Senate Resolution No. 5825

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, Inc.
upon the occasion of celebrating its 40th
Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
institutions which have faithfully served the health needs of the
community and its citizens with diligence and compassionate commitment;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, Inc. upon the occasion of
celebrating its 40th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, For four decades, Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, Inc., a
non-profit community health center, has strived to meet the needs of
patients and their families from the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn,
and live up to its promise of delivering the very best patient
experiences with compassionate care; and

WHEREAS, The predecessor organization to Brooklyn Plaza Medical
Center, Inc. was started in 1978, when a group of concerned citizens
under the leadership of Dr. Josephine English an OB/GYN, organized
Health is a Right for Everyone, Inc. (H.I.R.E. Inc.), which provided
basic primary health care services including physical exams,
immunizations, well-child care and prenatal care; and

WHEREAS, In 1987, H.I.R.E. relocated to 650 Fulton Street and the
center's name was changed to Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, Inc.
(BPMC), and later, officially adopted in 1989; two years later, BPMC
qualified as a preferred Primary Care Provider and became a Medicaid
Managed Care Provider; and

WHEREAS, Over the last 40 years, the BPMC has grown considerably;
this vital medical center currently offers health care and support
services including adult medicine, pediatric and adolescent medicine,
geriatric care, dental, women's health including prenatal care and
family planning, behavioral health, podiatry, social work and nutrition
counseling; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, under a grant from the New York State Department
of Health and The AIDS Institute, services offered to HIV positive
patients were expanded to include HIV/AIDS primary medical care, case
management, support groups, substance abuse counseling and community
outreach; this was the genesis of the center's Rising Heights Program;
and

WHEREAS, In 1996, renovations were made to the first floor and the
central site expanded an additional 8,500 square feet of operating
space; in 1997, BPMC opened a School-Based Health Center (SBHC) at the
Benjamin Banneker Academy located at 77 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn, New
York; and

WHEREAS, BPMC was awarded a Healthy Schools/Healthy Communities
grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources
and Services Administration in September of 2001; subsequently, the
center opened the Whitman, Ingersoll, Farragut Health Center (WIFHC)
which covered the public housing developments located at 297 Myrtle Ave.
in Fort Greene; and

WHEREAS, The success of the BPMC is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its 15-member volunteer Board of Directors led by Chair,
Judge Theresa Holmes-Simmons, and its staff, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Entering its 40th year, the BPMC remains true in purpose
and strong in spirit, taking just pride in its excellent facilities,
dedicated staff and laudable history of quality health care; and

WHEREAS, Venerable and trustworthy institutions, tending to the
needs of the community and its citizenry, represent the threads from
which the fabric of society is woven, and so now is this Legislative
Body moved to recognize the beneficent good works of the BPMC, sharing
the pride of its history and accomplishments, and anticipating its
future of continued growth in quality and personalized care; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
extend congratulations and just tribute to Brooklyn Plaza Medical
Center, Inc. commemorating its 40th Anniversary of service and care on
behalf of the Brooklyn community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Judge Theresa Holmes-Simmons, Chair, Brooklyn Plaza
Medical Center, Inc. Board of Directors.