Business
Four WMCHealth Hospitals recognized for stroke care excellence
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Cite Westchester Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, MidHudson Regional Hospital and HealthAlliance Hospital
VALHALLA, NY (August 3, 2022) ― Four Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) hospitals have again been cited by national associations* for stroke care excellence.
Westchester Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, MidHudson Regional Hospital and HealthAlliance Hospital have each earned the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for 2022. The award recognizes each hospital for its commitment to, and success in, ensuring stroke patients receive excellent care based on the latest evidence-based scientific guidelines. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association also appointed each of these hospitals to the Get with the Guidelines Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.
Additionally, Westchester Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital attained Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite status from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. To qualify for this recognition, each hospital met quality measures developed to reduce the time between patient arrival at the hospital and treatment with tissue plasminogen activator, or r-tPA, a therapy for for treating ischemic strokes, which are caused by blood clots.
Learn Stroke Signs, Get the Needed Stroke Care
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States with about 795,000 people in the United States suffering a stroke each year. WMCHealth encourages the public to learn more about stroke symptoms and to call 911 at once if someone shows signs of a possible stroke. Emergency medical services can be directed to take a stroke patient to the closest awarded WMCHealth hospital for expert care if transport is considered safe for the individual.
WMCHealth Hospitals Collaborate to Provide Timely and Effective Stroke Care
Westchester Medical Center is certified by New York State as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, a designation that represents the most advanced stroke treatment available in a given geographic area*. Also,Good Samaritan Hospital, MidHudson Regional Hospital and HealthAlliance Hospital are all designated by the New York State Department of Health as Primary Stroke Centers.
Recently, WMCHealth began offering a minimally invasive surgical procedure (thrombectomy) at MidHudson Regional Hospital for the safe, fast and effective removal of stroke-causing blood clots.
“Our WMCHealth stroke care teams work in concert for the administration of timely stroke care,” said Ji Chong, MD, a vascular neurologist and Director of Stroke at Westchester Medical Center. Under Dr. Chong’s guidance, the stroke program at Westchester Medical Center now has a stroke specialist caring for each patient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“We offer neuroendovascular and other neurointerventional services all day, every day along with around-the-clock neurocritical care, neurosurgery and vascular neurology. In addition, we have expanded our telemedicine services so now colleagues in hospitals both within and outside of the WMCHealth Network can contact us at any time for stroke care consultation,” added Dr. Chong. “A telemedicine consult can save critical minutes during diagnosis and treatment application. This time saving might mean the difference between a full recovery, a lifetime of disability or worse for the patient.”
Additionally, WMCHealth is a community resource for stroke education and prevention. WMCHealth has a long-term Academic Affiliation Agreement with New York Medical College, hosts professional, stroke-centric learning events for clinical specialists and is also active in the community with stroke education.
About Westchester Medical Center Health Network
The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is a 1,700-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with nine hospitals on eight campuses spanning 6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 13,000 people and has nearly 3,000 attending physicians. The Network has Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 trauma centers, the region’s only acute care children’s hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, Comprehensive and Primary Stroke Centers, skilled nursing, assisted living facilities, home-care services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State. Today, WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated health care in the Hudson Valley. For more information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org or follow WMCHealth on Facebook.com/WMCHealth or Instagram.com/WMCHealth.
Caring for Your Plants During a Heat Wave
(Pomona, New York) August 4, 2022 — Taking care of your garden and house plants during the dog days of summer can be stressful. Here are some tips and tricks on plant care during a heat wave.
For Outdoor Plants:
- Water plants deeply, ideally first thing in the morning while temperatures are still low. Potted plants will probably want to be watered more than once a day during a heat wave. The next best time to water during hot weather is in the early evening. Generally speaking, established trees will need deep waterings 2-3 times a week or more during heat waves. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation work well for deep waterings as they ensure there is less water run-off.
- Mulch! If you don’t already have a thick layer of mulch around your plants, apply some as soon as possible. Organic mulch helps keep soil temperatures lower, retains moisture, keeps weed pressure down, and improves soil health.
- Move potted plants to a shaded area. Plants in black plastic pots are more susceptible to having their roots fried in those hot pots than plants in the ground. While the heat wave persists move these plants to a cool area if possible. Also, beware of potted plants close to a wall that might receive radiant and or reflective heat during the day.
- Set up a shade cloth for young tender plants. Younger plants may not be able to handle the heat as well as more established plantings. Consider placing a temporary shade cloth over them during a heat wave.
- Watch the leaves on your plants. Leaves wilt during extremely hot and sunny days as a defense mechanism. The wilting lowers the surface area exposed to the sun thus limiting transpiration and sunburn. However, if the plant does not perk up in the evening or after watering in the morning then it might be a sign of too much or too little watering.
- Install an irrigation system. The best defense against extreme weather is having healthy established plants. Caring for them year-round with the right organic fertilizers, seasonal pruning, and good watering practices are the best way to ensure your plants make it through extreme weather.
Don’t forget your indoor plants!
Depending on how well your home is insulated and air-conditioned, a heat wave can affect indoor conditions, too. If you notice temps are climbing inside, your houseplants will drink water faster.
- Consider turning on the humidifier. Just like humans, plants can dry out too when the air gets too hot. If your indoor plants are taking up water faster during the heat wave, it might be time to break out the humidifier to boost water vapor in the air.
- Limit direct sunlight. If your plants are suited for direct sunlight, they should be okay unless it is an extreme heatwave in which case you want to remove them from direct sunlight and increase your watering.
- Save re-potting for after the heat wave. If you need to transplant your plants—particularly your outdoor plants—hold off until temperatures return to normal. Between the extreme heat, lower water levels, and drier conditions, heat waves can stress your plants more than usual; re-potting can jeopardize their health.
‘The Virtuous Life of Joseph Andrews’ coming to Penguin Rep Theatre
ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK (August 2, 2022) – Summer fun starts August 12 when Penguin Rep
Theatre, the Stony Point-based nonprofit professional theatre, presents the world premiere of the new
comedy with music, THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF JOSEPH ANDREWS, live on stage, Artistic Director Joe
Brancato announced today.
Inspired by Henry Fielding’s classic novel, this rollicking comic romp through 18th-century England is the
latest gem by the acclaimed playwright, Cary Gitter, author of THE SABBATH GIRL, produced at Penguin
Rep. JOSEPH ANDREWS features a book and lyrics by Gitter and music by Max Silverman, and is
conceived and directed by Mr. Brancato.
In JOSEPH ANDREWS, misadventures abound for the young, handsome, and naïve Joseph Andrews, a
servant abandoned as a baby. Tutored by the clueless Parson Adams, Andrews sets off to find himself,
but finds himself pursued by the lecherous Lady Booby, tempted by the wily chambermaid Betty, but in
love with the forbidden Fanny.
“Filled with humor, warmth and wackiness, JOSEPH ANDREWS is just the uplifting change of pace we
need today,” says Mr. Brancato. “It will vanish your cares and put a smile on your face.”
Guided by Mr. Brancato, who, in addition to scores of productions in Stony Point, has directed in New
York City and regionally throughout the U.S. and Canada, the show’s cast includes Maya Musial as
Fanny, Josh Powell as Parson Adams, Jonathan Randell Silver in multiple roles, Steven Telsey as Joseph
Andrews, and Liz Zazzi as Lady Booby.
Mr. Powell previously starred at Penguin in SYNCOPATION and ART. Ms. Zazzi has appeared in such
Penguin audience favorites as MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET, TEN PERCENT OF MOLLY SNYDER,
CENTENNIAL CASTING and TOUR DE FARCE.
The creative team includes Christopher and Justin Swader (set design), Alyssa Ridder (costume design),
Jamie Roderick (lighting design), Max Silverman (sound design), and Buffy Cardoza (properties). Michael
Palmer is production stage manager.
JOSEPH ANDREWS will be presented through September 4. Performances are scheduled Thursdays at 7
p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays (2 shows) at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
There is a specially discounted matinee scheduled at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 12. A post-performance
discussion among artistic director Joe Brancato, the actors and audience will follow the performance on
Friday, August 19.
Before the 4 p.m. show on Saturday, August 20, there will be a complimentary tasting catered by The
Filling Station of West Haverstraw.
Tickets to JOSEPH ANDREWS are priced at $39 (including facility fee and service charge). For tickets
purchased online prior to August 12, there is an early ordering discount available. Discounts are also
available for groups of 10 or more and for young people (30 and under).
Performances take place at Penguin’s intimate, 108-seat theatre, located at 7 Crickettown Road. “The
converted barn, circa 1880, has never been more inviting” (The New York Times). Says Executive
Director Andrew M. Horn, “it’s theatre so close you can feel it, with comfy upholstered seats and no seat
more than 30 feet from the stage.” The theatre is air conditioned, handicapped accessible, equipped
with assistive listening devices, and has plenty of free parking.
During its closure due to COVID-19, Penguin made physical modifications to its venue to make the
theatergoing experience safer and more comfortable. Air filtration was upgraded, air circulation
modified to ensure increased exchange of inside and outside air, and high-intensity UVC light installed
inside the ductwork to remove airborne and surface contaminants.
To order tickets or for further information, visit Penguin Rep’s website at www.penguinrep.org or call
845-786-2873.
Cornell Cooperative Extension to Host 2nd Annual Sustainability Walk & Showcase Oct. 2nd
(Rockland County, NY) August 1, 2022– The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County will host its second annual Sustainability Walk and Showcase this fall. The goal of the event is to encourage people to enjoy nature and gain a greater understanding of our environment and how to protect it while also providing a fun day of activities. The walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 10am until 2:00pm at Congers Lake at 6 Gilchrest Road during leaf-peeping season. Residents from across Rockland are invited to join the festivities and walk the beautiful, stroller friendly and handicap accessible trail around the lake.
The event will feature ten educational stations where adults and kids can learn about birds, bugs, and biodiversity. The station topics will include Invasive Plants, Insects and Ticks, Native Plants and Forest Trees, Animals around the Lake, Water Quality and Algae Blooms, Water Plants, Water Birds, as well as a Background and History of the Lake. There will be a scavenger hunt and other activities for kids and booths where parents can learn about environmentally friendly products and services.
“We are excited to bring this nature-focused event to Rockland residents that only highlights the beautiful Congers Lake and local flora and fauna, but also provides an educational opportunity for all ages,” stated Suzanne Barclay, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County.
A donation of $10 for adults will go directly to benefit Cornell Cooperative Extension. Children under 18 are free. Each family that registers by October 1 will receive a swag bag filled with giveaways from the event’s Platinum Sponsors. The Platinum Sponsors for this year’s event are Veolia, the Town of Clarkstown and Orange and Rockland.
To register visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2022-sustainability-walk-showcase-fundraiser-registration-362034935237.
More information about the event, which will take place rain or shine, can be found at this link. http://rocklandcce.org/events/2021/10/02/sustainability-walk-showcase-fundraiser.