By Staten Island Advance Staff
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A project to expand Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC)’s neonatal (NICU) and pediatric intensive care units (PICU) was fueled with $7 million from the city’s budget, which was passed by the City Council on Monday.
The Staten Island City Council delegation, led by City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-South Shore), and Speaker Adrienne Adams secured the capital funds for the expansions.
“For decades, Staten Island’s two private hospitals were left to their own devices, forced to meet the borough’s constantly growing healthcare challenges without any financial assistance from the city,” Borelli said.
“It took tenacity and teamwork to get us here, but finally we can say that our borough is no longer forgotten when it comes to healthcare funding. This significant capital allocation continues our historic financial commitment to RUMC and to the health and wellness of Staten Islanders,” he added.
RUMC is currently updating approximately 75% of its footprint with a mission to bring a more modern medical experience to the people of Staten Island. The six-year, $250 million overhaul includes giving high priority to upgrading the nursing in women’s and children’s services at RUMC, which caters to 3,000 babies who are born at the facility each year, according to the hospital.
As part of the upgrades, the existing NICU, which is 3,600 square feet, will be expanded to 7,950 feet. With nearly double the space, the renovated NICU will be able to accommodate 25 infants and maximize the quantity of private rooms by incorporating new pods, required clinical support spaces, space for families, a treatment room, infant nutrition areas, lactation support and staff support areas. Aiming to benefit the many newborns who require advanced, specialized care, the newly-renovated and expanded space will provide better access for parent-baby bonding and overall satisfaction.
RUMC President and CEO Dr. Dan Messina said that in addition to the PICU and NICU, the funds would also go to building 10 new mental health beds to serve the community. It’s all part of a hospital-wide effort first announced in 2016 to bring a more modern medical experience to the people of Staten Island.
“We’re really on a great road to advancing and modernizing all our clinical facilities at the hospital,” Messina said. “This is going to be great for the entire Staten Island community.”
Said Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore): “Having the capacity to take care of the ever-growing Staten Island population takes funding, investments, and resources — especially in the only borough without a public hospital.”
“I am glad that alongside my colleagues Minority Leader Borelli and Council Member [David] Carr, the Staten Island delegation was able to work with Speaker Adams to secure these critical capital funds.”
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio tried to bring the West Brighton hospital under the city’s Health + Hospitals system, but last year, RUMC leadership turned down the offer that city and local officials estimated to be worth more than $500 million over 10 years.
Since 2016, the private hospital has reaped $53 million in capital funding from the Staten Island City Council delegation, and $132 million in tax-exempt bonds toward RUMC renovations, according to the City Council.
The past direct capital funding to RUMC included money for a new emergency department. The office of Mayor Eric Adams, who applauded the Council’s passing the budget, did not respond to a request for comment about whether he’d continue his predecessor’s efforts to bring RUMC into the public hospital system.
While still an independent hospital, RUMC has had a clinical affiliation with Mount Sinai since 2012.
The City Council passed the $101 billion budget Monday night after announcing a handshake agreement with Adams on Friday.
“Our local hospitals are the bedrock for health and well-being in our community,” Carr said. “With these new facilities, Staten Islanders can rest assured they will receive high quality and modern services”