Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella announced a significant investment of $1.3 million during the 143rd Charity Ball for Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH). This funding aims to enhance medical capabilities in areas such as cardiac surgery, radiology, sleep medicine, and critical care for the borough’s residents. The initiative builds on previous support from Councilmembers Kamillah Hanks and David Carr, who contributed to securing SIUH’s new cardiac bypass system.
The investment ensures that Staten Islanders have access to advanced medical technology comparable to that found in leading hospitals across the nation, hospital administrators noted. “We are giving our residents one more reason to stay on Staten Island for quality health care,” Fossella stated. He commended the efforts of Dr. Brahim Ardolic and the team at SIUH, expressing pride in their commitment to improving healthcare services, particularly in cardiology.
Enhancing Lifesaving Technologies
The newly acquired technologies are set to improve the precision, safety, and quality of care in multiple specialties. Heart disease represents a significant health challenge in Staten Island, with cardiovascular mortality rates among the highest in New York City—approximately 232 deaths per 100,000 residents each year. Hospitalizations for coronary heart disease exceed the state average, underscoring the necessity for ongoing investment in advanced cardiac care.
The upgraded equipment will enable clinicians to detect complications earlier, facilitating faster interventions and enhancing SIUH’s capacity to deliver high-acuity, lifesaving care. A new radiation shield has been introduced, setting a new standard of safety for interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization. This innovation significantly reduces radiation exposure for medical staff during fluoroscopic procedures, thereby minimizing the risks associated with long-term exposure.
Additionally, the investment includes an advanced sleep system that will transform SIUH’s sleep medicine program. This new wireless platform replaces outdated wired systems, improving patient comfort and diagnostic accuracy. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, affect an estimated 15 to 20 percent of adults and are often linked to serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. The upgraded system will help clinicians identify and address these hidden disorders before they develop into chronic health issues.
Commitment to Community Health
Dr. Joseph Basile, vice president and deputy hospital president at SIUH, emphasized the importance of the new systems. “Heart disease and related conditions continue to take a disproportionate toll on Staten Island,” he remarked. “These new systems allow our physicians to work with greater precision and safety, improving outcomes for patients who rely on us for the most complex, lifesaving procedures.”
Meagan Sills, president of SIUH, echoed this sentiment, stating that the investment reflects a shared vision for the borough’s health future. “Borough President Vito Fossella’s partnership ensures Staten Islanders receive the best tools and technology in modern medicine, right here where they live,” Sills said. “From cardiac surgery to sleep medicine, these advancements strengthen our ability to deliver care that is not only lifesaving but life-changing.”
This substantial investment marks a pivotal step in enhancing healthcare services for Staten Island residents, providing them with state-of-the-art medical technology without the need to leave their community.
