Grand Round monthly
Thanks to support from donors like you, Sun River Health hosts a year-round series of educational seminars for our physicians – enhancing their training and exposing them to advances in myriad areas of care. Grand Round is an integral component of medical education. It involves the formal presentation by an expert of a clinical issue. Grand Round is not just an educational resource, but also a platform for dissemination of information to our providers. The goal of the program is for all staff to have access to timely and evidence-based information that can improve patient care, regardless of their practice setting.
We host Grand Round monthly, and bring in expert speakers 6-7x/year from medical centers all over the country including Yale, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Mount Sinai, NYU, University of Rochester, etc. Some of the topics covered in the past year included: transgender affirming care, updates to HIV management, management of chronic renal insufficiency, asthma updates, HIV and pregnancy, social disparities, and justice, equity, diversity & inclusion (JEDI).
Support from donors helps to ensure that our physicians have access to continuing education on specialty topics and cutting-edge research which allows them to stay informed – enabling them to provide the best care to their patients.
Your generosity makes our communities happier and healthier!
“Grand Round provides a way for our providers to learn about various clinical problems, innovative treatments, and advances in research. It’s a learning environment that fosters continuous medical education to improve the patient experience and health outcomes.”
James Ho, MD Regional Medical Director Sun River Health
AMBASSADORS
Building a successful career and giving back go hand in hand. You can save lives and make a real-world impact in your community.
• • Enthusiastic about giving back through fundraising and philanthropy?
• Eager to network with like-minded professionals?
• Committed to making a positive impact in your community? For more information on Sun River Health’s Ambassador Program, please contact Jasmin Davis, MBA, Manager of Foundation Advancement, jadavis@sunriver.org, 845-745-3189
If that sounds like you, get with the winning team and help make your community sunnier by joining the Sun River Health Ambassadors today!
Scan the QR code for more information
Blackstone backpackstuffing event
Sun River Health, in partnership with Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, hosted a successful back-pack stuffing event this August, providing essential school supplies to over 600 local students in need.
Spearheaded by Sun River Health Ambassador Ebony Livingston, this event brought together dedicated volunteers from Blackstone to assemble backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, hand sanitizers, and other vital school and health care items. All backpacks were distributed to the communities we serve in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island during our National Health Center Week regional celebrations.
Nalini Purvis, Vice President of Community Engagement at Sun River Health, emphasized the importance of such collaborative partnerships in building stronger and healthier communities. “This event is a testament to the power of working together to address the needs of our community,” said Purvis.
The donated backpacks will equip students with the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming school year. Sun River Health extends its sincere gratitude to Blackstone for their generous support, and to the volunteers who dedicated their time to this worthwhile cause.
Migrant Health Best Practice Conference
Sun River Health hosted the Migrant Health Best Practice Conference at Mohonk Mountain House on June 9-12. The conference brought together 10 community health center organizations from across the country to share insight and information on how to best administer and manage the health of migrant workers. Top executives from each health center presented on a variety of topics, including: the importance of strategy, incorporating AI, using data to drive engagements, staff satisfaction and its impact on providing care, and the important connection between art and health. The health centers also shared their own specific best practices, advances in use of technology, and findings upon putting new ideas in place. Attendees left the conference energized and armed with new information on how to provide complete patient-centered care and services for the migrant communities they serve.
Colores De Mi Tierra
On Saturday, May 18, the Sun River Health Jeannette J. Phillips Community Health Center in Peekskill hosted an opening reception in the atrium for the art exhibition, “Colores De Mi Tierra” (Colors of My Earth) featuring the work of Oaxacan artist Eduardo Guzman Valverde. The reception celebrated rich Oaxaqueña culture through art and dance performances from El Grupo Folclórico de Poughkeepsie and Vocalist Alberto Ojeda.
The program included remarks from Anne Nolon, Sun River Health’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as Wilfredo Morel, Vice President of Immigrant Health, and the artist himself. Eduardo, a selftaught artist, draws inspiration from his culture and experiences. His work has been displayed across North America – this past December gracing the walls in the Consulate of Mexico in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Mr. Valverde also presented a demonstration and instruction session in the health center’s atrium on Wednesday, May 22, sharing his techniques and style with those in attendance who desired to learn more about his work and inspiration.
The exhibition was open to the public from May 18 until June 1. One painting titled “The Universe” was sold. This exhibition was one in a long line of such partnerships with artists of diverse backgrounds to highlight the connection between art and health. Sun River Health receives a portion of the proceeds from any sales of artwork on exhibit in the health center through these programs.
“I liked and loved this doctor, and she gave me time to ask anything. I like that everything there is calm; everything is clean and in order, and I don’t have to wait long for the tests. They are given to me promptly, and the nurses take good care of me.”
– Katiusca, Sun River Health Patient
WEDNESDAY | 11.6.2024 | 6:30 pm
Join us to celebrate our mission of providing healthcare of the highest quality to patients throughout the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New York City.
Ziegfeld Ballroom 141 W 54th St New York, NY 10019
Scan for more information
https://corn2024.cbo.io
TD Five Boro Bike Tour
For the third consecutive year, Sun River Health sent a team of riders to the TD Five Boro Bike Tour –a 40-mile car-free ride through all five boroughs of New York City.
Thank you to our 2024 Sun River Health Team: Amanda & Craig Ascher, Ndidi Iyare, Rafael Jones, Adam Lipton, Greg Maddelena, Cinthia & Mark Rollins, Zahra Sherzad, and Sean Suarez who rode in the event which took place on Sunday, May 5.
Thank you as well to all who inspired, cheered on, and donated to our team of riders –together, you helped raise over $7,000 to help us provide all those who turn to Sun River Health with the care they need and the respect they deserve.
Want to join us next year and ride with Team Sun River Health in the 2025 TD Five Boro Bike Tour?
Reach out to events@sunriver.org and we will be sure to add you to our list, so we can reach out to you first in the fall to build our team!
Sun River Health Celebrates
Each year, Sun River Health celebrates Juneteenth: the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States – and a central day for us, our communities, and the patients we serve.
Over 100 years after that first Juneteenth freedom celebration in 1865, our Founding Mothers fought to bring health care access to Black Americans in the Peekskill community. And because of that determination, we are serving over 250,000 patients across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island today.
As we celebrated our first Juneteenth without our beloved Rev. Jeannette J. Phillips this year — and anticipated the upcoming first anniversary of her passing — we were reminded how she taught us that excellent health care is part of what liberation means, and that it is because of Juneteenth that Sun River Health’s mission continues to flourish.
Rev. Phillips chose “Because of Juneteenth” as the permanent Sun River Health Juneteenth tagline, and we are proud to have used it this year in her honor. We will continue to use it, as it is a reminder that Juneteenth is so deeply linked to the mission that is our daily work.
As we do each year, Sun River Health participated in long-established Juneteenth Freedom Celebrations throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island, including Parades and Festivals in White Plains and Peekskill, a Juneteenth Community Day Festival in Brooklyn, and the Suffolk County Juneteenth Jubilee.
Juneteenth
Summer Starts Here
Thank you to all who joined us for our Summer Starts Here event on Thursday, May 23, at The Muses to kick off summer in style and support Sun River Health.
Summer Starts Here raised almost $65,000 to support the comprehensive primary and preventive health care services that Sun River Health provides, and we could not have done it without your help!
We are so grateful that you share our belief that health care is a human right for all and not just a privilege for some. YOU enable us to change the lives of those who turn to us for care.
A big thank you to the event’s sponsors: Bioreference Laboratories, Farrell Companies, Stony Brook Medicine, Hon. Helene Burgess, Erica and Roger Matloff, Anne and John Nolon, The Hebets Company, Stony Brook Medicine, Hamptons Gynecology and Obstetrics, Molina Healthcare, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Shippy’s Restaurant, and James Sinkoff.
Thank you as well to the vineyards that came out or donated wine for our evening’s tastings: Croteaux Vineyards, Macari Vineyards, Osprey’s Dominion, Raphael, Rose Hill, and Wölffer Estate Vineyard.
We appreciate all of the support from the artists who attended, and also offered artwork for sale to benefit Sun River Health: Edward Acosta, Henry Alviar, Yenny Carruyo, Anahi DeCanio, Gregory de la Haba, JL Gutierrez, Eric Heitmann, Lynn Mara, Oscar Molina, James Slezak, Christina Lewis Vizcarrondo - and a huge thank you to Yubal Marquez Fleites for dreaming up the partnership and managing all of the artists’ works.
We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
On Wednesday, July 3, Sagaponack Farm Distillery, in partnership with Great Jones Distilling Company and Wölffer Estate Vineyard, hosted “A Taste of Sagaponack.” This was a “meet the makers” event, celebrating New York made wine and spirits in the heart of Sagaponack, NY. Nearly 100 guests enjoyed selections from each company in addition to farm-to-table food prepared by Almond Bridgehampton and Marilee’s Farmstand. Twenty percent of sales from the event benefitted Sun River Health, and we were honored to participate in the event. Members of Sun River Health’s Foundation team were in attendance to share information about our operations on the East End and inform guests about the importance of the care we provide to agricultural workers in the area.
A Taste of Sagaponack
“I appreciate their patience and the way they take their time. At the end of my appointment, they ask if I have any questions and they answer me patiently - they don’t seem rushed.”– Macario, Sun River Health Patient
National Health
Every August, Sun River Health joins the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) in celebration of National Health Center Week. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to raise awareness of our organization and its work, and highlight the commitment and passion of our health center staff, board members, and supporters.
An ice cream social at Pine Island Elementary School took place on Tuesday, August 6 for Agricultural Worker health, and honored the children of Dulce Esperanza and their health care providers at Sun River Health The Alamo.
The rain was no match for the community spirit in Brooklyn as a block party took place outside Sun River Health’s new Bedford Avenue location on Thursday, August 8. More than 100 backpacks were given out to children at the event, in addition to participation from dozens of community organizations, mobile health units, food trucks, facepainting, performances by several musical artists, and tours of the health center. More than 40 new patients were scheduled for appointments at the health center during the event as well.
Center Week
The community came out in record numbers for the health day event in Brentwood. Sun River Health put on the event in collaboration with Gala Foods on Saturday, August 10. The event featured musical performances, mobile health units, raffle prizes, barbecued food, a petting zoo, a DJ, a kids zone, and dozens of community partners.
A back-to-school event in Poughkeepsie was a raging success. Sun River Health partnered with the organizations at Family Partnership representing myriad services on Wednesday, August 14, for a sunny and fun-filled day. More than 200 backpacks were given out at the event to children, who also enjoyed a bounce house and kids zone. Community members were treated to food, ice cream, and performances, and shared in the spirited feeling of the day
“The receptionist, nurse, and doctor were all very patient with me, explained the things I wanted more details on, so I could understand medically. They actively listened when I was explaining my situation, and showed a lot of interest. It was an awesome experience; they were very up-to-date and efficient. ” – Kashna, Sun River Health Patient
Be the Change in Your Community’s Health
Investing in comprehensive women’s health services not only saves lives, but also reduces long-term health care costs, ensuring healthier futures for mothers and their children.
Despite these benefits, access to care is not widespread. Stark health disparities persist: Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, largely due to disparities in access to quality health care. Preventive health services are also crucial; only 65% of women in low-income communities receive regular Pap smears, compared to 85% in higher-income areas. Regular screenings can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by up to 80%.
Sun River Health is dedicated to bridging this gap by providing expert prenatal, postpartum, and general women’s health care through a compassionate and highly skilled team of OB/GYN clinicians, midwives, and family physicians. We help nearly 30,000 women each year stay healthy at every stage in life. Our gynecological services include: pelvic exams, PAP smears, and testing and treatment for STIs, in addition to information on family planning, birth control, prenatal care, menopause/hormone replacement therapy, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) healthy food and nutrition services.
Support from our donors has helped Sun River Health in our goal to provide more women with the unique care they need, and to ensure the health of future generations through comprehensive and compassionate care. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Sun River Health serves patients experiencing higher rates of new cervical cancer cases. These higher rates may reflect differences in cervical cancer screening rates and outcomes that vary by socioeconomic status and access to quality care. Recently, to mitigate some of these factors, Sun River Health has begun a push for Cervical Screening interventions – supporting our patient population in completing their cervical cancer screening during an office visit, as women often feel uncomfortable and “not ready” to complete the screening. Prevention and early detection make all the difference with respect to treatment and further interventions down the road.
Funds from Sun River Health Foundation have sponsored 400 hygiene kits, which include travelsized necessities such as wipes, hand sanitizer, and body wash. These kits are distributed to women during an office visit to remove the barriers to completing the cervical cancer screening – hopefully identifying, and ultimately lowering, the rates of new cervical cancer cases in our patients.
Learn more about our Women’s Health Care Fund.
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/sun-river-health/women-s-health-care-fund
We are grateful to everyone who supports our mission to ensure equal access to quality care for everyone in our communities. We could not do it without you!