Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center Unveils New Urgent Care Center

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center today unveiled a new state-of-the-art Urgent Care Center. These centers are increasingly popular alternatives to emergency rooms while still providing the highest levels of medical care for patients with non-emergency medical needs, such as flu and cold, chest or muscle pain, infection or broken bones. The facility is expected to have 18,000 to 20,000 visits annually. Construction was funded by a $4 million HEAL grant from the New York State. At the ribbon cutting, members of the hospital administration were joined by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Senators Kevin Parker and John Sampson, Assemblymen N. Nick Perry and Karim Camara, and Council Members Mathieu Eugene, Alan Maisel, Jumaane D. Williams, Inez Barron, and Darlene Mealy.

"The new Urgent Care Center expands healthcare options for patients seeking non-trauma or non-life threatening care in Brooklyn," said Brookdale President and CEO Mark E. Toney. "The expanded weekday and weekend hours means that there is a high quality alternative to needlessly rushing to the Emergency Room for more routine matters, freeing up space for those in critical need. This enhances the quality of care we provide both in the Urgent Care Center and in the Emergency Room. I want to thank the Governor's office and the Department of Health for funding this critical need, as well as all of the elected officials present for their role supporting our institution."

The new urgent care center will provide faster and more efficient medical care to community residents on an unscheduled and walk-in basis 365 days a year from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The hours may expand as the need grows. The urgent care center is staffed and laid out to meet the needs of pediatric patients and parents separate from adults. The center also includes outpatient X-ray services and a retail pharmacy for a one-stop doctor visit for most patients. In addition, in order to ensure seamless care, a patient's medical records, upon his or her approval, will be able to be transmitted to his/her primary care physician for any required follow up visits.

"With many families in Brooklyn obtaining health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, we need to have primary care and emergency services available for them - access to health insurance cannot work without medical professionals and hospital facilities," said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. "Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center's Urgent Care Center will allow families and children to obtain critical services, contributing to the expansion of access to health care in Brooklyn."

"The new urgent care center is an example of merging critical health care services and real-time needs of those in the surrounding community. I applaud Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center for their continued dedication to enhancing health care services in Brooklyn," said Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8).

"Today is a momentous day for central Brooklyn, because today we are taking an important step towards improving the delivery of quality health care services to our residents," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. "The opening of Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center's Urgent Care Center will improve the quality and expediency of care that patients receive, and I applaud all those involved with making this addition possible."

"Amidst Brooklyn's hospital crisis, the grand opening of the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center - Urgent Care Center is a welcome breath of fresh air. The Center will reduce the often overcrowded emergency rooms and by being open 7 days per week from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., it will be open to provide care when our hard-working community can get there from their workplace," said Senator Kevin Parker. "I hope this new addition to Brookdale is only the first piece of good news that Brooklyn is turning a corner and will continue to receive the quality healthcare we deserve."

"It is with great pleasure that I join the Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center family to celebrate the grand opening of the Urgent Care Center, which will offer high quality care, seven-days-a-week," said Assemblyman N. Nick Perry. "Just a few years ago, Brookdale was 'on the chopping block' struggling to stay afloat. It is a testament to the administrators, doctors, nurses and hard-working employees that we stand here today, not only to celebrate the expansion of this fine healthcare institution, but to recertify its long-term viability as a vital part of Brooklyn's healthcare network."

"I congratulate Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center on the grand opening of their new Urgent Care Center," said Assemblyman Karim Camara. "By giving patients better access to preventative care, this is a positive step for the overall health of Brooklyn residents. Moreover, this facility will help alleviate some of the overcrowding in emergency rooms throughout Central Brooklyn. I cannot overstate the importance of improving and expanding Brooklyn's health care system. Brookdale's Urgent Care Center does just that."

"I would like to applaud the leadership at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center for addressing the critical overcrowding of Brookdale's Emergency Room," said Councilman Mathieu Eugene. "I will be delighted to join Brookdale on the historic occasion of the Urgent Care Center's grand opening. This important addition to the hospital means that patients will continue to receive the level of care and attention that they deserve."

"This new Urgent Care Center at Brookdale is a much-needed addition to the community. It will go a long way to reduce the severe overcrowding problem we face in our emergency rooms in Brooklyn by offering a state-of-the-art medical facility that will have extended hours to make it more accessible to working people. It's about time we had good news in the hospital community in Brooklyn," Council Member Darlene Mealy, 41st District.

"The opening of Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center's Urgent Care Center will provide an expanded level of care to the community, while freeing the Emergency Department to treat life-threatening emergencies more effectively," said Councilman Alan Maisel. "Ultimately, all will benefit from this much-needed addition to the fine care that is provided by Brookdale.

The site, located at 1235 Linden Boulevard directly across the street from the front entrance of Brookdale Hospital, was formerly a HIP clinic and has been vacant since 2005. More information about the new Urgent Care Center and the medical services it provides can be found here http://www.brookdalehospital.org/facilities/brookdale-urgent-care.html.

About Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center

The Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center is a 530 bed not-for-profit teaching hospital. Brookdale provides general and specialized inpatient care to thousands of people every year. In addition, Brookdale provides 24-hour emergency services, numerous outpatient programs and long-term specialty care.

Brookdale is one of Brooklyn's largest, and most experienced full service emergency departments and a regionally recognized Level I Trauma Center. Brookdale is also a New York State DOH designated Stroke Center. The hospital recently opened a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory with the most high-tech imaging equipment available in Brooklyn. Its community centered organization also provides numerous outpatient Ambulatory Care services in both on campus and off site facilities. Additionally, specializes in rehabilitative medicine and long-term specialty care in the renowned Schulman and Schachne Institute for Nursing and Rehabilitation and in addition is home to 86 units of assisted living and independent housing in the Arlene and David Schlang Pavilion.

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.

Read this original document at: http://clarke.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/brookdale-university-hospital-and-medical-center-unveils-new-urgent-care