Health

UPDATE Project Renewal’s Longtime Venture, Bedford Green House, Officially Opens

By EMILY SAWAKED & SÍLE MOLONEY
The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.   Nearly 1,500 people are recorded as being homeless every month in The Bronx, according to City data, with many living in shelters located around the borough. According to State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) and one city agency representative we spoke to, various non-profits, government representatives, elected officials and some candidates running for office have been pushing over many years to reduce these numbers and raise awareness of the homelessness crisis in the city.   One positive result of these sustained local efforts


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Bronx Defenders, Advocates & Elected Officials Launch The Bronx Cannabis Hub

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The Bronx Defenders and The Bronx Community Foundation, along with U.S. senate majority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, joined Bronx community leaders on Sunday, July 24, to announce the launch of The Bronx Cannabis Hub. Advocates included the Drug Policy Alliance, Mothers on the Move, 1 Freedom For All, TakeRoot Justice, and All That Jive NYC.   The launch follows a Bronx Cannabis Forum held last month, as reported, which aimed to tackle various open questions surrounding the emerging cannabis market in New York State, further to the passage


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World’s First HIV-Positive to HIV-Positive Heart Transplant Performed at Montefiore Health System

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The world’s first HIV-positive to HIV-positive heart transplant has been successfully performed at Montefiore Health System in The Bronx. The patient, in her sixties, suffered from advanced heart failure and received the life-saving donation, along with a simultaneous kidney transplant, in early spring. After the 4-hour surgery, the patient spent five weeks recovering in the hospital and now sees her transplant physicians at Montefiore for monitoring.   According to Montefiore officials, the health center is one of only 25 such centers in the United States eligible to offer this complex surgery, having met prior surgical benchmarks and outcomes set by


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Jacobi Doctor Appointed to National Advisory Council for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

By SÍLE MOLONEY
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi chief executive officer, Christopher Mastromano, announced on Monday, July 25, that Dr. Komal Bajaj, Jacobi’s chief quality officer, has been appointed to national advisory council of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).   The AHRQ is a 21-member panel of healthcare experts which contributes a varied perspective on the health care system and the most important questions that AHRQ’s research should address in order to promote improvements in the quality, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of clinical practice. The panel provides advice to the secretary and director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


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UPDATE Kingsbridge Heights: Unconscious Male Found on Bronx Street Has Been Identified Police Say

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The unidentified man, seen in the accompanying photo, who was discovered unconscious and unresponsive on a Kingsbridge Heights street has since been identified, police say Wednesday. The NYPD had asked for the public’s help identifying the man on Tuesday, July 26.   On Friday, July 22, at 6.33 a.m., in the vicinity of University Avenue and Reservoir Avenue, the person was discovered unconscious and unresponsive in the middle of the street with no apparent injuries.   A police spokesperson said, “He was transported to Montefiore Hospital where he remains unresponsive in critical condition. The male was not in possession of


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Jacobi, North Central Bronx Receive Gold Awards for Quality Heart Failure & Stroke Treatment Care

By SÍLE MOLONEY
CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi and North Central Bronx, Christopher Mastromano, announced on Friday, July 22, that both hospitals received gold awards from the American Heart Association (AHA) for their quality treatment of heart failure. Additionally, Jacobi received an award for its quality treatment of stroke conditions.   The Heart Failure Quality Achievement Award honors healthcare facilities for their commitment to improving outcomes for patients with heart failure, which means reduced readmissions and more healthy days at home. Additionally, the Stroke Quality Achievement Award recognizes noteworthy patient care institutions for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most


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VA Reminds Veterans of National Veterans Crisis Helpline Number 988

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is reminding veterans of the number to call to reach the veterans crisis helpline. The number to dial is 988, then press 1. The service offered helps veterans and their loved ones reach crisis support quickly and efficiently.   Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.   The new, shorter number addresses the need for ease of access and clarity in times of crisis. Veterans can use this new option to reach the Veterans Crisis Line by


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UPDATE How to Beat the Heat & Stay Cool This Week as Heat Advisory Extends to July 24 at 8 p.m.

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a heat advisory earlier this week which was originally due to be in effect until Wednesday, July 20, at 8 p.m., but NWS has since announced that the period of extreme heat will continue through Sunday, July 24 at 8 p.m. Temperatures of between 95 and 100 degrees were expected on Wednesday in New York City.   Heat index values in the upper 90s to around 100 are expected for New York City through Sunday, at 8 p.m., according to NWS. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illness, health officials said. Heat


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Belmont: Anti-Prom Event Returns after 2-Year Hiatus on Friday, August 5

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the New York Public Library’s Belmont Library will be hosting the second ever Anti-Prom in The Bronx for kids ages 12 to 18 on Friday, August 5.   NYPL officials said “It will be a very fun event that offers an inclusive, safe space for attendees to embrace their sexuality, gender identity, culture, and style of dress. Anti-Prom will take place between 6:30 pm-9 pm eastern at 610 East 186th Street.”   Officials said this year’s theme is Bronx Rising, a celebration of the resilience and perseverance of Bronx teens both past and present,


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