Roosevelt Island NYC Health & Hospitals Coler Memory Care Unit Receives Prestigious Beacon Excellence Nursing Award For Long Term Care Of Residents Living With Dementia And Alzheimers Disease

Reported in 2019 on the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (NYHHC) Roosevelt Island Coler facility Music and Memory program for patients living with dementia. 

The Coler Memory Care unit was recognized this month for their work with dementia patients.

@nychealthsystem Coler received the Beacon Award for Excellence, making it the 1st post-acute care facility in the nation to receive this award! @AACNme recognized the Memory Care units for long-term care with residents living w/ dementia/Alzheimer’s: https://t.co/Z7BqcGR29Y. pic.twitter.com/4NYquOzYDT

— NYC Health + Hospitals (@NYCHealthSystem) June 21, 2024

According to a NYC HHC June 21 press release:

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Memory Care units celebrate their distinguished milestone at a special award ceremony on Roosevelt Island.

Today NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler announced it received the Beacon Award for Excellence, making it the first post-acute care facility in the nation to receive the prestigious nursing award. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recognized the Memory Care units at Coler with a silver-level Beacon Award for their work in long-term care with residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments — recognizes caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with a gold, silver or bronze designation meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.

“We are overwhelmed with pride for the incredible work and passion of our Memory Care units at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President for Post-Acute Care Khoi Luong, DO. “As the first, and only, long-term care recipient of this distinction in the nation, Coler has truly set the standard of nursing excellence in Memory Care. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!”

“Congratulations to Coler’s person-centered Memory Care Teams which are comprised of stellar clinical and support staff dedicated to providing extraordinary care to our residents with cognitive impairments,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Chief Executive Officer Stephen Catullo, LNHA, MBA. “The award-winning Memory Care units are a testament as to why our residents’ chose the tagline, Coler is the place to be!”

The Memory Care unit team provides person-centered comfort care and interactive group activities to ensure meaningful engagement with Coler residents.

“I am extremely pleased and proud to recognize the NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Memory Care Units for becoming the first and only post-acute care facility in the entire nation to earn the silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN),” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive Natalia Cineas, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “Our Coler post-acute care facility has been providing exceptional care to New Yorkers for more than 60 years at its Roosevelt Island location, and its Memory Care Units offer tender and compassionate care to residents living with dementia. As the first post-acute facility in the country to receive this prestigious recognition, Coler’s Memory Care Unit definitely is setting the standard for nursing excellence. We celebrate and applaud our nurses’ momentous achievements.”

“We are excited for this prestigious honor, but the greatest satisfaction is our life-changing impact to the lives of 150 residents with dementia who have been impacted by social determinants of health like poverty and homelessness as well as pre-existing mental illness and behavior disorders,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Memory Care Director Deepa Vinoo, RN. “Our units serve as the safety net for those who otherwise would lack access to high-quality person-centered dementia care.”

“Congratulations to the compassionate nurses and staff of Coler’s award-winning Memory Care units, who devote their careers to improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Board Member Jackie Rowe-Adams. “Our public long-term care facilities continue to raise the standard and truly embody excellence in every way!”

“Congratulations to the Coler Memory Care Unit on winning this well-deserved reward. Coler is integral to the NYC Health + Hospitals system and a lifeline for New Yorkers with cognitive impairments,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Coler’s work is unparalleled, and I’m thrilled that the staff is receiving this distinguished recognition.”

“Kudos to the extraordinary Memory Care team at Coler whose compassionate and efficient care has been recognized with a Beacon Award for Excellence,” said New York State Senator Liz Krueger. “May the supportive and caring hands of this distinguished team continue to benefit the residents of Coler.”

“I commend NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler CEO Stephen Catullo and the staff of the Memory Care Unit on the occasion of receiving the Beacon Award for Excellence, the first in the nation to receive this recognition,” said New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright. “The care and dedication by the team at Coler for residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s are shining leaders in the H+H system and the field of memory care.”...

Memory Care Nurses provide daily wellness check-ins with Coler residents to ensure they feel safe, comfortable and have everything they need for a productive day.

... “As part of Coler’s Memory Care Unit, I am filled with pride for this prestigious honor and recognition from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Memory Care Nurse Rosilimol Clement, RN. “With every restorative care intervention performed, we provide maximum comfort and improved quality of life for our residents. Many older adults spend their final days among the loving arms of nursing staff of all colors and cultures, with all levels of knowledge. We are experienced with the tricks of the trade necessary to optimize their quality of life.”

The award-winning Memory Care Unit is home to long-time resident and poet, Zahra Dhakkar. Though not a writer originally, Zahra started writing to record her thoughts and help with her memory issues. With her art to guide and inspire her, and the staff to support her, Zahra increased her confidence and independence. Now, she can spend her days outside, wandering through the gardens or watching the East River flow by while she writes.

“At NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler, my poetry is inspired by the simple things I do and interactions I have throughout the day. I gradually build it up to things I see outside and anything else that captures my imagination,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Resident Zahra Dhakkar. “I’m stimulated by the variety of activities that we have here. I am drawn in to something, and inspiration takes flight by itself.”

“The Memory Care units offer the most challenges, and the staff are to be commended for their knowledge, compassion & kindness to all residents,” said President of the NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Auxiliary Judith Berdy. “The award is not just for the units but for all the Coler staff who work together to make the lives of all our residents better.”....

Caring For The Ages has more on the Coler Memory Unit by Howard J. Finger, DO Deepa Vinoo, RN, DNP :

... Recently, Coler received the American Association of Critical Care Nursing’s Beacon Award for Excellence in recognition of the high-quality dementia care provided in its MCU, becoming the first U.S. post-acute care recipient. Coler’s MCU team remains committed to advancing health equity in dementia care for an aging minority population in need of palliative services. To them, the true test of leadership is identifying new challenges, finding solutions, and inspiring others — for advancing health equity requires a deep-seated commitment to providing the highest-quality care.

The journey began two decades ago when the dementia care model was aggressive medical treatment, involving a hospital transfer at the resident’s end of life. For Coler, the key initial step involved transforming dementia care from a predominantly medical model to a palliative one, which required changing the culture of care. The first target was tube-feeding in advanced dementia, which had been commonplace at Coler at the time. By contrast, emerging evidence-based medical literature was advocating maintenance of oral feeding as the more humane alternative (J Am Geriatr Soc 2014;62:1590–1593). Coler’s frontline MCU interdisciplinary team (IDT) took on the challenge, and they persuaded families to try this evidenced-based approach. As a result, within a relatively short interval they significantly reduced tube-feeding among their residents with advanced dementia.

Coler’s efforts continue today, and currently no MCU residents are receiving tube-feeding. A key lesson learned from this experience was how to embolden team spirit and build off an initial success in implementing evidenced-based care. Kindness

Since 2008, kindness has been the key ingredient in the MCU team’s recipe for success, enabling the MCU’s residents to find their “comfort zone” and to express themselves in more meaningful ways. Kindness is also the key that enables the MCU IDT to gain the respect and trust of families.

Click here for the full Caring For The Ages article.

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society newsletter adds:

COLER STAFF CELEBRATES The Beacon Award for Excellence FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL CARE NURSES.

Photo From Roosevelt Island Historical Society Newsletter

For patients and their families, the Beacon Award signifies exceptional care in a unit that puts patients first. For nurses, this award can mean a positive and supportive work environment with greater collaboration, higher morale and lower turnover.

Roosevelt Island Community Input Needed For Proposed Coler Flood Hazard Mitigation Perimeter Wall - You're Invited To June 10 NYC Health & Hospitals Coler Virtual Community Visioning Workshop To Discuss Design And Construction Plans

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Dear Roosevelt Island Community:

Please join NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler for a virtual community visioning workshop to discuss the design and construction of a new perimeter hazard mitigation system at its long-term care facility on Monday, June 10th from 6pm to 7pm. This project will address potential flooding vulnerabilities to protect the skilled nursing facility campus from major storm events.

The project team wants your thoughts and ideas for the public space around NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler. Your participation in this workshop will help develop a public space that benefits everyone.

You can register for the session at this link...

Roosevelt Island resident and iDig2Learn founder Christina Delfico encourages residents to learn more about the proposed Coler Berm project. According to Ms Delfico:

This is a call to TUNE IN MONDAY, JUNE 10th from 6-7 PM via Zoom to learn about a huge proposed island construction of a wall at the northern tip of Roosevelt Island.

REGISTER NOW to TUNE-IN and receive the follow up on the Coler Coastal Resiliency Project Community Input Needed

Planned for Lighthouse Park and surrounding Coler Hospital, please learn more and weigh in. 

Learn about the people and parkland that will be impacted - Island Impact: Coler Upcoming Construction.

Learn more about the Coler Berm project at the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Coler Coastal Resiliency Project web page and click here to share your thoughts on the project.

Roosvelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) President and Coler Auxiliary volunteer Judy Berdy adds:

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND THIS MEETING ON MONDAY.

THIS MEETING HAS BEEN HELD YESTERDAY WITH THE COLER RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED ASKED:

WHY DO WE NEED A “500 YEAR FLOOD MITIHGATION PLAN” FOR COLER?

THE FLOODING IN 2012 CAME FROM THE STEAM TUNNEL UP INTO THE BASEEMENT, NOT FROM THE RIVER. A SEAWALL WILL DO NOTHING IF WATER COMES FROM THE STEAM TUNNEL (WHICH IS NOW CLOSED, BUT NOT COMPLETELY SEALED).

FEMA HAS AUTHORIZED $90,000,000 TO BE SPENT ON THE PROJECT, BUT THESE PROJECTS USUALLY HAVE VASTLY MORE COSTS AND TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

COLER’S ENTIRE INFRASTRUCTURE WAS RELOCATED AFTER 2012 HURRICANE SANDY AND ALL UTILITIES ARE ON THE SECOND LEVEL OR ABOVE. THERE IS NO VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE BASEMENT, THE ONLY AREA TO FLOOD IN 2012. SOME ADJOINING PARKING AREAS ALSO FLOODED BUT DID NOT ENTER PATIENT AREAS.

THIS PROJECT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 32 MONTHS OF MASSIVE CONSTRUCTION AND DISRTUPTION. GIANT PILES WOULD HAVE TO BE SUNK INTO THE BEDROCK (10-30 FEET DOWN AROUND THE WALLED IN AREAS). IMAGINE LIVING WITH THIS AROUND YOUR HOME FOR YEARS.

ALL TREES AROUND COLER AND PROBABLY NEARBY WOULD BE REMOVED OR PERMANENTLY DAMAGED.

MOST IMPORTANT:

COLER IS A PERMANENT HOME TO 500 RESIDENTS. MANY COLER RESIDENTS DO NOT GO OUT OF THEIR UNITS OR OFF CAMPUS.

MOST OF THE PLANS INCLUDING MASSIVE BERMS (OR HIGH MOUNDS) WOULD BIOCK ANY VIEW FROM THE MAIN FLOOR.

THE EAST SIDE OF THE BULDING WOULD HAVE A MASSIVE WALL TO BLOCK ALL VIEWS EXCEPT THE PARKING LOT FROM MAIN FLOOR.

PSYCHOLOGICALLY, THIS PLAN WOULD DAMAGE THE RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

IT IS TIME TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, COME UP WITH A REASONABLE SOLUTION ANTHE PROPOSE TO COLER AND RIOC A REASONABLE SOLUTION, THEN PROPOSE IT TO THE COLER COMMUNITY AND IT REST OF THE ISLAND RESIDENTS,.

THE COLER COMMUNITY AND OURS ARE VERY ACTIVE POLITICALLY AND KNOWLEDGEABLE & WILL MEET ANY CHALLENGE HEAD-ON.

Here's the video

and PDF presentation

of the Coler Resiliency Project by NYC Health & Hospitals Corp representatives to a May 2 Roosevelt Island community meeting.

You can register here to attend tomorow's 6 PM Virtual Community Visioning Workshop.

New Cafe Opens At NY Health & Hospitals Coler Hospital On Roosevelt Island - It's "A Welcome Addition" And "The Food Was Excellent, I loved The Interaction With My Peers" Coler Nursing Home Residents Say

The NYC Health & Hospitals Corp  Coler Long Term Care facility has opened a brand new Cafe for their Roosevelt Island residents.

According to the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp:

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler in partnership with Sodexo today announced the launch of The Coler Café, the most recent addition to the dining and culinary experience available to hundreds of nursing home residents. The collaborative approach of Sodexo’s food service associates and Coler’s team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists offers a flavorful menu, individually tailored to the dietary needs of each resident. The Coler Café is open two days during the week, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11:30am – 1:30pm. Coler residents can make reservations through their designated care teams to ensure the appropriate meals meet their dietary parameters.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler CEO Stephen Catullo receives a "high-five" from a nursing home resident, celebrating the launch of the new enhanced dining option.

“The Coler Café is an exciting person-centered co-design project led by Sodexo with the active participation of our residents and multiple departments, including Food and Nutrition, Nursing, Therapeutic Recreation, Environmental Services, Engineering and Maintenance, and Administration,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Chief Executive Officer Stephen Catullo. “The overarching goal of the Café is to provide a new and different dining experience to our residents in which they have a greater variety of food choices to be enjoyed in a café-style setting.”

The Coler Café provides a friendly ambiance where residents can enjoy a meal with their neighbors and visiting family members.

Here’s a glimpse at a few menu options at The Coler Café:

• Choice of Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup
• Roast Beef Panini with French Dipping Broth
• Chicken Quesadilla
• Pressed Grilled Cheese
• Craft Your Own Salad (Protein, Assorted Cheese, Vegetables)
• Fresh Baked Dessert of the Day

The top resident picks from The Coler Café menu were the Roast Beef Panini and Chicken Quesadilla.

“A great experience! Certainly, a welcome addition to Coler,” said President of the Coler Resident Council Francine Benjamin.

“I felt very welcome, the atmosphere was wonderful,” said Coler Resident Bennie Williams. “The food was excellent and I loved the interaction with my peers.”

“We want to thank the Coler team for their dedication and hard work in getting us to this grand opening of the Coler Café,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Assistant Vice President Mercedes Redwood and Senior Director Stephen Castro. “We’re so excited to have this designated area for our residents to offer them additional meal choices directly at the point of service while showcasing different types of food concepts and cuisines.”

“The Coler café is not just for good eating, it’s the experience shared and the memories made when gathered around the table, and a sense of independence for our residents,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Joan Lannaman.

“We are so proud to deliver this innovative dining experience to the residents of Coler. This program has demonstrated our commitment to improving the overall resident dining experience,” said Sodexo Client Executive at NYC Health + Hospitals Post-Acute Care Tracy Dell Italia.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler partners with the Sodexo team to create a new dining experience onsite for hundreds of residents to enjoy.

“The food quality is excellent. What a joy to watch our residents socialize with each other and staff while having a delicious meal,” said Judith Berdy, Chair of Coler Auxiliary Board. “I appreciate the dedication and commitment of the staff to make our residents’ dining experience enjoyable.”

During last year's Roosevelt Island Day, Ms Berdy described how you can get involved and volunteer  

 at Coler.

"These Are The Faces Of Coler", Photo Mural By Artist Rachel Fawn Alban Unveiled At Roosevelt Island NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Nursing Facility Last Week - One Of Nine New Murals Created By NYC HHC Community Mural Project

Check out the newest addition to the Community Mural Project, run by our Arts in Medicine dept. The mural, Healing in Community at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler, was developed by Rachel Fawn Alban through photography workshops with staff and patients: https://t.co/ztdfWE9I3a. pic.twitter.com/jGNQCxqEBC

— NYC Health + Hospitals (@NYCHealthSystem) December 1, 2023

The NYC Health + Hospitals Corp reported on December 1:

NYC Health + Hospitals today unveiled a new mural as part of the Community Mural Project, run by the health system’s Arts in Medicine department.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler CEO Stephen Catullo, Artist Rachel Fawn Alban, NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine Program Director Monica Mariño, Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund Executive Director Rick Luftglass, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Community Advisory Board Chairperson Judy Berdy celebrate the new mural at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler.

The mural, Healing in Community at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler, was developed by artist Rachel Fawn Alban through a series of photography workshops with community members, staff and patients. Healing in Community is one of nine new murals that have been created this year, building on the 26 murals created in the first wave of the Community Mural Project, which are featured in a new book, Healing Walls: New York City Health + Hospitals Community Mural Project 2019-2021. This program is made possible through the generous support of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.

Healing in Community is a tribute to the invaluable contributions of each person within the Coler community. Artist Rachel Fawn Alban conducted a series of visits at the facility engaging residents, volunteers, and staff in hands-on photography workshops. The culmination is a photomural featuring portraits of 34 members of the Coler community.

“Coler is an important long-term care and rehab facility in New York City’s public health system,” said Rick Luftglass, executive director of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. “This beautiful mural will provide joy and solace to everyone who lives at Coler and to all who visit. This is the first photo mural in the growing array of community murals throughout NYC Health + Hospitals, and we are proud to have supported its creation.”

“Artists play a critical role in public health,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Assistant Vice President of Arts in Medicine Larissa Trinder. “Our community mural artist, Rachel Fawn Alban, worked collaboratively with staff and residents to create a beautiful and lasting experience for their home, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler. Her medium of using photos to layer in a narrative about life’s journey has left a meaningful and lasting impact on our staff and residents.” 

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Resident Ramon Medina looks at his portrait in the new mural

“These are the faces of Coler! This mural represents our diversity among professional staff and residents who embody strength, kindness, resilience and hope; essential elements in making our shared home the most unique place in the city,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler Chief Executive Officer Stephen Catullo, LNHA. “With this creative piece, community artist, Rachel Fawn Alban, has captured the essence of Coler’s spirit. These portraits of residents, clinicians, and many others, including our in-resident therapy dog, Momo, are all reminders that it takes a village to create a reliable support system built on trust, empathy and respect.”

“It has been an honor to work on this mural,” said muralist Rachel Fawn Alban. “I really enjoyed spending time on Roosevelt Island and getting to know everyone here during our photography workshops. It was important to me that the participants have their own meaningful, hands-on creative experiences with photography. The workshops also helped us develop familiarity and trust by the time I did the portraits. I think that resulted in stronger images and deeper engagement with the mural process and with each other. I am filled with gratitude to be a part of the Community Mural Project. I hope Healing in Community inspires warm feelings, pride, and connection for the people who live and work here every day.” 

Healing in Community, the new mural at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler by artist Rachel Fawn Alban, features portraits of 34 members of the Coler community.

Rachel Fawn Alban (@fawn_photos), based in Newark, NJ, is a photographer, writer, and educator whose photography is informed by her background in Art Therapy. Her portrait-making approach is characterized by collaboration, a focus on healing, and sensitivity to trauma. She is primarily known for documenting public art and collaborating with visual artists.

The Community Mural Project is believed to be the country’s largest public hospital mural program since the 1930s, when the depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA) commissioned murals in public buildings, including virtually every hospital in New York City’s public healthcare system. The WPA murals were the start of NYC Health + Hospitals art collection, which now is the city’s largest public art collection and includes more than 7,000 pieces of art of multiple disciplines. The art collection is used to enhance the healthcare environment, inspire creativity, promote wellness, increase access to the arts, and engage staff.

The Community Mural Project creates opportunities for hospital staff to collaborate with each other and with neighbors, relieve stress, and enhance the physical environment of the facilities. Healthcare worker burnout is a national health crisis, and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic has created mental health challenges across New York City, especially in low-income, immigrant and historically excluded communities, which are significant patient populations for NYC Health + Hospitals. 

The PBS News Hour reported on the NYC Health + Hospitals Community Mural Project in August 2022.

 

Also, NYC Media presents That's So New York Arts In Medicine report from June 2023.

Fire Through Dry Grass Documentary About Experiences Of Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Home Residents And Workers During Covid Pandemic National Broadcast Premier 10 PM Monday October 30 On PBS Television Series POV

Fire Through Dry Grass is a documentary film about the experience of residents and workers at the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Coler nursing facility on Roosevelt Island during the Covid pandemic. 

Coler residents and Open Doors Reality Poets teamed with documentary filmmaker Alexis Neophytides 

to show what it was like at the Coler nursing home during the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Fire Through Dry Grass makes its national broadcast premier 10 PM Monday October 30 on the award winning PBS television series POV. The film can also be viewed online at this link.

According to the Fire Through Dry Grass website:

Fire Through Dry Grass uncovers in real-time the devastation experienced by residents of a New York City nursing home during the coronavirus pandemic. Co-Directors Alexis Neophytides and Andres “Jay” Molina take viewers inside Coler, on Roosevelt Island, where Jay lives with his fellow Reality Poets, a group of mostly gun violence survivors.

Wearing snapback caps and Air Jordans, Jay and the other Reality Poets don’t look like typical nursing home residents. They used to travel around the city sharing their art and hard-earned wisdom with youth. Now, using GoPros clamped to their wheelchairs, they document their harrowing experiences on “lock down.” Covid-positive patients are moved into their bedrooms; nurses fashion PPE out of garbage bags; refrigerated-trailer morgues hum outside residents’ windows. All the while public officials deny the suffering and dying behind Coler’s brick walls.

The Reality Poets’ rhymes flow throughout the film, underscoring their feelings that their home is now as dangerous as the streets they once ran and—as summer turns to fall turns to winter—that they’re prisoners without a release date. But instead of history repeating itself on this tiny island with a dark history of institutional neglect and abandonment, Fire Through Dry Grass shows these disabled Black and brown artists refusing to be abused, confined, erased.

The NY Times review of Fire Through Dry Grass reports:

... The combination of firsthand footage with poetry makes for an intimate and raw film that gives a real sense of the confinement faced by the residents, some of whom compared the experience to previous jail stints. It’s a powerful reminder of how defining and devastating the pandemic was, and gives space to those whose voices were long ignored....

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by POV on PBS (@povdocs)

Here's the trailer from Fire Through Dry Grass.

Do you remember what it was like?

 

Fire Through Dry Grass can be seen 10 PM tomorrow, October 30, on the PBS television series POV or at this online link.

Roosevelt Island Coler Hospital Resident And Open Doors Reality Poet Vince Pierce Receives 2023 Craig H Neilsen Visionary Prize Of $1 Million Live On Good Morning America TV Program - Award Celebrates Influential Voices In The World Of Spinal Cord Injury

Vincent Pierce is a Roosevelt Island resident living at the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp Coler long term care nursing facility. Mr Pierce:

...is a Reality Poet and the Director of the arts-and-justice initiative OPEN DOORS, an artist collective who, prior to the pandemic, traveled around the city sharing their poetry and stories....

According to Open Doors:

Before we officially came together as the Reality Poets, we were a loose group of wheelchair users who would sit outside the massive brick building at the tip of Roosevelt Island, smoke and share stories. Many of us were gun violence survivors and all of us felt there was nothing to do living in the nursing home. In 2016 a local artist started a project for us called OPEN DOORS, and from there the Reality Poets were born. Thanks to our vision and leadership OPEN DOORS is now a dynamic creative collective, educating our youth and producing artistic collaborations, including a poetry anthology, original play and hip-hop album.

During the pandemic we were dehumanized and confined inside our nursing home. Realizing we had the microphone at the center of the storm, we began advocating for all those living and working in long-term care, particularly Black and brown nursing home residents who saw twice the amount of COVID deaths as their white counterparts. In 2020 we launched the Nursing Home Lives Matter movement and are now warriors with a mission to end racism and ableism in long-term care.

Last Tuesday, September 19, in front of his family and friends at the Good Morning America TV studio, Michael Strahan surprised Mr Pierce by announcing that he was a 2023 Craig H Neilsen (CHN) Visionary Prize recipient of $1 million.

The CHN Visionary Prize was:

... launched in 2020 to celebrate influential voices in the world of spinal cord injury. The Prize was created to honor the legacy of Craig H. Neilsen and is awarded to individuals who embody the values that were important to him during his lifetime.

Each prize winner is awarded $1 million, respectively.

Watch what happens.

According to the CHN Foundation:

Vincent Pierce, based in New York, is a music producer, gun violence survivor, and community organizer. He is co-director of the arts-and-justice initiative OPEN DOORS. As an OPEN DOORS Reality Poet, he has traveled around New York City sharing his story, poetry, and wisdom. As a teen, Vincent moved to North Carolina, where he studied music and played on multiple basketball teams. In his twenties, Vincent was shot while being robbed at gunpoint, leaving him paralyzed.

In 2019, Vincent began writing poetry after he was inspired by a writing workshop at Open Doors NYC. He started the music program ZING! which, he says, is “showing kids from neighborhoods like the one I grew up in that they are bigger than what their environments expect them to be.” Vincent’s poetry and writings have been published in Wheeling & Healing: A Poetry Anthology Edited by OPEN DOORS Reality Poets. He’s the recipient of a Center for Cultural Innovation Grant, which enabled him to start a music program aimed at keeping youth off the streets and in the studio.

In July 2020, Vincent launched #NursingHomeLivesMatter working for a healthcare system that protects, respects and cares for all those in long-term care, and for those who care for us.

 I asked Mr Pierce for his thoughts on being a recipient of the David H Neilsen Visionary Prize. He said:

I would just thank the Nielsen foundation and Good Morning America.  I would just say hard work and dedication pays off.

Roosevelt Island residents Thom Heyer and Julia Ferguson were among the family and friends who were with Mr Pierce at the Good Morning America Studio.

Mr Heyer reports:

It was rather a surreal day on Good Morning America!

I found out September 8 about GMA wanting to do a feature story on Vince regarding his work at Open Doors, etc.

Friends and family of Vince were asked to RSVP if we could attend and to keep it a secret from Vince.

A financial amount was never mentioned--we all thought it was going to be a public acknowledgement on national television. I was told about the million dollar check on Monday afternoon when we were asked if we would participate in holding up the numbers to announce the check.

We were asked to show up a half hour earlier than the rest of the people to set up that sequence.

We were also required to keep it a secret.

It truly was a complete surprise!

Julia Ferguson adds:

Vince looked immediately to all his team and friends from the Open Doors Reality Poets in the moment of receiving this award. He is a very well deserving recipient of this honor for leadership and community service.

It was an honor to participate and also a complete surprise. I only knew that he was going to be on a special segment of GMA and that they had asked friends to join if they could in order to cheer and applaud.

Hope everyone can make it to the NYC premier of Fire Through Dry Grass Sept 29th through Oct. 4th. 

Fire Through Dry Grass is a documentary about the experience of residents and workers at Coler during the Covid pandemic. Mr Pierce composed music for the documentary. Here's the trailer for the documentary.

The screening will take place at DCTV Firehouse Cinema at 87 Lafayette Street in Manhattan.

Congrats Vince on receiving 

the Craig H Neilsen Visionary Award.

Roosevelt Island Coler Hospital Is Not Closing, Real Estate Developent Rumors Are Untrue, Says NYC Mayor Eric Adams - Volunteer Opportunities Available With Coler Auxiliary To Help Make Life Better For Residents

There have been persistent rumors over the years of plans to close the NYC Health & Hospitals Corp (NYCHHC) Coler Hospital on Roosevelt Island for future real estate development. 

As reported in 2018:

The NYC Health & Hospital Corp Coler Hospital sits on prime East River waterfront land on the north end of Roosevelt Island.

Recently, there have been plenty of rumors about Coler Hospital closing and being put up for sale by New York City.Will Coler Hospital be closed and demolished for a new development - as was it's sister property, Coler Goldwater Hospital, for the Cornell Tech campus?...

The Daily News reported:

EXCLUSIVE: The last public hospital on NYC's Roosevelt Island could be closing soon https://t.co/RflBKqpBBl

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 23, 2018

Prior to my  one-on-one interview with NYC Mayor Eric Adams earlier last week, I asked his office:

Is NYC HHC planning to close Coler Hospital within the next few years; and if so, why? 

Is the City, whether through NYC Economic Development Corp. or otherwise, contemplating the Coler hospital location - or any other RI location - for future development? 

If so, what purpose and use would the development serve? 

Does the NYC EDC include the Coler Hospital site, or any RI site, on any list of future development sites?

During the interview, Mayor Adams said that:

... the Hospital is not going to close. Those are rumors that people have stated. I think HHC is the best deal going in our city...

Click here for the full interview with Mayor Adams on Roosevelt Island issues. 

If you're interested in volunteering at Coler Hospital or just learning more about our neighbors who live at Coler, Judy Berdy invites you to join the Coler Community Board Auxiliary volunteers. According to Ms Berdy:

The Auxiliary provide all the services that the City and Hospital cannot provide. 

We provide entertainment, we provide things for the Units such as televisions. We provide some medical devices that are not covered by the hospital insurance. We provide parties for different occasions like this weekend, we're having a Mother's Day party. We're having a celebration on Monday for Juneteenth. At Christmas and Hanukkah time we give out gifts.

 We're a 501 C three not-for-profit and we are legally not part of the hospital. We work in coordination with the administration.... It's very important to fundraise for so that 500 residents there could get a better lifestyle and more different things to make life better...

Contact Ms Berdy for more info.

Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery Presents New Works By Artists From Our Neighbors At Coler Hospital - You're Invited To Opening Reception Saturday April 29

According to the Roosevelt Island RIVAA Gallery:

"Coler's Art Show" 

 It is with great pleasure that RIVAA Gallery presents new works by artists from Coler Hospital. 

The exhibition will open on April 28, 2023, with a reception on April 29, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 PM.

Join us at the opening reception and view one of our most anticipated events this year, showcasing Art by these talented Coler residents, valued members of our Roosevelt Island Community.

Thanks to the artists, to Art Instructor Robert Fernandez, curator of the exhibition and to Jovemay Santos Director of Therapeutic Recreation Programs at Coler for making this exhibition possible.

Opening reception on Saturday, April 29th , from 4-6PM.

The exhibition will run from April 28th - May 21st 2023,

Gallery RIVAA is located at 527 Main Street.

Here's how you can help support the Gallery RIVAA Renovation Fund.

More info on Gallery RIVAA available at their website and Instagram Page. 

The Roosevelt Island Historical Society reported on the 2022 Coler Art Show and shares some photos from the exhibit:

After a 3 year hiatus due to Covide-19, the Coler Art Show has returned. The show opened today at Coler. The works will be on display at the RIVAA Gallery later this year. It is an exciting event that the resident artists exhibit the works done under the guidance of the Therapeutic Recreation Department. The art program is supported by the Coler Auxiliary, Angelica Fund and other donors. 

Join Nursing Homes Lives Matter Virtual Meet Up January 12 Sponsored By Open Doors Reality Poets Of Roosevelt Island's Coler Nursing Facility - Discuss NHLM Bill Of Rights, Share Stories Of Fighting For Rights In Long Term Care And Preview Clips Of Covid Documentary Fire Through Dry Grass

The Roosevelt Island Open Doors Reality Poets living at the Roosevelt Island Coler Rehab & Nursing Facility are hosting a Nursing Home Lives Matter webinar 4 PM Thursday January 12.

You're invited to attend and learn more the the Nursing Home Lives Matter movement.

According to Open Doors, the Reality Poets are:

... an artist collective of current and former residents of a long-term care facility on Roosevelt Island in NYC. Guided by the Reality Poets’ lived experience and vision, our work focuses on disability justice, community building and gun violence prevention.... 

... During the pandemic racist, ableist systems dehumanized and confined the Reality Poets. Realizing that they had the microphone at the center of the storm, the group began advocating for those living and working in long-term care, particularly Black and brown nursing home residents who saw twice the amount of Covid deaths as their white counterparts. The Reality Poets have launched the Nursing Home Lives Matter movement and are working on a documentary film about their harrowing year on “lockdown” fighting for their lives and their freedoms....

Click here to register for the Nursing Home Lives Matter January 12 webinar. 

The Nursing Home Lives Matter movement began on Roosevelt Island during the Covid Pandemic. Remember?

Powerful a nursing Home Lives Matter Message Projected on wall of Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Facility last night at end of vigil remembering those who died and in support of those still in lockdown during Covid 19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/95xPgWNhKT

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) March 15, 2021

Are You Looking For A Job Close To Your Roosevelt Island Home? Coler Subway Sandwich And Gift Shops Desperately Needs Workers To Serve Hospital Staff, Residents & Guests

Roosevelt Island resident and Coler Hospital Auxiliary volunteer Judy Berdy reports:

A person is needed to work in the recently opened Coler Subway Sandwich and Gift shops that sells coffee and snacks. The shops needs staffing with persons familiar with restaurant/ sandwich work. 

Stop by Coler, 900 Main Street, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call 914 924 9024.

Ms Berdy adds that the Subway Sandwich Shop is very important to the Coler community and cannot open without sufficient staff. There is no employee cafeteria or cafe/restaurant for residents and their guests to eat other than the Subway shop in the Coler facility.

Are You Looking For A Job Close To Your Roosevelt Island Home? Coler Hospital Subway Sandwich And Gift Shops Looking For Staff

Roosevelt Island resident and Coler Hospital Auxiliary volunteer Judy Berdy reports:

A person is needed to work in the recently opened Coler Subway Sandwich and Gift shops that sells coffee and snacks. The shops needs staffing with persons familiar with restaurant/ sandwich work. 

Stop by Coler, 900 Main Street, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call 914 924 9024.

NYC Council Member Julie Menin Spends Afternoon On Roosevelt Island Meeting With New Coler CEO And Cornell Tech Dean - Discusses Coler Capital Budget Needs, Tours Cornell Labs And Takes A Spin With Autonomous Driving Vehicle Simulator

According to spokesperson for NYC Council Member (CM) Julie Menin:

CM Menin spent last Monday afternoon on Roosevelt Island walking around the island and meeting with executive leadership of key institutions. 

First, the Council Member visited Coler Hospital to meet with new CEO Stephen Catullo. Mr. Catullo brought CM Menin on a tour of the facility while discussing capital needs ahead of budget season. The Borough President had been at the facility a few weeks earlier to have similar discussions. The CM also spoke about ways in which Coler could improve its relations with the Roosevelt Island community and was pleased to hear about new partnerships at Coler with Cornell Tech on art therapy and their community day as well as reengaging with local stakeholders on the Island. 

On RI today I met with @NYCHealthSystem new Coler Hospital CEO Stephen Catullo. I toured the facility and learned about the innovative ways they are providing care for their patients including a technological partnership with @cornell_tech in expanding their art therapy program. pic.twitter.com/QdUTDjO4iP

— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) April 4, 2022

The Council Member then rode the red bus down to Cornell Tech where she met with leadership including Dean Greg Morrisett. The Council Member toured many of Cornell's state-of-the-art labs including a lab working on simulating human response to driving that is collecting critical data for the development of autonomous vehicles. The Council Member also spoke with Cornell Tech about engagement with both the local community and the entire city. She briefly sat in on a presentation from NYC robotics high school student competition finalists from NYC First and got to see the great relationship that Cornell Tech has fostered in supporting STEM amongst NYC public high school students. 

Great time visiting @cornell_tech today with Dean Morrisett touring all the incredible labs including a state-of-the-art driving simulator working on autonomous vehicles. The best part was meeting impressive NYC High School robotics competition finalists from @nycfirst! pic.twitter.com/wGzqGw5uyk

— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) April 5, 2022

On her way back to taking the tram to Manhattan she saw some of the cherry blossoms!

As previously reported, earlier that Monday, CM Menin's staff:

... joined with Roosevelt Island NYPL branch manager Carlos Chavez to let the Roosevelt Island community know that participatory budget voting has begun and that all residents 11 years and older can pick up a ballot and vote in person at the Roosevelt Island library or vote online through through April 10....

... Among the items on the District 5 ballot are funding for technology enhancements to the Roosevelt Island NYPL branch (Item #9).

What can be done in 5 minutes?
🎧Listen to a song
📧Answer emails
🛒Make a grocery list
🗑Take out the trash
Or simply… 🗳voting on how you want $1 million of your money spent on participatory budgeting for District 5! Vote below:
https://t.co/lt7DsSDaep

— Julie Menin (@JulieMenin) April 6, 2022

Learn About Volunteer Programs With Our Roosevelt Island Neighbors At Coler Care Facility Thursday March 10 Via Zoom Hosted By Angelica Patients Assistance Program - Also, Join Coler Open Doors Reality Poets Relaunch Of Nursing Home Lives Matter Efforts Saturday March 13

Friend Of Coler volunteer Julia Ferguson reports:

TOMORROW THURSDAY 6-7 p.m. Community Engagement with Angelica Patient Assistance Program Roosevelt Islanders are invited to find out more about volunteering with for programs with our neighbors at Coler. This zoom meeting will take place next Thursday, March 10th 6-7 p.m. We will hear from Coler residents as well as meet Angelica Board members. Please RSVP directly to this Evite here:

More on Friends Of Coler here.

On March 13, the Coler Open Doors Reality Poets are hosting a Zoom Event relaunching  their Nursing Home Lives Matter efforts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by OPEN DOORS (@opendoorsnyc)

You were with us in the snow at the rally
You were with us in the dark at the vigil
You mourned the loss of our brother Roy
And so many others

Now, join us on Sunday, March 13th, at 6pm
For a virtual event to relaunch #NursingHomeLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/zeaq5MrFWg

— OPEN DOORS (@opendoorsnyc) March 5, 2022

Powerful a nursing Home Lives Matter Message Projected on wall of Roosevelt Island Coler Nursing Facility last night at end of vigil remembering those who died and in support of those still in lockdown during Covid 19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/95xPgWNhKT

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) March 15, 2021

Residents gathered outside Coler Nursing Home on Roosevelt Island for a Covid-19 vigil, commemorating 1 year since the shut down.
Signs were saying "Nursing Home Lives Matter" and "Isolation Kills Too".

📹 By @ScooterCasterNY & @yyeeaahhhboiii2 (FNTV https://t.co/MKhP0Go9IL) pic.twitter.com/PampIwias9

— Scootercaster (@ScooterCasterNY) March 14, 2021

You're invited to both virtual events to help Coler residents.