EHS Hosts a Women’s Health Fair

By Dan Guarino

“Rain or shine, our community shows up!” Episcopal Health Services (EHS) announced as they thanked all who attended their Women’s Health Fair at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital on Wednesday, May 14.

“The theme today is ‘Let’s Talk About It- Women’s Health Stigma’,” said Dr. Jacqueline Marecheau MD FACOG, speaking at the event held in a huge tent erected in the parking lot of the hospital’s Clinical Learning Center at Plainview Avenue and Beach 19th Street. As head of EHS’s Department of OB/GYN and host of the event, Marecheau observed “I have seen that access to health care is just the beginning,” noting that “we are here to meet you where you are.”

Commenting he is “an obstetrician by training,” EHS CEO Dr. Donald Morrish stated their goal is to assure top-quality healthcare for women by seeing each one’s needs as a total person. “Women are the anchor for everything in our community,” he said.

Despite sometimes heavy afternoon rains, hundreds packed the event from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Women, children, toddlers in strollers and men moved around some two dozen tables engaging with St. John’s departments and numerous partners, asking questions, having discussions about all aspects of women’s health, and receiving gifted items. Special guest Miss Far Rockaway Victoria Serrano was also on hand to greet attendees.

Many were able to connect with vital programs and services, get health screenings and on-the-spot provider appointments and also women’s hygiene and baby needs essentials. One table promoting breastfeeding, doula services, and childcare boasted a sign reading “We Are Baby Friendly!”

A doula, as explained by Pampers.com, is “a person trained to advise, inform, and offer emotional and physical comfort to a pregnant person before, during, and after the birth of their child.”

Another table encouraged visitors to add Post-it notes with a statement, perceived need or question to a “Let’s Talk About It” board. These included things like “My provider listened to me!” “Women-self-esteem,” “Empathy training,” “Empathy for everyone,” and “Do not hesitate to speak. Give all details to your healthcare provider. (They’re) there to help.”

Partners for EHS’ Women’s Health Fair included Public Health Solutions, Allied Foundation, Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center, BYP, St. John’s ICare Foundation, OHEL, Ocean Bay Nursing and Rehabilitation, NYS Department of Health Cancer Care Services, God’s Love We Deliver, CABS Health Network, Bezalel Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, JCCRP (Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula), the Spa Expectations Corporation and Healthfirst, among others.

Additionally, several of the hospital’s departments were represented, including their culinary services division, where St. John’s head chef and his staff served up beverages both fresh and sparkling, and desserts, as well appetizers and other gourmet offerings. There was also music and raffles through the afternoon.

EHS would later note, “Together, we’re breaking stigma, expanding access, and building a healthier future for women,” adding “reducing the stigma around women’s health starts with access, education, and community.”

Underscoring this theme, the National Institutes of Health reports, “Women face unique challenges and discrepancies in healthcare, leading to health disparities that demand attention.”  Addressing these disparities, they say, is crucial for optimal health outcomes. NIH notes there is a pressing need for attention to healthcare for women in the areas of reproductive health, maternal health, chronic conditions such as diabetes, digestive, lung, kidney and heart diseases, arthritis, cancer screening and treatment, mental health and more.

With May being both Women’s Health Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the EHS event also included services geared to women’s mental well-being. Just steps away from the main tent event, inside the Clinical Learning Center, visitors could receive relaxing seated back/shoulder and hand massages. One woman was stilling noting its positive effects hour later.

EHS Vice President of Behavioral Health Tanya Barros LMHC and her staff presented visitors with a cool, calming ambiance with soothing music for a session on mental wellbeing, which started with a deep relaxation exercise. Regarding the need to take time for practices like this, one presenter noted, “Sometimes we don’t realize. Saying ‘Oh, I’m doing great.’ Sometimes it gets too overwhelming.”

Handouts underscored not only the everyday importance of mental wellbeing, but also the physical effects of unchecked stress. “It’s this body, mind, spirit connection,” Barros said, noting St. John’s offers a variety of individually tailored behavioral options. They also offer services for children from “0 to 20 years” of age.

On the nutritional and health front, the hospital holds a free Weekly Health Fair for all residents every Wednesday, 12-2 p.m. in its parking lot through August. Fresh fruit and vegetable distributions are every second and third Wednesday of each month.

Overall, St. John’s hospital offers women health care resources including obstetrics and gynecology, labor and delivery, maternal-fetal medicine, urogynecology, genetic testing, breast health/breast cancer care and more.

Its Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center on Beach 105th street, billed “Rockaway’s first comprehensive women’s health center,” additionally provides services such as breast cancer support groups, breast surgical oncology, doula services, gynecology/oncology, nutrition, imaging services, bone density, mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound and more.

Adding to this, a highlight of Wednesday’s Women’s Health fair was CEO Dr. Morrish’s announcement that the hospital’s brand-new Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum Unit (LDRP) would be open by this summer. The state-of-the-art unit will include six spacious private suites, fully equipped for newborn care, and designed so mother and child can remain together throughout their stay. It will also feature advanced cesarean operating rooms and dedicated recovery and triage rooms.

Dr. Morrish thanked State Senator James Sander, who “donated over $1 million to bring us over the finish line.”

Sander’s Senior Deputy Chief of Staff Lisa George, noting the progress of St. John’s, stated “As a resident…I don’t have to travel off the peninsula (for my healthcare). I like the direction EHS is going. I’m looking forward to bigger and better things. Today,” she said, “yes, it’s about the women.”

As Dr. Marecheau stated to the gathering earlier, “Your health matters today and every day.”

Photos courtesy of EHS.