New Bikur Cholim Room Opens at Woodhull Hospital

By Y.M. Lowy

A new Bikur Cholim Hospitality Room has been established at Woodhull Hospital in Williamsburg, bringing much-needed support to patients and their families. 

Rabbi David Niederman, president of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, expressed deep appreciation for the efforts that brought this project to life.

“It was a thrill to stand with Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, and the Woodhull Hospital team to establish the Hospitality Room at the hospital. This will bring major relief and support to patients and their loved ones visiting with them and providing Bikur Cholim,” said Rabbi Niederman. “We brought up the need for such a room with Dr. Katz when he met us last year, and he and the hospital immediately sprang into action to accommodate the community’s needs. We are grateful to Mayor Adams whose entire administration goes out of the way to address all communities’ needs.”

“At NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, we are deeply committed to enhancing the patient-centered care experience for our patients and their families,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “In our ongoing effort to create a welcoming and supportive environment, we are proud to introduce two new hospitality rooms, thoughtfully designed with the diverse needs of our patient population in mind. These spaces offer essential amenities for comfort, while also honoring the unique values and preferences of each community we serve.”

“We are proud to unveil the hospitality rooms at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull which should enhance the experience of our diverse patient population,” said Gregory Calliste, Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “Visitors will be able to recharge with a complimentary drink (coffee, tea, water) and a snack while visiting their loved ones. This is just one of the many ways we continue to strive to accomplish our goals of excellent patient and community experience.”

“Today’s event is truly heartwarming as it is co-designed project which includes input from our patients, visitors and staff,” said Dr. Scott-McKenzie, COO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “All features of the rooms demonstrate immense respect and cultural sensitivity. We are proud of this accomplishment as it is the culmination of many months of work to truly capture distinct perspectives in design and furnishings. We look forward to the hospitality rooms being enjoyed for many years to come. Congratulations to the team for continuing to place care experience and the environment of care in the forefront of our efforts.”

“At Woodhull, we strive to be patient-centered in everything we do,” said Dr. Ross MacDonald, CMO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “This means seeing things from our patients’ perspective, listening to their needs, and finding many different ways to improve their experience at Woodhull. The hospitality room represents an important way to do just that.”

“We are proud to announce today NYC Health + Hospitals and NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull long time standing commitment to serve all New Yorkers alike,” said Rabbi Jacobowitz, Community Member. “The opening of the Bikur Cholim Hospitality room to serve the needs of the Orthodox Jewish community will be of great help for patients and family members to ease their visits and their stay at the Hospital.”

The new room will serve as a haven for families while fulfilling the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim.