St. John’s Episcopal Hospital Receives New York State HEAL Grant of $5,357,680

Far Rockaway, NY - - - St. John’s Episcopal Hospital has received news of a forthcoming grant of $5,357,680 from New York State’s Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law (HEAL NY), announced Nelson E. Toebbe, Chief Executive Officer, St. John’s Episcopal Hospital.

“We are very pleased to have received notification of this significant HEAL grant,” said Mr. Toebbe. “We are thankful to Department of Health and Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, MD, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Assemblyman Philip Goldfeder and everyone who made this grant possible and who are working together to meet the healthcare needs of the communities of the Rockaways and Nassau County. It addresses important concerns of our community’s residents toward creating more immediate access to healthcare in our area since the closure of Peninsula Hospital, and of St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in its ongoing commitment to serving the community with quality care,” Mr. Toebbe added.

The grant will enable the Hospital to implement plans to expand and improve emergency care and primary care in its service area. The first phase of Emergency Department expansion will create additional space through relocation of ambulatory clinics. It also will include the creation of an observation unit in the Emergency Department.

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital has experienced a 35 percent increase in patient volume in its Emergency Department and an 11 percent increase in inpatient volume since Peninsula’s closure. “Our staff is doing an excellent job treating the increased numbers of patients with quality care and compassion. With this grant, thanks to New York State and our elected officials, the Hospital is looking forward to providing state-of-the-art emergency and primary care services upon which residents can rely,” said Mr. Toebbe.

For information contact: Penelope Chin, Public Relations 718-869-7750 pchin@ehs.org