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The New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (NYSAASC) emphasizes the importance of regular screenings for colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and causes over 50,000 deaths per year. However, with early detection through regular screenings, colorectal cancer is highly treatable. Our organization encourages all individuals who are at risk of developing colorectal cancer, particularly those over the age of 50 or with a family history of the disease, to discuss screening options with their healthcare providers. Share this with your friends to increasing awareness and promote early detection. Together, we can work towards reducing the incidence and impact of colorectal cancer in our communities. Senator Rivera & Assemblymember Gottfried Kickoff Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Month in NYS
Featured in Picture (L-R): Jeffrey Flynn, Administrator / C.O.O., Gramercy Surgery Center; Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, Chair of Assembly Health Committee; Austin Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, Gramercy Surgery Center; and, Helen Lowenwirth, Administrator, Ease Side Endoscopy. (August 5, 2021) New York State, August 6, 2021 – Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Richard Gottfried commemorate the New York State Legislature’s adoption of their resolution recognizing August 2021 as the first ASC Month in the State of New York. To mark this historic occasion, Senator Rivera released a pre-recorded video celebrating the month and importance of ASCs, which coincided with Assemblymember Richard Gottfried’s presentation of the resolution on their behalf following his visit and tour of Gramercy Surgery Center and East Side Endoscopy. The resolution acknowledges the significance stating in part, “…ASCs deserve our collective acknowledgment, recognition and gratitude for providing safe and efficient surgical treatment to New Yorkers and striving to increase access to surgical care and reduce health care disparities.” “NYSAASC hopes this resolution will promote awareness among all New Yorkers and policymakers for the safe, high quality, cost-efficient surgical care provided at ASCs throughout New York State. For over half a century, ASC’s have been working to improve patient-centered access to surgical care and treatment. We thank Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Gottfried for championing this recognition as ASC’s are proud to serve a vital role in the surgical health care delivery system, the importance of which was never been clearer than during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jon Van Valkenburg, President of The New York Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (NYSAASC). ASCs provide essential surgical care and services for New Yorkers, including but not limited to cataract surgeries, endoscopies, and orthopedic procedures. These facilities also maintain a critical role in the detection and screening for certain types of cancer such colorectal cancer by performing 40 percent of all colonoscopies covered by Medicare, which contributed to a decade-long decline in colorectal cancer mortality, according to a study by researchers at the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley. “I am proud that Assemblymember Gottfried and I passed a resolution declaring August of this year as Ambulatory Surgery Centers month in New York State,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “As Chair of the Health Committee, I hope this resolution helps to raise awareness among New Yorkers about the high quality care surgical care Ambulatory Surgery Centers provide communities across New York State. I want to thank the NYS Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, the Gramercy Surgery Center, and the East Side Endoscopy for their support, and I look forward to working together in the years to come.” ASC Month in New York State is in conjunction with the observance of National Ambulatory Surgery Center Month, celebrating the 9,280 facilities in the U.S. that employ more than 177,550 staff and generate a total economic impact of $90 billion. Nearly 70% of Ambulatory Surgery Centers are small businesses, employing twenty or fewer employees and a growing number are women and minority owned acutely focused on enhancing accessibility to surgical care and services for patients. “Ambulatory surgery centers are an important part of our health care delivery system,” said Assembly Health Committee Chair and resolution sponsor Richard Gottfried. “They help expand access to surgical care, covering over 2,000 different procedures. I congratulate the Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers on the first-ever designation of August, 2021 as Ambulatory Surgery Centers month.” In addition to today’s visit and tour, NYSAASC will be releasing daily informational facts across its social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to educate patients and communities about the flexibility and convenience ASCs provide close to where they live. “As New York reopens and reflects on the lessons learned from the last year and a half coupled with the continued threat from the new emerging variants, NYSAASC and its members have never felt more hopeful for the future. Recent history has demonstrated the ability of health care practitioners and the health care system including ASCs to come together and work collaboratively to meet the needs of New Yorkers even under the most challenging of circumstances,” said Jeffrey Flynn, Administrator / C.O.O., Gramercy Surgery Center, and NYSAASC Vice President. “This month is a resolve and legacy that will guide future health care planning. -
U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat, (NY-13) Visits Advanced Endoscopy Center Bronx district representatives visit Bronx, NY center in celebration of National ASC Week Pictured in the photo left to right: Annie Sariego, PE Market President; Marianne Catapano, AEC DON; Teresa Chaisson, PE Director Clinical Support; Congressman Espaillat; Steven Housberg, AEC Administrator Bronx, NY – On the afternoon of September 4, 2019, the Advanced Endoscopy Center (AEC) will host U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat at its Bronx center in recognition of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and National ASC Week. During the visit, Congressman Espaillat will tour the center and meet with staff members and care providers. “We are honored that Congressman Espaillat has taken an interest in our center and look forward to showing him and his team around, as well as meeting our staff and providers. We all work very hard to provide the best in quality care to our neighborhood of patients and appreciate the opportunity to discuss the value AEC brings to the area with these distinguished public officials,” said Steven Housberg, MHA, CASC, Center Administrator. “We each have a role to play in ensuring safe, affordable and quality health care for residents and the community as a whole, and I am delighted to visit with members and staff of the Advanced Endoscopy Center to discuss ways to help improve the care and access to care for surgical patients in the Bronx, the state and across the country,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). This event is made possible by Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), the national membership association that represents ASCs and provides advocacy and resources to assist centers. At ASCA, they develop and maintain working relationships with legislative and regulatory bodies in order to facilitate visits such as the one from the Congressman. Since the first ASC opened over 40 years ago, they have transformed and personalized the procedure experience, which could typically be impersonal and stressful in a hospital outpatient setting. By hosting events, ASCs can give community members and public officials an inside look at the services that they offer, and insight as to why more patients and doctors are choosing these medical facilities for their health care needs. By having Congressman Espaillat visit, Advanced Endoscopy Center is taking advantage of this great opportunity to promote awareness and educate key policy and decision makers about the benefits of ASCs. Advanced Endoscopy Center is a four-room surgery center that opened in May 2007. Outside of National ASC Week, Advanced Endoscopy Center has been consistently involved in community outreach. They promote colon cancer screening by supporting and working with the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation (CCCF) and the Colon Cancer Alliance, as well as being recognized two years in a row by the Family Qualified Healthcare Clinic program to provide care to underserved patient populations. In addition, they are an Article 28 licensed ASC serving the Bronx community, are accredited by AAAHC and are a member of ASGE and ASCA, as well as being recognized by the ASGE as a Center of Excellence. For many patients, ASCs like Advanced Endoscopy Center offers a better way to have outpatient surgery. These physician-driven facilities put the patient-not the institution-at the center of the care. While we celebrate National ASC Week August 7-11th, 2017, Congress has a district work period for the entire month of August. It is a perfect time to build a relationship with representatives like Congressman Espaillat. MORE INFORMATION Advanced Endoscopy Center (AEC) develops and implements a high-quality system of Endoscopic services that are consistent with proper business planning. AEC’s mission as a center is to serve all persons in need of endoscopic procedures, regardless of age, color, race, creed, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or payer source. To accomplish their mission of service, AEC concentrates on serving residents of the local Bronx, NY community. For more information, visit http://www.aec-gi.com/. NYS Assemblymember Pamela Hunter visits Upstate Orthopedics Ambulatory Surgery Center in East Syracuse, NY Pictured from left to right are: NYS Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter (128th District); UOASC Executive Director and NYSAASC President, Jon Van Valkenburg; UOASC Clinical Director Kristi Sorbello, RN Speaker of the NYS Assembly, Carl Heastie visits Gramercy Surgery Center and East Side Endoscopy
Gramercy Surgery Center – Queens Welcomes Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul Pictured from left to right – Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul (NYS), Katy Chiang (Principle, Gramercy Surgery Center)
Gramercy Surgery Center – Queens Welcomes NY Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and NY Senator Toby Ann Stavisky Pictured from left to right – Assemblywoman Rozic (NY, 25th District), Katy Chiang (Principle, Gramercy Surgery Center), Senator Stavisky (NY, 16th District), and Jeffery Flynn (CEO, Gramercy Healthcare).
East Side Endoscopy and Pain Management Center Welcomes Assemblymember Harvey Epstein NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2018 – East Side Endoscopy and Pain Management Center (ESNY) helped promote awareness of the safe, affordable, exceptional care that ASCs provide by hosting State Assemblymember Harvey Epstein, from New York’s 74th district, on Monday, September 17, 2018. The visit allowed the center to educate key policy and decision makers about the benefits of ASCs and was an extension of celebrating National ASC Month held in August. (L-R: Courtney Trebing, ESNY Director of Nursing; Teresa Chaisson, PE Director of Clinical Support, Physicians Endoscopy; Assemblymember Harvey Epstein (NY-74); Helen Lowenwirth, ESNY Administrator) Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) recognize the high-quality care they provide to surgical patients across the country—giving community members and public officials an inside look at the patient-centered services ASCs offer and insight as to why more patients and doctors are choosing these medical facilities for their health care needs. For many patients, ASCs offer a better way to have outpatient surgery. These physician-driven facilities put the patient—not the institution—at the center of the care. “We are honored that Assemblymember Harvey Epstein has taken an interest in the center, and we enjoyed showing him around, as well as meeting our staff and providers. We all work very hard to provide the highest quality care to our community of patients and appreciate the opportunity to discuss the value East Side Endoscopy and Pain Management Center brings to the area with this distinguished public official,” said Teresa Chaisson, Director of Clinical Support, Physicians Endoscopy. More information: The center, which began operations in 2010, has serviced over 10,000 New York patients in 2017 alone. East Side Endoscopy and Pain Management Center is a New York State certified ambulatory surgical center accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care specializing in providing the highest quality gastrointestinal endoscopy and pain management services to our patients and surrounding community. The atmosphere at ESNY is welcoming, more comfortable and efficient than the traditional settings found in hospital and office environments. The center provides personalized attention from a caring and highly skilled staff of physicians, nurses and specially trained technicians who strive to meet and maintain the highest standards of safety and infection control. Affiliated with Mount Sinai Beth Israel, ESNY is on the forefront of clinical integration initiatives with ongoing and active programs designed to promote quality, cost containment and community outreach. For more information, visit www.esecgi.com or contact (212) 375-1065.
Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo Marks National ASC Month at Mid-Bronx Endoscopy Center Bronx, NY –Today, Assembly member Victor M. Pichardo toured the Mid-Bronx Endoscopy Center (MBEC) to mark National Ambulatory Surgery Center Month. During National ASC Month, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) celebrate the high-quality care they provide to surgical patients across the country. (L-R): Ann Sariego, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, Colleen Costello, Dr. Makker, Angelo Wong MBEC is a licensed, Article-28 facility which is subject to the same Department of Health (DOH) regulations as hospitals. MBEC has performed more than 2,900 procedures since opening their doors in August 2017. The center has transformed and personalized the procedure experience, which could typically be impersonal and stressful in a hospital outpatient setting. MBEC provides crucial healthcare services to underserved and uninsured patients. MBEC partners with Bronx-Lebanon Hospital and Morris Heights Health Center, and participates in the NYCDOH Community Outreach Program, to meet and exceed charity-care requirements set forth by state regulation. Sixty-six percent of MBEC’s clients receive Medicare and Medicaid and the Center. The center employs nearly 20 staff in administrative and clinical roles from the community. “We are honored that Assembly member Victor M. Pichardo has taken an interest in our center and look forward to providing him a tour as well as meeting our staff and providers. We all work very hard to provide the highest quality care to our community of patients and appreciate the opportunity to discuss the value MBEC brings to the area with this distinguished public official,” said Ann Sariego SVP Operations at Physicians Endoscopy. More information: National ASC Month is made possible by Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), the national membership association that represents ASCs and provides advocacy and resources to assist centers. At ASCA, they develop and maintain working relationships with legislative and regulatory bodies in order to facilitate visits such as the one from the Representative. MBEC is one of two Physicians Endoscopy (PE) partnered centers in the Bronx. PE has 21 licensed GI ambulatory surgery centers in New York that collectively project to perform over 192,000 GI procedures annually.
Advanced Surgery Center of Long Island Celebrates National ASC Month PORT JEFFERSON STATION, N.Y., Aug. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Taking place in August, National ASC Month serves to promote awareness of the safe, affordable, exceptional care that ASCs provide. During National ASC Month, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) celebrate the high-quality care they provide to surgical patients across the country. Advanced Surgery Center of Long Island (ASLI) is taking advantage of the opportunity to promote awareness and educate key policy and decision makers about the benefits of ASCs with a visit from Congressman Lee Zeldin, who represents New York’s First Congressional District in the House of Representatives. (L-R): Rep. Lee Zeldin, Eugene Coman, MD (ASLI Medical Director) and William Cohn, MD. Since Advanced Surgery Center of Long Island (ASLI) opened over five years ago in June 2014, the center has transformed and personalized the procedure experience, which could typically be impersonal and stressful in a hospital outpatient setting. By hosting events, ASCs give community members and public officials an inside look at the services that they offer, and insight as to why more patients and doctors are choosing these medical facilities for their health care needs. National ASC Month is made possible by Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), the national membership association that represents ASCs and provides advocacy and resources to assist centers. At ASCA, they develop and maintain working relationships with legislative and regulatory bodies in order to facilitate visits such as the one from the Representative. We are honored that Rep. Lee Zeldin has taken an interest in our center and look forward to showing him around, as well as meeting our staff and providers. We all work very hard to provide the highest quality care to our community of patients and appreciate the opportunity to discuss the value ASLI brings to the area with this distinguished public official. More information: Advanced Surgery Center of Long Island (ASLI) is a state-of-the art ambulatory surgery center dedicated to performing high-quality and cost-effective outpatient endoscopic and interventional pain management procedures. The center is accredited by the AAAHC and is a member of ASGE and ASCA, as well as being recognized by the ASGE as a Center of Excellence. ASLI consists of eight physicians (each board-certified in gastroenterology), colorectal surgeons and interventional pain managements physiatrists. The core physician members are currently partners of Long Island Digestive Disease Consultants, an established GI practice, located in Setauket, our remaining physician staff are linked with University of Stony Brook and North Well Heath. Advanced Surgery Center of Long Island was established to own and operate an Article 28 freestanding ambulatory surgery center performing endoscopy and pain management procedures. The center received NYSDOH in November 2012 and is located at Washington Professional Park in Port Jefferson, NY. The center includes four procedure rooms, a pre-op area and a recovery area, and will be able to accommodate the current and future needs of the local community. Over 100 procedures, have been performed this year, as charity care. For more information, visit www.advancedasc.com or contact (631) 828-3400.
SENATE PROPOSES LARGEST EVER STATE COMMITMENT TO PREVENT HEROIN AND OPIOID ABUSE Senate Budget Proposal Includes $265 Million for Drug Prevention and Treatment, Addresses Fentanyl and Other Deadly Synthetics, Protects Children and Adults from Opioid Exposure, Strengthens Enforcement The New York State Senate Majority today unveiled details of their extensive response to the challenges facing communities in the fight against opioids and heroin. As part of the Senate’s 2018-19 Budget proposal to be taken up tomorrow, the conference commits to providing a record level of state funding to combat opioid abuse and will propose far-reaching health and safety initiatives to reduce the harmful effects of drug abuse on everyone from infants to adults. Senator Kemp Hannon said, “The opioid epidemic continues to have a devastating effect for all communities in New York, which is why we have been working for several years to reform prescribing practices, educate prescribers, and ensure people have access to treatment. The Senate’s opioid package invests more money, continues to build on our accomplishments and makes additional investments in prevention, treatment and recovery. I commend my Senate colleagues who lead the Task Force and their continued efforts to combat this crisis.” Senator Chris Jacobs said, “This record $265 million in funding reinforces the Senate Majority’s commitment to eradicating the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic in New York State. Based on what we learned in hearings all across the state, these resources are very strategically targeted where they will have the greatest impact in this fight – prevention, treatment and recovery, and giving law enforcement the necessary tools to stem the flow of illegal substances.” Senator George Amedore said, “With a record level of funding and measures to increase prevention and improve access to treatment and recovery services, the Senate continues to lead the way in addressing the addiction issues that plague every community throughout the state. The Task Force held a series of productive meetings throughout the state that helped us to identify where gaps remain in the system and what steps we should be taking next. This package builds on the investment and policies that have been enacted in order to continue to help and support those who are struggling with addiction.” Senator Fred Akshar said, “From my 15 years in law enforcement and traveling the state with my fellow Heroin and Opioid Addiction Task Force Co-chairs, it’s clear that the only way we can be successful in this fight against addiction is by taking a multi-faceted approach that incorporates prevention, education, treatment, recovery and enforcement. The measures included in the Senate’s budget proposal reflect our bottom-up approach, where we met with stakeholders at the ground level to identify needs and produce tangible results. I urge our colleagues in the Assembly and the Executive Branch to join us in these measures, because the heroin and opioid addiction scourge is bigger than any partisan or political differences. It takes all of us working together to provide relief and hope for families struggling with addiction in communities across our great state.” The Senate’s Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, led by Co-chairs Jacobs, Amedore, and Akshar, has been holding forums throughout the state, most recently in Binghamton, Pleasantville, and Hudson. These events, legislative budget hearings, and ongoing outreach by Senator Hannon as Health Committee Chair have provided the opportunity to solicit input from stakeholders involved in the ongoing epidemic. Health care providers, law enforcement, educators, and family members helped the Senate formulate additional steps that need to be taken. The Senate proposal increases the state’s support for opioid use disorder-related services to a new record of $265 million – going beyond the 2018-19 Executive Budget proposal of $228 million. In addition, the Senate will propose measures to reduce exposure to opioids for children and adults; limit and provide alternatives to opioid use; better define controlled substances to include deadly drugs like fentanyl; screen expectant mothers to prevent and treat addiction in infants; encourage the successful recovery for those struggling with addiction; and provide law enforcement with new tools to help get drugs and dealers off the streets. They include: Supporting Prevention
o Limit initial prescriptions from a seven-day to a three-day supply; o Require patients prescribed opioids for thirty-days or longer to have a pain management plan with their prescriber; o Require written consent from parents or guardians for the prescription of opioids to minors; o Require the Department of Health to develop guidance on the administration of opioid antagonists; and o Establish a demonstration program to reduce opioid prescribing by utilizing emergency department physician collaboration to control pain through alternative means, including nonopioid medications. Expanding Treatment
Encouraging Recovery
Enhancing Enforcement
Addressing Fentanyl and other Synthetic Drugs
The Senate will take action on these measures on Wednesday, March 14, and continue to make addressing heroin and opioid abuse a priority during ongoing budget negotiations.
The Long Island Center for Digestive Health, a PE partnered ASC located in Garden City, held a successful event promoting Colon Cancer Awareness Month! Over 100 people attended and patients provided heartfelt testimonies of their personal and family experiences with colon cancer. Notable attendees included: Congresswoman Kathleen Rice; Rosemarie Walker, a local elected official; and a representative from Governor Cuomo’s office.
Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Jeff Dinowitz Tour Advanced Endoscopy Center in the Bronx to Mark National ASC Week. 8/10/17 NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — On the morning of August 10, 2017, starting at 9:00 AM, the Advanced Endoscopy Center (AEC) with host Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz in conjunction with National ASC Week. Taking place from August 7-11th, National ASC Week serves to promote awareness of the safe, affordable, exceptional care that ASCs provide. During National ASC week, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can celebrate the high-quality care they provide to surgical patients across the country. This event is made possible by Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), the national membership association that represents ASCs and provides advocacy and resources to assist centers. At ASCA, they develop and maintain working relationships with legislative and regulatory bodies in order to facilitate visits such as the one from the Senator and Assemblyman.
Since the first ASC opened over 40 years ago, they have transformed and personalized the procedure experience, which could typically be impersonal and stressful in a hospital outpatient setting. By hosting events, ASCs can give community members and public officials an inside look at the services that they offer, and insight as to why more patients and doctors are choosing these medical facilities for their health care needs. By having Senator Rivera and Assemblyman Dinowitz visit, Advanced Endoscopy Center is taking advantage of this great opportunity to promote awareness and educate key policy and decision makers about the benefits of ASCs. Advanced Endoscopy Center is a four-room surgery center that opened in May 2007. Outside of National ASC Week, Advanced Endoscopy Center has been consistently involved in community outreach. They promote colon cancer screening by supporting and working with the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation (CCCF) from 2014 to present. They are also active with the annual CCCF Awareness Walks in Central Park and Citi Field. AEC also sponsors and participates in Colon Cancer Alliance since 2016, as well as being recognized two years in a row by the New York City Community Cares Project that seeks to provide care to underserved patient populations via Family Qualified Healthcare Clinics, (FQHC.) In addition, they are an Article 28 licensed ASC serving the Bronx community, are accredited by AAAHC and are a member of ASGE and ASCA, as well as being recognized by the ASGE as a Center of Excellence. For many patients, ASCs like Advanced Endoscopy Center offers a better way to have outpatient surgery. These physician-driven facilities put the patient-not the institution-at the center of the care. While we celebrate National ASC Week August 7-11th, 2017, Congress has a district work period for the entire month of August. It is a perfect time to build a relationship with representatives like Assemblyman Dinowitz and Senator Rivera. “We are honored that Assemblyman Dinowitz and Senator Rivera have taken an interest in our center and look forward to showing them around, as well as meeting our staff and providers. We all work very hard to provide the best in quality care to our neighborhood of patients and appreciate the opportunity to discuss the value AEC brings to the area with these distinguished public officials.” Said Steven Housberg, MHA, CASC, Center Administrator. More information: Advanced Endoscopy Center (AEC) implements a high-quality system of Endoscopic services that are consistent with proper business planning. AEC’s mission as a center is to serve all persons in need of endoscopic procedures, regardless of age, color, race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or payer source. To accomplish their mission of service, AEC concentrates on serving residents of the Bronx, NY community. For more information, visit http://www.aec-gi.com/ The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national membership association that represents ASCs and provides advocacy and resources to assist ASCs in delivering high-quality, cost-effective ambulatory surgery to all the patients they serve. They work in coalition with other organizations concerned with improving access to high-quality care reducing costs of health care. They also encourage private insurers and government programs to provide insurance coverage and adequate reimbursement for procedures performed in ASCs. If you would like to participate in National ASC Week, visit http://www.ascassociation.org/home |
