A rabid raccoon was caught last Friday in Boerum hill when officials noticed its strange interaction with a dog, Gothamist reports. The Department of Health is increasing raccoon surveillance in Brooklyn, looking out especially for animals that appear sick or dead.
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LICH/Downstate merger approved
The plan for SUNY Downstate to take over the financially troubled Long Island College Hospital as a second campus that has been discussed since last year is almost finalized. The merger would transfer management of LICH from Continuum Health Partners to Downstate. Read more at Brooklyn Heights Blog.
Denis Hamill Pans LICH/SUNY Deal
Denis Hamill, writing in today’s Daily News, detects something rotten about the proposed takeover of LICH by SUNY Downstate Medical Center:
NY Daily News: A smelly political back room merger of LICH with SUNY Downstate Medical Center is imminent, unless state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo steps in…”In September, the LICH medical staff submitted an alternative restructuring plan to the state Department of Health that we believe would make this private hospital profitable again,” says Dr. John Romanelli, head of the LICH medical staff. “We’ve received no response. Nothing. Instead they seem ready to approve the Downstate takeover, making it a public hospital, without even consulting the medical staff.”
In his column, Hamill alleges that Continuum Health Partners, LICH’s present manager, has “cannibalized LICH for the benefit of the network’s Manhattan mother ship, Beth Israel” and, according to Dr. Romanelli, “they are trying to bury the body with this deal with Downstate.”
Cobble Hill Bike Ride, this weekend
From the CHB inbox…
Come join the Cobble Hill Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative for the second annual…
COBBLE HILL BIKE RIDE
When: November 8th, 2009, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Verandah Place at Cobble Hill Park
Cost: FREE, simply rsvp to
Space is limited to 50 riders maximum. Preference will be given to those who register ahead of time, as well as Cobble Hill Association members.
The Cobble Hill Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative are hosting a 10-mile casual bike ride that will start at Cobble Hill Park and pass through Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, the Columbia Waterfront District, Red Hook, and Carroll Gardens then loop back to Cobble Hill.
There will be several scenic rest stops as we ride along mostly calm streets with some light vehicular traffic. Several Bike Marshals will travel alongside as well as a mechanic for any urgent bike repairs needed. It may be chilly so please dress accordingly, and know that riders should bring helmets and observe all the proper rules of the road.
NYC Marathoner is Groinstrong
CHB pal Jon Quinn ran the NYC marathon not only because he is one efficient and powerful human machine but also because he supports his pal Jonah and his Uncle Dave both of whom are battling cancer.
Our pal and Quinn’s friend/Cobble Hillbilly Jonah Eller Isaacs has been battling melanoma since last spring. He discusses the latest developments in his treatment (BRAF blockers) on Groinstrong.com :
Groinstrong: There is a pea-sized subcutaneous nodule just below my right clavicle that has tested positive for melanoma. back in march it seemed as if we were done treating the cancer at the skin level, even as we were finding tumors in my stomach and upper intestine. and now a new spot has appeared in my skin. it’s a frustrating setback when last week’s chemo infusion was supposed to be the last one. but it’s not a surprise. my disease is aggressive, fast-moving and widespread across my body. melanoma is a slippery bastard; treating it is like trying to punch jello. you may feel like you’re making progress, but it can squiggle out of your grasp and take root just about anywhere. so as much as we abhor it, new growth is not unexpected. and we are prepared.
Governor Announces $22 Million State Aid to LICH
Governor Paterson today announced $22 million in state aid to Long Island College Hospital under the Health Care Affordability and Efficiency Law (HEAL-NY) “to ensure continued delivery of essential health care services in Brooklyn.”
According to the New York State Department of Health’s press releease:
Under the grant, LICH will pay off some of its long-term debt, which will improve its financial standing and make it more attractive as a merger partner. LICH officials have been in discussions with SUNY Downstate Medical Center concerning corporate consolidation, which would create a more-efficient health care delivery system to serve the greater Brooklyn community. Restructuring LICH’s debt portfolio is vital to the creation of a merged system, allowing for the re-direction of resources to make health care services more cost-effective.
DOH Commissioner Richard F. Daines said he believes LICH and SUNY Downstate “are taking the right steps to analyze the health care needs of their community and address those needs into the future”, and that “[t]he funding awarded today will make it possible for consolidation talks to move ahead.” He concluded, “We look forward to seeing health care in this section of Brooklyn ‘rightsize’ itself to deliver more community-based care in a most cost-effective manner.”
Blood Drive Tomorrow
There will be a blood drive tomorrow (9/17) from noon to 7:30 pm at the 76th Precinct Stationhouse (191 Union Street between Hicks and Henry Streets) hosted by the precinct in conjunction with the New York Blood Center. Information about blood donations can be found at nybloodcenter.org.
LICH Doctor Says Seasonal Allergies Could Limit Your Love Life
According to MSN News:
THURSDAY, Sept. 10 (HealthDay News) — Having allergies can take a toll on your sex life, new research shows.
When polled, 83 percent of people with allergic rhinitis said it affected their sexual activity at least sometimes, with almost 18 percent of those affected saying their allergies nearly always got in the way of a satisfying sex life.
The article cites a study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, but quotes Dr. Clifford Bassett, clinical assistant professor of medicine at LICH/SUNY as saying the finding “makes sense…based on what patients report to him. ‘If people have a runny, drippy nose and feel unsexy, they might be embarrassed by what would be normal intimate contact,’ he said.” Continue Reading →
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Brooklyn Heights Blog
- Reminder: Brazilian Dance Party Tomorrow on Pier 1
- 84th Precinct Community Council Meets Tuesday Evening
- Let’s Make It Happen: Rename Squibb Park to Adam Yauch Park
- Squadron (Figuratively) Pours One Out for Beastie Boy, Brooklyn Heights Native Adam Yauch in NYS Senate
- Temporary ‘Photoville’ Village Coming To BBP Pier 3 This Summer
Nabe Chatter