Public Employee Press

Queens hospital opens new pavilion for clinics

The renovations of the city’s public hospital system took a major step forward in Queens Nov. 17 with the inauguration of the new Ambulatory Pavilion at Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica.

The new six-story, 142,000-square-foot Ambulatory Pavilion will house the hospital’s primary care, pediatric, dental and ophthalmology clinics and a comprehensive center for the treatment of diabetes. The new center will serve an increased number of patients and expects more than 135,000 patient visits annually.

“Patient-centered ambulatory care — with a particular emphasis on primary and preventive care — is the backbone of our mission-driven focus on improving the health of our communities,” said Health and Hospitals Corp. President Alan D. Aviles at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included representatives of District Council 37.

Nikki Simpkins, a Social Worker and member of Health Services Employees Local 768, is looking forward to coming to work in the brand new state-of-the-art facility.

“This is just beautiful,” said Simpkins, as she walked through the new patient waiting rooms equipped with television screens.

“This new pavilion is exactly the type of enhanced care that our borough needs and wants in order to stop a dramatic migration out of Queens by residents who seek medical care in other counties,” said Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall.

“We are fortunate to have a city administration that is putting funds into HHC, improving the facilities for our members and the patients they care for,” commented DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

— Alfredo Alvarado