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2021 offered challenges and rewards

As we close 2021—our second full year of serving the community during a public health crisis—we have much to be thankful for, despite the challenges.

This year, The Floating Hospital realized a long-envisioned dream when we moved into our new clinic in Long Island City, just a few blocks away from our old location. The new building, which we designed, redesigned, waited for, fretted over and finally, joyously occupied, doubles our space, patient capacity and expands the services we can offer. Though we could not know ahead of time that a viral pandemic would assail our city, the clinic was presciently designed for such an event with open spaces, windows that open to allow fresh ventilation, multiple waiting rooms, and egresses to accommodate social distancing and improve patient flow. We moved from our cobbled-together warren of exam rooms and offices to light-filled spaces where staff can work and collaborate in comfort. Already, our new teaching kitchen is the pulse of our clinic, with daily workshops, healthy cooking and food demonstrations, learning and tutoring opportunities for the entire family.

But the move was also symbolic. Clean, modern and—dare I say, gleaming—the clinic represents the kind of healthcare we want to give and that our patients deserve. Here, they are not shuffled through a side door as charity cases, not to be seen by the general privileged public. Here, they walk through the front door, are greeted by navigators who help them through their day at the clinic and by health-education specialists who assess their “more than healthcare” needs. Here, it is us who are privileged: honored to serve our community, grateful to those who enable our work, and gratified to help our patients overcome the daily obstacles they face on their paths to good health and wellbeing.

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We could not have done this without the support of so many across public and private sectors this year. As a healthcare institution we have the industry rigor required to qualify for government funding. As a New York City legacy charity, we were recognized by corporations who helped us serve our community even better. As an organization whose DNA is anchored in caring for families, we were fortunate to receive continued support from the family foundations that have been our rock for so many years. Despite the many calls they receive to serve so many worthy charities, they stepped up to support us and our patient families this year, and to help us sustain our very human scale.

We know it is impossible to have the whole without all the parts, and those are the many individual donors who have supported us in countless ways—not only with their gifts, but with their time and their enormous hearts. We are grateful to call you friends.

Finally, we could not have done any of this without our staff. From top to bottom, they are caring beyond their job descriptions and they are the true beating heart of our organization. Without them, we are adrift.

We thank you all, large and small, and wish the very best new year for you and your loved ones.

In partnership,

Sean T. Granahan, Esq.
President and General Counsel

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The Floating Hospital provides high-quality healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, immigration or insurance status, or the ability to pay. By providing unrestricted medical care in tandem with health education and social support to vulnerable New York City families, The Floating Hospital aims to ensure those most in need have the ability to thrive, not just survive.

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