News and Events – September 2023

Halloween costume drive and health education updates

This year’s Halloween festivities at The Floating Hospital will surely to surprise and delight our youngest patients. Our Health Education Department will provide lessons on bones and brains for children to take part in before or after their doctor’s appointments.

As in years past, The Floating Hospital is collecting new Halloween costumes for children to receive in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Generous supporters who wish to help us help our littlest patients dress up for the season can drop costumes off at our flagship clinic in Long Island City by October 21st.

Beyond Halloween, the Health Education Department has various exciting lessons planned for the fall. September has included Cholesterol Education Week, emphasizing the significance of nutrition in maintaining overall health.

Fall also marks the return of The Floating Hospital’s popular cooking classes, which equip community members with valuable knowledge and practical skills for making healthier dietary choices.

At the beginning of October, The Floating Hospital will join the nation in recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As the frontline provider for residents of New York City’s domestic violence safehouses, the month holds significance for our patients and providers.

Our Health Education Department will host a series of healthy relationship-focused classes. These sessions aim to educate and empower individuals with the knowledge and skills to foster healthy relationships while raising awareness about early warning signs of intimate partner abuse.

Also, in October, The Floating Hospital will recognize Mental Health Awareness Week. Kids and teens in the waiting room will be invited to attend workshops to destigmatize mental health issues and equip them with practical stress management techniques.

The week will feature yoga, soothing Zen music and stress-relieving activities to promote mental well-being.

Legislator’s Briefing and Breakfast

On October 10th, The Floating Hospital Board of Trustees, former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and The Floating Hospital Leadership will host our first annual Legislators’ Briefing and Breakfast.

Local, state and federal elected officials and their staff members have been invited to join The Floating Hospital for a briefing on the care we provide to New York City’s most vulnerable. Of particular interest to elected officials has been the healthcare The Floating Hospital provides to migrant families; in the last year, we’ve seen a 122% increase in Spanish-speaking patients, and we continue to need staffing support in this area.

Topics for discussion at the Briefing & Breakfast will also include Camp Rise Up. The Floating Hospital’s unique model, which combines traditional summer camp with health education, is a model for city and state lawmakers who hope to tackle such issues as teen mental illness. Over 40% of homeless teens struggle with depression, compared to 28% of housed peers. Homeless teens consider suicide more often and are three times more likely to attempt suicide than housed teens (19% to 6%).

With the knowledge of Camp Rise Up and other programming, legislators will then tour The Floating Hospital under the care of Dr. Shani Andre. During this tour, discussions will include The Floating Hospital’s “whole healthcare” model, which dates to our days as a floating hospital barge on the Hudson River.

We hope legislators leave the Briefing & Breakfast with a deeper understanding of our 157-year-old organization, which serves New York City residents living in family homeless shelters, domestic violence safe houses and other temporary housing and residents of low-income public housing complexes.

Spring Bank features The Floating Hospital

Spring Bank proudly featured the Floating Hospital as a nonprofit case study! We received coverage for creating free access to healthcare in New York City for over 150 years.

Sean Granahan, Esq., President and General Counsel of The Floating Hospital, was quoted saying the following, “At The Floating Hospital, we’ve always been deeply committed to addressing the immediate health needs of our patients. Beyond that, it’s crucial for us to stand with them, offering resources and steadfast support for their stable, healthy future and positive contributions to the community. Our values resonate strongly with Spring Bank’s dedication to the community, and we’re grateful to align with a partner that shares our profound commitment.”

Spring Bank coverage spanned from The Floating Hospital’s rich history of our charter boat rides, to the medical services we provide today, to Camp Rise Up! An included discussion of The Floating Hospital’s value-driven model was particularly touching:

“The Floating Hospital never turns anyone away; it is one of their core commitments. In a city where access to quality healthcare is often a privilege, they are a beacon of inclusivity. This value is a promise they uphold, providing essential medical care to all, regardless of insurance status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, or immigration. This dedication to equitable healthcare aligns with Spring Bank’s values of fostering a stronger and more inclusive community.”

To read the full feature article by Spring Bank, please click here.

This post is featured in our monthly newsletter from September 2023.

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Other posts from this newsletter:

Camp Rise Up 2023

Something for themselves

Ship’s Log: Care for the little ones