News and Events – September 2024
Into the home stretch
When the gun goes off for the TCS New York City Marathon on November 3 it will be the first time a team of Floating Hospital runners will pass through all five boroughs on their way to the finish line. As they run, they will raise vital funds to help us provide health services and other critical needs to the city’s most vulnerable families.
Karen Solano, our senior outreach associate who is representing the hospital staff in the race, was featured in our July newsletter. The other runners are Wakim Andre, Shannon Bennett, Daniel McBride, and Ashley Sandberg. Andre is a marketing executive who lives in New Jersey and is married to our Chief Medical Officer Shani Andre. Bennett is a physician assistant in pediatric critical care who lives in Manhattan. She said, “As a health care provider, I truly understand the gaps in healthcare that The Floating Hospital works to fill. I am honored to represent and partner with The Floating Hospital to work towards equitable health care.” Sandberg, who sits on our foundation board and is fluent in Japanese, is a brand development and publicity professional who has worked with companies such as Paramount, NBC Universal, ABC and Warner Bros. Television Group.
You can help by supporting our runners, including Solano. Learn about her unique journey and donate to all the things she and the Waverunners are running for. These include our quality healthcare for all, a transport service, health education for all ages , a summer camp for at-risk youth, enhanced social services, guidance and coaching, as well as distribution of food, clothing, school supplies, personal care products and baby supplies to our patients who are homeless.
Eyes wide open
The Floating Hospital’s Optometry Clinic will soon begin welcoming patients at our main location in Long Island City. The clinic will offer eye exams, diagnosis of issues like glaucoma and cataracts and many vision correction options.
According to Dr. Shani Andre, chief medical officer at The Floating Hospital, eye issues are common among our patients. Last year, she noted that “we’re sending patients to external entities at a very high frequency.” The new clinic will allow the optometry patients to stay in-house to “offer better continuity of care.” Further, it will increase their ability to address non-urgent healthcare needs—such as vision screening—particularly for the uninsured, who are subject to long waiting lists for this kind of care.
Regular eye examinations can detect health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure as well as eye problems that could worsen without an early diagnosis. Those with diabetes need to take special care of their eyes with regular checkups to preserve their vision. Patients with blurred or impaired vision from nearsightedness, farsightedness or other refractive errors will find low-cost glasses with options for single vision, bifocal, trifocal and progressive lenses.
Sean Granahan, president of The Floating Hospital, said that reading issues among homeless children are typically the result of poor vision and dyslexia—things an eye exam can discover. Private funding will help make sure that children in temporary housing have access to eyeglasses through our clinic. “We’re going to need a constant supply of frames,” he said.
The comprehensive and compassionate care at the new clinic is intended to provide clear vision, helping to improve the human experience and complete the full spectrum of healthcare the hospital visualizes for its patients.
Another productive summer
This year’s Floating Hospital summer interns had another productive summer as evidenced by their final presentations on Aug. 8. A group of 17 students, ages 14 to 21, came from all over the city (and even the world) to work at the hospital for paid six-week internships. (See our July newsletter for more details).
Some interns reported that they surveyed the patients on their experiences in the hospital. Others worked with children in the health education department. There were interns who worked in the finance department and ones who updated the behavioral health department’s referral lists. Additional departments that gained intern support through the program included operations, patient navigation, registration, temporary housing and community outreach.
While each intern shared their unique experiences, everyone discussed their group visit to Part of the Solution (POTS), a social services organization in the Bronx that runs a food bank. The interns enjoyed working with the chef there, who called everyone who helped in the kitchen “Chef.” One intern said “it showed me that nobody is better than the others. Everyone is top tier.”
A couple of interns, who experienced hunger in their childhoods, were particularly touched by the experience. One shared that it “felt like I could be there for the community, because I wish people like that were there for my family.” She added that she wants to continue volunteering with POTS. “I’m grateful for everyone who has made these partnerships happen and for us to work with POTS. Those people are amazing.”
In a video prepared for the presentation, interns introduced themselves and offered advice to those who will follow them in the future. One said “be patient, be friendly, and always take it easy. You never know what people going through in their life….remind yourself that everyone has a story, and always be yourself.”
Little monsters
Although fall is barely upon us, Halloween will be here before we know it. Our smaller patients love a good dress up, and we gladly accept costume donations to help them celebrate the holiday. The excitement of pretending to be something else is a great distraction and a source of joy for many children experiencing homelessness and can provide a break from the challenges of their new environment.
In addition to our annual costume appeal, our health education department holds Halloween-themed lessons on bones and brains during the last two weeks of October that young patients can enjoy before or after their doctors appointments. They go home with bags of “treats” too.
Supporters who wish to help our young patients dress up for the season can ship costumes to us through online retailers such as Amazon or Walmart or send them directly to The Floating Hospital, 21-01 41st Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101. Costume drop-off at the same address is available during our regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm. Costumes must be received by October 21.
Pickups may be available for anyone who has amassed a large number of costumes through a school, business, or residential collection drive. Ask for the education department at 718-784-2240 for more details.
And the games began
The Olympic games were well on their way in Paris on August 2 when Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens let its own games begin for Kids Fun Day in Astoria. The event, now in its 14th year, is designed to prepare kids for the school year with activities and resources for ages 5 to 17.
School supplies, backpacks, fresh produce boxes, books, toys and other giveaways were provided for the families. In addition to games, there were activities, music, entertainment and presentations by Tiger Schulman’s Martial Arts Bully Prevention and Goldfish Swim School. Sparky the Dragon, the New York Islanders mascot, was also on hand for photos.
Members of The Floating Hospital community outreach staff and four interns helped giveaway toys, shoes, socks and other items, along with healthcare information, to some 250 guests at our booth, helping to make it a joyful (and fun) day for all. Those in attendance were the staffers Alma Cruz and Karen Solano as well as the interns Kayla Valadez, Ana Cruz, Javier Hidalgo and Sophie Lyons.
Staff appreciation day
On the afternoon of July 19, Floating Hospital staff gathered in Queensbridge Park for a Summer Staff Appreciation Day and picnic.
The clinics were open to patients until noon. Then, employees made their way to the park for a catered lunch and team-building games. A tug of war match and kickball were some of the activities where collaboration, communication and camaraderie were fostered as others cheered on from the sidelines on blankets and chairs that they brought to the park. Everyone was given a 2024 Floating Hospital t-shirt to remember the day and celebrate the staff’s team spirit and hard work over the past year.
New York Community Trust
Summer’s end means back to school, back to work and seasonal vaccines. We believe regular vaccines and those required for school are an essential element of healthcare, leading to better health for everyone. Last year, at the height of the border crisis, we partnered with New York Community Trust to vaccinate migrant children who had not yet received common childhood immunizations against diseases such as polio, measles and chicken pox. This targeted program of The Floating Hospital also enabled them to attend school.
This year, NYCT celebrates their 100th anniversary. We salute them and our valuable and vital partnership, which through their generous grant led to the vaccination of 700 migrants in our clinics and 700 others from the NYCT’s support of Care for the Homeless. All three organizations continue to advocate for “further vaccinations as part of a comprehensive public health approach to care for new migrants,” as NYCT said in its recent annual report and on its website in their news and stories section.
We are grateful for the support and partnership, understanding that the good health of the latest visitors to our shores is the best outcome for all of us.
Something Jazzy
On October 16 from 6 to 9pm, we’re inviting an intimate group to Anassa Taverna on 60th Street for a Jazz and Wine evening, part of a series of Generosity Gatherings to benefit The Floating Hospital.
Guests will meet and mingle on the restaurant’s second floor and enjoy a performance by Griffin Ross and the New Standard. The band will provide smooth background grooves as well as breakout sets. A $50 ticket includes a glass of wine and Mediterranean mezzes.
This post is featured in our monthly newsletter from September 2024.
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The Charles A. Frueauff Foundation: Supporting the Greatest Needs
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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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