By Bill Parry
Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) secured $1 million in capital funding for three projects at Mount Sinai Queens in Astoria that she nominated for support from the New York State Assembly. The investment helps further the expansion that built a five-story Pavilion with new operating suites, facilities for primary care and an expanded emergency room with an off-street ambulance bay.
“I’m proud to support the hospital’s expansion of treatment resources that will save lives and preserve the health and well-being of western Queens residents,” Simotas said.
The money she secured include $500,000 toward the construction of the Pediatric Emergency Room, which provides a dedicated, family-friendly space for rapid evaluation, stabilization and treatment of babies and children. The space ensures that children don’t have to wait with adults and can be given specialized treatment while their families are accommodated.
Simotas also secured $250,000 toward the construction of the Interventional Radiology Unit, which uses state-of-the-art technology to offer the safest minimally invasive treatment options for cancers, kidney and vascular diseases, and uterine fibroids, among other maladies. Another $250,000 goes toward construction of the Cardiac and Critical Care Resuscitation Unit, which is a key area of the emergency department for life-threatening illnesses and injuries, including complex traumatic injuries and heart attacks.
“It’s wonderful for our community that Mount Sinai Queens is now delivering the same world-class medical care that is available across the river,” Simotas said. “When my father needed vascular surgery many years ago, he had to go to Manhattan, so I know how much it means to families to have their loved ones treated nearby.”
The $125 million expansion began in 2013 behind the original building at Crescent Street and 30th Avenue, site of the original Astoria General Hospital. The closest hospital is more than three miles away.
“Mount Sinai Queens continues to transform health care in our great borough,” Mount Sinai Executive Director Caryn Schwab said. “The expansion of services in our new state-of-the-art Pavilion has allowed us to improve the quality and complexity of health care offered right here in Queens. We couldn’t do this without great partners like Assemblymember Aravella Simotas. The funding she’s helped secure is going to make a real difference in the lives of our residents. We are incredibly grateful for her efforts and support.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
