St. John’s Hospital staff in Far Rockaway receives donated essential care items

Donated care packages of essential items and care products were distributed to 1,700 St. John’s Episcopal Hospital staff members who are working to care for Covid-19 patients at the Far Rockaway hospital.

The care packages were donated by the Debra and Leon Black Family, Aramark, the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, Robin Hood, and the American Red Cross. The packages include shelf-stable food, over the counter medicine, household cleaning essentials, and personal care products, and were distributed by American Red Cross volunteers as staff entered and exited the hospital's campus.

“The selfless medical professionals and hospital staff combatting this public health crisis, especially those working tirelessly at the epicenter of the outbreak in New York City, need our support now more than ever,” Debra and Leon Black said in a news release. “As lifelong and proud New Yorkers, we are honored to do our part to recognize, help and thank our healthcare heroes and their loved ones.”

St. John’s is the only hospital on the Rockaway Peninsula and to date has successfully discharged 449 COVID-19 patients, while continuing to serve patients who need other medical services not related to the coronavirus, hospital officials said. St. John’s also serves the Five Towns and surrounding South Shore communities.

“We are working tirelessly to provide the best care for our patients, and these care packages provide relief to our dedicated team members who may find it challenging to shop for many of life's essential items at this time,” said Jerry Walsh, St. John’s chief executive officer. “Thank you to the Debra and Leon Black Family, Aramark, the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, Robin Hood, and American Red Cross, for thinking about our hospital and providing this much appreciated donation.”

Along with the care packages, the hospital underscored the contribution of its nurses amid the health crisis while recognizing National Nurses Week.  

“St. John’s Episcopal Hospital would like to thank and recognize our nurses who serve our patients each day and exemplify our organizational values of Innovation, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Empathy.

“Our nurses play an integral role throughout our health care system. Now more than ever, their determination to help those who are sick and in need continues to shine through as we battle Covid-19 in the communities we serve.

“With our dedicated nurses on our team, we have more than 400 Covid-19 related successful discharges since early March!

“Thank you SJEH nurses!”