Queens Public Library Partners with NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst to Launch Virtual Series of Health and Wellness Educational Events
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Physicians and Other Experts Offer Information on Important Health Topics Through Virtual Talks
(Elmhurst, New York, July 20, 2020)–Queens Public Library and NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst have partnered to host a series of virtual health and wellness educational events to increase health care literacy for all residents in Queens and beyond. The free series includes discussions led by NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst experts on a range of topics, including healthy eating, pediatric milestones, COVID-19 awareness, and what to do to get children ready for a new school year. The collaboration is part of Queens Public Library’s Community Health Service program, which provides free health education classes, workshops, and activities to promote health awareness in the community.
“Queens Public Library is committed now more than ever to helping our communities stay informed and healthy by offering them access to a wide range of free virtual programs focusing on medical issues,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has been an outstanding partner, and we are thrilled to work with them to help people obtain vital information directly from professionals in the field, so they can make knowledgeable decisions about their and their families’ health.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is excited by this partnership with the Queens Library and the opportunity it gives us to increase health literacy about common medical issues during an extremely difficult time for our communities,” said Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals and Elmhurst and Queens Hospitals CEO Israel Rocha. “Using virtual platforms for community engagement by our physicians, nurses, and other providers is a fantastic way to improve population health and encourage people to make informed healthcare decisions.”
Schedule of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst virtual lectures through Queens Public Library:
Monday, July 27, 2 PM: Healthy Foods from Around the World: Jey Hwang, RDN, CDN Director of Food and Nutrition Services, will discuss some nutrition basics and healthy recipes. To join the program, go here.
Tuesday, July 28, 10 AM: Pediatric Milestones: Dr. Pilar Gonzalez, Director of Elmhurst’s Pediatric Clinic, will analyze developmental milestones like the first smile, walking, and talking. To join the program, go here.
Tuesday, August 11, 10 AM: COVID-19—What You Should Know (IN SPANISH): Dr. Alfredo Astua, Chief of Pulmonology, will share information about the novel coronavirus, potential treatments, and how to best protect ourselves and our communities. To join the program, go here.
Monday, August 31, 2 PM: Healthy Back to School: Drs. Thaina Rousseau-Pierre (Adolescent Health), Pilar Gonzalez (Pediatrics) and Arthur Abright (Adolescent and Child Psychiatry) will discuss how to get children ready to go back to school this year. To join the program, go here.
As QPL has recently begun the process of reopening its physical branches following a temporary closure to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Library continues to offer access to its robust virtual programming. In addition to programs dedicated to community health, QPL also provides virtual storytimes in multiple languages, resume assistance, Summer Reading activities, cultural programs including author talks and performances, and more. The Library’s entire virtual programming calendar is available here.
About Queens Public Library
Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1896, Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in multiple languages, technology and digital resources, and more than 87,500 educational, cultural, and civic programs a year. It consists of 66 locations, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology lab, two universal pre-kindergartens, and two teen centers.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is a major provider of hospital and ambulatory care services in the borough of Queens. The 545-bed hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station, and a 911-Receiving Hospital. It is a premiere health care organization for key specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and mental health services. Last year, the hospital’s robust primary and specialty care practices handled nearly 700,000 ambulatory care visits and its emergency medicine teams responded to more than 130,000 emergency room encounters.
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook or Twitter.
Contact: Queens Public Library—Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska; NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst—Atiya Butler
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