We are proud to recognize our New Beginnings Team member, Lauren Shore, LMSW,  a social worker in Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Mother-Baby New Beginnings unit. Lauren began her career at Flushing Hospital 22 years ago, first working in the Women’s Services division of the Ambulatory Care Center,  then moving on to her current role in the Mother-Baby unit.

Lauren truly enjoys working with our patients and being able to take care of them from the start of their journey into parenthood. She takes pride in working as a social worker. Her position allows her to support families during the most challenging and transformative times in their lives.

Welcoming a new baby can bring both joy and stress, especially when medical complications arise. She finds being able to provide emotional support, resources, and guidance to parents navigating the NICU experience is incredibly fulfilling. She finds purpose in helping families feel heard, empowered, and connected to the care they need. Witnessing their strength and resilience and knowing that she can make a difference during this critical time makes her work deeply meaningful. Lauren feels grateful that she is surrounded by an amazing team and has learned so much from her colleagues.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This month, we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Sandra Rodrigues, LMSW, a social worker at Flushing Hospital Medical Center where she has been employed for the past 11 years.

Sandra grew up in Corona and currently lives in College Point. She attended elementary school at Our Lady of Sorrows then went on to John Bowne High School. Sandra obtained her Master’s degree from Hunter College.

Sandra has three children, a son who is 26 years old, one daughter who is 33 and another daughter who is 18. She also has two dogs whose names are Boe and Bailey.

In her free time, Sandra enjoys reading all types of books. Going to Broadway shows and to the movies are also her favorite  things to do.  She enjoys traveling and has been to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. She hopes to travel soon to Israel and Greece. Her favorite types of food to eat are Italian and Spanish. Sandra’s faith is very important to her, it inspires her to do volunteer work and do community outreach.  She also likes to listen to  Christian music. She is a huge basketball fan, the team she follows closely  are the Golden State Warriors.

Sandra likes working at Flushing Hospital because it affords her the opportunity to give back to the people in the neighborhood where she spent her early years. She feels fortunate to work with wonderful people on a daily basis who do their best to give our patients a pleasant experience. We look forward to having Sandra work with us for many more years.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This month, we are proud to recognize our New Beginnings Team member, Ingrid DeFreitas RPA-C, Director of OB/GYN Physician Assistant Education at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Ingrid joined the staff at the hospital in February 2024. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. John’s University in 2004 with a Bachelor’s of Science and Certificate for Physicians Assistant Studies.

Ingrid feels that working at  Flushing Hospital has been an ultimate rewarding experience. She has never felt so engaged with the community as she does now. The energy in Flushing Hospital is palpable with the nurses,  attendings, and all staff are always ready. The staff is exemplary.  Flushing Hospital allows Ingrid autonomy in providing efficient quality care to her own panel of OB/GYN patients.  As a native speaker of Spanish, she has been able to establish a closer connection to our patients. Screening the community for housing, utility difficulties, food insecurities, transportation needs, and financial strains definitely allows her to provide a collaborated approach to overall improve the quality of life for our patients. She is grateful to work for a hospital that embraces her culture and background.

Ingrid was initially afraid to start in a new facility,  but she was fortunate to be given an opportunity to build something better. She is able to mentor incoming new OB/GYN PAs and teach them safe effective ways in handling a strenuous labor and delivery. Throughout her life she was always told to remember be humble, respectful and compassionate, it goes a long way.   Ingrid truly feels with commitment, hard work and dedication, success is obtainable. She disciplined herself through education to become a master of her craft and will continue her best to lead by example and uphold all values she learned throughout her career to strengthen others.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This month,  we are proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Brenda Rodriguez, manager of the Emergency Department Registration. Brenda began working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center 23 years ago. She started her career as a dietary worker, and then began working in the ACC registration area, which eventually led to her position as a manager in ER registration. While Brenda has been a part of the Flushing Hospital team for several years, her story at the hospital began years before that. Her mom was employed by the hospital for 32 years and often Brenda would come to visit her as a young child.

Brenda grew up in Queens. She attended P.S. 154, Parsons Junior High School, and Queens Vocational High School. She currently lives on Long Island. Brenda has a 26 year old daughter and a dog named King. In her free time she likes to unwind by watching tv with her dog. Her favorite tv shows  are old sitcoms, documentaries, sports and reality shows. Brenda enjoys going to see movies, mostly romance films and she is also a big Disney fan. Brenda also likes going to concerts to see old R&B and Freestyle groups. Recently, she started going to see Broadway shows with her daughter. Together they have seen Alladin, The Wiz and Wicked which was her favorite.

Brenda enjoys travelling and has visited Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Aruba. Being of Puerto Rican descent, she has a fondness for that type of cuisine. In particular she likes rice and beans with pork chops and pernil. She enjoys playing softball and is a member of an all women’s softball league. Her favorite baseball team is the New York Yankees.  The best way she can spend her free time is with her daughter, niece, family and friends. Spending time with her loved ones is very important to her.

The people at Flushing Hospital have become like a family to Brenda. She is thankful for the opportunities the hospital has given to her to advance her career. Working with the staff, the patients and the friends that she has made makes this an incredible experience. We are fortunate to have Brenda as a member of our team and we look forward to her continuing with us for many more years into the future.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Jimena Grimaldi is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant on the New Beginnings Unit at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.  Her interest in this field came from having come to the realization that a woman can provide optimal nutrition for her baby after childbirth and it gives newborns a healthy start in life.

Flushing Hospital serves a very diverse community. With all the differences in cultures and beliefs, breastfeeding is still a priority for many of the new moms. It gives Jimena great satisfaction to be able to instruct the new moms on proper breast feeding techniques and to watch for the first time mother and baby bonding in this manner. Jimena enjoys meeting all of the new moms at Flushing Hospital and feels fortunate to work with the team on the New Beginnings unit who share the passion for breastfeeding.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This month, we’re excited to feature David Gordon, RT, RRT-ACCS, Assistant Director of Respiratory Care at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, in our Employee Spotlight.

David has been a valued member of the Flushing Hospital team for six years. Originally from Miami, Florida, he moved to Brooklyn at the age of nine. He pursued his education at New York City College of Technology, earning an Associate’s degree in Art and Advertising, before obtaining a second Associate’s degree in Respiratory Care from the Borough of Manhattan Community College. David then completed his Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration at California Coast University.

Now residing on Long Island, David is a dedicated father to four daughters and two stepdaughters, whose ages range from two to twenty-two. He cherishes the time spent with his family and friends. Although he loves animals, he currently doesn’t have any pets, though he does keep six egg-laying hens. In his spare time, David is passionate about volunteering. He devoted a decade as an EMT in Brooklyn and now serves as an inflight respiratory therapist with an Air Emergency Response team on medical transport flights.

David is an avid traveler who enjoys visiting places with beautiful beaches and warm weather, with Aruba being one of his favorite destinations. He appreciates a variety of foods, especially a well-cooked steak or a great slice of pizza. Music is another passion, and he enjoys a broad range of genres. When it comes to movies, David gravitates towards comedies, dramas, and action films, and he’s a big fan of football.

David’s experience at Flushing Hospital has been exceptionally positive. He values the family-like atmosphere and the strong sense of teamwork fostered by the friendly interactions among different departments. We are thrilled to have David as a key member of our team and look forward to his continued contributions in the years ahead.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This month, we would like to introduce you to our Assistant Head Nurse in the NICU, Isabel Ortiz, RNC. Isabel began her career in the Flushing Hospital Medical Center NICU 36 years ago.

Isabel’s nursing career began in Puerto Rico where she received her bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked there for the first three years of her nursing career. Her entire career at Flushing Hospital has been spent working in the NICU which she finds to be very fulfilling on many levels. Taking care of NICU patients can have many challenges but is very rewarding when she sees her patients thrive and go on to live happy lives.

In addition to caring for her patients, she also spends  a lot of time with assisting their parents. Isabel feels a strong connection to the community. Being bilingual (English and Spanish) helps her to communicate well with many patients and families.

Isabel enjoys working with the NICU team. They have become like family to her. They teach one another and are always learning new techniques that benefit patients.  Isabel’s passion for taking care of the NICU patients and their families is well known and we are very happy to have her as a member of the New Beginnings Team.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This month, we are very proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Estela Divino, LCSW-R in the Palliative Care Department at Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Estela began her career at Flushing Hospital three years ago. She was born in the Philippines and moved with her family to New York at the age of six.  She saw all that her parents went through as immigrants  and how hard they worked to give her family opportunities in the United States. Because of this, she has a deep appreciation for the immigrant experience and all that it takes to build a life here.

Estela grew up in Queens where she attended elementary school at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, and high school at Saint Francis Prep. Estela received her BS degree from Albany State University and her MSW from Adelphi University School of Social Work.

Estela currently lives with her family on Long Island. She is very proud of her two daughters. One daughter will be graduating from college in 2025 and the other daughter will be graduating from medical school the same year.  The family also has a Havanese dog that lives in their home.  Estela enjoys spending her free time with her family and her friends. She likes to travel.  Most recently she went to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a family reunion. Her favorite places to vacation are places that have warm weather and beautiful beaches. She also likes to go to concerts, go thrifting, work on crossword puzzles, go to Broadway musicals and practice yoga.

She enjoys many different types of food, especially Filipino, Korean, Italian,  Chinese and Greek. Estela listens to all types of music but  R&B, classical, jazz and pop are her favorite genres.  One of the most fulfilling experiences in Estela’s life was being a Peace Corps volunteer in the area of community health and served from 1988-1990 in Guinea Bissau, West Africa.  During her time there she learned Portuguese and Portuguese Creole.

The most important things in Estela’s life besides her relationship with her family and loved ones, are keeping a work/life balance, and finding meaning and purpose in both. She appreciates the sense of community among the different disciplines at the hospital and how everyone works well together to care for the patients and their families during difficult times in their lives. We are very fortunate to have Estela as part of our team at Flushing Hospital and we look forward to her continuing work with us for many more years.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

This month, our employee spotlight shines on Rekha Lall, Head of Ultrasound in our Radiology Department. Rekha has been working at Flushing Hospital Medical Center for the past 36 years. She was born in Delhi, India where she attended elementary school through college. She moved to New York at the age of 18, where she completed her graduate studies and remains today.

Rekha has two children and two grandchildren. She also has a dog whose name is Whiskey. In her free time she enjoys painting, cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Her favorite food is pizza. Rekha enjoys music, especially Bollywood and Bhangra. One of the  things that is most important to Rekha is her family at home. Her family gives her the encouragement that fuels her determination and enriches every aspect of her life.

Equally important to her is her work family. They are extremely compassionate and very dedicated to taking care of their patients. Rekha’s  patients occupy a profound place in her heart and priorities. Her patients entrust her with their health and well-being and this is a responsibility  she holds with great reverence.

Rekha has always wanted to work in healthcare. It is a passion that has guided her through the journey of  life since she was a child. She feels incredibly fortunate to wake up each day and pursue what she loves most. Rekha feels truly blessed to have a career that fulfills her professionally and personally. It allows her to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of others. We are fortunate to have Rekha working with us at Flushing Hospital for 36 years and we look forward to her continuing for many more years in the future.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

It has been known for a long time that gardening offers many benefits both to a person’s physical and mental health. It has been used by hospitals as a form of therapy and by senior centers to help keep people engaged in physical and social activities. Schools have also used gardening as a way to involve students with nature.

Physical activities associated with gardening often includes: digging, bending, raking, mowing, and carrying items to be planted. Some of the benefits of these activities are strengthening muscles, keeping joints functioning properly, improving manual dexterity, burning of calories and increasing lung function. When a person works outdoors they tend to absorb more vitamin D from sunlight which is also beneficial to bone strength and to lowering blood pressure.

Gardening is also beneficial from a mental health perspective. Gardening has been shown to:

• Improve relaxation
• Improve self esteem
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Improve socialization
• Decrease depression
• Diminish PTSD
• Improve thought processes

Gardening clearly offers many benefits to a person’s all around well-being. It doesn’t take much to get started and the results will provide endless opportunities to enjoy the effort that goes into it.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.