They celebrated the heart.
In honor of National Heart Month, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 10th Avenue, held its annual flag-raising ceremony on Tuesday, February 14 across the street from the hospital’s main lobby.
The event also included a speaking portion, featuring President and CEO Kenneth Gibbs, doctors, nurses and patients.
“As this is a flag-raising, we want to celebrate with patients, which is what we are all about,” said Gibbs. “The heart has really been the metaphor for two things. One is life — with our beating hearts we are alive. The other is love. For us at Maimonides, the Heart and Vascular Center is the epitome of our clinical excellence. As we go forth into the community and extend our arms and reach out to the community, that is the love component. But the clinical excellence is about life and our outcomes are unmatched throughout the state.”
Assistant Vice President in the Heart and Vascular Center Lorraine Carroll also praised the work done by the hospital and its staff. “The outcomes of this institute are second to none in both interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery,” she said. “I believe what sets our Heart and Vascular Institute apart from others is not only our world-class physicians but the commitment and dedication of our staff on all levels to the patients, their patients with a focus on quality outcomes.”
“Albert Einstein had an aortic aneurysm,” said Robert Rhee, director of vascular surgery. “He could’ve gone to any place in the entire country at that time. But he came here and was operated on by the Chairman of Surgery Rudolph Nissen. We strive to carry on that tradition of excellence. This hospital has always had an incredible cardiovascular history and the vascular component started with Nissen and his aneurysm repair. We have the latest technology to offer the least invasive way to treat vascular patients.”
Carroll also mentioned the difference between this year’s ceremony and past ones. “What is a little bit different about the flag-raising this year is we have some patients who have received their care in our cardiac institute and we appreciate you being here,” she said. “Thank you for trusting us with your heart care.”
Patient Richard Lauria praised the hospital and his experience with its doctors. “The hospital saved my life,” he said. “It’s the best when it comes to heart and vascular. I had atrial fibrillation and had ablation surgery in April, 2015. I’m okay now.”
“It’s all about the patients,” added Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vice Chair of Surgery Greg Ribakove. “It’s about taking care of people here in Brooklyn and giving you the best quality care we can.”
Maimonides expands its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 
May her memory be a blessing