchester County Executive-elect Rob Astorino (R-I), who promised to attract to his administration the "best and brightest Westchester has to offer" to reduce the cost of county government, today announced the formation of a seven-person Transition Team Executive Committee comprised of leading Westchester business and civic figures.
The Executive Committee, which will be chaired by Transition Committee Chairman Kevin J. Plunkett, is charged with mapping out the County Executive-elect's vision for a more efficient, streamlined county government to save taxpayers money and recruiting top talent to move Mr. Astorino's reform agenda forward. The Committee will identify top management executives and government experts from Westchester and beyond for possible inclusion in the Astorino Administration.
"I am pleased to introduce this top-notch team of advisors to help move my vision for this county forward," Mr. Astorino said. "The people of Westchester voted for change last Tuesday, and it is our duty to deliver it. This committee brings extraordinary knowledge and experience to the table for the people of Westchester County."

Committee members include:

Kevin J. Plunkett - Chairman
Mr. Plunkett is a partner at the law firm of DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, LLP, which is based in White Plains, NY. He has a distinguished public service resume: Mr. Plunkett is a Member of Governor Spitzer's/Governor Paterson's Judicial Screening Committee, Second Department.  He is a Board Member of the New York State Thruway Authority; a Member of the Taconic State Park Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission; a Member of the Board of Visitors at Pace University Law School, and Chairman of the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc. Mr. Plunkett has served as counsel to many Westchester County communities.

Katherine S. "Kay" Carsky
Ms. Carsky has been involved in community and public service in Westchester County for 40 years.  She served on the Westchester Board of Legislators for 19 years; the Yonkers Board of Education for five years, and the Yonkers City Council for three years.  Ms. Carsky was New York State's representative to the Board of  the National Association of Counties for  three years. She currently serves on Boards of Westchester Community College Foundation, the Westchester Land Trust, and ArtsWestchester. She is President of the Bronx River Conservancy.

Thomas F. Egan
Mr. Egan is a retired lawyer and a business consultant with more than 20 years of public service with the State University of New York and Metropolitan Transportation Authority. From 1996 to 2007, Mr. Egan was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York, the nation's largest and most comprehensive system of public higher education with three university hospitals and 64 college campuses located throughout New York State.  Mr. Egan was a member of the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from 1985 to 1992, overseeing the New York City Transit Authority, the Long Island Railroad, the Metro North Railroad, the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.  From 1989 to 1992, he was chairman of the Metro North Railroad Committee.

Robert W. Elliott
Mr. Elliott, who served as Mayor of  Croton-on-Hudson, NY from 1991 to 2005, is a  former  President of The New York State Conference of Mayors and the Westchester Municipal Officials Association. He served  as  Deputy Secretary of the New York State Department of State, where he was responsible for the Division of Local Government and its Shared Services program. He is a past Co-Chairman of the Westchester's Council of Governments,  Past President, Tri-County Officials, inter-municipal government organization of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties, and a Past Member, Governor's Task Force for Local Government Reform. He founded and was President of Historic River Towns of Westchester. 

Alé Frederico
Ms. Frederico serves as Vice President - Team Leader, TD Bank Government Banking.  She serves on several business and not for profit boards including: CT/NY Wired for Growth Leadership Committee, Trustee of Westchester Community College; Corporate Secretary of The Westchester County Association; member of the Board of Directors of White Plains Hospital Center.  She is Chair and past-president of the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a founding Board member of 100 Hispanic Women Leaders - Westchester Chapter. Ms. Frederico, a native of Cuba,   has been the recipient of various awards including the Mercy College Exito Award; The Paramount Center for the Arts Corporate Award; YMCA of Yonkers Corporate Service Award; The Association of Hispanic Professionals Award of Honor; the Corporate Recognition Award from St. Judes/Institute for Human Dynamics; NY Federation of Hispanic Chamber's President's Award; the Westchester Hispanic Coalition's Community Leader Award; Hispanic Heritage Award from SER of Westchester, and named as one of El Diario La Prensa's 50 Distinguished Latinas of 2000.  In 2008 she was named one of the "WOW" Working Women of Westchester.

Wiley C. Harrison
Mr. Harrison is founder and President of Business of Your Business, LLC, a financial services firm for individuals, small businesses, and not-for-profit organizations headquartered in White Plains, NY. Mr. Harrison, who holds a MBA from Columbia University, serves as Chairperson  of the Board of the Thomas H. Slater Center Inc.; Treasurer of The Business Council of Westchester; a Member of the Board of Directors of Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester; a Member of the Board of Directors of the  Westchester Putnam Workforce Investment, and a Member of African American Men of Westchester. Mr. Harrison has been the recipient of numerous awards for his civic activism.

Harry J. Wilson
Harry J. Wilson, a Scarsdale resident, is a private investor focusing on financially or operationally challenged businesses or businesses undergoing transition. Most recently, Mr. Wilson was a Senior Advisor to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, where he was one of four leaders of the working team responsible for the restructurings of General Motors, Chrysler and other important auto and auto-related companies. Mr. Wilson led the financial and business due diligence and restructuring initiatives throughout all of the Task Force's work and also led the restructuring of General Motors. Previously, Mr. Wilson worked at Silver Point Capital, The Blackstone Group and Goldman, Sachs & Co. Mr. Wilson serves on the board of Youth, I.N.C., a venture philanthropy organization focused on disadvantaged youth in New York City. Mr. Wilson graduated with honors from Harvard College, where he was elected a Class Marshal by his peers, and from Harvard Business School.

 

 

World Series Trophy on Display

 Baseball fans will have the opportunity to see the World Series Trophy on display Saturday, February 6, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.

Last fall, the Yankees won the World Series for the 27th time in their unrivaled history, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies, four games to two. It was a fitting end to their first season at their new stadium .

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the most coveted prize in Major League Baseball will be on display in the Little Theater for all baseball fans to admire up close, courtesy of the New York Yankees. Fans can bring a camera and take pictures with the trophy.

Admission is free; parking at the County Center lot is $4.


ShopRite Signs 75,000 Sq. Ft. Lease for New Supermarket at City Center

First Major Supermarket in Heart of Downtown

White Plains Scheduled to Open This Summer

WHITE PLAINS, NY (January 13, 2010) – In what is a major boost for downtown White Plains, ShopRite Supermarkets has signed a 75,000-square-foot lease for a new supermarket at the City Center complex.

The new store, which will be located on the second level of City Center, will be the first major supermarket in the heart of downtown White Plains. It is scheduled to open this summer.

“We are very pleased that ShopRite will be joining our prestigious roster of tenants at City Center. The arrival of ShopRite will bring new vitality to White Plains and serve the growing number of residents now living in the downtown area,” said Geoff Thompson spokesperson for City Center.

“ShopRite is proud to join City Center and the city of White Plains. We look forward to becoming your neighborhood ShopRite and serving the needs of the community,” added Dave Figurelli, President and COO of ShopRite Supermarkets.

“The addition of ShopRite will bring a significant amount of new customers to City Center each week, providing an important benefit to the other retailers in the area and to the Center” said Brian von Schmid who represented City Center in the transaction.

Located in the heart of downtown White Plains, City Center is a 1.1 million-square-foot retail, entertainment and residential complex. Among the tenants are: Target; a 15-screen National Amusements Cinema; Barnes and Noble; Office Max; the Performing Arts Theater; Legal Sea Foods; Zanaro’s Italian Restaurant; Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar; Fleet Bank; Atlanta Bread Company; Greenpoint Bank and Cold Stone Creamery. In addition to the retail stores and entertainment venues, City Center also features a significant residential component including Trump Tower at City Center, One City Place and The Lofts at City Center.


WESTCHESTER
LEGISLATORS REACH 2010 COUNTY BUDGET AGREEMENT
Board restores funding for social safety net services and reduces tax increase to low 2.9%

 

(White Plains, NY) ~ After weeks of deliberation, the Westchester County Board of Legislators reached final agreement and, tonight, voted to approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 county operating budget.  The $1.8 billion dollar budget includes 3.3% estimate of sales tax growth in 2010, eliminates a combination of twelve filled and vacant staff positions and took a vacancy factor in almost all county departments for added savings, includes a consolidation of the county’s departments of health and mental health and continues the transfer of non-mandated programs.  The budget protects essential County services and cut the tax increase to a low 2.9%. Westchester County Board Chairman William J. Ryan (D, WFP-White Plains) said “the budget adoption was the result of hundreds of hours of serious discussion where legislators and staff worked to reduce spending and lower the tax rate.”  The Board worked through the nation’s most difficult economic crisis since the Great Depression, exercising great care to protect our residents and keep our triple “A” financial bond ratings at the highest level. This budget includes keeping vital day-care slots available for needy families and preserving programs for our county’s seniors.  “This is one of the toughest budgets our county has faced in decades,” said Chairman Ryan.  “I am proud of the hard and difficult work that my colleagues and our staff did to protect core services such as neighborhood health centers, child care, and legal assistance for the indigent and public safety services among many others that will keep our people safe and secure.”

 

Highlights of the 2010 proposed budget include:

 

·  Millions in savings in federal aid from Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP)

· Transfer of non-mandated programs to local providers

· Reduction of staff positions countywide (transfer of non-mandated programs & vacancy factors)

· $13.6 million dollar Capital program for road  and other critical infrastructure projects

· No raises for Commissioners or Deputy Commissioners

· Full restoration on proposed countywide furloughs for all employees

 

As per our Charter mandate, the Board held numerous hearings on the FY10 budget that included over a hundred hours of testimony.  The Board heard from county agencies and well over 150 members of the public during weeks of regional public hearings.  This year’s budget details many of the concerns expressed by agency commissioners, Legislators and average Westchester residents during the FY10 preliminary budget hearings.   “This agreement will balance the operating budget during one of the most tumultuous economic times in recent memory,” said the Board’s Committee on Budget and Appropriations Chairman Jose Alvarado (D-Yonkers).  “This has not been an easy budget to craft, but tonight, I'm gratified that we are able to balance a budget that will protect core county services, and keep residents safe and healthy”. 

 

This budget was accomplished despite a 4% increase of in contractual raises for union employees; millions in additional state and federally mandated social services; and other mandated costs. If these costs were not addressed, it could have resulted in a 4.9% property tax increase.  “This budget takes into consideration the current economic climate, both locally and nationally,” said Chairman Alvarado. “Overall, this budget shows, once again, that this Board can come together for the benefit of all Westchester residents.”

 

“I want to congratulate Chairmen Ryan and Alvarado, my fellow Legislators and Board staff members for their extraordinary work in negotiating this budget under the tough fiscal circumstances we face currently, as well as uncertainty that exists in Albany at this time,” said Majority Leader Martin Rogowsky (D-Port Chester). “In these most difficult economic times, we are able to protect the most vulnerable residents in restoring budget cuts to the safety net, while remaining fiscally responsible. There were tough choices to be made; however, we have successfully negotiated a budget that will protect working class Westchester residents.”

 


©2009 Steve Morton

The Lighting of the Ritz Carlton Tower


WESTCHESTER COUNTY TO DISTRIBUTE H1N1 VACCINE TO MEDICAL PROVIDERS
County Center to serve as vaccine point of distribution on December 8

The Westchester County Department of Health plans to hold a one-day event to distribute 3,800 doses of H1N1 vaccine to 100 medical providers on Tuesday, December 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Westchester County Center. These medical providers registered with the New York State Department of Health to receive H1N1 vaccine, but submitted orders that were too small to get direct shipments from the federal or state governments.

The vaccine will be distributed to Westchester pediatricians, internists, obstetricians, family practitioners and specialists, all of whom ordered fewer than 100 doses for their patients but so far have not received any H1N1 vaccine. These practitioners are being notified by email from the County Health Department that they are eligible to collect their vaccine supply on Tuesday.

Representatives of these medical practices should bring a cooler and cold packs to maintain the temperature of the vaccine during transport, and health department employees will be onsite at the County Center to pack each cooler with a supply of vaccine.

“We believe this is a fast and efficient way to get the vaccine to the medical community,’’ said Commissioner of Health Dr. Joshua Lipsman. “Making sure that eligible medical providers, regardless of the size of their practices, get a supply of vaccine, will also increase the likelihood that the target populations most at-risk for H1N1 will get vaccinated by their own doctors who best know their medical histories and needs.”

The county has 1,000 doses of live FluMist and 2,800 doses of inactivated multi-dose vials ready to distribute. Hundreds of thousands more doses of H1N1 vaccine have already been ordered by larger health care providers in Westchester, including hospitals, health centers and big medical practices, and these are being shipped directly by the New York State Department of Health or the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


WESTCHESTER HOTELS & OFFICE OF TOURISM JOIN FORCES

Food Drive to benefit Food Bank for Westchester

Non-perishable foods being collected at area hotels

 White Plains , NY : The Westchester Hotel Association and the Westchester County Office of Tourism have joined forces for a Holiday Food Drive to collect non-perishable foods for the Food Bank for Westchester.

Help create a hunger-free Westchester by bringing non-perishable food items to Westchester hotels during the holiday season. Collection boxes bearing the signage below, which includes the Westchester Hotel Association’s new logo, will be in place thru December 31 st.

“I hope that both visitors and residents will contribute and help alleviate hunger in Westchester during this time of need,” said Kim Sinistore, Director of the Westchester County Office of Tourism, “Together we can provide much needed assistance to hungry Westchester residents.”

The Westchester Hotel Association, comprised of hotel general managers, meets regularly to promote the interests of its member hotels in areas of business development, community service and legal advocacy.

“We are committed to making a difference in the lives of children, seniors and their families this holiday season and are pleased to join forces with the Office of Tourism to fight hunger in Westchester,” said Erez Yacar, co-chair of the Westchester Hotel Association’s community service committee.

The Food Bank for Westchester, one of eight Food Banks in New York State, collects, warehouses and distributes food to 200 Westchester County hunger relief organizations including food pantries and soup kitchens. The Food Bank mission is supported by an extensive donor and volunteer network.

The Food Bank for Westchester is located at 358 Saw Mill River Road in Millwood, NY 10546, 914.923.1100


Westchester Bank Opens in White Plains

BANK OPENS NEW BRANCH IN WHITE PLAINS -- Attending the Nov. 18 th ribbon-cutting for The Westchester Bank’s new White Plains branch were, from left, Glen Fernandez, Senior Customer Service Representative for The Westchester Bank; White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino; John Tolomer, President and Chief Executive Office of The Westchester Bank; White Plains Mayor-Elect Adam Bradley; W. Thomas Clark, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Westchester Bank; and Matthew Petrillo, Management Trainee for The Westchester Bank.


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