MediSys Network News

Flushing Hospital Treats Three-Day Old Abandoned Baby

On Monday, May 12, Flushing Hospital Medical Center's Public Affairs Department held a press conference, where Dr. Apostolis Tsoumpariotis, Attending Physician, Pediatrics, addressed the media with general information about the condition of the three-day old abandoned infant brought to the hospital.  He also reminded the public about State laws that provide amnesty for parents who can't provide care for their newborns.

“The baby appears to be doing really well and is in stable condition,” explained Dr. Tsoumpariotis. “There are no issues from what we can tell at this time. We don’t see any obvious areas of injury."

He also used the moment to discuss the details of the Safe Haven Law. Under New York State law, parents can leave their baby, up to five days old, at a safe haven— a hospital, firehouse, or police station— with no questions asked.

According to several news reports, a baby girl was discovered on the doorstep of a minister’s Flushing home on Mother’s Day.  She was found wrapped in a blanket, in between the front and screen door. The infant was taken to Flushing Hospital, where doctors and pediatric staff are waiting t medically clear the baby before releasing her to the custody of Administration for Children’s Services.

To view Channel 7's news segment, please visit: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6136617

ADHD Screenings Offered at Jamaica Hospital

On Children’s Mental Health Day, May 8, the Department of Psychiatry's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center provided free ADHD screenings, along with informational material, to over 50 local families.

“Screenings are very important for children who may have ADHD,” explained Dr. Teresita Ruiz, Assistant Director of the Division. “Research has shown that children who are not’t diagnosed and treated early in life have a greater chance of becoming substance abusers, dropping out of school, getting in trouble with the legal system, being unable to develop and maintain relationships, and have trouble maintaining a job later on in life.”

Attention–Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition often diagnosed in children that affects how well they can sit still, focus, and pay attention. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that between three and five percent of children have ADHD or approximately two million children in the United States with the condition. That means that there’s at least one child, in a classroom of 25 to 30 students, with ADHD.

The essential components of an ADHD screening include interviews with the parents, the child, and teachers, as well as other caregivers. These interviews provide a better understanding of the child’s developmental history and functional impairment. The evaluation also includes the DSM–IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Psychiatric Disorders) criteria, along with information from structured ratings, such as the Conner’s Rating Scales. Co-morbidity and medical problems that mimic the signs and symptoms of ADHD should also be considered.

Teen Rapper P-Star Helps Kids Fight Obesity

What a better way to encourage children to participate in a fitness program than to give them an opportunity to “work out” with one of their peers who happens to be a rap star at the age of 13. 

Brookdale’s pediatric obesity treatment and prevention program, "Live Light, Live Right" teamed up with local hip hop prodigy, P-Star at the Brownsville Recreation Center on Wednesday, April 23 to combat the epidemic of pediatric obesity.  P-Star unveiled her brand new workout DVD entitled, “P-Star Works Out: Exercise Your Body & Mind,”, a workout video for kids made by a kid. 

P-Star is a teen rap “rising superstar” who in addition to her musical accomplishments, has also appeared on stage and screen, and has just signed on to be the lead on the kids show, "The Electric Company."  She spoke to the children in detail about obesity and the importance of maintaining a healthy body and mind.  P-Star worked out with the kids and demonstrated how exercise can also be fun.  After the workout she signed autographs and took pictures.

Dr. Sarita Dhuper, Director of Pediatric Cardiology at BUHMC and creator of the Live Light, Live Right Program helped organize the event.  She was joined by members of the Robin Hood Foundation, a charitable organization that provided generous contributions to Dr. Dhuper's cause, allowing her to establish  the “Brookdale Community Partnership" to educate the community about pediatric obesity.  Together with other community based organizations such as the Brownsville Recreation Center, the Flatbush YMCA, the New York City Board of Education and the New York City Housing Authority, Brookdale Hospital's Community Partnership is really making a difference with the area youth.

The ability to share the new workout DVD with the children of the community means a great deal to Dr. Dhuper and the Live Light, Live Right Program.  “This enables us to continue or quest to combat pediatric obesity and educate children on how to make the correct food and fitness choices.  Hopefully the lessons learned through our efforts will stay with these children for their entire life,” said Dr. Dhuper.
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Flushing Hospital Receives Starlight Starbright Grant

The Pediatric Department at Flushing Hospital was recently awarded a grant from the Starlight Starbright Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with serious medical conditions. At the request of the hospital, the grant will be used to hire a child life specialist to help children and their families cope with the challenges faced during their hospital stay.

“We wanted to add a child life specialist to our team because of the vital role they will play in assuring that children and their families have the support and medical understanding they need,” explained Maria DeMarinis Smilios, ADN, Maternal Child Services. “It’s quite normal for children and parents to experience fear and isolation when admitted to the hospital. This new position should really make their stay more pleasant.”

The child life specialist will help children understand medical procedures and diagnoses through play therapy, accompany children through those procedures, and offer psychological and emotional support to children and their families.

“I am very excited about this grant,” said DeMarinis Smilios. “It is one of the first grants that I’ve applied to and I’m really looking forward to the much needed changes to our pediatric unit.”

The hiring of a child life specialist is one of two changes Flushing Hospital’s pediatric unit expects over the next few months. In March, the unit also received a grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities for a new pediatric playroom. More details will shortly follow.

Grant Adds Another Child Life Specialist at Jamaica Hospital

Jamaica Hospital’s Pediatric Department was recently awarded a grant by the Starlight Starbright Foundation to hire a part-time child life specialist for the unit.

“We are excited about the grant because we really needed another child life specialist,” said Sarah Wassenbergh, Child Life Specialist. “Right now, we don’t have anyone working on Saturdays and Sundays, leaving the playroom closed on the weekend and children and their families without the additional support they need during their stay.”

The child life specialist will meet and greet children once they're admitted, address their fears by helping them understand medical procedures and diagnoses through play therapy, accompany children through those procedures, and offer psychological and emotional support to children and their families.

“Patients have an easier time knowing they have support,” explained Ms. Wassenbergh. “With an additional child life specialist, we are definitely offering our patients a well-rounded and better department.”

This is not the first grant the Pediatric Department has received from the Starlight Starbright Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with serious medical conditions. Last year, the organization provided the department with a grant to remodel the pediatric playroom. The playroom currently has state-of-the-art equipment, including a flat screen TV, a Wii game system, a laptop with internet access, interactive learning stations, and a wide variety of age-appropriate toys.

The Pediatric Department at Brookdale Hospital has a full-time recreational therapist and Flushing Hospital is in the process of hiring a child life specialist as a result of a Starlight Starbright grant.