NEW HEALTH CENTERS
Sun River Health hosted several ribbon cuttings and open houses this year, including at our new health centers in New Rochelle, White Plains, Poughkeepsie, and Brooklyn. These events gave elected officials, our organizational partners, and community leaders the opportunity to tour the facilities, learn more about the services we provide, and hear about the impact we are making in the communities we serve.
“From the moment I arrive, the staff are so friendly and serve me quickly. My doctor is excellent, professional, asks a lot of questions, and helps me if I’m having trouble with something. When I forgot a mammography appointment, she reminded me, because she is genuinely concerned about my health. Even my prescriptions are sent to me in Spanish. I have been so happy every time I’ve had an appointment because nothing is missing at this health center. I prefer to drive 45 minutes to come here than go to another doctor who is closer.”
– Rosa, Greenport patient
““I really like the doctor, nurses, and all the health center staff. They’re very involved in my care and are always responsive and caring. The nurses make themselves very available to me and always make me comfortable. It’s the best doctor’s office I’ve ever been to.”
– Cassandra, Poughkeepsie patient
PLANETREE INTERNATIONAL GOLD CERTIFICATION
This year, Sun River Health was officially awarded Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care by Planetree International, the global leader in advancing person-centered health care solutions. The highest level of certification offered by Planetree International, Gold Certification recognizes an organization’s achievement and innovation in the delivery of person-centered care. Sun River Health is the first and only Federally Qualified Health Center in the world to earn this prestigious award.
Sun River Health has been a Planetree International affiliate since 1996, and established the Sun River Health Planetree Institute in 2012 to provide state-of-the-art staff training on delivering compassionate and personalized care. In 2020, Sun River Health was awarded Silver Certification.
All patient photography is of Sun River Health patients.
EXCELLENCE IN NURSING RECOGNITION AWARDS
On May 1, Sun River Health nurses Samantha Gleeson, RN, Carol Hicks, RN, Liliana Luongo, LPN, Rasheed Ali, RN, Carissa Munoz, RN, Ashley Awn, RN, and Samantha Ramos, RN were honored at Hudson Valley magazine’s Excellence in Nursing Awards ceremony at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie. Samantha Gleeson received a special recognition after being named in the magazine’s “2024 Top 20 Nurses” list. All of the nurses who receive awards are nominated by their direct supervisor and selected by a panel of expert judges.
PUBLIC HEALTH ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICE AWARD
On May 1, Roberta Kelly, FNP-BC, CIC, Sun River Health Chief Nursing Officer & Senior Vice President, received the Outstanding Contribution for Public Health Organizational Service Award on behalf of Sun River Health at the New York State Public Health Association’s 2024 Public Health Partnership Conference in Saratoga Springs. This prestigious award recognizes a public health organization that has excelled in providing vital services to New Yorkers in need.
“Sun River Health provides excellent care. I have been seeing my doctor there for many years. He is brilliant and really knows his stuff. He has never steered me wrong, and takes such good care of me. It’s almost like coming to see family at Sun River Health. The interface between me, the front desk staff, the lab staff, and my doctor is amazing. I’m so completely thankful and satisfied here.”
– Gwendolyn, Beacon patient
PHARMACY LAUNCH
In September, Sun River Health acquired our first pharmacy in the Bronx. Reflecting our commitment to expanding access to affordable medications and improving care coordination for our patients, the Sun River Health Pharmacy has been fully integrated into our clinical operations. The pharmacy has played a key role in enhancing medication adherence, and there has already been a steady growth in prescription volume.
The pharmacy’s goal is to expand our footprint through additional locations in New York City, on Long Island, and in the Hudson Valley.
““I got introduced to my nutritionist at Sun River Health by my doctor. At the time, I didn’t have much access to good food and my blood sugar was skyrocketing. The first step with the nutritionist was to make adjustments to help lower my blood sugar. I enjoy being a part of the nutrition program in Peekskill. I like to eat healthy, because I was brought up in Ghana where we had good grains and vegetables.”
– Evelyn, Peekskill patient
IMPROVING MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES
In August, Quratulain Zeeshan, MD, Sun River Health Quality Medical Director of Women’s Health, was invited to speak at the National Association of Community Health Centers’ Community Health Institute (CHI) & Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Zeeshan presented on integrating social drivers of health screening with hypertension management and self-measured blood pressure.
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““They give me the best service with the kindness and respect that I deserve as a person. My doctor treats me so well, and the staff make me feel like family. I have recommended Sun River Health to several people, and they have all felt comfortable there as well.”
– Yiana, Bronx patient
CLINICAL RESEARCH
Aarathi Nagaraja, MD, Sun River Health Medical Director of HIV and Hepatitis Programs, published a prolific amount of clinical research in 2024, including a data analysis of HCV testing and treatment, COVID-19 vaccination acceptability among people living with HIV, and a presentation with fellow Sun River Health staff members on the Mpox vaccination at the 2024 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment.
Nancy Jenks, MS, CFNP, MFTM RCPS (Glasg), FAANP, Sun River Health Director of Research Initiatives, presented clinical research on our quality improvement project to screen OB patients for Chagas disease. With presentations given at Rockefeller University, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) national presentation, Sun River Health continues to lead the way on research in this area.
““I am so glad I was referred to Sun River Health, because my experience there has been wonderful. My doctor cares about me and my baby, doesn’t dismiss my concerns, and always takes the time to address my questions during my visits.”
– Mary, Brentwood patient
Alyssa Nicole Tharp, RPA-C
QUALITY EXCELLENCE
Sun River Health maintains the highest quality of care, as reflected in our ongoing top honors and recognitions for the organization and myriad individual accomplishments of our clinical and administrative staff (see “Achievements,” About Us.)
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve patient outcomes, we target specific initiatives that show potential for exceptional benchmarks.
Sun River Health saw a 14.5% improvement in our diabetic retinal exam measure in 2024, following the implementation of 17 EyePAC cameras.
Another measure that saw notable improvement in 2024 was our depression screening and follow-up. With increased efforts to perform this screening as patients are checking in at the front desk, we saw a 7.5% screening improvement in patients ages 7-14.
““The front desk staff always treat me well, and my doctor is an incredibly good person and very considerate. Sun River Health never discriminates.”
–
Sergey, Monticello patient
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Sun River Health Jeannette J. Phillips Community Health Center in Peekskill presented Art of Resistance, an art exhibition in honor of Black History Month, in the health center’s atrium.
A tribute to the late Sun River Health Founding Mother Rev. Jeannette J. Phillips, the exhibition included work by local artists. In May, Colores De Mi Tierra, an exhibition featuring the work of Oaxacan artist Eduardo Guzman Valverde, opened in the health center’s atrium.
Sun River Health staff and volunteers participated in multiple Juneteenth events across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island to commemorate the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States, including parades and festivals in White Plains, Peekskill, Brooklyn, and Hauppauge.
Sun River Health joined the National Association of Community Health Centers to celebrate National Health Center Week 2024. Hundreds attended our Community Health Day events in Brooklyn, Brentwood, and Poughkeepsie, for food, music, and fun, and to learn more about Sun River Health’s services.
On August 29, Sun River Health partnered with the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn to recognize, honor, and celebrate Caribbean musical talent. On the night before the event, Sun River Health hosted several of the nominated artists and New York City Council Member Rita Joseph at our nearby health center on Bedford Avenue for an exclusive reception.
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“During my five-year journey as a Sun River Health patient, I have seen the amazing professionalism, patience, and dedication of the doctors, nurses, and staff who care for patients. I am eternally grateful for all the diligence and attention shown to me to ensure I was taken care of.”
–Consuelo, Southampton patient
“We
were founded 50 years ago in response to a need for access to quality health care. Our Founding Mothers came together to address transportation, basement exam rooms, and the basic cost of care. Today, we must address the same concerns in addition to new ones. The need for community health centers has never been deeper or more vital.”
- Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH Chief Executive Officer Sun River Health