By: Robert Remier
"Everyone, from the nurses to the anesthesiologist to the lab technician, treated me like I was a member of their family," she said. "I felt so comfortable the entire time. The nurses in the pediatric unit and the operating room were great. I thank them for everything."A newly renovated and expanded unit now complements the South Nassau standard of pediatric care. The unit features spacious patient rooms, a large parent/child fun room, parent's lounge, physician offices and a conference room for physician/parent meetings. It is equipped with state-of-the-art pediatric medical technology and houses a four-bed special care unit for patients with emergency complications or serious illnesses."Whatever their needs, families can count on us to meet them," said Raul Arguello, MD, director of pediatrics. "Our patients are like family to us, and the compassionate, skilled care and advanced pediatric medical services we provide are a reflection of that."Staffed by specially-trained, experienced pediatricians and nurses, and equipped with the latest pediatric medical technology, the special care unit is capable of treating or managing almost any emergency complication or serious illness and houses a multi-purpose treatment room to perform minor procedures, whether surgical or non-surgical. It's equipped with a patient monitoring system that compiles and maintains detailed patient data in the planning of care and to gauge a patient's progress.Call (516) 632-3919 for more information.
Tree of lights
The Council of Leagues of Mercy Medical Center is having the annual Tree of Lights celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Mass will be held at 7 p.m. in the hospital chapel with the blessing and lighting of the tree taking place at 7:30 p.m. in front of the hospital. Refreshments will be served afterwards in the main lobby.This year's proceeds from the Tree of Lights will be allocated to enhance the Center's crisis and counseling services to meet the increased and changing emotional needs of people during these troubled times. Lights may be purchased for the tree in memory of a loved one, in celebration of a special event, or in honor of a special person. Symbolic lights on the star that adorns the top of the tree are also available. Lights may be purchased until Dec. 21. One light is $5 and the light on the star is $10. A special Mass for all those remembered in the Tree of Lights will be offered in the Mercy Chapel on Jan. 8, 2002, at noon. For more information regarding the Mass or to purchase the light, call the Community Relations Department at (516) 705-1021.
Ostomy club meeting
Franklin Hospital Medical Center's Ostomy Club will meet on Thursday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m., in the hospital's Dr. Alvin Greenberg Conference Center, 900 Franklin Avenue, Valley Stream. Franklin's Wound Care Manager Pat Arana, R.N., will lead the support group in a discussion on the topic: "Ostomy...What You Need To Know."Additional information about the monthly meetings of this support group for family members and interested individuals may be secured by contacting Arana at (516) 256-6024.
Other events and activities
Open house at TLC, Laser Eye Centers in Garden City on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m. Learn everything you wanted to know about LASIK and see a live demonstration. Seating is limited. Call 1-888-713-3937 to make a reservation... Free lecture in the Internal Cardioverter Defribrillator Patient & Family Education Series at St. Francis Hospital, 100 Port Washington Boulevard, Roslyn, on Monday, December 3, 7 p.m. Educational session. To register, call (516) 629-2038... 5K Hot Chocolate Run at Franklin Hospital Center, 900 Franklin Avenue on Sun., Dec. 2, 9 a.m. Call (516) 256-6360 to secure registration forms and additional information... 13th Annual Long Island Festival of Trees at Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum on Fri., Sat., Sun., Dec. 7, 8 & 9. Fri. and Sat.: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children three to 12 years of age. For additional information, call (516) 378-2000 ext. 230... Community Health Forum on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder & Healing, at NYU Medical Center, 560 First Avenue at 30th Street, Wed., Nov. 28, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Call (212) 314-5620.Compiled by Francisco Mejia
