By Bill Parry
The Elmezzi Foundation has provided a $100,000 grant to Mount Sinai Queens to support a population health management program, in which information technology is employed to consolidate the various aspects of patient care. Centered at its Family Health Associates Clinic in Astoria, the program will consist of four care management teams to engage nearly 500 people per year, with a goal of significantly impacting the medical, behavioral and social health outcomes of individuals in Astoria, Long Island City and throughout Queens.
Teams from Mount Sinai Queens will develop individualized, culturally sensitive care plans in concert with each patient, their caregiver, their primary care provider, and other community-based providers to support patients in reaching their health goals. The Elmezzi Foundation helps provide opportunities for residents of western Queens through education, youth development, medical research and support for the elderly.
“We are grateful to The Elmezzi Foundation for recognizing the critical importance of population health management and the importance of medical interventions before the patient even enters the hospital,” Mount Sinai Queens Executive Director Caryn Schwab said. “Our goal has always been to keep our community as healthy as possible by redefining health care as an activity that encompasses far more than sick care.”
Mount Sinai Queens is a 235-bed licensed acute care facility, providing adult medical and surgical services, with a team of nearly 500 physicians representing close to 40 medical and surgical specialties and sub-specialties. Between physicians and staff, 35 languages are spoken.
“Studies have shown that patient engagement can help improve health outcomes and avoid preventable deaths,” The Elmezzi Foundation Executive Director Pooja O’Hanlon said. “We are proud to support this comprehensive effort by Mount Sinai Queens to make our community a healthier one.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
