(Queens, NY) – I welcome the news that the New York State Department of Health has expressed support for certifying a trauma facility in Far Rockaway. While this is a significant step forward, our fight is not over. My office has worked closely with the Far Rockaway Trauma and Healthcare Access Taskforce—including Co-Chair Dr. Mitchell Katz and other key community and labor partners—to move this vital project forward. We are grateful for the collaboration so far.

I also want to thank my colleagues in the New York City Council for prioritizing the $300,000 allocation in this year’s budget to fund the NYCHA land transfer process for the proposed site in the preliminary budget response. This critical investment will help turn the vision of a trauma center into a reality.

In the weeks ahead, we look forward to participating in the working group convened by Mayor Eric Adams, alongside fellow elected officials and city agencies, to ensure this project advances with urgency and transparency. The people of the Rockaways deserve nothing less 

Media Contact for Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers:

Julian Martin | jmartin@council.nyc.gov 

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