Elmhurst Hospital Holds 9/11 Forum

Elmhurst Hospital Center recently partnered with the Ecuadorian International Center and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) to raise awareness in the community about health care for 9/11 workers and volunteers. As part of this effort, Elmhurst Hospital Center hosted a forum on Saturday, December 15 where 9/11 workers and volunteers, Lower Manhattan office workers, city employees, residents of Manhattan and Brooklyn, 9/11 service providers, attorneys, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, social workers and staff of community organizations could learn about the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) WTC Health Clinic in the Queens Community.

The informational and educational event took place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and featured Dr. Irwin Berlin, Elmhurst Hospital Center director of pulmonary medicine, and Attorney Alexander Rosado. More than 30 agencies, including the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Commission on Human Rights and Safe Space were available to answer any questions and assist those in need of information and services available for 9/11 victims. Physician guidelines developed by New York City, Workers' Compensation benefits provided by New York state and Crime Victims Funds availability were discussed. Besides the ongoing Resource Fair in the Community Medical Center that lasted the length of the event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., where representatives from 30 organizations provided 9/11 related services and resources, Moderators Luzdary Giraldo, NYCOSH and Martha Zambrano, Ecuadorian International Center, gave welcoming remarks and introduced panel members in Room A1-22 from 10:50 to11 a.m. Berlin presented an overview of clinical guidelines for adults exposed to the World Trade Center disaster from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and Alexander Rosado, Esq., of McCarthy, Chechanover and Rosado, discussed Workers' Compensation benefits for 9/11 workers and volunteers from 11:30 a.m. to noon. A question and answer session followed from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The HHC WTC initiative was announced in September by HHC President Alan D. Aviles and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to strengthen the city's response to emerging health issues related to attacks on the World Trade Center. Elmhurst Hospital Center is one of three HHC facilities to have a WTC Environmental Health Center as part of this initiative. Berlin currently treats WTC patients in the pulmonary clinic and has done so for almost five years. With this initiative, Berlin and his pulmonary medicine team have expanded the services offered to help a broader range of individuals with suspected WTC-related health problems. This program focused on, but was not limited to, residents of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, uninsured individuals, undocumented immigrants, Ground Zero clean-up workers, and all others in need of care not currently receiving services offering comprehensive medical and mental health screening, evaluation and treatment services.