By Joe Whalen
The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System announced last Thursday the outline for its “New Century Campaign,” a $300-million fund-raising project designed to finance extensive modernization and expansion of its Queens and Long Island hospitals.
Plans include the construction of an ambulatory care building for day programs at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks. A new in-patient building connected to the ambulatory pavilion will include four 28-bed units to house adolescent, geriatric and general psychiatric patients.
The campaign also aims to continue expanding clinical programs at North Shore-LIJ community hospitals, including the renovation of emergency departments at its hospitals in Forest Hills, Glen Cove and Plainview.
The fund-raising campaign includes about $50 million earmarked for the creation of a permanent endowment to meet future needs. The foundation is halfway toward reaching its overall goal of $300 million. With the public phase of the campaign underway, the foundation expects to meet its target in 2004.
“While we certainly will be investing in construction projects that will expand the capacity and capabilities of our hospitals, we will also be strengthening our research efforts, and expanding and enhancing our clinical programs,” said Michael J. Dowling, the health system’s president and chief executive officer.
“All of this happens with one goal in mind — to offer our patients the most advanced, comprehensive and innovative medical care in the region,” he said.
North Shore-LIJ, the nation’s third largest non-profit, secular health care system, includes 18 hospitals, four long-term care facilities, three trauma centers, seven home health agencies and dozens of out-patient centers. North Shore-LIJ employs more than 7,000 physicians, 7,000 nurses and a work force of more than 32,000.
