On Monday, June 17, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Kings Park held an event to celebrate their recently completed Emergency Department (ED) expansion and renovation. The event brought together Catholic Health Services administrators, members of the leadership team and medical staff of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, as well as local and regional elected officials.
The renovations completed include new treatment bays, a spacious ED waiting room, an all-new registration and triage suite, and advanced technologies. The ED renovation also includes a new ambulance bay that will facilitate the movement of patients from EMS into the ED treatment area. The ED at St. Catherine treats roughly 24,000 patients per year.
Fr. Francois Eale, a member of the hospital’s pastoral care team, opened the event with an invocation, asking that God bless the newly renovated ED, including all the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and support personnel who are responsible for providing emergency care at the hospital.
Declan Doyle, President of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, then gave his regards.
“The hospital’s ED renovation will greatly enhance patient experience and allow for seamless emergency department medical care,” said Mr. Doyle, speaking to visitors who were seated under a white tent just adjacent to the ED entrance.
Mr. Doyle then introduced Dr. Patrick M. O’Shaughnessy, the President & Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Health Servies. Dr. O’Shaughnessy spoke of the renovated ED as well, and promised continued growth in other departments, including surgery and cancer care.
The ED renovation was made possible by an impressive philanthropic gift of $500,000 from the Banyan Tree Roots Foundation, as well as other organizations and various donors. The Banyan Foundation is named after the Banyan tree. Representing the Banyan Tree Roots Foundation were Mr. and Mrs. Alfond, who were present at the ceremony.
“These unique trees can grow up to one hundred feet, while spreading their roots laterally for hundreds of feet,” stated Mr. Alfond, who was comparing the Banyan tree root system to the Foundation’s far reaching philanthropic efforts.
Several elected officials attended the event, including Smithtown Town Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), State Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), and Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga). Also present were members of several local Fire Departments and various EMS personnel.
Declan Doyle introduced Larry Castello, a patient who once presented to the ED at the hospital and spoke highly of the care he received there. According to Mr. Castello, “from the time I arrived, I felt at ease here.”
“It is not the walls of this building, or the building itself, but the people inside these walls that are behind the quality care patients receive here,” said Castello.
St. Catherine of Siera Hospital is part of the Catholic Health System, encompassing six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health service, hospice and a network of physician practices. CHS is under the sponsorship of the Diocese of Rockville Centre and has close to 18,000 employees.
Michelle Pipia-Stiles, Director of Public Relations at St. Catherine, reminded guests that cardiovascular services of St. Francis Heart Center are now on the premises of St. Catherine, working hand-in-hand with the hospital’s emergency care team. Pipia-Stiles also pointed out the hospital is always striving to improve, planning expansions in their surgery and neurosurgery departments.
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(Above photo) Larry Castello and Dr. Happes
