State Widens Leben Home Probe After Surgery Mishaps

The disclosure resulted in a crackdown by the State Health Department on both Parkway and Leben Home. The DOH revoked the license of Dr. Jamile A. Peress, former director of urology at Parkway, and Dr. Harry Josifidis. Leben Home was fined $5,000 for allegedly failing to supervise its residents health care.
According to Tom McKenzie, president of the Newtown Civic Association, Leben Home has been a source of problems for the community since 1970 when the Association was formed.
"We often find the residents panhandling in the streets in disheveled condition," he said. "At one time a resident was missing for seven months until a worker found a frozen body in a refrigerator."
McKenzie said his group, consisting of 200 families, welcomed the news that the State is continuing to investigate the Elmhurst facility which now houses 350 residents.
Meanwhile, State Senator Toby Stavisky revealed that she has written DOH Commissioner Antonia C. Novello to urge an aggressive investigation of the facility "to protect the health and welfare of these most vulnerable and often neglected members of society."
A spokesperson for DOH acknowledged receipt of the letter and said that it would be acted on promptly.
Stavisky said that eight years ago she visited Leben Home with her husband, the late State Senator Leonard Stavisky, and found conditions were "deplorable." She said complaints were sent to Novellos predecessors to take action against the Home.
"I am deeply troubled by media reports of allegedly unnecessary prostate surgery on Leben Home residents," she said.
Stavisky released to The Queens Courier her correspondence with the State over the years. It charged the Home was an "eyesore" and that repairs and renovations were required. She also indicated that her office had worked closely with the Newtown Civic Association "to assure that all concerns of the community are addressed.