Queens Lawmakers On The Move Dec. 19, 2018

Addabbo Marches With Rockaway High Seniors During 2018 College March

State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways.) last week participated in NYC Outward Bound’s College March where students march from their high school classrooms to mail their college applications, and this year he marched with the seniors from Channel View School for Research in the Rockaways.

“I love attending these College Marches every year,” Addabbo said. “It is really a great experience, especially for the seniors because it is a time of such hope and aspiration for them as they anticipate their future prospects. One of my favorite parts of the entire march is that the younger students are involved and they cheer the seniors on with signs and fanfare, which encourages the other students to apply for college when they become seniors.”

After the march, the students, faculty, and invited guests were treated to performances by Channel View’s dance team, step team, and choir.

 

“I would like to thank NYC Outward Bound Schools and the event’s sponsor Capital One for making this march possible for thousands of seniors across the city,” Addabbo said. “I look forward to keeping this great tradition alive for many more classes of seniors. All the best to the Class of 2019 as they move toward their dream of going to college.”

Moya Lauds City-Led Nurses Residency program

City Council Member Francisco Moya (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Lefrak City, LaGuardia Airport) yesterday lauded Mayor Bill de Blasio, Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson and Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Gregg Bishop for announcing the launch of the nation’s first City-led nurse residency program in 24 participating local hospitals.

During the first year of the program, called the Citywide Nurse Residency program, 500 newly-hired nurses will be provided with specialized training that promotes job retention. The program will support participating hospitals with implementing a year-long residency that bridges the gap between education and practice for newly-graduated nurses. This is the first time that New York City’s public hospital system, the largest in the nation, has adopted a nurse residency program.

According to hospital partners, losing one nurse can cost up to $100,000 and retention of newly-graduated nurses is a challenge. While residencies are a recognized best practice for retaining nurses, New York City’s public and safety net hospitals have not had the capacity and resources to launch these programs.

“Access to quality health care should be a fact of life for residents in this country. Part of realizing that goal is to make sure that our the men and women treating patients have the resources they need to succeed and the Citywide Nurse Residency program is a landmark step towards that end,” said Moya.“There are few professions more honorable than caring for the sick and suffering like nurses do and we should do everything we can to support those who undertake that charge. I applaud the Department of Small Business Services for launching this worthy initiative.”

Participating Queens hospitals include Mount Sinai Queens, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens and NYC Health + Hospitals – Elmhurst.

Grodenchik Chairs Committee On Parks & Recreation Meeting

City Council Member Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens, Queens Village), chair of the council’s Committee on Parks and Recreation, will hold a hearing today.

On the agenda is a local law relating to co-naming of 68 thoroughfares and public places, including a number of thoroughfares in Queens.

The hearing is slated for 3 p.m., today. Dec. 19 at 250 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. The hearing is open to the public.