The Hospital continues to strengthen its partnerships by collaborating with various organizations in order to develop a community-based network of care, education and support.

• The Queens Breast Health Partnership Program is part of the New York State Healthy Women Partnership. The program facilitates breast and cervical cancer prevention and early diagnosis for women who are 40 years and over or who are at risk and who are underinsured with limited income or uninsured. The program provides an annual comprehensive clinical breast examination, breast health education, mammogram, other necessary diagnostic services and a pap/pelvic examination at no cost. The monthly screenings are conducted at our Senior Health Center by a surgical oncologist and an adult nurse practitioner. A nurse and a team of community volunteers from SHAREing and CAREing, a community-based support group for women living with breast cancer, provide health education and outreach services.
• The Queens Colorectal and Prostate Initiative Program began in 1998 through funding from the American Cancer Society and the New York State Department of Health. The program provides free colorectal cancer screening and education to men and women who are 50 years and older or who are at risk and who are underinsured with limited income or uninsured.
• The Stay Well Program is sponsored by the New York City Department of Aging. This program provides monthly hypertension screening at area senior centers. An adult nurse practitioner from our Employee Health Department oversees the program. Referrals for follow-up care are provided as necessary. This program gives the information needed to monitor a vital health indicator and provides a supportive listener.

In addition to the above programs, the Hospital has established partnerships with the following organizations in its continuing efforts to advance health and healthcare in Western Queens:

• American Cancer Society
• Astoria Civic Association
• Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens
• City of New York Community Boards #1 and #2, Borough of Queens
• Community School District #30, Queens
• Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School
• Goodwill Industries of Greater New York
• Greater New York Hospital Association, Community Affairs Forum
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan of America Hellenic Cultural Center
• Hellenic Neighborhood Action Committee (HANAC)
• Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement Hou
• LaGuardia Community College
• Mandl School
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
• Plaza Business Institute
• 114 Police Precinct Community Council
• Queens Chamber of Commerce
• Ravenswood Resident Association, Inc.
• Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., Queensview/North Queensview
• SHAREing and CAREing
• Sunnyside Community Services, Inc.
• United Community Civil Association
• Visiting Nurse Service of New York

Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens sponsors several annual community events.

• Community Roundtable: Given the enormity of Queens County and the diversity of its population, the Hospital developed an annual Community Roundtable to keep its pulse on the needs of the community. The focus is to engage community leaders, educators, elected officials and community residents in a discussion of ways in which the Hospital can improve and better serve the needs of the community. Participants also work together to brainstorm solutions and form preliminary and enduring partnerships to address many issues.
• Pastoral Care Luncheon: Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens maintains relationships with area religious organizations and holds an annual Pastoral Care Luncheon that brings together clergy and other leaders from religious organizations. Each year, the reception features an educational session as well as an information-sharing component.
• Community Health Fair: Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens joins forces with United Community Civic Association and New York Assembly Member Michael Gianaris to promote healthy lifestyles by sponsoring an annual Community Health Fair in June at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Astoria. Health fair participants learn about nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation and stress reduction, and take part in a wide variety of screenings, including:
  • Glucose and Cholesterol Levels
  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Mass Index, Height and Weight
  • Bone Density Monitoring/Osteoporosis
  • Foot Screening/Podiatry

Town Hall Meeting: Each year Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens teams up with elected officials and United Community Civic Association to host a Health & Hospitals Town Hall Meeting. As a way to encourage community participation, Mount Sinai Queens updates the community on hospital accomplishments and addresses community concerns.

The Hospital is a friend to several area schools, colleges and students.

• The Summer Health Careers Internship Program is sponsored by the New York City Board of Education's Summer Youth Employment Program. The program is designed to recruit high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care. The students assigned to Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens are placed in various clinical and non-clinical departments throughout the Hospital. An Annual Junior Volunteer Luncheon is held yearly for the volunteers from this program.
• Gateway High School to Science Secondary School is a special focus for the Hospital. Each year, Executive Director Caryn Schwab served as Principal for a Day, launching a focused partnership to encourage students to pursue healthcare careers. The Hospital continues to host student volunteers from this school and to provide them with speakers for their career day and student assemblies.
• Other internships and volunteer partnerships: Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens continues to work in partnership with LaGuardia Community College, Plaza Business Institute and the Mandl School by providing internships to students enrolled in the healthcare field. The Volunteer Services Department has also established partnership agreements with St. John Preparatory High School, Bryant High School, St. Francis Preparatory High School, Middle College High School, and the High School for Health Professions and Human Services for their students who need to fulfill their community service requirement.

To learn more about these programs or to volunteer at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, call (718) 274-0365.