A Rockaway-based foundation has received a grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation to enhance maternal care for residents of the Rockaways.
The St. John’s ICARE Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, led by New York Mets owner Alex Cohen, to support the purchase of critical equipment for the OBGYN department at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital and Episcopal Health Services’ Clinical Learning Center located in Far Rockaway.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, which also previously supported our Teen Self-Care Bag initiative,” said Nancy Leghart, Executive Director of the St. John’s ICARE Foundation. “Their continued support allows us to expand our impact, benefiting the Far Rockaway, Five Towns, and surrounding communities.”
The generous grant will be used to acquire two Novii+ Systems Fetal/Maternal Monitors, which allow mothers to move around during labor, reducing stress, pain, and the length of labor. The funding will also cover the purchase of a Kangaroo Rocker Recliner, which supports Kangaroo care and enhances the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience for parents and newborns. Additionally, a GE Neonatal Cardiac Monitor will be purchased to monitor infants’ heart and breathing rates.
“Access to quality maternal and infant healthcare is essential for the strongest possible start,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. “We are proud to help provide training simulators and critical equipment for mothers and newborns at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Queens.”
The grant will also fund the acquisition of three Butterfly iQ+ handheld ultrasounds, which enable real-time imaging for targeted, minimally invasive treatments, as well as two Gaumard Advanced IV Training Arms, designed for IV administration training with variable heart rate and pulse strengths. Additionally, three Susie Simon Patient Care Simulators will be purchased to provide lifelike training for various medical procedures, including injections, ostomy care, and tracheotomy placement.
Since its inception in 2021, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation has funded over $13 million in grants to more than 180 organizations, including those in the communities surrounding the Mets’ affiliate teams. The foundation continues its commitment to improving the health and well-being of local communities.
