By Tammy Scileppi
Giving back always puts a smile on Andrea Adams’ face, and she’ll tell you there’s nothing else she’d rather do.
The Douglaston resident has worked in the health-care field for 25 years, and her life has been defined by a strong desire to help those in need.
When asked what fuels her giving way of life, she said, “A day without giving or meeting the needs of someone in need of assistance or advocacy … is a day of my remaining days wasted.”
Tirelessly advocating for women’s rights, Adams has always been extremely concerned about women’s freedom from domestic violence and women’s economic welfare, and for a decade she has served as a valuable member of the Center for the Women of New York.
As a longtime volunteer at Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica Hills, the former employee of 24 years is involved with many different projects and points out how truly important it is to “use our skills and give back.”
And she means what she says. Adams has been busy serving as treasurer of the Auxiliary and is active in the Dept. of Social Work, assisting in various capacities related to the Women’s Concerns Committee and Domestic Violence Victims Services, the Neonatal Bereavement Keepsake project, Social Work Clothing closet and the In-Patient Reading Cart.
It seems clear that she can never pass up any “do good” opportunity.
Adams said she was also responsible for providing decorations for the hospital’s Annual Spring Shower April 19 (this year’s theme was Teen Trafficking). Her other duties as volunteer include preparing clothing and grooming packets for patients leaving the emergency room and making gift baskets.
Adams was born in Staten Island, attended Long Island University and graduated with a master’s of public administration and a certificate in health care administration.
She has held various positions, among them, medical secretary, technical specialist, health educator, hospital training director, community outreach liaison, executive assistant, and director of volunteer and auxiliary services.
Her participation in developing projects to advance cultural awareness among hospital staff through the Women’s Concerns Committee earned her the Mayor’s Award in 2001.
And while working at Queens Hospital, she spearheaded the Gateway to Health Sciences School there.
She is also an advocate against rape as well as domestic violence and was an outreach educator for the health care proxy law, breast cancer awareness, and HIV/AIDS transmission.
Those who know Adams say she is always involved in great causes. So, how does she do it all? Well, it seems that having lots of energy and knowing she’s making a difference in people’s lives really helps.
