Bronx Voice - January 19, 2022

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FIRE SNUFFS OUT 17 BRIGHT LIGHTS

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5th Year, No. 16

January 19 - 25, 2022

Thousands attend funeral for fire victims

Page 8

The vigil for victims of the Twin Parks Towers fire.

Oh SNAP Covid!

Gov increases food benefits Page 5

Page 6 Photo by Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

Fatally simple procedure?

7 years later, family still seeks answers Page 3

Debra and Pat Osemwegie hold a photo of their father and husband Daniel Osemwegie who died Photo by David Greene after a colonoscopy in 2014.

Subway shooter gets 17 years for gunning down man in front of his child

2• BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022

The gunman who pled guilty to fatally shooting a man in front of his 5-year-old son, in a crowded subway station, was sentenced to 17 years in prison, prosecutors said.

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Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree Manslaughter for fatally shooting a man in a subway station

in 2019.

Clark said, “The defendant got into an argument with a man inside a busy Bronx subway station and heartlessly shot him in front of the victim’s five-year-old son and multiple commuters. The child has been deeply traumatized since the incident. I send my condolences to the victim’s family, especially the young boy who saw his father die in such a cruel way.”

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Rafael Hollis, 31, of Sheridan Avenue, was sentenced to 17 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter on December 9, 2021, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice John Carter.

According to the investigation, on October 4, 2019 at 6:30 p.m., at a subway station located at 167th Street and Grand Concourse, the victim, James Cubille, 24, met with his ex-girlfriend

to pick up his son.

The defendant, who was in a relationship with Cubille’s ex-girlfriend, showed up and argued with the victim. Hollis took out a gun and shot Cubille in the torso in front of the victim’s son, ex-girlfriend and multiple commuters. The victim was declared dead on arrival at Lincoln Medical Center.

The defendant fled the scene and turned himself in two days later.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Burim Namani, Counsel in the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, Chief of the Trial Division.

District Attorney Clark thanked retired NYPD Detective Matthew Crawley of the 44th Precinct and retired NYPD Detective Christine Reyes of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their assistance in the investigation.

Family seeks answers 7 1/2 years after death

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By David Greene Seven-and-a-half years after a death at a Kingsbridge medical clinic, a local family is still seeking answers as to why Pat Osemwegie, a husband and father of five children from Allerton-- never came home after a visit to a Kingsbridge medical clinic.

Daniel Osemwegie, 51, died on July 15, 2014, shortly after a colonoscopy at the Advanced Endoscopy Center located at 5500 Broadway at West 230 Street.

According to his family, Osemwegie immigrated from Nigeria in 1987 and graduated from Mercy College with a degree in business administration.

Osemwegie went to work for the City of New York, before starting his own successful tax

preparation business.

Asked if an explanation was given for her husband’s death, Pat replied, "They said he went into cardiac arrest... the autopsy record said nine minutes passed by before they started resuscitation. When they found out his heart rate dropped, they did not respond in time to give him medication to revive (him), so they called an ambulance.”

A second tragedy would strike the Osemwegie family as their youngest daughter Lisa died from illness the following December at the age of 19.

Pat maintains that neither the medical practice nor the six individual staff members named in a civil suit filed on behalf of the family on July 8, 2015, ever contacted the family offering any explanation or even their

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condolences for what happened.

"They don't tell you about the dangers," Pat concluded, "they tell you yes, colonoscopy's saves lives, but there are complications, so I am advising everybody that wants to do a colonoscopy, if you want to do any procedure where they put you to sleep, go to the hospital. It's dangerous.”

Osemwegie's daughter Debra told the Bronx Voice, "People should be aware of things like this, because what people think is a routine thing, sometimes it's not so routine." She added, "There should be laws that protect patients more than the clinics, and the way it is now, the clinics are being more protected than the patients.”

Repeated attempts were

made for comment from Advanced Endoscopy Center. A woman answering the telephone on January 3, responded to the media inquiry, "He's not interested in doing a story, okay? Thank you.”

A December, 2006 medical study published by the American College of Physicians found that in over 16,000 colonoscopy's conducted between 1994 and 2002, found that five per every 1,000 patients suffered serious complications and of those, 10 deaths were reported among those patients within 30 days after the procedure.

Meanwhile, the American College of Gastroenterology's website states, "Potential complications are associated with every form of testing done in

Photo courtesy of the Osemwegie family

According to family members Daniel Osemwegie, 51, died after a 2014 colonoscopy.

medicine. Clearly, colonoscopy has been found to be extremely safe when performed by a well trained physician such as a gastroenterologist. Although quite rare, most complications are related to sedation administration," adding that those serious complications often result in cardiac or respiratory issues.

4• BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022

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Covid spike leads to long lines, closures

By David Greene As the world marks the second anniversary of the outbreak of the coronavirus where COVID-19 has claimed nearly 5 1/2 million lives worldwide-- Bronxites continue to spend their days waiting in long lines for booster shots, virus testing and food.

At the COVID-19 mobile testing van outside of St. James Park at Jerome Avenue and East 192 Street, a woman who declined to be identified moments after being tested, was asked if she was feeling sick, when she replied, "No, but somebody at work got sick, so I'm just being cautious that I don't have it.”

The same line stretched as far down Jerome Avenue as the eye could see. On the next corner of East 190 Street another long line was formed by local residents picking up a twice-a-month food delivery and distribution at St. James Church, the two lines nearly met.

A visit to the Kam Man Kitchen Chinese

An unidentified woman tests for COVID-19 at a mobile testing site outside of St, James Park in Fordham Manor.

Restaurant on East 204 Street found one dining table atop of another, barring customers from indoor dining. The woman behind the counter told the Bronx Voice, "I don't have enough help to check for the vaccine card and if you don't check you get a ticket. Yeah, it's $1,000 and I can't afford that.”

Other restaurants along East 204 Street in Norwood: Popeye's, Subway and McDonald's all had closed off the dining area to the public.

In a regular COVID-19 briefing by President Joe Biden told the nation, "Tens of millions have gotten sick, we've all experienced up-

Photo by David Greene

heaval in our lives. But while COVID has been a tough adversary, we've shown that we're tougher, tougher because we have the power of science and vaccines that prevent illness and save lives.”

President Biden vowed that his administration would open 10,000 new vaccination sites across the nation, on top of the existing 80,000 sites with more to follow through January. He added that his administration was deploying hundreds of vaccinators at more sites to assist FEMA with pop-up clinics that will provide booster shots in "areas of high demand.”

In his strongest statement on the anti-vaccination movement to date, Biden said, "The unvaccinated are responsible for their own choices, but those choices have been fueled by dangerous misinformation on cable TV and social media and these companies and personalities are making money by peddling lies and allowing misinformation that can kill their own customers and their own supporters. It's wrong. It's immoral. I call on the purveyor of these lies and misinformation to stop it. Stop it now."

Oh SNAP Covid!

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Gov increases food benefits

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for January.

All households participating in SNAP —including those already at the maximum level of benefits —will receive a supplemental allotment later this month, bringing in roughly $230 million in federal funding into the state's economy.

"As we continue to endure the difficulties of the pandemic, too many New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet," Hochul said.

"These additional food benefits will play a critical role in eliminating food insecurity throughout the state. As the cold weather puts pressure on family budgets, these additional SNAP funds will provide much-needed relief.”

The emergency as- receive the maximum sistance supplement is allowable benefit per provided to households month on SNAP - a fedCONTINUED ON PAGE 7 that do not ordinarily

Thousands say goodbye to Twin Parks fire victims

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6• BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022

By David Greene Hundreds of Bronxites packed the Islamic Cultural Center as they joined elected officials and an overflow crowd of thousands, who jammed East 166 Street for blocks as they paid their respects and said goodbye to 15 of the 17 victims killed in the Twin Parks North West fire.

Joining mourners at the funeral prayer service included Mayor Eric Adams, Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Chuck Schumer.

The densely packed, mostly-masked crowd

stood for several hours with temperatures hovering at the 20 degree mark. One man suffering hypothermia was observed being treated

by EMS and officials later reported that two individuals were removed from the cultural

center and transported to BronxCare Hospital.

They were either over-

come with grief or heat off a week of grieving inside the center. following the tragedy CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 The services capped

Photo by David Greene

A woman was consoled after breaking down after the 15 caskets were taken out of the Islamic Cultural Center.

Oh SNAP Covid!

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BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022• 7

Gov increases food benefits CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

erally funded program overseen by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level --$835 for a household of four -will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these benefits posted until the end of the day Friday, Jan. 21. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see

their benefits post between Jan. 15, and the end of the month.

Struggling New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyday life. In the first months after the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, New York saw a substantial increase in SNAP enrollment.

The initial spike has remained sustained, and recipient counts remain about where they were at the end of the initial surge, which is substantially higher than

pre-pandemic levels. As of November 2021, there were nearly 1.6 million households totaling 2.77 million New Yorkers that were receiving SNAP benefits.

"The tremendous impact these food benefits have had for New York households cannot be overstated,” OTDA Acting Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz. “The additional benefits SNAP households have received since the onset of the pandemic have helped millions of New Yorkers to avoid food insecurity and make ends meet during the

ongoing public health emergency."

As with the prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients' existing Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically carry over to the following month.

SNAP benefits also play an important role in New York's economic recovery, with every federal dollar invested generating up to

$1.54 in economic activity, according to a federal study quantifying the impact of SNAP on the U.S. economy. The study also found that an additional $1 billion invested in new SNAP benefits could support roughly 13,560 jobs nationwide.

Find more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, here. New Yorkers can check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov.

These are the 17 victims of the Bronx Twin Parks Fire

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8• BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022

This article was originally published by THE CITY

By Claudia Irizarry Aponte, Dean Russell, Josefa Velasquez, and Rachel Holliday Smith, THE CITY They came from countries in West Africa, nearly all of them from Gambia, and settled in Twin Parks Towers Northeast, a 19-story apartment building full of working class families from the region and Latin America.

Some of them were born here to parents from Gambia, volunteering in local community groups, attending local mosques, enrolling in local schools and colleges hoping for a future in social work, economics and justice.

Those dreams came to an end on Sunday, Jan. 9, when a fire broke out in the residential tower killing 17 people, including several members of two families.

Fire Department officials said a malfunctioning electric space heater was to blame. The rapid spread of smoke through two doors left open — despite a law requiring they spring closed — claimed most of the victims’ brief lives.

Eight were children; the youngest was 2 years old.

One had celebrated his 12th birthday the day before the deadly fire.

Police officials identified the victims of the fire on Tuesday. These are their stories.

Sera Janneh, 27 Loved ones described

Janneh as a devoted sister and friend – a cheerleader to those around her and “a good person to be around,” her sister Mareama told the New York Times.

Janneh was a psychology major at Lehman College and wanted to be a social worker, her sister told the Times. She added that Sera was an active member of the Gambian Youth Organization, a community group located steps from Twin Parks that serves the neighborhood and the borough’s west African communities at large.

Janneh collapsed while trying to escape their sixth-floor apartment. She is survived by her parents and three siblings, including the youngest, Aisha, who is still in the hospital battling injuries from the fire, the Janneh family wrote in a GoFundMe post.

“She was a nice woman,” her father told the DailyMail. “She was very caring, helping — she listened to us.”

Seydou Toure, 12 Toure was an 8th-grade student at the Angelo Patri Middle School, located next door to Twin Parks.

His classmate and friend of three years, Chanel Álvarez, 13, described him as “a bit of a troublemaker, but a very good kid” at a nighttime vigil in front of the fire-damaged building on Tuesday.

That afternoon, more than two dozen students, along with teachers and school staff, walked out in front of Twin Parks to pay

Drammeh Family Fundraiser/gofundme

Members of the Drammeh family who were killed or injured in the Jan 9 fire. Left photo (LR): Fatoumala, Fatoumata, and Fatima. Center photo: Nyumaaisha, Fatima, and Yagub. Right photo: Fatima, Fatoumata, Muhammed.

tribute to their classmate, wearing laminated badges with his picture, and lighting candles at a makeshift memorial for Toure.

“I loved him dearly,” the school’s principal, Angel Ortega, told the New York Times. “He always had that smile.”

Haowa Mahamadou, 5 Mahamadou was one of at least four siblings caught in the Jan. 9 blaze, according to an online fundraising page set up by her aunt, Khadidja Timbaye, for the family.

Two other Mahamadou children were treated in critical condition, Timbaye wrote.

The Dukureh Family Haji Dukuray, 49; Haja Dukureh, 37; Mustapha Dukureh, 12; Mariam Dukureh, 11; Fatoumata Dukureh, 5; Haja Dukureh, 37, and her husband, Haji Dukuray, 49, moved from Gambia more than a decade ago, settling in The Bronx, according to Fatoumata Dukureh, Haja’s aunt.

They had three children in the United States: Mustapha, 12; Mariam, 11; and Fatoumata, 5, who shares a name with her mother’s

aunt.

The couple worked hard to support their children — Haja as a home health aide and Haji at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken, said Fatoumata. They regularly sent money back to relatives in Gambia.

The Dukurehs lived in an apartment on the 19th floor of the ill-fated building on 181st Street, joining an enclave of West African immigrants.

“This is a very close-knit community. We are predominantly from one town in Gambia called Alunghare, so we are all family,” said Haji Dukureh, Haja’s uncle, speaking with ABC News.

The family was devoutly Muslim, and Haji frequented a nearby mosque to pray in the mornings.

They celebrated Ramadan with Gambian-style chicken and jollof rice, prepared by Haja and eaten at night, when Muslims break their fast during the holy month.

The children displayed distinct personalities, said Fatoumata, Haja’s aunt. “Mustapha was very smart. He would always read and help others with

reading… Mariam was very sweet. She looked like her mom and was always helping her mom.”

The younger Fatoumata had just celebrated a birthday. She was quiet and shy like her dad, family told THE CITY. The Dukurehs perished attempting to escape the building when it filled with smoke, relative Hawa Dukuray told the New York Times. “I’m heartbroken,” she said.

The Drammeh Family Fatoumata Drammeh, 50; Fatoumala Drammeh, 21; Nyumaaisha Drammeh, 19; Muhammed Drammeh, 12 Fatoumata Drammeh, 50, and her husband, Ishak Drammeh, 57, moved to Twin Parks from Gambia and lived on the 15th floor for nearly 20 years.

Fatoumata and three of the couple’s children, Fatoumala, 21; Nyumaaisha, 19; and Muhammed, 12, were killed in the fire.

They are survived by Ishak and their daughter Fatima, 23, and another son, Yagub, 16, who remains in critical condition.

Ishak was out of town CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

These are the 17 victims of the Bronx Twin Parks Fire

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on business when the fire broke out on Sunday and the rest of the family had celebrated Muhammed’s 12th birthday the day before, at an indoor trampoline park in Queens, the New York Times reported.

Nyumaaisha, who went

by Aisha, was set to begin college next month. Her cousin Fatma Barow, 46, said in an interview on Monday that she wanted to become a lawyer. “Aisha wanted to help others, I said ‘OK, I will pray for you,’” Barow said. “She was a beautiful soul. God, so lovely.”

Fatoumala was set to graduate from the University of Buffalo soon and

studied political science.

A statement from the university issued on Wednesday said she was an active member of the school’s Educational Opportunity Program. She was also the vice president of Powerful United Ladies Striving for Excellence — or PULSE — an on-campus networking group for women of color, said Brian F. Hamluk, the university’s vice president of Student Life.

“She was a very good girl,” Ishak, her father, told the New York Times.

“Muhammad was a good boy, too. Nyumaaisha was a good girl.”

Tawana Davis, a nextdoor neighbor of the Drammehs, said she saw

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the family grow up and settle into life in the U.S. “They lived here basically the whole time I lived here. I saw those kids as babies. I taught [Ishak and Fatoumata] to speak English,” she said, adding that Muhammed and her grandson were friends. “Everyone on the floor, we were like family.”

“They are a very nice family, very well respected,” she said. “They were just the best people.”

Fatoumata Tunkara, 43, and Omar Jambang, 6 A mother of five, Fatoumata “Chakou” Tunkara, 43, was visiting a friend inside of the Fordham Heights apartment along with her 6-year-old son, Omar Jam-

bang, when the fire broke out, killing the pair, according to the Daily News.

Native to Soma, Gambia, a town roughly five miles south of the Gambia River, Tunkara’s family is raising funds to send her and her son’s remains to their homeland, a family member wrote in a GoFundMe. Isatou Jabbie, 31 and Hagi Jawara, 47 Hagi Jawara worked jobs in construction and at a fried chicken restaurant, and his wife, Isatou Jabbie, was a home health aide, his brother Yusupha told the New York Post. The Gambian couple are survived by their four children, ages 6 to 15, who were visiting relatives in the West African country at the time of the fire, the New York

Post reported.

They were set to reunite with their parents at the end of the month.

Yusupha described his brother as “jovial.”

“He was always smiling and laughing with everyone, never had a disagreement with anybody,” he told the Post.

Ousmane Konteh, 2

The youngest of the fire’s victims, Ousmane Konteh, was staying at a relative’s apartment on the 19th floor when the smoke engulfed the Bronx building Sunday, a family member posted on GoFundMe. The toddler was being cared for by a relative while his mom went to work.

He is survived by his mother, Fatoumata Sankanu, and three siblings.

Thousands say goodbye to Twin Parks fire victims

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in which 17 people perished in the Bronx fire.

Officials said a "malfunctioning" space heater in a bedroom sparked the fire at the Twin Parks North West apartment complex, a 19 story-building at 333 East 181 Street in Fordham Heights, where the deadly smoke killed 17 and injured 66, including three firefighters.

Nine adults and eight children perished in the blaze.

According to officials the fire broke out in a duplex apartment that shared the second and third-floors, at 10:58 a.m. on January 9.

Later that evening newly elected Mayor Eric Adams at the scene of the tragedy said, "We are in a moment where we're facing a multitude of crises at one time and we won't succeed if we're not united.”

After vowing assistance to the families of the victims, Adams added, "The FDNY is doing a thorough investigation, Commissioner Nigro will update us on the latest, but it appears as though this stemmed from a space heater. But the marshals are here, they will give us a thorough investigation to determine exactly what took place and what we can do better not to have

this repeated.”

After visiting with victims of the fire Governor Kathy Hochul remarked, "We are indeed a city in shock. It's impossible to go into that room where scores of families who are in such grief, who are in pain.

To see it in a mother's eyes as I held her, who lost her entire family.

It's hard to fathom what they're going through.”

Hochul added, "When I prepare my budget this week, I'm going to establish a victims’ compensation fund for the individuals I just sat with and said I would not forget you. There'll be money to help them find new housing, for burial costs, for whatever they need we'll take care of them because that's what we do here in the State of New York.”

Senator Chuck Schumer also vowed, "At the federal level, we'll do whatever we can. There's housing assistance, there's tax assistance and maybe most important is immigration assistance, so families can be united because many of these families have come from overseas and need to be here.”

FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro stated, "This fire began in an apartment that spans two floors on the sec-

ond and third floor of the building. It started in a malfunctioning space heater that was the cause of the fire. The fire consumed that apartment that is on two floors and part of the hallway. The door to that apartment, unfortunately when the residents left, was left open, it did not close by itself.”

Nigro added, "The smoke spread throughout the building, this the tremendous loss of life and other people fighting for their lives right now in hospital's all over the Bronx.”

Nigro reported that the building was built with federal funds in 1972 and had 120 apartments and because it was federally funded, was able to be "built outside of New York City fire code." Several published reports have quoted residents as saying the 'self locking' doors were either broken or had never worked.”

Asked by a reporter if staffing challenges due to COVID played any role in the deadly fire, Nigro responded, "It played absolutely no role. It's a challenge, but everyone of our units is

fully staffed, fire and EMS.” However, that was disputed in a Zoom call the following day, when Andrew Ansboro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA), said, "Forty-eight engine was first due, they normally have five firefighters working, due to medical leave department wide being high, they didn't hire someone to work in that position, so there was one less person on that first engine company." Ansboro alleged that four engine companies who responded to the fire were a man short due to

COVID. Those wishing to donate toiletries, new clothing, hats, gloves and scarfs as well as blankets and sheets can drop off items at the NYC Department of Education's Bronx Borough Office located at 1230 Zerega Avenue. Staff members will be on hand accepting donations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The SAR High School in Riverdale has also opened a drop off site for donations. They are located at 655 W. 254 Street and can be reached by calling (718) 548-1717.

Mayor Eric Adams visit the scene of a deadly fire on East 181st Street in the Bronx, January 9, 2022.

-Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

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Health Matters

EmblemHealth wraps up year with legacy of community service In a year full of significant challenges and change, EmblemHealth’s family of companies concluded 2021 by reflecting on its contributions toward improving public healthcare services for the diverse communities it serves.

EmblemHealth’s family of companies includes AdvantageCare Physicians, a primary and specialty medical care practice, EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care, a network of customer service and community resource centers, ConnectiCare, one of Connecticut’s leading health plans, and WellSpark, a digital wellness company.

“EmblemHealth began this year with a goal of investing more in our communities and improving access to care for the many patients, members, and neighborhoods we serve,” said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of EmblemHealth. “We accomplished these goals and we are planning to continue to build on that success.”

2021 highlights included: • As the school year began, EmblemHealth teamed up with local elected officials, community organizations, and government agencies to donate thousands of bookbags and school supplies to children as they headed back to classrooms after more than a year of remote school instruction.

EmblemHealth also partnered with community organizations and local

leaders to host a Healthier Future Wellness Fairs series throughout New York City. The fairs provided thousands of residents with better access to care services, including flu and COVID-19 vaccines, health screenings, wellness resources, and fresh, healthy food.

• EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care (EHNC), EmblemHealth’s free community centers, opened three new centers this summer in Queens and on Long Island, NY. As social distancing practices continued, EHNC also instituted virtual wellness programming and hosted food giveaways and outdoor neighborhood fitness courses throughout New York City.

• To better serve the Medicaid population, EmblemHealth doubled down on its Community Based Organization partnerships.

It also continued strategic collaborations with Brooklyn-based Medly Pharmacy for at-home Rx distribution services and community immunizations and with value-based provider Cityblock, which combines comprehensive care with delivery models that address underlying social determinants of health.

• This year, AdvantageCare Physicians (ACPNY), EmblemHealth’s medical practice, was one of the first selected by New York State and the City to roll out and administer COVID-19 vaccinations to tens of thousands across the state, with a focus on the city’s

most vulnerable communities. The practice also partnered with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), one of the country’s largest education unions, to vaccinate New York City teachers and school staff against COVID-19. Additionally, AdvantageCare Physicians teamed with New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS), one of the leading oncology practices in the nation, to deliver comprehensive cancer care to its patients.

ACPNY also opened four new state-of-the-art medical offices to serve the Jackson Heights and Flushing neighborhoods of Queens, NY, and the Long Island communities of Bethpage and Uniondale.

• ConnectiCare, a division of EmblemHealth based in Connecticut, celebrated its 40th Anniversary by honoring our core mission of giving back to the community. In 2021, ConnectiCare focused on addressing food insecurity and mental health, two areas of continued need as the state emerges from the hardships brought on by COVID-19. In addition to providing financial support to organizations working in these areas, company employees volunteered across Connecticut to assist residents alongside notable nonprofits such as CT Food Bank/Food Share, Mental Health CT, and Habitat for Humanity.

• As employers began return-to-work planning in 2021, WellSpark Health, EmblemHealth’s disease prevention and manage-

ment company, provided innovative means to support employees’ mental health and treatment of underlying conditions.

As employers, especially those with essential workers, searched for solutions to help people deal with burnout and fatigue, WellSpark’s life-dimensional approach to care was a just-in-time solution to usher in employee benefits in a post-pandemic American workforce.

•EmblemHealth Health@Work, formally known as the Occupational and Environment Health Center of Eastern New York (OEHC), also launched in 2021 to provide enhanced access to preventative care and safety for working people in Eastern New York.

The revamped regional health center included redesigned and renovated office space and a new website (healthatwork. emblemhealth.com).

• And to better understand and communicate with patients and communities about their care,

EmblemHealth released two pioneering, national studies in 2021 regarding the effectiveness of healthcare communications and the emerging industry shift toward value-based care. The first focused on the language surrounding COVID-19 that helped guide conversations about vaccines and vaccine hesitancy among various populations. The second focused on the importance of educating consumers on the value-based care model to help lower the overall cost of care while raising awareness of the model’s benefits for the broader public.

“The country has been whipsawed by the pandemic,” said Ignagni.

“Our responsibility as community health plans, physician practices, and a wellness company is to bring the best in class services to the people we serve where and when they need it. That’s our mission and our commitment.”

For more information, visit emblemhealth.com.

Children’s hospital recruits new department chief 12• BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022

The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) has recruited Dr. Laurie E. Cohen as the new Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.

Dr. Cohen specializes in endocrine issues experienced by childhood cancer survivors, such as growth hormone deficiency and infertility. She is also an expert in growth disorders and short stature in children.

Throughout her career, Dr. Cohen has been involved with research examining the impact of cancer therapies on patients with hematologic and

central nervous system tumors, as well as examining determinants of growth and development. She has worked on perspective papers and consensus guidelines in these areas for the Children’s Oncology Group, Pediatric Endocrine Society, Endocrine Society, Growth Hormone Research Society, and International Guideline Harmonization Group. Dr. Cohen is also on the Board of Directors for the Pediatric Endocrine Society.

Dr. Cohen moves to CHAM from Boston Children’s Hospital. She re-

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ceived her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medicine.

She did her internship and residency training in pediatrics at Yale-New Haven Hospital and her fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at Boston Children's Hospital. She has been in practice for more than 30 years.

Dr. Cohen will oversee a team of providers who care for children with a range of endocrinology needs, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, delayed puberty, and calcium and

Dr. Laurie E. Cohen

bone disorders.

She assumes her role at CHAM on January 18 and will see patients in the Bronx and Westchester

starting in the late spring.

For more information on how to make an appointment, contact 718741-2450.

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14• BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022

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Morris Heights Health Center combats food insecurity among Bronx seniors

Morris Heights Health Center (MHHC) is working to address negative health outcomes impacted by food insecurity for seniors residing in the Bronx.

According to a 2021 report on Food Insecurity in New York State by the United Hospital Fund and Boston Consulting Group, nearly 2 million New Yorkers face food insecurity, including 75,000 New Yorkers over the age of 65.

This equates to a 36% increase since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Studies show that people who experience food insecurity are

affected by diet-sensitive chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Through a new partnership with the Food Bank for New York City, MHHC will distribute healthy meal kits to qualifying seniors in the West Bronx and surrounding areas at no cost to the participant.

The meal kits are part of the Food Bank for New York City’s federally funded Commodity Supplemental Food

Program (CSFP). The program provides monthly food assistance to over 600,000 lowincome seniors in New York City. The meal kits are specifically designed to supplement needed sources of nutrients typically lacking in participants’ diets. The kits contain nonperishable food items such as shelfstable milk, fruits and vegetables, meats, grains, cereal, and juices.

MHHC’s senior housing facility, located at 57 West Burnside Avenue, will serve as one of the programs distribution sites in the West Bronx area.

The health center will distribute the meal kits the second Monday of every month, where participants or their proxy will be able to pick up the items.

To qualify for CSFP, applicants must meet the following requirements: • At least 60 years of age or older.

• A New York State resident.

• An income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (based on household income).

On January 7, 2022, MHHC hosted an onsite registration session at their senior housing facility, where the health center’s community outreach team was able to enroll over 57 seniors into the program.

“Community Health Centers’ have served as a safety net for the medically underserved and low-income communities for more than 50 years,” explained President & CEO, Mari G. Millet. “All too often we find that our seniors living on a fixed income must make the difficult

decision to choose between their next meal or basic necessities.

Through our partnership with the Food Bank for New York City, we are committed to providing food assistance and promoting healthy eating behaviors that can limit hospitalizations and health expenses among older adults.”

In addition to the meal kits, the program offers participants guidance on preparing nutritious meals, including cooking demonstrations, dissemination of nutrition and health information, and referrals to health care and social services.

Eligible seniors interested in participating in the program can complete an application at MHHC’s distribution site or contact their community outreach team at 347-658-2112 for more information.

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BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022• 15

Culinary Road

By Morris Gut

Indulge in Chinese Lunar New Year feasts

During the pandemic, many Chinese/Asian restaurants closed off their dining rooms and pivoted to takeout only. Some are still in that mode, so check ahead if you plan on dining-in. Takeout & delivery remain a good way to go. Here are suggestions…FOLLOW CURRENT COVID PROTOCOLS AND STAY SAFE! The Chinese Lunar New Year celebration begins on Tuesday, Feb. 1st and will last for two weeks. Many Asian eateries will be marking the festivities with special dishes and menus. Be sure to check ahead for exact dates, times, and pricing.

Over at Aberdeen Seafood & Dim Sum, 3 Barker Ave., White Plains (914-2880188), in the Residence Inn, the staff told us they would be offering special New Year banquets. You can also celebrate with a run thru their popular Dim Sum, or from the regular menu. www.aberdeenwhiteplains.com . David Chen’s, 85 Old Mount Kisco Road, Armonk (914273-6767) Sprawling spot in a free-standing house serving Cantonese cuisine to the community for more than 25 years. Specialties: 10 Ingredient Fried Rice, Pan-Fried Noodles, and Seafood Pot. www.davidchens.com Ku Asian Bistro, 480 New Rochelle Road, in the Chester Heights section of Bronxville (914-668-8877), has a fine hand with their regional Chinese fusion specialties. ‘Ku’ is a Chinese word meaning ‘fantastic’, so let Chefs Wang and Qiu surprise you with their delightful Asian fusion flavors. From the Chinese kitchen try the Spareribs, Shrimp with Long Bean, Moo Shu Pork, Kung Pao Chicken, and General Tso’s

Chicken. www.kuasianb. com Mister Chen, 265 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck & Scarsdale (914-777-1212), this Cantonese spot along the Asian strip serves wonderful house made Soup Dumplings and Buns, Chicken Lo Mein, and tasty Honey Glazed BBQ Spareribs. www.misterchenny.com Omandarin Chinese Cuisine, 361 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-437-9168) will be serving some of the classics: Peking Duck, assorted Hot Pots, and hearty Mandarin Pork Shank, in their beautifully decorated dining room. www.omandarin.com Goosefeather, 49 E. Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown (914-829-5454), located in the Tarrytown House estate, Chef Dale Talde has reimagined upscale Hong Kong cuisine with modern twists. Take-out or dine-in only during operating hours. www.goosefeatherny.com VIETNAMESE & KOREAN & TIBET!

Communities in Vietnam, Korea and Tibet also mark the Lunar New Year.

Local venues to check out: Jewel of Himalaya, 751 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale (914-874-5506) & 34 Triangle Center., Yorktown Heights; a tasty fusion of Tibet/Indian/Nepal cuisines serving Momo Dumplings and Stir-Fried Noodles. www.jewelofhimalayany.com Saigonese, 158 S. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914288-9088), good spot for Spring Rolls, big bowl of Pho, and delish Bun Vermicelli Bowls with lettuce wraps. www.mysaigonese.com The Banh Mi Shop, 148 Mamaroneck

Ave., White Plains (914686-6888). Len Dang’s specialties include Grilled Short Ribs, a variety of Banh Mi Sandwiches, great Brussels Sprouts with lemongrass and garlic, and Grilled Pepper Shrimp. www.vn2ny.com Vietnam’s Central, 694 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale (914-723-7222). Tom Bui’s tasty bites include Fried Pot Stickers, Satays, and Jasmine Fried Rice. www.vietnamscentral.com Bibille, 14 Main St., Tarrytown (914-3727677). Owners Junho Kim and Joohyun Kang operate a whimsical Korean fusion spot where you can build your own Bibimbab Bowl and bite into Korean Fried Chicken. www. bibille.com WANT TO COOK IT UP YOURSELF?

If you are an intrepid home cook and want to pull the old wok out of the closet and oil it up, you may want to visit big bustling H-Mart for a wide variety of panAsian products. There is dine-in and take-out, too.

They are located at 371 N. Central Ave., Hartsdale (914-448-8888).

There is another H-Mart in the Highridge Shopping Center on Central Park Ave., Yonkers. www.hmart. com Though smaller, New Golden Village Oriental Market, 365 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale (914-4379795), would also be a good bet for ingredients.

Enjoy a fresh bubble tea while there. The China-

town markets in Flushing and Manhattan are great but would be more of a trek. We recently shopped Asian at H-Mart and prepared a satisfying pot of Pho with pork, shrimp, and Bok choy. A warming precursor to Lunar New Year…

INDOOR FARMERS MARKETS RIGHT NOW! So, you’ve had enough of winter, and you miss vis-

iting your favorite farmer’s market. Well, some of our most popular markets continue operating yearround, and while you may not get all the spring/summer harvest can produce, it still is a good place to pick up a variety of artisanal goods such as meats, cheeses, jams, breads, etc.

Here are some local purveyors a short drive away and happy grazing: The Grow NYC Norwood Farmstand is open all winter at E. Gun Hill Road & Dekalb Ave., Bronx. They offer a variety of farm fresh products every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is supported by the American Heart Association. www. grownyc.org Larchmont Farmers Market, Metro North Station at Chatsworth Ave./ Myrtle Blvd., Larchmont.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon thru April 22. www.downtoearthmarkets.com

Mamaroneck Winter Indoor Farmers Market at Harbor Island Park Pavillion, 1 Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. thru May. www.downtoearthmarkets.com Pleasantville Farmers Market, 10 Memorial Plaza at Metro North, Pleasantville. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. thru March 26. www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org Ossining Winter ‘Down to Earth’ Farmers’ Market, corner of Main & Spring Streets, Ossining. Year round, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. www.downtoearthmarkets.com Irvington Winter Farmers’ Market, Main Street School, 110 Main St., Irvington. Saturdays thru May. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. www.theirvingtonfarmersmarket.org Hastings -on-Hudson Winter Farmers’ Market, James V. Harmon Community Center, 44 Main St., Hastings. Every 1st & 3rd. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. thru May. www. hastingsfarmersmarket. org (Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and

former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in the Bronx & Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-2356591. E-mail: gutreactions@ optonline.net)

16• BRONX VOICE• January 19 - 25, 2022

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