Hurricane Sandy Emergency Notifications for General Public

Rockville Centre — Thanks to careful planning and the dedication of all Catholic Health Services staff, our six hospitals, three nursing homes, hospice, home care, home support and Maryhaven successfully weathered the storm and ensured the safety of their patients. We commend our staff for their tireless dedication.

During the storm, St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center was able to assist Avalon Gardens skilled nursing facility, bringing 10 chronic pediatric ventilator patients into the hospital where they are still are today. Similarly, Mercy Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital are still caring for and sheltering 45 Long Beach Nursing Home patients. St. Catherine of Siena Nursing Home accepted 30 patients from flood zones.

While people coped with Hurricane Sandy ravaging the Island, CHS hospitals—Good Samaritan, Mercy, St. Charles and St. Catherine—were bringing precious new life into the world. A total of 15 babies, 8 girls and 7 boys, including a set of twin girls, were born between Monday night and Tuesday morning. None were named Sandy.

Catholic Health Services Home Support Services donated and delivered 12 oxygen concentrators to those who are oxygen dependent at the Nassau Community College Red Cross Shelter Thursday evening, November 1.

Stories of courage and dedication have been pouring in as we hear back from those in the field. CHS Homecare staff waded through waist-high waters in Lindenhurst and Amityville to treat high priority patients. One physical therapist who was without power or gas, used his bicycle to ride to his patients’ homes, while another homecare worker ran 3 miles there and back around fallen trees to get to his patient.

Due to the storm, Long Island Blood Services lost about 1,000 pints of blood it would have normally collected during this time. In addition, their platelet supply has only a five-day shelf life and is in urgent need of replenishing. To assist in that effort, Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, hosted a blood drive, Wednesday, October 31, and collected much needed pints of blood.

Thanks to the efforts of Mary Ellen Hennessy from the State Department of Health, Frederick Heigel from the Healthcare Association of New York, and Brian Hassen and Bob Hughes both from LIPA. We also want to recognize the countless LIPA employees still in the field and extend our gratitude for their quick actions for the benefit of all of our patients.