The Heroes of Hurricane Irene

Among the many individuals and responders who distinguished themselves during the dangerous hours of Hurricane Irene were the staffs of the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park and the Institute’s medical transportation division, Lakeville Ambulette Transportation, LLC.
“The remarkable teamwork, courage and expertise of Parker’s staff, in the face of the powerful and dangerous hurricane, helped ensure the safety and well-being of Parker’s residents and patients, as well as the elderly who were evacuated from nursing homes in low-lying “Zone A” areas,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, Parker’s President and CEO.
From the hurricane’s imminent approach on the night of Friday, August 26, through its most intense moments on Sunday, August 28 and its difficult aftermath, Lakeville worked closely with the city’s Office of Emergency Management.
To date, 115 trips have been made to transport nursing home residents and the elderly in Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan to safety.
Lakeville also assisted in the transportation of medical equipment to areas of need, including the transportation of beds from Peninsula Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Far Rockaway to Brooklyn’s United Methodist Hospital.
Stuart B. Almer, Parker’s Executive Vice President, noted, “We want to make special mention of the exemplary patient care and extraordinary logistical support provided by the entire staff, directors and administrators, under very difficult circumstances.”
Among the nursing homes from and to which residents were evacuated to safety by Parker were: Haven Manor, Far Rockaway; Resort Nursing Home, Far Rockaway; Holliswood Care Center, Hollis; Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Huntington; Hilaire Rehabilitation and Nursing, Huntington; Pilgrim State Psychiatric Center, West Brentwood; St. Joachim & Anne Residence Nursing Home, Brooklyn; Seacrest Nursing Home, Brooklyn; Shorefront Nursing Home, Brooklyn and the shelters at John Jay College and Hunter College, Manhattan.
“The challenges presented by this severe hurricane were met with the skilled, thoughtful response for which the Parker staff is well-known,” said Rosenblut.