Long Island Community Hospital COVID-19 Vaccine Team Helps Heal a Community
Delivered Over 10,000 Vaccines Without Wasting a Single Dose
The front-line heroes at Long Island Community have come full circle in the treatment of the deadly virus. Twelve months after seeing the first patient, the community hospital’s Vaccine Team is now delivering life-saving vaccinations in accordance with state guidance under the watchful eye of Vice President & Chief Quality Medical Officer, Dr. Wehbeh Wehbeh.
Not only have they delivered over 10,000 vaccines, letting none go to waste, LI Community was also recognized as a high performing hospital by NYS Department of Health, delivering 100% of the first round doses in the required time frame to all who were eligible under their directives for distribution.
The ability to quickly communicate both availability and eligibility of vaccines is key to the success of the program. To keep the community informed, the hospital takes advantage of its large social media following, posting a link to the NY State registration site on their Facebook page when they have vaccines available. They also post the link on the hospital website. Due to high demand the vaccine appointments fill up quickly, often within the first hour. Between vaccine deliveries, the hospital uses both platforms to promote the vaccines and provide education on eligibility.
The local community has expressed their appreciation for the easy and well organized vaccine process with many sharing their thanks on social media. Comments include a Holbrook recipient who wrote, “Got my 2nd vaccine tonight. Smoothest process ever. The doctors, nurses and support staff were so professional during these challenging times.” Many expressed their optimism and gratitude in having the additional protection from COVID-19 while others shared their joy for now having the ability to see loved ones for the first time in months. Suja Zachariah, an RN and Nurse Manager at the hospital, sent the team a thank you note saying, “It was both emotional and sweet at the same time. I’m so grateful.”
“I couldn’t be more thankful to our Courageous Hearts who, after battling this pandemic for the last year, are now able to deliver new hope to our community through this vaccine” states Richard T. Margulis, President and CEO at LI Community Hospital. “I must commend our Vaccine Team including Dr. Wehbeh along with Dr. Dean Babich, Medicine Department Chair, Susan Henderson, RN, Stroke/Trauma Program Manager, Myriam Bosco, RN and Michele Miller, Director Emergency Preparedness & EMS, for spear-heading the coordination of our vaccine clinics.”
The hospital will continue to post on their Facebook page and website, including a link to the NYS registration site, when vaccines are available.
Long Island Community Hospital has served this richly diverse region as a patient-first community hospital for more than 60 years. We are 100% focused on the community and committed to providing quality care with our greatly enhanced services reflected through the Knapp Cardiac Care Center – our highly advanced heart disease diagnosis and treatment facility, our new modern surgical pavilion, our level III trauma center, and our high-touch services including women’s imaging, sleep laboratory, wound care and more. These services are delivered with the highest level of compassion by our LI Community Hospital staff – Long Islanders with an unmistakable mix of courage and heart who care about the people right here in our community and whose sole purpose is to provide personalized comfort.
