On New Year’s Day, I proudly watched the swearing-in of Nassau County’s next leader. Many cheered loudly for Ed Mangano, a candidate who stood for change and overcame great odds to become our new county executive. more

When the H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as the "swine flu," dominated headlines in April and May, it appeared to be business as usual at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, says the hospital's lead doctor. Dr. Steven J. Walerstein, senior vice president for medical affairs and the medical director at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, said there was not as much of a rush as was expected. "We were actually surprised we didn't have the surge and influx of patients we thought we were going to have," Walerstein said. However, the NUMC medical staff continues to prepare itself for what experts are projecting to be a rise in H1N1 cases this fall. One report from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology said up to half of the nation's population could potentially contract the H1N1 virus this fall. "It is a concern now," Walerstein said. "The problem is that obviously no one has a crystal ball." more