Centering Pregnancy Program Testimonial

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

If I had to describe the Centering Pregnancy program in two words, they would definitely be professionalism and compassion.

I must admit that when Angela Correa, the coordinator of Centering Prenatal Care, first called me to tell me about the Centering Pregnancy program, I was a little unsure about joining the group. However, with just one simple phone call, she made me feel welcome and, most importantly, truly embraced in what would later become my favorite moment of the week.

Thank you, Angela, for your smile, for always being attentive and willing to help, for being part of every session, for sharing your experiences, and for listening to me with so much patience. You are truly an angel from God!

During one of the first sessions, I had the opportunity to meet the wonderful Ingrid Defreitas, RPA-C, and since then, I have not stopped appreciating her.

From day one, I could see that she is an excellent professional, fully dedicated to her work, her patients, and her values. She made each class a unique experience. She made me feel heard and valued, and with her joyful personality, she made every session worthwhile. In addition to being highly professional in examining both me and my baby, she was always clear, informative, and direct in her explanations.

I would recommend Ingrid to every future mom who has the opportunity to attend Centering. She makes Centering a fun, welcoming space filled with valuable information. Thank you, Ingrid, for all your kindness during these past months, for accompanying me through this journey with my baby growing inside me. May God always bless you!

Another person I would like to thank is the lactation specialist, Jimena Grimaldi. She is an excellent professional and a wonderful person. She was always willing to answer each of my questions and concerns. In every word she speaks, you can feel the kindness and warmth of the person she is. Thank you so much, Jimena!

Last but certainly not least, I would like to deeply thank Maria Smilios, Director of Nursing – Maternal and Child Services, for making this experience possible and for visiting us from time to time during our sessions to make sure we were doing well.

Thanks to all these wonderful women, I am much more prepared because of everything they have taught me and shared with me.

I feel it is very important to share my experience so that this space can reach more moms who may still be unsure about joining. Believe me, being part of Centering made the journey of carrying my pregnancy so much lighter. It is a space where no one judges, where experiences are shared, where there is so much valuable information, laughter, and even a few tears—but you are surrounded by people who are going through the same thing or something similar, and that makes the journey feel much less heavy.

Thank you for everything, ladies!

With much love and gratitude,
Ana Laura Aguilar

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.

Flushing Hospital’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Patrick Hercules

Rehabilitation therapy is a form of patient-centered healthcare that is designed to restore, maintain, or improve a patient’s physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities after illness, injury, surgery, or chronic conditions. The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Flushing Hospital Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of outpatient services. The team’s experienced staff includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and audiologists.

The department has physiatrists who are highly experienced rehabilitation physicians. They are board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, brain injury medicine, and electrodiagnostic medicine.

Physical therapists provide outpatient services at the hospital. They assess each patient’s unique needs and determine a care plan to address the functional deficits identified. Goals for therapy are based on the patient’s specific needs.

Common diagnoses treated on an outpatient basis include neck/back pain, joint pain/arthritis, musculoskeletal diseases, and neurological conditions such as stroke and nerve injuries.

Flushing Hospital’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation utilizes therapeutic exercise and movement-based interventions to improve patient outcomes. Electrotherapeutic equipment and thermal modalities, such as hot/cold packs, work as adjuncts to manual therapy techniques. Therapists are trained in manual techniques such as myofascial release and joint mobilization. Exercise techniques using equipment and resistance modalities are taught to the patient as a home exercise program to improve their overall function.

Dedicated occupational therapists evaluate patients’ self-care skills for activities of daily living (ADLs). They develop care plans to improve the patient’s ability to perform these tasks to lead a more independent lifestyle.

The speech-language pathologists provide communication, cognitive, and swallowing evaluations and treatment to patients of all ages. Care plans are individualized and patient-centered. Patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) may also be referred for instrumental swallow evaluation, specifically Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) tests, to objectively assess swallowing, make appropriate food and liquid recommendations, and develop a targeted swallowing therapy plan.

The audiology department provides comprehensive audiological evaluations to patients of all ages, from newborn through geriatric age ranges. Recommendations are made based on the individual’s needs and may include referral/recommendation for possible hearing aids. These patients are given appropriate referrals and guided in the follow-up process.

Flushing Hospital’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is committed to providing the highest quality care and helping individuals improve their quality of life by regaining mobility, strength, and independence. For more information, please call us at (718) 670-5515.

Department Spotlight: Infection Prevention and Control

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Department at Flushing Hospital Medical Center plays an essential role in advancing patient safety and clinical quality through a multifaceted approach to infection risk reduction.

The department’s work encompasses target surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, in-depth review of microbiological data, and direct observation of clinical practices related to central line and urinary catheter care, hand hygiene, and transmission-based precautions.

In addition, IPC manages regulatory reporting to city, state, and federal health authorities and actively participates in infection risk assessments tied to construction, renovation, and emergency preparedness initiatives. Through continuous data monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration, the Infection Prevention and Control Department remains a driving force behind a safer, more resilient healthcare environment.

IPC also supports frontline staff with real-time education, collaborating on outbreak response, and contributing to policy development and process improvement.

Recently, the Infection Prevention and Control Department proudly announced a major patient safety milestone: One full year without a Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) at Flushing Hospital.

This is not just a number—it is the result of relentless vigilance, real-time intervention, and clinical teamwork. CLABSIs are serious, often life-threatening infections that increase patient risk and prolong hospital stays.

Flushing Hospital and the IPC team are proud of this achievement, and even more proud of the culture of safety it reflects. Infection prevention is everyone’s responsibility—and this milestone proves what we can accomplish together.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services Chemical Dependence Unit Offers Treatment for Opioid Addiction

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Opioid overdose deaths are a major public health problem in America. More than 107,000 people lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023, with 70% of those deaths attributed to opioids such as fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more deadly than heroin. One gram of fentanyl, which is equivalent to the size of a sugar packet, has the potential to kill up to five hundred people.

There was a 14.5% decrease in opioid overdose deaths in 2024 due to public health measures.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry and Addiction Services provides care and support to help people recover from opioid addiction. The department has the only medically managed detoxification unit in Queens County.

The unit, called the Chemical Dependence Unit, is a 30-bed medically managed detoxification unit that helps people safely withdraw from opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines. Under the direction of the Medical Director for Addiction Services and Unit Chief, staff includes physicians board-certified in addiction medicine, physician assistants, nurses, addiction counselors, psychotherapists, and creative arts therapists.

In addition to medical treatment such as Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction, the unit provides nursing care, individual and group counseling, creative arts therapy, self-help groups, and, very importantly, discharge and aftercare planning to help people continue their Recovery Journey, with follow-up calls after discharge.

For additional admission information, please call the Addiction Treatment Unit at 718-670-4524.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Kava Robinson

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Kava Robinson, the newest member of the rheumatology team.

Dr. Kava Robinson has a special interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound in clinical Rheumatology. Dr. Robinson attended medical school at St. George’s University. After medical school, she completed her Internal Medicine residency at Broward Health Medical Center. After residency, she completed a hospice and palliative fellowship at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and then a fellowship in Rheumatology at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center. Dr. Robinson is committed to serving our community and being a health advocate for her patients. She provides compassionate, collaborative care and is driven by the bond with patients.

We are proud to welcome Dr. Robinson to our team and look forward to the work he and the rest of the Rheumatology Department will do to provide high-quality care to our community.

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Morteza Modaber

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

We are is pleased to introduce Dr. Morteza Modaber, the new Director of Neurology for both Jamaica Hospital and Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

Dr. Modaber obtained his medical degree at Shahid Behesti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, before coming to practice medicine in the United States. After four years of neuromodulation research at the University of California, Los Angeles, he completed an internship program in internal medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University from 2016 to 2017. He then completed a residency program in neurology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell from 2017 to 2020, where he also completed a fellowship program in vascular neurology.

Part of what Dr. Modaber finds so engaging about his new role is the opportunity it offers to serve unmet needs for patients living in Queens. “There’s a massive need in the Queens community for neurological care,” said Dr. Modaber. “There isn’t enough access to medical professionals with a neurological background. I’m very excited to be able to help provide that care.”

Both the community he serves and the people that he works with bring joy and purpose to Dr. Modaber’s career. “Our hospitals and the communities they serve are melting pots of different cultures and different groups of people from a variety of backgrounds. I’m very happy to be working in an environment where diversity is celebrated,” said Dr. Modaber.

As Director of Neurology, Dr. Modaber plans to expand the Neurology Department in ways that will allow it to provide comprehensive neurological care to the Queens community. “I want to be able to offer people in Queens the best neurological care they can get in New York without having to take a long trip to Manhattan, Long Island, or somewhere else to get it,” said Dr. Modaber. “We’ve been recruiting a lot of highly-skilled people and are well on our way to achieving that goal.”

We are proud to welcome Dr. Modaber to our team and looks forward to the work that he and the rest of the Neurology Department will do to provide high-quality neurological care to our community.

Will You Need a C-Section to Deliver Your Baby?

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Jacob Lobosco

Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s New Beginnings unit provides the women in our community and their families with the ultimate birthing experience. Each month, we cover a new topic exploring an important aspect of health and well-being for expectant mothers. This month, we’ll discuss some of what you need to know about cesarean birth (also known as a C-section).

During a C-section, your baby is delivered through incisions made in your abdomen and uterus. This happens when the health risks of vaginal delivery are too significant for either yourself or your baby. It can be planned ahead of time if:

You experience serious medical conditions that could worsen with a vaginal birth
You’ve had a previous C-section
You’re expecting multiple babies
Your baby’s exit from the cervix is obstructed
Your baby is in an abnormal position in your uterus

Even if these factors do not apply to you, unforeseen circumstances can occur that make a C-section necessary for safely delivering your baby, such as when:

You experience prolonged labor
Your baby develops an irregular heart rate
The umbilical cord compresses your baby’s head, neck, or body, or comes out of the cervix before the baby
The placenta separates from the wall of your uterus, preventing your baby from receiving oxygen and nutrients

Flushing Hospital’s New Beginnings unit offers spacious, modern delivery suites and advanced postpartum care, providing you with a safe environment to give birth and comprehensive follow-up medical support for you and your baby. To learn more about the unit, including accommodations and services provided, please call us at (718) 670-5702.

Flushing Hospital Medical Center Receives Bronze Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has awarded Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Emergency Department with Bronze-level accreditation as a Geriatric Emergency Department. This achievement recognizes the Emergency Department’s commitment and ability to provide the highest quality care to geriatric patients.

An emergency department with Bronze ACEP accreditation features a geriatric emergency care policy initiative, at least one physician with four or more hours of geriatric emergency medicine education, and at least one registered nurse with geriatric emergency medicine education, as well as access patient access to mobility aids, food, and beverages 24/7.

Flushing Hospital’s Emergency Department cares for the needs of older patients in a variety of ways, including:

Early recognition and care for patients with confusion from causes such as infections, medication reactions, or dementia
Falls risk assessment and prevention
Social work and case management support across the spectrum of care from home care to assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facility placement
Palliative care services to assist patients and families with decisions about end-of-life care that align with their own values and priorities

“We recognize that our older patients often have special needs, and our team is dedicated to supporting those needs,” said Dr. James F. Giglio, Chair of Flushing Hospital’s Department of Emergency Medicine. “We utilize best practices promoted by the American College of Emergency Physicians to optimize care within the Emergency Department throughout hospitalization and when transitioning care at the time of hospital discharge.”

Congratulations to everyone at the FHMC Emergency Department for this achievement!

Introducing Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

The MediSys Health Network, parent organization of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center, is proud to announce the opening of our brand new TJH office: Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists, a fully renovated, state-of-the-art office that provides accessible, advanced pediatric care to local patients.

The office and is operated by a team of expert pediatric doctors, including:

Edmund Kessler, a pediatric surgeon with over 35 years of clinical experience. He performs over 500 abdominal wall hernia surgeries each year as well as appendicitis surgeries, general surgeries, and other procedures.

Hariram Ganesh, a pediatric endocrinologist with over 14 years of experience treating a variety of medical issues, including conditions related to puberty and the thyroid.

Esra Fakioglu, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with experience treating a wide range of illnesses affecting children ranging in age from infancy to young adulthood.

The doctors at Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists are affiliated with several New York City healthcare organizations, including the MediSys Health Network, providing patients with fast, easy access to world-class pediatric expertise and treatment both locally and at multiple major medical centers as needed for advanced procedures.

“We understand the importance of building and maintaining close relationships with all of our pediatric patients and their parents,” said Dr. Kessler. “Our team of doctors, nurses, and support staff aim not only to provide them with the highest quality of care, but also to ensure that it is delivered in a caring and compassionate manner.”

The Forest Hills Pediatric Specialists office is located at 107-21 Queens Boulevard, Suite 7, and is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information about the office, please call (718) 704-5020.