By Howard Koplowitz
The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, which runs Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, North Shore University Hospital at Forest Hills and North Shore University Hospital on the Nassau-Queens border, has extended its reach into Manhattan after it finalized an agreement for Lenox Hill Hospital to join the health system.
The agreement was approved by the board of trustees at both North Shore-LIJ and Lenox Hill and cleared a federal regulatory review process, making the Manhattan hospital the 15th facility to operate as part of the health system.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity to build upon Lenox Hill Hospital’s legacy of medical excellence,” said Saul Katz, chairman of North Shore-LIJ’s board of trustees. “Utilizing North Shore-LIJ’s infrastructure and resources will further strengthen Lenox Hill Hospital’s ability to provide its physicians with access to the full continuum of care for their patients. The board is confident that this new partnership will bring great value to both Lenox Hill and the North Shore-LIJ Health System.”
North Shore-LIJ is partnering with Hofstra University to create a medical school and is expected to find out next month whether it will receive preliminary accreditation to open the school.
Gladys George, president and chief executive officer of Lenox Hill Hospital, said the facility is “confident that our patients will benefit from North Shore-LIJ’s nationally recognized quality initiatives, depth of clinical services, and new medical school being developed with Hofstra University.”
Lenox Hill is at Lexington Avenue and 77th Street in Manhattan.
North Shore-LIJ runs hospitals in Queens, Nassau and Suffolk counties and Staten Island.
Michael Dowling, president and chief executive officer of North Shore-LIJ, said the health system will be enhancing clinical services at Lenox Hill Hospital, which has a national reputation and is among the country’s top hospitals for heart surgery, digestive disorders, neurology and neurosurgery.
“By making clinical investments at Lenox Hill and providing other resources and support that will enhance quality and reduce expenses, we’re confident we can build on the hospital’s unique operating niche as a physician- and patient-friendly facility that attracts clinical talent and patients throughout the metropolitan area,” Dowling said.
Lenox Hill is also recognized across the country as a leader in maternal and child health, orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. John F. Kennedy Jr. had an appointment at the hospital the day before he died in a plane crash for treatment of a broken ankle in a rollerblading accident.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
