By Ivan Pereira
A representative from Queens Hospital Center paid a visit to Community Board 12 during its monthly meeting last week to reassure the southeast Queens community that it does have viable health care options in its backyards.
Even though the hospital is outside the board’s jurisdiction, Daphne Dominique, the hospital’s director of volunteer services, said patients from as far south as Springfield Gardens come there for its programs and services.
With the loss of Mary Immaculate Hospital back in 2009, Dominique said residents have been scrambling to find a place that could cater to their primary health needs and their hospital has been expanding to cater to the growing demand.
“It is extremely important that people know the health services that are offered right in their own neighborhood,” she said.
The hospital, at 82-68 164th St., has more than 300 beds and had nearly 98,000 emergency room visits last year, according to the medical center’s representative. In light of the hospital closures, the hospital was given 40 more beds in the ER and other amenities last year.
“Queens Hospital Center has extended its emergency room to cater to the community’s needs,” Dominique said.
The representative said the hospital’s special services are also top-of-the-line. In addition to its center for diabetes and women’s center, Dominique said Queens Hospital Center has some of the best doctors, equipment and treatment options in the borough.
“It is as good as going to Memorial Sloan Kettering [Cancer Center] and you don’t have to leave Queens,” she said.
The board also heard from Arif Ullah of the nonprofit Citizens Committee for New York City, which works to improve neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs. Ullah announced the group will give grants of $500 to $3,000 to civic associations and other grassroots organizations for projects that would enhance their neighborhoods.
“Anything you feel is important to you, you can come to us and we will listen,” he said.
More information on the grant and an application is available on the nonprofit’s website at citizensnyc.org/grants. The deadline for the application is Jan. 31.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
