New WIC Center Opens in East Tremont as Bronx Continues to Lead in Food Insecurity

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Public Health Solutions (PHS), a Manhattan-based 501C corporation opened a new Neighborhood WIC center in the East Tremont section of The Bronx on Wednesday, Oct. 26. According to PHS representatives, the aim of the center is to connect women, infants, and children (WIC) in the surrounding community with government health and nutrition assistance. The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a speech from PHS president and CEO, Lisa David, as well as remarks from Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia (A.D. 86), who represents the Bronx neighborhoods of University Heights, Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Kingsbridge, Tremont and Fordham, and from Jeffrey Laufer, director of

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Albert Einstein College of Medicine representatives announced on Monday, Oct. 24, the appointment of national diversity innovator and emergency medicine physician, Lynne M. Holden, M.D. as senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion (D&I). Holden, a member of Einstein’s faculty since 1996, is an accomplished leader both within her medical discipline and in her efforts to help diversify the medical workforce. Reacting to the appointment, Gordon F. Tomaselli, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz dean at Einstein and executive vice president and chief academic officer at Montefiore Medicine said, “Through her dedication to medical education and D&I,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

OVER 200 bags of donations were received for recently arrived asylum seekers in New York City during a clothing drive held by local organization, City Island Rising, over the weekend ending Sunday, Oct. 23, as other Bronxites took part in the annual Tour de Bronx cycle event. The organization’s representatives said the clothes and other items will be donated to those in need in the coming days. Norwood News recently reported on a dispute among City Island neighbors over a since abandoned shelter which was being built at Orchard Beach in the Northeast Bronx to house recently arrived asylum seekers. As

By SÍLE MOLONEY

NYC Department of Buildings After Hours Do you have questions about a building project? Drop by NYC Department of Buildings After Hours event to chat one-on-one with DOB experts for solutions and guidance on your project every Tuesday night! When you need straight answers to your buildings-related questions, sometimes it is better to talk with the experts face to face. That’s why DOB introduced “Buildings After Hours,” a weekly event offering in-person advice and services to New Yorkers every Tuesday at each of its borough offices. Learn more at https://on.nyc.gov/3tm0BAB. A Kingsbridge Armory Visioning Workshop will be held on Nov.

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced that a three-dose course of the hepatitis B vaccine, HEPLISAV-B, fully protects adults living with HIV who have never been vaccinated against, or infected with, the hepatitis B virus (HBV), according to study findings presented on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Infectious Diseases (ID) Week conference in Washington, D.C. The NIAID, part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring the ongoing Phase 3 ACTG A5379 clinical study. HBV is spread primarily through sexual contact and through the sharing of contaminated needles. It can cause chronic hepatitis B infection

By DAVID GREENE

Youngsters were treated to an end-of-summer party as Friends of Devoe Park (FoDP) hosted their first ‘Peace Rally and Back-to-School Giveaway,’ in Devoe Park on Saturday, Sept. 10. Held inside the park, located along University Avenue between Father Zeiser Place and West Fordham Road in Fordham Manor, the event opened with a unity and protection prayer by FoDP core group member, Myrna Calderon. FoDP were supported on the day by local elected officials and the NYPD who provided security for the event, which was organized by FoDP members, John Howard, Calderon, Rachel Miller- Bradshaw, Tobie Buford, Kenson Clarke, Erika

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Yonkers doctor, Marc Laruelle, has pled guilty to one count of distributing oxycodone, among other narcotics, without a legitimate medical purpose while acting outside the usual course of professional practice. Laruelle pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denis L. Cote, on Thursday, Oct. 20, as announced by Damian Williams, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. In the context of the announcement, Williams said, “Marc Laruelle abused his medical license and violated the oath of his profession when he prescribed more than 100,000 doses of a highly potent and addictive opioid without a legitimate medical need.” He

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Two men have been charged in connection with the seizure of around 300,000 fentanyl pills, in assorted colors, and another 20 pounds (10 kilos) of fentanyl in powdered form from a drug stash location in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, according to Bridget G. Brennan, special narcotics prosecutor at the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York. Prosecution officials said the drug stash location, at 4030 Bronx Boulevard, an apartment situated adjacent to the Bronx River Parkway, also contained a Tec-9 semi-automatic assault weapon, a hydraulic door opener, and 11 GPS devices. Some

By MIRIAM QUIÑONES

Nonprofit, Berry Awesome Blossom Empowered Sisters (“BABES”) held a back-to-school giveaway and “Stop the Violence” event at Cauldwell Avenue between 161st and 163rd Street, southwest of Forest Houses housing development, in Morrisania on Sept. 10. According to B.A.B.E.S., the group came together to make a difference in the lives of those who need help, adding that they were there to help those in need and for those who don’t know where else to turn to when they need something. They said they did just that at the recent Back-to-School event, adding that the area is underserved because there is “no

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Health

New WIC Center Opens in East Tremont as Bronx Continues to Lead in Food Insecurity

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Appoints Holden as Senior Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion

City Island Rising Collects 200 Donations for Asylum Seekers During Clothing Drive

Neighborhood Notes: Free Mammogram Screenings, Free English Classes, Public Safety Meeting & More!

NIAID: Three-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccine Regimen Protects People with HIV

Hundreds Attend Peace Rally in Devoe Park

Yonkers Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegal Distribution of 100,000+ Oxycodone Pills

Wakefield: Two Arrested in Major Seizure of “Rainbow Fentanyl” Pills and Powdered Fentanyl

Morrisania: Back-to-School Giveaway and Stop the Violence Event Held