Far Rockaway, NY<\/strong> \u2014 Today, New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Dr. Mitchell Katz, and the Far Rockaway Trauma and Healthcare Access Task Force were joined by New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Eric Adams in a rally to call for the creation of a level 1 or 2 trauma facility. In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Administration secured $25 million for the Far Rockaway trauma center. The rally brought together elected officials, residents and community leaders to celebrate this budget win and voice their concerns about the Peninsula\u2019s lack of access to essential trauma services. Local labor unions including District Council 37, New York State Nurses Association, Communications Workers of America Union, Police Benevolent Association, New York Police Department Guardians Association, and Local 2507 among others were present in support of establishing a level 1 or level 2 trauma facility, and voiced pressure for New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to provide critical funding for a trauma center in Far Rockaway. <\/p>\n The Rockaway Peninsula, home to over 120,000 New Yorkers, is geographically isolated. Nassau County separates Far Rockaway from the rest of Southeast Queens, and limited roadways connect it to the city. The closest trauma facility to Far Rockaway is nearly 10 miles away. This significant gap in healthcare access has resulted in numerous preventable deaths and has severely impacted the overall quality of life for residents.<\/p>\n The Far Rockaway Trauma and Health Access Task Force has been at the forefront of this advocacy since the task force was established in 2022. In June, the New York City Council was able to secure $25 million from the Administration towards a level 1 or level 2 trauma facility. However, more funding is needed and community members are calling on Governor Hochul to step up. <\/p>\n Previous data<\/a> released by the task force highlighted the urgent need for a trauma center, with over 15,000 EMS calls and 14,000 hospital transports originating in Rockaway, including 700 trauma-related calls, between October 2021 and September 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the recent FY25 budget win for the Far Rockaway trauma center, we need Governor Hochul to commit to strengthening the health infrastructure for a geographically isolated community \u2013 the Rockaways,\u201d said New York City Council<\/strong> Majority Whip Brooks-Powers<\/strong>. \u201cThe untimely murder of 10-year-old Justin Wallace and more recently Detective Diller were tragic reminders of the peninsula\u2019s lack of healthcare infrastructure. By establishing a level 1 or level 2 trauma facility, we will help ensure that trauma patients in the Rockaways and surrounding areas have a fighting chance of survival. The $25 million commitment towards the trauma center from this Administration was a strong show of good faith, now we need the Governor to act.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored to be part of the effort to bring a lifesaving trauma center to the Rockaways,\u201d said President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals Mitchell Katz, MD<\/strong>. \u201cThis facility could be the difference between life and death for a patient with a serious traumatic injury. I want to thank the Mayor and the Council Member for their commitment to this project.\u201d<\/p>\n “When patients require the immediate and specialized care that can only be provided by a Level I or II trauma center, mere seconds matter,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. “It\u2019s unacceptable that the closest trauma center for residents of the Rockaways is Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, which is nearly 10 miles away. The Council is proud to have secured $25 million in the city\u2019s capital plan for a new trauma center in the Rockaways. Despite this progress, we must continue to call for additional capital dollars from the City and State to achieve this goal. I thank Majority Whip Brooks-Powers and the entire Far Rockaway Trauma Healthcare Access Task Force for their leadership and hard work to secure a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for the Rockaways.”<\/p>\n “I promised I would be a five-borough mayor, and that is especially important when it comes to emergency health care,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams<\/strong>. “No matter where you live in our city, every New Yorker should be able to access lifesaving health care quickly, and that includes in the Rockaways. That is why we are proud to be joined by Councilmember Brooks-Powers in announcing $25 million in city funding to help us get there. I commend Speaker Adams, Councilmember Brooks-Powers, and the local community on their steadfast advocacy and look forward to working in lock-step with them to finally bring a trauma center to the Rockaways.”<\/p>\n \u201cI am beyond excited about the progress being made toward bringing a trauma center to Far Rockaway,\u201d said New York State Senator James Sanders, Jr<\/strong>. \u201cThis facility will be a game-changer for our community, providing life-saving care that has been sorely lacking for far too long. The recent funding secured is a monumental step, and I urge the Governor to support this critical investment. The residents of Far Rockaway deserve immediate access to top-tier medical services, and this trauma center will provide just that\u2014ultimately saving lives and building a healthier future for our entire region.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThe City has made a great first step in investing in a trauma center for the Rockaway Peninsula,\u201d said New York State Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer-Amato<\/strong>. \u201cWe know the ability to live a long and healthy life is not equally available to all residents of New York City,\u201d said New York State Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson<\/strong>. \u201cFar Rockaway, in particular, has suffered mightily from healthcare inequity and disinvestment. With the leadership of my colleague Council Majority Whip Brooks-Powers and the Far Rockaway Healthcare Task Force, we are making historic progress toward bringing a trauma facility to the Rockaway Peninsula. I proudly join my fellow elected officials and community leaders in calling on Governor Hochul to invest in quality trauma care services in Far Rockaway, which will improve health outcomes and save countless lives.\u201d<\/p>\n “The need for a trauma center in Far Rockaway is not just a matter of healthcare; it\u2019s about saving lives,\u201d said New York City<\/strong> Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Health Committee<\/strong>. \u201cWith our community facing critical gaps in emergency medical services, we must ensure that residents have immediate access to quality care. I stand with my fellow leaders in urging Governor Hochul to support this essential facility. Together, we can create a safer, healthier future for the people of Far Rockaway and all of Queens.”<\/p>\n \u201cThe Rockaway peninsula is in desperate need of a trauma center, and the money that has been secured lays the foundation to make that happen,\u201d said New York City Council Member Joann Ariola<\/strong>. \u201cThis is just a start, and we must continue to fight and advocate for the people of Rockaway to ensure that this trauma center becomes a reality. This area is chronically medically underserved, and I \u2013 along with my colleagues \u2013 fully intend to end this problem and give residents here the quality of life that they deserve \u2013 a quality of life that doesn\u2019t involve traveling miles onto the mainland to receive vital medical service in times of crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs a former ER nurse and Chair of the Hospitals Committee, I understand how critical trauma centers are in saving lives during emergencies,\u201d said New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, Chair of the Hospitals Committee<\/strong>. \u201cA level 1 or 2 trauma facility in Far Rockaway would be a game-changer for this community, providing faster access to critical care when every second counts. I fully support this push for a trauma center and stand with my colleagues and community leaders in urging the state to prioritize the health and safety of Far Rockaway residents.”<\/p>\n \u201cEpiscopal Health Services\/ St. John\u2019s Episcopal Hospital is committed to partnering with the Councilmember to create solutions that address the critical need for trauma services on the Rockaway Peninsula,\u201d said CEO of Episcopal Health Services, Donald T. Morrish, MD, MMM<\/strong>. \u201cTogether, we can create innovative solutions that will have a lasting, positive impact on the health and well-being of residents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith over 5000 nursing home and adult home on the peninsula, coupled with the yearly water rescues and drownings this community experiences, it is imperative that a Trauma Center be added to the medical arsenal of this community,\u201d Queens Community Board 14 District Manager Felicia Johnson<\/strong>. \u201cOur residents and visitors deserve a fighting chance to receive emergency medical care during traumatic episodes. We applaud the funding received thus far, and am hopeful that additional funding will be forth coming to see this Trauma center come to fruition.\u201d <\/p>\n “A trauma center in Far Rockaway is long overdue,\u201d said Rev. Dr. Les Mullings, Founder\/CEO of Challenge Preparatory Charter School<\/strong>. \u201cThe tragic losses of our scholars Justin Wallace and Davina Afokoba still serve as painful reminders that our citizens are missing key life-saving health services here. Detective Diller gave his life defending our community. I applaud Council Majority Whip Brooks-Powers for her focus on this important issue, and I look for the State to respond as soon as possible to this need.”<\/p>\n “JCCRP recognizes the importance of having a trauma center in Far Rockaway, for the community to be able to have immediate assistance in times of desperate need,\u201d said Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula<\/strong>, Allison Deal<\/strong>. \u201cA local trauma center is truly the difference between life and death in urgent health situations. An investment in the emergency healthcare of Far Rockaway residents is long overdue. We are proud that JCCRP board Vice President, Richard Altabe is part of the Taskforce to advocate for this necessary change in Far Rockaway.” <\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAs a resident of Far Rockaway, a Trauma Center is well needed in the community,\u201d Redfern Houses Tenant Association President Kimberly Comes<\/strong>. \u201cI experienced a medical emergency in July 2020 and St. John’s wasn’t able treat me and I was transported to a Long Island hospital. The issue of transporting people out of the community for emergency medical attention is an extreme concern to Farr Rockaway residents.\u201d<\/p>\n The $25 million commitment from the Administration towards a level 1 or level 2 trauma facility is an important step, but further support is needed from Governor Hochul to make the Far Rockaway Trauma Center a reality. Additional state funding and certification is critical to secure this vital healthcare need for the Rockaway community.<\/p>\n Media Contact for Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers:<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, it\u2019s time for the State to take the next step, and I will make sure the State does everything it can to ensure we get the trauma center we deserve! This is a needed and overdue lifeline for the Rockaway Peninsula, and we will continue to fight and get this done.\u201d<\/p>\n