News and Events – August 2021

The Floating Hospital is a 2021 recipient of the William D. Modell Community Service Award, given by the Long Island City Partnership in recognition of our century and a half mission of providing “first-rate medical services” to vulnerable New Yorkers. Specific to this year, the partnership is recognizing our “heightened role with COVID testing, vaccinations, clinics and more.” The 32nd Annual Awards Gala will be held Sept. 21 and chief medical officer Shani Andre, MD will accept the award on behalf of The Floating Hospital.

Camp Rise Up is on track to welcome 60 youth to its life-skills and leadership experience at Camp Ramapo in the Hudson Valley. After a successful inauguration in 2019 as a weeklong sleepaway camp, last year the camp pivoted to locally based day sessions during the pandemic. This year, with public-health safety protocols and a vaccinated staff in place, the camp returns to its off-campus sleepaway format, Aug. 29 – Sept. 3. The 2021 camp introduces new curricula and launches the Counselor-in-Training program for older teens, which provides skills development leading to employment.

“After improvising as a day camp last year, we are thrilled to offer Camp Rise Up in a sleepaway format this year, with all the proper health precautions,” says Meghan Miller, director of health education and creator of the camp. “Even wearing masks, kids will get the bonding social experience that an in-person camp delivers.”

Camp Rise Up has been generously supported by an anonymous donor for the past two years.