Community Service Plan and Implementation Plan - Northern Westchester Hospital 2019 2021 - Community Service Plan and ...
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Community Service Plan and Implementation Plan Northern Westchester Hospital 2019 – 2021
Mission Statement for As a member of Northwell Health,
Northern Westchester Northern Westchester Hospital strives to
Hospital improve the health and quality of life for the
people and communities we serve by
providing world-class service and patient-
centered care.
Who We Are
Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) is committed to the values on which it was founded over 100 years ago: dedicated and
compassionate service to the community; individualized care that respects the unique needs of each patient and family; professionalism,
teamwork and collaboration; commitment to delivering care in a healthy and healing environment; and, respect for staff and volunteers.
Located in Mount Kisco, New York, NWH provides a range of services to individuals who live in Northern Westchester, Putnam and Southern
Dutchess Counties in New York. There are approximately 350,000 people in our catchment area. Northern Westchester Hospital is a full-
service, state-of-the art 245-bed providing a spectrum of acute specialty/sub-specialty care in nearly every clinical area to adults and children
on an outpatient, inpatient and emergency basis. The vision of NWH is to provide the highest quality health care within a supportive
community setting and state of-the-art facilities. Furthermore, we seek to improve and protect the health of individuals in the community
through programs that promote healing and wellness. We are highly committed to creating an optimal healing environment for patients,
families and staff through the effective system-wide integration of high quality, evidence-based holistic practices.
Northern Westchester Hospital is a teaching hospital and international role model for delivering patient-centered care and is the first
hospital in the nation to achieve both designation as a Planetree Patient-Centered Hospital with Distinction and Magnet Recognition for
quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovation in our professional nursing practice.
NWH is recognized by The Joint Commission as one of the highest quality hospitals in the United States. U.S. News & World Report, once
again, lists NWH among the “Best Hospitals 2018-2019,” indicating that NWH is highly proficient in serving the needs of our patients. NWH
has been recognized by US News & World Report “Best Regional Hospitals” in four specialties Colon Cancer, COPD, Heart Failure and Hip
Surgery. NWH's rank as one of the top hospitals in the New York Metro area is based largely on objective measures of hospital performance,
such as patient survival rates, and structural resources, such as nurse staffing levels.
The hospital is designated and certified by the State of New York as a 10-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The availability of
this level of care has reduced the need to transfer sick newborns to other facilities and has allowed parents to be close by for their child’s
care. Northern Westchester Hospital is a designated Breast imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. The NWH
Rehabilitation Program is certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification
is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual rehabilitation programs for adherence to best practices
developed by the AACVPR in conjunction with other professional societies.
Our highly-credentialed surgeons routinely perform minimally invasive surgeries to treat a wide range of conditions. A cornerstone of this
program is the sophisticated robotic technology of the da Vinci® Surgical System, of which NWH is a Designated Training Epicenter for
robotics-assisted colon and rectal surgery. Furthermore, the NWH Breast Institute hosts an aesthetic oncology breast surgery fellow every
year, which enhances a surgeon’s experience in all aspects of breast surgery and management of breast cancer patients.
2 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service Plan
Prevention Agenda for the Healthiest State
Northern Westchester Hospital, as part of Northwell Health, utilizes PRIORITY AREA: Promote Well-Being and Prevent Mental and
the US Surgeon General’s National Prevention Strategy (NPS) to Substance Use Disorders
guide its community chronic disease prevention and wellness
agenda. Northwell Health incorporated the NPS in Northern 1. FOCUS AREA: Promote Well Being
Westchester‘s NYSDOH Community Service Plan (CSP) to impact the — Strengthen opportunities to build well-being and resilience
across the lifespan
health of its surrounding communities. The strategic directions of
— Facilitate supportive environments that promote respect and
the NPS include:
dignity for all ages
— Healthy and Safe Community Environments
— Clinical and Community Preventative Services 2. FOCUS AREA: Prevent Mental and Substance Use Disorders
— Empowered People — Prevent opioid and other substance misuse and deaths
— Elimination of Health Disparities — Reduce Prevalence of major depressive disorders
To improve the health of the community, Northwell Health as a The NYSDOH Prevention Agenda Dashboard Improve Heath Status
result of the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) process and Reduce Health Disparities objective that Northwell will be
and approved by the Committee on Community Health of the focusing on is age-adjusted preventable hospitalization rate per
Northwell Health Board of Trustees, has selected the following 10,000 - Aged 18+ years in addition to a focus on low income
NYSDOH Priority Agenda Priority Areas, focus areas and goals for populations with health disparities.
the service of the health system:
The Community Service Plan focuses on the following areas:
PRIORITY AREA: Prevent Chronic Disease — Increasing screening rates for cardiovascular diseases; diabetes;
and breast; and lung cancers especially among populations
1. FOCUS AREA: Healthy Eating and Food Security experiencing health disparities
— Increase access to healthy affordable foods and beverages — Increasing access to high quality chronic disease preventive care
— Increase skills and knowledge to support healthy food and and management in both clinical and community settings
beverage choices — Reducing obesity in children and adults
— Increase food security — Reducing illness, disability, and death related to tobacco use and
secondhand smoke exposure
2. FOCUS AREA: Physical Activity — Promoting mental health and preventing substance abuse
— Promote school, childcare and worksite environments that related to tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure
support physical activity for people of all ages and abilities — Promoting mental health and preventing substance abuse
3. FOCUS AREA: Tobacco Prevention Examples of interventions that support these areas are:
— Prevent initiation of tobacco use, including combustible tobacco — Robust chronic disease and cancer screening programs
and electronic vaping products (electronic cigarettes and similar — Implementation of culturally relevant evidence-based chronic
devices) by youth and young adults disease self-management education
— Promote tobacco use cessation, especially among populations — Creation of community environments that promote and support
disproportionately affected by tobacco use including low healthy food and beverage choices and physical activity
socioeconomic status SES, frequent mental distress/substance — Elimination of exposure to secondhand smoke and prevention of
use disorder; LGBTQIA+; and disability the initiation of tobacco use by youth, especially among low
socioeconomic status (SES) populations and the promotion of
4. FOCUS AREA: Preventative Care and Management tobacco cessation, especially among low SES populations and
— Increase cancer screening rates for breast, cervical and colorectal those with poor mental health
cancer — Strengthened infrastructure to promote mental, emotional and
— Increase early detection of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, behavioral well- being
prediabetes and obesity
— Promote the use of evidence-based care to manage chronic
diseases
— Improve self-management skills for individuals with chronic
diseases
3 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service Plan
Community Benefit Programs
Community-based programs addressing both health and social NWH, through community partnerships and coalition building, has
needs at NWH are the key components of its Community Service significantly expanded the reach and impact of community health
Plan. Social determinants of health encompass a range of personal, improvement services that address the NYSDOH Prevention Agenda
social, economic, and environmental factors that influence up to Priorities.
75% of health outcomes. They reach beyond the boundaries of
traditional health care to include sectors such as education, Northern Westchester Hospital, also, as part of Northwell Health,
housing, food, employment and environment. The following provides a broad array of community benefit programs, such as:
program descriptions demonstrate the depth and breadth of the A. Access to Healthcare Services and Caring for the Medically
hospital’s CSP Implementation Plan activities that impact the Underserved
health and well-being of the communities we serve. B. Health Professions Education
C. Community Health and Wellness
D. Community Medical Support Services and Programs
E. Support Groups
4 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service Plan
A. Access to Healthcare Services and
Caring for the Medically Underserved
Financial Assistance Program (FAP)
Northwell Health is a regional leader in providing financial relief to families who do not have access to the financial resources to pay
for medical care. The FAP program was implemented in 2004 through the creation of a standard policy as the result of the combined
efforts of the Finance Department, Community Health and the Center for Equity of Care. Developed through a collaboration of
senior leadership, community members and key staff, the policy provides a uniformly administered system of reduced fees for
uninsured residents of Northwell Health’s service area. All medically necessary services are covered under the program. The program
is promoted through:
- Multilingual signage throughout facilities
- Multilingual educational brochures at key points of patient contact
- Website (https://www.northwell.edu/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance-programs-policies/financial-assistance-program)
- Community outreach events
- Patient bills - All bills include a notice about the FAP, along with the program’s toll-free number, (888) 214-4065
The FAP is available for individuals earning up to five times the federal poverty level ($128,750 for a family of four). In addition, the
application process for financial assistance has been redesigned to improve the quality and user-friendliness of the experience. Many
FAP requests are now processed via telephone, relieving the patient of the burden of providing current income documentation.
Additionally, the FAP application has been simplified to one page. FAP applications are available online in 15 languages at
https://www.northwell.edu/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance-programs-policies/financial-assistance-program. For more
information or questions, please call (914) 666-1512.
Effective Communication in Healthcare
The Center for Equity of Care is a system wide resource and offers numerous educational opportunities to ensure the integration of
cultural and linguistic competency into the fabric of the organization. To ensure meaningful access to healthcare services for persons
with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or persons whose preferred language is other than English, free medical interpretation and
document translation services are available 24/7. Sign language interpretation services for the deaf and hearing impaired, as well as
specific communication tools for visually and speech impaired patients are also available. For more information, please call the
Center for Equity of Care at (516) 881-7000.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are identified as essential components for the delivery of quality, safe, patient and family centered care that
support principles of equity and community. Aligning with the National Prevention Strategy to eliminate health disparities and
empower people in the communities we serve, the Center for Equity of Care implements a system wide educational curriculum and
supporting programs. Northwell’s “Unconscious Bias” e-Learning program and seminars raise awareness of unconscious filters and
their impact on patient care and the workplace. CultureVision™ is an online cultural diversity resource that provides employees
information to develop their cultural knowledge and enhance the delivery of culturally competent patient care.
Northwell’s Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) Program enhances employee engagement; talent recruitment, retention and
development; and staff serve as community ambassadors. Northwell Health has been named one of the nation's top health systems
for diversity, ranking second nationally and No. 1 in New York State, according to the 2019 DiversityInc’s top Hospitals & Health
Systems for Diversity list.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer watchdog organization Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation has ranked
Northwell Health as the No. 3 health system in the nation and first in New York State based on the number of facilities designated a
Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality, according to its 2019 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The following hospitals were honored:
Cohen Children's Medical Center, Glen Cove Hospital, Huntington Hospital, Mather Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, Long Island Jewish
Medical Center, LIJ Forest Hills, LIJ Valley Stream, Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat, North Shore University Hospital, Northern
Westchester Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Phelps Hospital, Plainview Hospital, Southside Hospital, South Oaks Hospital,
Staten Island University Hospital (North and South campuses), Syosset Hospital, Zucker Hillside Hospital. In addition, the Center for
Transgender Care in Great Neck, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset, Lenox Health Greenwich Village, Orzac
Center for Rehabilitation and Stern Family for Rehabilitation each earned the designation. For more information, please contact the
Center for Equity of Care at (516) 881-7000.
5 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service Plan
Building Cultural Competency: A Community-Wide Initiative
Northern Westchester Hospital, in cooperation with Neighbors Link and the Mount Kisco Police Department, developed a cultural
sensitivity training program for law enforcement officers designed to help achieve the complementary mission of each group and to
increase cultural awareness in order to build positive relations with immigrant communities. The objectives are to increase cultural
awareness in order to build positive relations with immigrant communities, encourage communication and trust between local law
enforcement and the immigrant community, and actively enhance the healthy integration of immigrants in the community. This
program has expanded to a county-wide initiative.
Patient Navigator
Care coordination through the NWH Patient Navigator helps facilitate access to healthcare and resources primarily for patients who
are uninsured or underinsured. The Patient Navigator is a specially trained, culturally sensitive, bilingual healthcare worker who
provides support and guidance to patients and their family members. They also assist non-English speaking or limited English
speaking patients with language translation services to ensure their understanding of complex healthcare issues. The Patient
Navigator helps facilitate access to a variety of healthcare professionals and services at NWH and within the community, including
our two (2) medical group partners: Care Mount Medical Group and Westchester Health Associates.
The Breast Health Initiative
This initiative is funded in part by the Avon Foundation, provides a continuum of free breast health services from education to
screening and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up to hundreds of uninsured and underinsured women each year. For more
information, please call (914) 666-1289.
The Prenatal Care Assistance Program
(PCAP) provides comprehensive care to underinsured and uninsured pregnant women in Westchester and Putnam Counties, helping
to ensure healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. More than 300 babies are welcomed to the world each year through this program.
Learn more about our Prenatal Care Center by calling (914) 666-1111 or visiting https://nwhc.net/treatment-and-
specialties/nicuand-other-specialty-care.
Clinic
The Gastrointestinal Clinic and the Surgery and Orthopedic Clinic provide uninsured and underinsured patients with access to board
certified physicians, necessary testing and essential surgery. For more information, please call (914)666-1289.
Behavioral Health
The Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit is one of our acute care services designed to satisfy unmet needs within our community. For
more information on our Behavioral Health services, please call (914)666-1036.
The Katz Institute for Women’s Health (KIWH) Resource Center
The KIWH is dedicated to improving all aspects of a woman’s health at every stage of her life. The Resource Center offers women
seamless, coordinated access to all of Northwell Health’s clinical programs and services across the continuum of care. The Center is
staffed Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. During off-hours, please leave a voice message and your call will be returned
within one business day. For questions related to Women’s Health, please call (855) 850-KIWH (5494).
Northwell Health Physician Referral Service (888) 321-DOCS (3627)
Northwell Health operates a referral service to help community residents find a perfect local match for their medical needs.
Information is available for physician specialties, office locations, languages spoken, hospital privileges, and accepted health
insurance plans (including Medicaid and Medicare). Bilingual telephone operators are available 24/7. Information can also be found
at www.northwell.edu. Need confirmation that NWH docs are part of Northwell Health Physician Partners and using the referral line
or can use below copy
Find a Physician
More than 700 highly trained physicians make NWH their hospital of choice. Many are fellowship-trained in highly specialized fields,
performing state-of-the-art procedures. To find a physician visit: http://nwhc.net/find-a-physician or call our referral line: (877) 4
NWH DOC or (877) 469-4362.
6 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanMedShare
Northwell Health partners with MedShare, an organization that recovers valuable, unused surplus medical supplies and equipment
in the United States, which would otherwise be discarded. This partnership successfully bridges the gap between surplus in the U.S.
and health care institutions in developing countries, which have a significant need for medical supplies and expertise. Over half of
Northwell Health Hospitals and the Integrated Distribution Center provide donations, including beds, biomedical equipment, and
other assorted medical supplies. In 2019, Northwell Health donated more than 17,746 pounds of unused medical supplies and 2,261
pounds of medical equipment.
Center for Young Adult, Adolescent, and Pediatric HIV
The Center for Young Adult, Adolescent, and Pediatric HIV (CYAAPH) at Cohen's Children's Medical Center of New York provides
comprehensive medical care and social support services to individuals under the age of 30, regardless of sex assigned at birth, sexual
orientation, gender identity and expression. Our expert team provides compassionate medical and psychosocial care to adolescent
and young adults, from infancy to age 30, who are HIV-infected. We help manage HIV with expert medical care and medication
therapy; STI screening and treatment; immunizations; supportive mental health services; case management services to assist with
various social determinants of health; risk reduction and U=U education; gynecological exams; nutrition services; and primary care
services. CYAAPH also provides HIV prevention services such as PrEP and PEP for at risk individuals.
Housed in CYAAPH is Project inSPECT - an initiative which offers free rapid HIV testing and PrEP screenings all over Nassau and
Queens County. Safer sex, LGBTQ 101, and HIV prevention workshops are offered to schools and CBOs to spread awareness of HIV
and STI prevention. For more information please call (516) 622-5189.
Serving Those Who Have Served Our Nation
The recipient of numerous awards for service to veterans, Northwell offers extensive programs to support career education and
enhancement, as well as the physical and mental health of those who serve.
Barracks to Business workshops, webinars and job fairs help translate military skills into career success and Health NYServes
connects veterans to more than 60 service providers.
The Rosen Family Wellness Center and the Mildred and Frank Feinberg Division of the Unified Behavioral Health Center for
Military Veterans and Their Families are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of military service members, 9/11 first responders,
law enforcement personnel and their families.
Northwell partners with the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the VA Women’s Referral Program and with FLAG
(Freedom.Loyalty.Admiration.Gratitude) on Staten Island to provide confidential and safe services for women currently serving or
who have served in the military.
Northwell donated $100,000 to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to build a new “smart” home for a disabled
veteran.
Most recently, The Return brought medical experts at Northwell Health together with aerospace engineers, 3D printing pioneers and
prosthetic experts to provide specialized prosthetics to a veteran amputee.
7 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanB. Health Professions Education
Graduate Medical Education
As a major academic health system in the New York metropolitan area, Northwell Health is dedicated to excellence in patient care,
teaching, and research. More than 1,800 residents and fellows are trained each year in over 160 residency and fellowship programs
at 23 member hospitals, with access to state-of-the-art simulation and a BioSkills Education Center. Clinical affiliations include
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, SUNY Downstate College
of Medicine, New York Medical College, New York University School of Medicine and New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. The
Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is among the top ten percent of research institutions that receive funding from the National
Institutes of Health. For more information about the individual training programs at Northwell Health, please visit
https://www.northwell.edu/research-and-education/graduate-medical-education
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/ Northwell
In 2008, Hofstra University and Northwell Health entered into a formal agreement that established the School of Medicine, the first
allopathic medical school in Nassau County and the first new medical school in the New York metropolitan area in more than 35
years. The academic partnership enhanced recruitment of faculty, leadership, and researchers; furthered the expansions of
residencies and fellowships; and enhanced the integration of clinical and translational science.
Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Health Professions
Launched in March 2015, the school is well poised to become a national and global leader in preparing students to meet the growing
need for qualified advanced-care nurses and physician assistants who deliver community-based health care. The School offers
several options for advanced learning: master’s degrees in family nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology acute care nurse
practitioner programs, as well as a master’s degree and a dual bachelor’s/master’s degree program in physician assistant studies.
The School expands the successful medical school partnership between Hofstra University and Northwell Health. It incorporates the
University’s diverse academic programs and infrastructure, as well as Northwell Health’s significant clinical activities and
educational resources, in its mission to provide an innovative inter-professional education to a new generation of healthcare leaders.
For further information, please visit the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies’ website at
hofstra.edu/nursing or call (516) 463-7475.
Medical Scholars Pipeline Program
The Medical Scholars Pipeline Program (MSPP) at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (SOM) is a
three-year academic enrichment program for underrepresented in medicine (URM) students who show potential for pursuing a
career in the healthcare professions.
The goals of the program are: 1) to expose URM high school students to various careers in the healthcare professions, and 2) to make
the students more competitive applicants for undergraduate and professional healthcare programs. The long-term goal of the
program is to increase the number of URM students graduating from professional healthcare schools and providing care for patients
in underserved communities.
The MSPP has been in existence since 2010 and a total of 214 students have been admitted to the program. Of the 214 students
admitted to the program, 112 students have completed the three-year program and 100% of the MSPP graduates have enrolled in
colleges and universities. Twenty-five URM students who completed our program are now matriculating in professional healthcare
programs. This number includes 14 students who are enrolled in medical schools; 4 of whom are matriculating at the Zucker School
of Medicine. The MSPP continues to give students exposure to medicine in a medical school setting, college preparation,
communication and leadership skills to help them pursue a career in the healthcare professions. For more information, please call
(516) 463-7550 or visit the School of Medicine’s website at http://medicine.hofstra.edu.
8 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanSPARK! Challenge
Northwell Health is leading the charge on career awareness by partnering with local high schools in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens,
Manhattan and Staten Island to participate in the SPARK! Challenge. More than 70 teams of employees across the health system
introduced nearly 900 high school students to a wide variety of careers that require competencies in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math skills (STEM). The SPARK! Challenge engages students and showcases both clinical and non-clinical career
paths available within healthcare. For more information, please email sparkchallenge@northwell.edu.
The Greater New York Hospital Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
Northwell Health participates in the SEP, an internship program for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree or
concentration in health services management. Students work with members of Northwell Health leadership to gain firsthand
experience in the major issues, skills, and responsibilities involved in day-to-day management of healthcare facilities. The program
seeks to promote diversity in healthcare management, and members of underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to
apply. For more information, please contact the Center for Equity of Care at (516) 881-7000.
Advanced Surgical Breast Oncology Fellowship
This dynamic, multidisciplinary program is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of physicians and clinicians participating in the
management of breast cancer patients, including specialists in breast surgery, plastic surgery, radiology, pathology, medical
oncology, radiation oncology, genetic counseling, and a Breast Health Nurse Practitioner. The Fellowship program is designed to
enhance a physician’s experiences and expertise in all aspects of breast surgery and management of the breast cancer patient; to
provide comprehensive training for a surgeon who is already trained in the fundamentals of breast cancer surgery, and is capable of
providing the full spectrum of breast procedures from diagnosis to treatment of breast masses, to participation in the planning and
execution of reconstructive procedures. The NWH Breast fellow is responsible to consult with patients in our Breast Health Initiative
clinic for underinsured and uninsured women, located on-site at NWH, with access to collaborate with our interdisciplinary
professionals in our Breast Program. For more information on the Advanced Surgical Breast Oncology Fellowship Program, call (914)
242-7611 or visit www.nwhbreastinstitute.org.
Internship and Shadowing Opportunities for the Community
Northern Westchester Hospital supports internship opportunities for engaged students in our community to support and grow
health care careers as their primary choice. Internships afford students great learning experiences, insight into the day to-day
responsibilities of support areas, and access to professionals within a hospital setting. Learning objectives for the individual
internship are coordinated by referring schools/districts and matched through placement of interns with a corresponding
department that can address the stated objectives and goals. Targeted audience is anyone with a strong desire to be in healthcare:
local high school students, technical school students, college students, and post-graduate students. Current community partners
include: Bedford, Chappaqua, Armonk, North Salem School Districts, Putnam/ Northern Westchester BOCES, local colleges and
universities. To learn more about internship opportunities, contact Human Resources at (914) 666-1200.
Presidents Junior Leadership Council (PJLC)
The PJLC is a youth leadership organization that builds young people’s connections to their community and engages them on issues
that matter to them. Council members are liaisons between the hospital and their schools and serve as ambassadors to the
community conducting outreach, prevention and wellness programs. This select group of teens also has the opportunity to meet and
interact with hospital personnel, explore career opportunities in health and medicine, and gain skills to help prepare them for the
challenges and responsibilities they will face as college students and beyond. Participation on the PJLC is open to high school
students within the hospital’s catchment area. To learn more and apply, please contact Amy Rosenfeld, MS RD CDN, Coordinator of
the President’s Junior Leadership Council, at arosenfeld2@northwell.edu or (914) 666-1273.
Junior Volunteer Program
The Junior Volunteer Program is a youth organization that allows young people to explore what it is like to work in a hospital. This
group of teens also has the opportunity to meet and interact with hospital personnel, explore career opportunities in health and
medicine, and gain skills to help prepare them for the challenges and responsibilities they will face as college students and beyond.
To learn more and apply, please contact Ellen Muentener, Director of Volunteers, emuentener@northwell.edu.
9 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanNorthern Westchester Hospital offers free
and low cost health education programs
throughout the year on a variety of topics.
For more information, please email
Communityrelations@northwell.edu.
C. Community Health and Wellness
Community Health Programs and FollowMyHealth™
Screenings To help patients take a more active role in their health and
Northwell Health provides community residents with free wellness, Northwell Health rolled out a web-based patient
health screenings in conjunction with national campaigns portal that allows patients to access their personal health
(Blood Pressure, Osteoporosis, Balance, Cholesterol, information anywhere and anytime. FollowMyHealth™ is
Glucose, Breast, Colon and Lung Cancer ) and throughout available to patients who have received care from
the year at educational events, all of which are open to the Northwell Health hospitals and physician practices. To
public. Individuals may be referred for follow-up care at access the portal, please visit
Northwell Health. Uninsured individuals who require https://www.northwell.edu/manage-your-care/patient-
follow-up care can utilize the services of Northern portal or call (844) FMH-8108.
Westchester Hospital’s sliding fee scale program, with
services starting at $0. Northwell Health participates in Community Health Outreach Program
more than 13,000 community health programs annually. (CHOP)
Since 2003, NWH has also offered critical healthcare
Northwell Health Concussion Program services to the underserved through our successful
The Concussion Program at Northwell Health provides Community Health Outreach Program (CHOP), which
advanced concussion management to maximize recovery encourages the adoption of lifelong healthy habits. CHOP
and return patients to an active lifestyle. We strive to improves healthcare access and delivery to the growing
achieve the best care for each individual by practicing underserved population in our region through targeted and
evidence-based guidelines while applying the most current effective community outreach and education initiatives,
research breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments and and are intended to reduce healthcare disparities between
clinical trials. the underserved, and the general public. The staff at NWH
collaborate with more than 20 community organizations to
The Concussion Program is successful in achieving recovery conduct flu vaccine clinics as well as develop and
through interdisciplinary collaboration between physicians, implement health screenings and educational
neuropsychologists and therapists. By combining all our programming to more than 3,000 individuals per year.
expertise. Our physician consultation will determine the
need for further assessment and treatment with physical
therapy, vestibular rehabilitation or neuropsychology by
assisting patients returning to their daily activities with
return to play, return to work, or return to school activity
programs. To learn more about the Concussion Program at
Northwell Health please call (855) 510-5110.
10 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanSchool Based Education Stop the Bleed
Northern Westchester Hospital makes a difference in the Stop the Bleed, an initiative of the American College of
lives of young people by bringing expertise, attention, and Surgeons, was launched in October 2015 by the White
creativity directly to the classroom, using age appropriate House. It’s a national awareness campaign and a call to
workshops and interactive display programs. Through action intended to educate, train and empower civilian
generous grant-funding, we are proud to offer our bystanders with the necessary skills and tools to help in a
interactive, skill-based health education programs free of bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. When
charge to students in kindergarten through Grade 12 (K- a response is delayed, massive bleeding from any cause can
12). Invite us to your classroom, summer camp, community result in death. Similar to how the general public learns
events, and health fairs by calling Grace O’Shaughnessy, and performs CPR, the public must learn proper bleeding
director of Community Health Education and Outreach at control techniques, including how to use their hands,
(914) 666-1249. dressings and tourniquets. Stop the Bleed is available to
any organization interested. For free hands-on training, call
the Northwell Trauma Institute at (516) 321-8280
BetterinBalance
Our unique and interactive program includes discussions
about the basics of healthy nutrition, the connection
Healthy Food Access
between a balanced diet and achieving goals, and extreme The Northwell Health service area contains over 1.5 million
nature of dieting and its effect on our bodies. The goal is to food insecure individuals. Increasing access to healthy
provide students with a fun, positive, and memorable affordable food improves individual and community
experience, to encourage positive body image, nutritious health. The Northwell Food as Health Program impacts our
food choices, and leading healthy lifestyles. patients, communities and employees. Northwell Health
partners with local community Farmer’s Markets to bring
fresh affordable produce to food deserts and food swamps
Stepping On and increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
More than one out of four adults aged 65 or older falls each benefit redemptions. The health system has begun to
year, leading to both fatal and non-fatal injuries, and implement food insecurity screening and in collaboration
threatening safety and independence. Stepping On is an with regional food access partners has established
evidence-based community prevention program that hospital-based and community programs providing on site
empowers independent, older adults to carry out health and home delivered emergency food supplies and meals,
behaviors that reduce the risks of falls. More than 500 nutrition education, entitlement enrollment and
people have attended the 7-week program which is based navigation to community food and social service resources.
on adult education and self-efficacy principles. In a small Northwell Health has also engaged in a Farm to Bedside
group setting, older adults learn balance and strength initiative of increasing local, organic and hormone free
exercises and develop specific knowledge and skills to meats, chicken, fish, dairy and produce for patient meals as
prevent falls. Workshops are facilitated by trained leaders. well as launching a comprehensive employee wellness
For more information, please call the Center for Equity of program focusing on Healthy Choice meals, beverages and
Care at (516) 881-7000. snacks at all of our facilities. For more information, please
contact Community Health at 516-600-1494.
11 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanLiving Healthy Eat the Rainbow (Grades K-5)
Living Healthy, Northwell Health’s Chronic Disease Self- Did you eat the rainbow today? Using a colorful rainbow
Management Program (CDSMP), is a 6-session, evidence- display and our “wheel of nutrition,” we get kids excited
based health education program for people with any type about fruits and vegetables. We encourage eating a variety
of ongoing health problems. This program is designed to of plant foods in all colors each day to get the vitamins and
help people gain self-confidence in their ability to control minerals students need to grow and be at their best. The
their symptoms and manage how their health condition workshop can include an interactive cooking component,
affects their lives. To date, 33 programs have been held in where children prepare their own balanced “eat the
English and Spanish, reaching more than 300 community rainbow” recipe.
members. For more information, please call Community
Relations at (631) 396-6700. Reasons to Love Labels and Smart Snacking
(Grades K-12)
Nutrition 101 and Portion Control Sound Advice is a three-session workshop offered to
Nutrition plays an important role in our health. This class patients recently fitted with hearing aids. Each patient is
helps students understand basic nutrition principles, invited to bring a “hearing partner” to gain a better
identifying food groups, and their basic functions and food understanding of hearing loss. The goals are to empower
sources. Students learn how to recognize appropriate the hearing-impaired person and to instruct others
portions in a supersized world through an interactive regarding communication strategies that work for those
portion size display, as well as the principles of “mindful with hearing loss.
eating.” For elementary students, we play Nutrition Bingo
to make learning interactive and memorable.
12 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanMeditation
“Mindful Awareness”. Meditation helps us to live in the resent moment; it is from this place one can experience the possibility of
peace, relaxation and a new perspective on life. Modern life can distract us from the present moment resulting in greater stress and
disconnect from our self and life. Through the practice of mindfulness, guided imagery, breathing and self-awareness techniques,
this class can offer the fundamentals in meditation to support healing of mind, body, spirit and emotions. This class is applicable for
both the beginner and advanced student. Class is open to cancer patients/survivors and their caregivers.
Chi Gong
Chi Gong is a series of breathing and movement activities developed over hundreds of years by many Chinese practitioners. These
exercises are believed to impart energy, flexibility, tranquility and balance to the student of this ancient art. I hope that by guiding
class members through some simple Chi Gong forms we will achieve some of these goals! Class is open to cancer patients/survivors
and their caregivers.
Chair Yoga
Chair yoga is a great way for older adults to get the wonderful health benefits of yoga. Staying seated means that even frail seniors
or those who aren’t flexible can safely do the exercises. Yoga is an excellent way for older adults to loosen and stretch painful
muscles, reduce stress, and improve circulation. It also reduces anxiety, helps lower blood pressure, protects joints, and builds
strength and balance.
Boys and Girls Club
Northern Westchester Hospital has partnered with The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. Through this partnership they
inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and
caring citizens. The hospital holds monthly dinners with a healthcare component to provide education. They also run SMART Girls
which is a small-group health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program designed to meet the
developmental needs of girls ages 13-18. Club girls explore their own and societal attitudes and values as they build skills for eating
right, staying physically fit, getting good health care and developing positive relationships with peers and adults. .
13 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanThink About Your Drink (Grades K-12) Impact of Alcohol/Drugs/ Substance Abuse
Today we are drinking more sugary and caffeinated (Middle and High School)
beverages than ever before. These liquid calories have a Teenagers are at relatively high risk for experimentation
major impact on our health. Learn about the differences in and/or involvement with alcohol and legal or illegal drugs.
nutritional quality of various beverages and how to make Most are entirely inexperienced in these areas, and do not
good beverage choices. Students calculate sugar in various appreciate the life, legal, and health implications of drug
beverages, understand the effects of high caffeine intake, involvement. This program promotes student
and witness the importance of hydration. Also available is understanding of the reality, effects, and consequences of
an option to include an interactive demonstration alcohol and drugs on the body and brain. Strategies for
component, preparing lower sugar, healthier alternatives avoiding involvement, and for confronting unfamiliar
to soda. situations and substance-related emergencies, are
discussed. This program is especially pertinent in the pre-
First Aid (Elementary School) prom season.
Emergencies are frightening situations. Their unexpected
nature makes them difficult to respond to; yet a little Smoking Stinks! (Middle and High School)
education and advanced planning can avert a disaster. Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of preventable
Children will encounter emergencies, and despite their disease and death worldwide, and statistics show that
young age, they can save lives by simple actions. This about 9 out of 10 tobacco users start before they’re 18
program teaches young children how to keep safe, what to years old. This program addresses the many reasons that
do in an emergency, how/where to call for help, and more. young people might start to smoke, and covers the many
more reasons not to start smoking. Teens learn to identify
Stress Less (Middle and High School) the effects of smoking on the body and see the effects of
School, home life, social pressures, and dating are all smoking on real lungs.
sources of stress, which, for impressionable teenagers, can
sometimes be overwhelming. This program helps teens The Transition Years (For parents of
understand factors causing stress and strategies for
reducing and avoiding stress and ways of coping with
elementary, middle or high school students)
stress in healthy ways. Presentation includes interactive Northern Westchester Hospital coordinates panel
activities including Stress Bingo. presentations/discussions relating to adolescent health
and development that focuses on the “transition” years
from Elementary to Middle School and Middle to High
Healthy Interpersonal Relationships (Middle School. This program offers parents the opportunity to hear
and High School) from knowledgeable NWH specialists about physical,
As adolescents begin to form social relationships with their emotional, and social health during the transition years.
peers, they need support in establishing healthy and
constructive relationships rather than harmful ones. This Impact of Alcohol/Drugs/ Substance Abuse
program focuses on recognizing the objectives and
qualities of healthy relationships as well as the principles
(For parents of elementary, middle or high
that support honest, equitable, and responsible school students)
interactions. Coverage of self-esteem and bullying issues is With teenagers at relatively high risk for experimentation
also included. with alcohol and drugs, parents play an important role in
helping them make good choices. An emergency room
doctor describes real life experiences about the
consequences of drug and alcohol use, and offers strategies
for preventing them and dealing with emergency
situations.
14 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanThe Big Talk – Small & Simple (For parents 55+ Community Connection Lecture Series
of elementary, middle or high school The goal of this program is to keep older adults within the
community connected to education and resources. Many of
students) the lectures are developed collaboratively with our
How and when do you talk with your kids about sex? This community partners and include such topics as safe senior
important topic is often overlooked or avoided by even the living, caregiver choices, financial savings, stroke
most competent parents. This program addresses when to prevention and navigating Medicare.
start “the talk” and what to talk about at any age, and is
designed to enhance comfort in communicating openly,
honestly and comfortably about human sexuality.
Neighbors Link Family Health Day
Each year, NWH partners with Neighbors Link and Open
Door Family Medical Centers for their annual family health
Speaker Series event. The mission of Neighbors Link is to strengthen the
In partnership with members of the community, NWH whole community by actively enhancing the healthy
presents educational sessions designed for families with integration of immigrants. By partnering with Neighbors
children. The community can get to know Northern Link, NWH is able to bring critical health screenings and
Westchester Hospital’s expert medical staff, learn how the health and wellness education to the immigrant
hospital can be a resource and support their healthcare community. At this day-long event, NWH offers cholesterol
needs and learn strategies to improve their family’s health screenings, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, a
and wellness. Attendees enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while broad range of health and nutrition information, a teddy
learning about topics that interest them and relate directly bear clinic for kids, and adult flu shots.
to their life.
.
15 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanD. Community Medical Support Services and Programs
Blood Donor Services
Each year, employees of Northern Westchester Hospital help to ensure an adequate blood supply for New Yorkers in need by
donating blood. In 2019, more than 8,300 pints of whole blood were donated by employees of Northwell Health.
Promoting Healthy, Women, Infants and Children
Northern Westchester Hospital’s Lactation Department and the Maternal Child Health Department partner to break down barriers
that prevent mothers from achieving their breastfeeding goals and to effectively communicate best practices. Ensuring adequate
prenatal education and support is essential to successful breastfeeding. We follow the evidence-based “10 Steps to Successful
Breastfeeding.” Our Lactation Support Group meets 1st & 3rd Monday, 1-3pm. Lactation consultant appointments can also be
scheduled. Please contact Kim McKechnie RN, IBCLC at (914) 666-1370. Our New Moms Support Group meets the 2nd Monday of
every month. Please contact Patricia Chambers, RN at pchambers5@northwell.edu.
Lactation Advisory Council
Ensuring the adequate education and support to both the inpatient and outpatient breastfeeding woman, the Lactation Advisory
Council’s charge is to communicate best practices in breastfeeding to patients and healthcare professionals alike. Lactation Advisory
Council members include: Northern Westchester Hospital Maternal Child Health, Nursery/NICU, Maternity, Labor & Delivery,
Pediatrics, Lactation Consultants, Lactation Counselors, Prenatal Assistance Care Program, Care Mount Medical Group Lactation
Consultant, Clinical Coordinator. For more information, please contact Kim McKechnie RN,IBCLC at (914) 666-1370.
Cancer Health and Wellness Program
Certain holistic therapies have been shown to provide help for cancer patients by supporting the healing process and enhancing the
quality of life for a person undergoing cancer treatment. The Health and Wellness Program at the NWH Cancer Treatment and
Wellness Center is designed to help our patients with cancer in conjunction with, or following, their medical treatment and
introduces patients and their families/caregivers to appropriate complementary therapies. A dedicated Nurse Practitioner Care
Coordinator is available to integrate four additional disciplines into treatment plans, including nutritional assessment and planning,
integrative medicine strategies, fitness and exercise programs and emotional support. For more information contact Marilyn Leroy-
Sterling, NP-C, Wellness Coordinator at mleroy@northwell.edu or (914) 242-8146.
The Bruce & Andrea Yablon Cancer Health and Wellness Program
The Bruce and Andrea Yablon Cancer Health and Wellness Program at Northern Westchester Hospital offers FREE services to those
who were recently diagnosed with cancer, are currently receiving treatment, or are a survivor. This program, used in conjunction
with medical treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, helps enhance the quality of life of our patients. The goal of
the Bruce & Andrea Yablon Cancer Health and Wellness Program is to support and empower our patients to live a healthy lifestyle –
mind, body and spirit – after being diagnosed with cancer. We strive to meet the needs of each patient individually, while
recognizing that every person and every type of cancer is unique. Patients work with a health coach, who received training at Duke
Integrative Medicine’s Integrative Health Coach Professional Training Program, to develop a highly-personalized wellness plan that
incorporates specific dietary needs, stress reduction techniques, mental wellness and exercise. For more information please call
(914) 666-1994.
American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center
The AHA Training Center provides trainings in Basic Life Support (BLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Cardiac
Life Support (ACLS) to healthcare professionals who require certification. Additionally, this training site offers numerous (CPR, AED,
Emergency First Aid) programs to community members, including schools, faith-based organizations, expectant parents, childcare
providers, community children’s sports league volunteers, and the general public. Please call (516) 881-7000 for more information.
16 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanCenter for Tobacco Control (CTC)
Northwell Health’s Center for Tobacco Control provides tobacco cessation treatment and support, including individual and group
counseling, and support groups, reaching 2,249 individuals in 2019. The CTC received 1,610 referrals from Northwell Health
Physician Partner practices. The CTC also provides preventive services to community members and employees, as well as
comprehensive evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment education to healthcare providers and healthcare students,
educating over 7,386 providers last year. The CTC provides tobacco control educational programs to the community in the form of
health fairs, classroom presentations, expos, and other events, reaching more than 9,500 children and adults in 2019. The CTC guides
leaders in healthcare organizations to develop policies that mandate tobacco dependence treatment for all tobacco users, in both
the inpatient and outpatient settings. Please visit https://www.northwell.edu/doctors-and-care/smoking-cessation, call (516) 466-
1980, or email tobaccocenter@northwell.edu for more information.
Live To Be Tobacco Free Smoking Cessation Program
Northern Westchester Hospital offers a free smoking cessation clinic for anyone in the community. The four-week program meets
weekly for an hour, and the instructor is available through email and phone between classes to help participants conquer their habit.
These group classes cover topics including but not limited to the effects of nicotine, vaping / e-cigarette use, habit vs. addiction and
tackling triggers.
As part of the program, participants learn about helpful integrative therapies such as relaxation therapy and aromatherapy. Nicotine
patches and gum may be provided with physician approval. Staff, patients, family members, and community members are all invited
to attend at no charge. Commit to quit, today! Contact Jennifer Lucas at jlucas5@northwell.edu or (914) 666-1868.
Gift of Life
Currently, almost 114,000 people in the U.S. are awaiting life-saving organs for transplantation. In 2018 36,528 transplants were
performed. Each day 20 people will die due to the shortage of donated organs. In an effort to increase organ and tissue donor
awareness, Northwell Health hosts annual Gift of Life programs for employees and visitors. Donor families and recipients participate
in these events to acknowledge the importance of this need. Northwell Health, in collaboration with the New York Donor Network,
provides education throughout the year to the public regarding the importance of organ and tissue donation. For more information,
please contact the Northwell Health Transplant Center at (516) 472-5800.
LiveOnNY (organ donor enrollment day)
Currently, more than 120,000 people in the U.S. are awaiting life-saving organs for transplantation. In an effort to increase organ and
tissue donor awareness and increase the number of New York residents registered as organ donors, NWH participated in Organ
Donor Enrollment Day in collaboration with LiveOnNY. Northern Westchester Hospital is proud to receive an award from LiveOnNY
for having signed up the “Most Enrollments by a Hospital without Transplant Service” to the New York organ donor registry on
Donor Enrollment Day. To register as an organ donor, visit www.liveonny.org.
Queens World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program
Northwell Health is home the Clinical Center of Excellence funded through the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to
provide annual monitoring and treatment for WTC related health effects to 9/11 responders. Eligible members receive confidential
physical and mental health monitoring and treatment within the Center and through referrals to the Northwell Health network of
providers. In addition to monitoring and treatment examinations, the Center provides outreach and education, social services,
benefits counseling, work related benefits counseling, and case management. All WTC Health Program services are federally funded
and provided at no cost to responders. For more information, contact the Queens Clinical Center at (718) 267-2420, or the WTC
Health Program at (888) 982-4748, or email wtc@cdc.gov or visit www.cdc.gov/wtc
17 Northwell Health | Northern Westchester Hospital Community Service PlanYou can also read
