Racing Against Time, LICH Supporters Target Board Meeting

Supporters of the beleaguered Long Island College Hospital will plea to keep the Cobble Hill institution open at a special board meeting to be held Thursday in Manhattan. But is it too late?

Downstate president John Williams announced to LICH doctors Monday night that he will be recommending to the SUNY Board of Trustees that the hospital be closed, following a critical audit last month by the city compotroller. In response, members of the New York State Nurses Association are calling upon neighbors and local officials to join them in speaking out during the public comment period of the meeting.

"We care about our patients and are proud of LICH and the quality of care that we provide there," said registered nurse Julie Semente. "We won't just stand by and do nothing while a new owner, that was in financial difficulty before it ever came to Cobble Hill, tries to shut down the only hospital in this area of Brooklyn to pay off its pre-existing and self-made money troubles."

Earlier this week, rumors began to swirl on comment boards that W.A.R.N. notices could be delivered to hospital employees as early as next week. But most staff queried by Patch said they had not heard anything about that. A PR representative for LICH declined to comment.

"LICH staff still isn't being told anything at all," said Semente. "I'll let you know if I get a pink slip with my paycheck on Friday."

Before then, Thursday's meeting, which will take place inside the auditorium at The College of Optometry at 33 West 42nd Street, will provide one of a handful of last-ditch opportunities for residents, employees and local politicians to plead their case before the boardmembers.

"This [crisis] has nothing to do with LICH, which still has its operational beds over 90% full," stated Semente. "Its all about LICH being [SUNY's] best asset that will bring them the most money in a sale—and to hell with the people of the communities it serves."

She may have a point.

In a video stream of the SUNY Board of Trustees Nov 14, 2012 meeting boardmembers were given a consultant's presentation on Downstate's financial situation with multiple options. 

An official from the school stated that "the school's accreditation could be in danger if the financial situation with the hospitals is not fixed by the time of the next accreditation review in March 2013". 

"That's why they are in such a rush to get the deal done," asserts Semente, who feels the sale of LICH will act as a sacrificial lamb in order to keep Downstate's medical school afloat. "They have one month before Downstate has to show the medical school accreditation board that it has managed itself financially."

When contacted on Tuesday, Director of Communications and Special Projects at SUNY Downstate Medical Center Ron Namjin also declined to comment on any matters concerning LICH.

Stay with Patch for updates.