HOW'S STAT?

Yesterday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation ( HHC ) President Alan Aviles announced STAT! For New York City's Public Hospitals a Five-Borough Music and Arts Festival created to raise money for the City's public hospitals. Presented by the HHC Foundation of New York City, STAT! will run from December 5th- 12th and feature multicultural performances and events throughout the five boroughs with local and internationally-acclaimed Latin music, gospel, jazz, soul and hip-hop artists. Proceeds will be used to help buy new medical equipment, upgrade technology in HHC facilities and raise awareness about the City's public hospital system. The Mayor and HHC President Aviles were joined at the Kings County Hospital announcement by Antonio Martin, the Executive Director of Kings County Hospital; tap dancer Omar Edwards; HHC benefactor Hank Carter; as well as a number of other STAT! concert performers.

"New York City's public hospital system is one of the largest and best in the world. But just like all other city agencies, our hospitals are facing tough economic challenges," said Mayor Bloomberg. "A growing population and rising medical costs, coupled with an uncertain future in state and federal funding, has left us looking for creative ways to find efficiencies and generate revenues - and STAT! is helping us do it. The money raised during this festival will help buy much needed equipment, and it's a great way to give during the holiday season.  I hope New Yorkers across the five boroughs will come out to enjoy the performances and join me in supporting our City's hospitals."

"New Yorkers need our public hospitals, and at HHC, we're working in many ways to keep quality healthcare accessible for everyone," said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. "STAT! will help raise funds for medical equipment that our patients need and that our facilities may be challenged to provide as resources become scarce. All told, STAT! is a musical and artistic tribute to New York City's public hospitals and facilities at a time when it is most needed." 

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation is a $6.7 billion integrated health care delivery system with its own 385,000 member health plan, MetroPlus. It is the largest municipal health care organization in the country and provides services regardless of income, insurance coverage, or immigration status of patients.  HHC has earned many distinctions, including the John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality in 2008. Each year, the City's public hospitals serve 1.3 million New Yorkers, handle more than one million emergency department visits and deliver some 23,000 babies. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based clinics. HHC's Health and Home Care also provides in-home services. But unfortunately, more than 450,000 of HHC patients are uninsured.

In a hospital, when someone shouts "stat," it is short for the Latin word "statim" or "situation urgent." Like other City agencies, New York's public hospitals are facing serious, urgent financial challenges. While City agencies have taken $1.6 billion actions this year to help close the budget gap for the upcoming fiscal year, New York City is still facing a $2.4 billion budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. The City is working to do more with less by making operations more efficient and cost-effective, and finding innovative ways to raise revenues. STAT! For New York City's Public Hospitals! was conceived by longtime philanthropic supporters of HHC and by the HHC Foundation, which works to provide funds and equipment to public hospitals when existing programs need help. The STAT! events will benefit New York City's public healthcare facilities and raise awareness about the facilities and services.

"As a lifelong New Yorker, I deeply appreciate the work and the commitment of the public hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the HHC systems," said Garland Jeffreys.  "It's one of the best-kept secrets of our City, but I hope that STAT! helps everyone understand that we have world-class public healthcare system in New York City."

"Lincoln Hospital - it's a Bronx thing," said India. "They can take care of you in your own language, no matter what it is, and they make you feel safe, no matter what your medical needs are. Considering the care the public hospitals give to all of us, STAT! is a great opportunity to give back."

"I know that HHC has a mission - to care for everyone equally, regardless of their healthcare status or ability to pay," said Anat Cohen. "That is truly remarkable and STAT! is a moving tribute to both great healthcare and great artistry. I'm honored to be a part of this program."

"I have tapped all over the world, and all over the world we need to help and heal each other," said Omar Edwards.  "STAT! gives me the opportunity to use my art to bring awareness and healing energy to New York's hospitals, officials, and most of all -  the people of New York, New York, my home town."

"STAT! is the right thing to do. The Temptations Review is honored to be performing and supporting the public healthcare system of New York City," said Dennis Edwards. "This is our way of giving back to the people who really need care."

"Charanga Soleil is proud of its New York roots," said Al Angeloro, co-producer of Charanga Soleil. "We're looking forward to December 10tj when we'll play a swinging and loving blend of African and Caribbean dance music. New York City is the crossroads of the world, and I am proud to be a supporter of the best healthcare system available."