STATEN ISLAND, NY — The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation hosted its 17th annual Health & Wellness Expo on Friday, bringing free health screenings, educational sessions and career development opportunities to the College of Staten Island\u2019s Center for the Arts.<\/p>\n
The event, which emphasized the connection between health and economic prosperity, was supported by presenting sponsors including City Councilmember David Carr, Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 17 years, the SIEDC Health and Wellness Expo has stood as one of Staten Island\u2019s largest and most impactful wellness events devoted to supporting the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our community,\u201d said Ericker Onaga, executive director of Community Health Action of Staten Island at the event. <\/p>\n
The expo began with a kickoff breakfast and award ceremony at the school\u2019s library, which included a keynote address from Joseph Conte, the executive director of Staten Island Performing Provider System. Conte\u2019s speech focused on his decades of experience dealing with the country\u2019s emerging health issues. <\/p>\n
\u201cU.S. Healthcare does amazing at high-tech interventions, yet is woefully inadequate at the bread and butter, things like maternal health. The U.S. has four times the maternal mortality rate of the UK, six times that of Germany and so on. And it is even worse if you\u2019re a Black woman who have 250% greater risk of death in the postpartum period,\u201d he stated. \u201cIf the U.S. has the best medical professionals, the best technology and the finest hospitals, what could be the root cause of this disparity?\u201d<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the economic impact of healthcare investments in the community. The Staten Island Performing Provider System has invested $400 million into the local economy over the past 10 years, he said. The Social Care Network for Richmond County will also receive $100 million in the next three years to support basic social needs, including meals, maternal care, housing support and employment training, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen those basics are lacking, people and families falter, health declines and despair sets in. These are vulnerable people that we are working with,\u201d he reminded the audience. \u201cThey are not slackers or grifters, but the chronically ill, the high risk pregnant and postpartum women that I referred to earlier, developmentally disabled children with type one diabetes, asthmatics, mental health and substance use disorder. By supporting the social needs, we can move them towards a path to independence.\u201d <\/p>\n
Following the keynote speech, Carr, a Republican representing the Mid-Island, presented the first Health Heroes award of the day to Dr. Bari Fitzgerald Ceka of Tottenville Medical Pavilion PLLC.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that we create a culture of trust in health care institutions and health care practices,\u201d Carr said at the podium. \u201cI think Dr. Ceka is doing that for so many people, in particular, as a leader of the Albanian diaspora community here in Staten Island and our region. He has really become the definition of community leader who doesn\u2019t just confine himself to the four corners of his office, because we know health care is so much more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ceka went on to share his love for his patients and his gratitude for their trust.<\/p>\n
\u201cMedicine, I believe, is built on trust, on relationships and our beliefs that every person deserves compassionate, informed access to the care they need. The award may have my name on it, but it truly belongs to all of those that have helped me throughout this journey, my colleagues, my staff, and, of course, my patients,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Keith Diaz, chief of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at Richmond University Medical Center, was presented the next award. He was recognized for his pivotal work as a pulmonologist and critical care specialist, his deep involvement in training the next generation of physicians and his love for human connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a physician, we see many diseases, many bad outcomes, and can be depressing at times, but receiving the gratitude from my patients and for my patients\u2019 families really is what motivates me day to day and what keeps me coming back,\u201d Diaz said in his acceptance speech. \u201cIt\u2019s those human connections that really motivate me and what I\u2019m grateful for. It\u2019s those human connections that I think connects me to people, what connects me to my community, and is the way that I can continue to contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n
The last award was presented to Dr. Nicole Berwald, the medical director of Northwell\u2019s Staten Island University Hospital. She was recognized for her advocacy of women\u2019s health and her years of experience as a clinician, educator, friend and leader. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m especially proud of the progress our team has made in significantly reducing hospital acquired harms. That\u2019s not the work of me or one person,\u201d Berwald shared. \u201cIt is really our entire team thinking about every patient every day and what we can do to create the safest environment and the best outcomes for staff members.\u201d<\/p>\n
The borough\u2019s free health event that followed the breakfast featured dozens of informative tables from a range of organizations, including Camelot Counseling, SI Behavioral Health Coalition and the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island.<\/p>\n
There was also a section devoted to providing private health screenings, including flu vaccines, EKGs, diabetes and pre-diabetes prevention, dental, vision and hearing exams.<\/p>\n
The FDNY led two interactive training sessions, teaching hands-only CPR and Stop the Bleed strategies, and a certified nutrition expert from Northwell Staten Island University Hospital shared practical guidance on balanced, wellness-based eating. <\/p>\n
Students were invited to participate in healthcare resume building and were provided insight into the skills and pathways needed for a successful career in healthcare.<\/p>\n
The annual free event closed with the Unsung Community Health Hero Awards and Battle of the Fittest Business Award ceremony, which highlighted Staten Islanders for their contributions to the well-being of the borough. <\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Unsung Community Health Heroes were Joseph Conte; Arlene Egan and Davy Jones, who are part of the Therapy Animal Team at Richmond University Medical Center; and Nicole Piccirillo, director of Health Home Care Management at Seamen\u2019s Society for Children and Families. The Battle of the Fittest Business award was presented to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island Wellness Care and Amazon.<\/p>\n
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