(Hauppauge, NY) Health quality strategist and resident of Rochester, New York, Kate Warner, was named the director of quality and education for the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC) headquartered in Hauppauge, New York and its sister organization the Rochester Regional Health Care Association headquartered in Rochester, New York. The NSHC is the association that represents hospitals on Long Island.

Health quality strategist and resident of Rochester, New York, Kate Warner (above) was named the director of quality and education for the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC) headquartered in Hauppauge, New York and its sister organization the Rochester Regional Health Care Association headquartered in Rochester, New York.

Warner will provide members with analysis and interpretation of the various quality metrics and reporting requirements, as well as education and technical assistance in these areas. In addition, she

will assist hospital members in all areas of performance improvement and quality standards, including compliance, joint initiatives, and advocacy. As the health care industry strives to achieve ever-greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency to meet the demands of federal and state reforms, Warner’s expertise in interpreting, analyzing, and applying metrics and reporting results will greatly assist members in their quality improvement and compliance efforts.

Warner most recently served as a senior planner for the Central New York Health Systems Agency. Through her consulting, staff development, and strategic planning experience, Warner understands the relationship between health care quality, cost, access, and value. She holds a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Management and Policy from Drexel University School of Public Health.

Patricia Dillon Honored by Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education

(Huntington, NY) Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) recently attended the Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education’s “Reach for the Stars” ceremony. During the event, Pat Dillon was honored as the 2014 Reach for the Stars Honoree.

“Pat Dillon has been a dedicated educator, parent and school board member for more than 30 years,” said Lupinacci. “Pat’s work as a librarian, a school board member and member of the South Huntington Educational Foundation has left a monumental impact on our children’s future, and she is truly deserving of this honor. It was an honor to serve alongside her on the South Huntington School Board; she was truly a friend and mentor. I want to thank Pat for all she’s done for the South Huntington School District and again congratulate her on an outstanding career.”

Pat Dillon began her career at the Woodhull Early Childhood Center in 1990, moved to Huntington Elementary School in 1994, and transferred to Huntington High School in 2010. In addition, Mrs. Dillon served for 12 years as a member of the South Huntington School Board, including eight years as the board’s vice-president. She is also a member of the South Huntington Educational Foundation’s board of directors, the South Huntington Library Board, the South Huntington School District’s audit committee, a member of the board of directors for the South Huntington Teacher Center, and she chaired the Huntington Teacher Center’s board. She has also served as a member of the Huntington School District’s technology committee and represents the district librarians as the liaison to the Western Suffolk BOCES School Library System. Mrs. Dillon has three children, Patrick, a music teacher at Munsey Park School in Manhasset; Maureen, an executive assistant at Alliance Global; and Meghan, a project manager at Marcus Samuelsson Group.

The Huntington Foundation for Excellence in Education (HFEE) is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for students in the Huntington School District. Since its founding, HFEE has enriched local schools through hundreds of mini-grants aimed at promoting innovation in the classroom as well as funding larger school- and district-wide initiatives through its Reach for the Stars Program. Learn more about HFEE by visiting: http://www.hufsd.edu/community/foundation/hfee_index.html

It’s Valentine’s Day, and Queens is for lovers. Residents can celebrate romance with everything from tango to Shakespeare to Michael Bolton. There’s also plenty of art and theater, as well as bird-counting, poetry and a gaming extravaganza. Here’s the rundown.

Feb. 13, Coffeed Lab & Roastery, 7 pm. Enjoy modern makers, accessory and fashion designers, installations, original art, music, the spoken word, tasting, wine and an open kitchen. First 10 guests receive a gift bag with goodies from participating vendors, restaurants and local businesses. Every guest gets a complimentary drink. Coffeed, 37-18 Northern Blvd., LIC, www.coffeednyc.com.

Feb. 13, Valentine’s Day Group Show, 2 pm to 9 pm (same times on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15). Queens residents display their work. Free. Gear Art Gallery, 61-08 Myrtle Ave., Glendale, 718-386-2812.

Feb. 13, Opening Reception: Art Faculty, 5:30 pm. Twenty members of Queens College’s Department of Art display painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, installation and conceptual art. Panel discussions on March 7, 2:30 pm, and March 19, 5:30 pm. Free. Godwin-Ternbach Museum, 405 Klapper Hall, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, www.qc.cuny.edu/godwin_ternbach.

Feb. 14, Twelfth Night, 2 pm (Feb. 15 at 2 pm and 8 pm; Feb. 16 at 3 pm). Aquila Theatre’s superb cast presents Shakespeare’s timeless comedy with never-before-seen innovation, theatricality and modernity. $42 for Friday/$49 for Saturday and Sunday/$25 for rear side seating for all performances. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Avenue South, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.queenstheatre.org.

Feb. 14, Love is Good Concert, 8 pm. Enjoy a Valentine’s Day concert with Christine Andreas and Martin Silvestri, masters of the romantic ballad. Andreas and Silvestri entertain with antics and a touch of humor. $38-$59. LeFrak Concert Hall, vicinity of Horace Harding Expressway and Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, www.kupferbergcenter.org. (Use code “valentine” for $5 off tickets.)

Feb. 14–16, Indiecade East, hours vary. East Coast edition of the nation’s premier independent video game festival features talks and panels headlined by gamemakers, academics, artists and journalists; seminars and workshops; the Show & Tell showcase; and cutting-edge platforms and new games. Festival passes are $125 public ($100 student/senior/museum member). Feb. 14, passes are $45 ($35 discounted); Feb. 15 passes (including access to Night Games) are $55 ($45 discounted); and Feb. 16 passes are $45 ($35 discounted). Admission for children (ages 3–12) is $10 per day. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.

Feb. 14, Valentine’s Tango and Milango Special, 8 pm. Thalia Spanish Theatre presents the most popular tango and milango classics in music, song and dance. Plus, special champagne reception with the performers after the show. $50. TSH, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, www.thaliatheatre.org.

Feb. 14, HurlyBurly Opening (runs through March 1). This rare New York City revival of David Rabe’s two-act version of a chilling comedy set in the cocaine-and-sex-infused Hollywood Hills of the mid-1980s. Four men are caught in a world of parties, backbiting, lies and self-obsession, but a string of encounters convinces one of them to dig beneath the surface to discover his soul. The Chain Theatre, 21-28 45^th Road, LIC, www.chain-theatre.org.

Feb. 14, The Wizard of Oz, 7 pm (and Feb. 15 at 1 pm). Classic play presented by the St. Stan’s Players. $8-$5. St. Stanislaus Kostka School, 61-17 Grand Ave., Maspeth, 718-326-1585.

Feb. 14, Blaze Craze/Open Mic Series, 7:30 pm. Poets, rappers, singers and community people take the microphone. Free. Afrikan Poetry Theatre, 176-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, www.afrikanpoetrytheatre.org.

Feb. 15, Great Backyard Bird Count, 11 am. Queens Botanical Garden staffer and birding enthusiast Shari Romar leads participants in this family-friendly event that is part of an annual, national effort. The count provides data on how winter snowfall and temperatures affect bird populations, migration patterns and bird diversity. Free. QBG, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, www.queensbotanical.org.

Feb. 15, Hands-on History: Tiny Valentine, noon to 3 pm. Create a miniature self-portrait inside a locket necklace and other 19^th century-inspired valentines. Free. King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, www.kingmanor.org.

Feb. 15, Amazing Grace from the Auction to the White House, 7 pm (and Feb. 16 at 4:30 pm.) This performance takes the audience on a journey through the African American experience from the auction steps of slavery to the inauguration of President Barack Obama. $20. Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, www.jamaica-performingartscenter.org.

Feb. 16, Quakers: An Ethic of Tolerance and Respect, 2:30 pm. Cheshire Frager, a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) of Flushing, discusses Quaker principles such as tolerance and inclusion. Free. Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing, www.queenshistoricalsociety.org.

Feb. 16, Creative Writing Workshop with Emily Herzlin, 11 am. Open to writers of all experience levels, this workshop is a place to create and share writing. This day’s topic is the body and how to write about body image, physical pain, touch, etc. $5-$10 suggested contribution. Astoria Bookshop, 31-29 31st St., Astoria, www.astoriabookshop.com.

Feb. 17, The Muppet Show, 1 pm (every day through Feb. 21). The Museum of the Moving Image presents four days of screenings of The Muppet Show during NYC public school recess. Free with admission. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.

Feb. 17 Engineering Week Kick Off (through Feb. 21). Opening day features activities and tables run by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Each day covers different engineering concepts—from nano to mechanical, accompanied by activities and challenges to put those ideas into practice. New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, www.nysci.org.

Feb. 17, Michael Bolton, 8 pm. Michael Bolton has sold more than 53 million albums and singles. He has won two Grammys for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance, six American Music Awards and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. $65-$55. Queensborough Community College 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, www.visitqpac.org.

The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s wonderful attractions. More info at www.itsinqueens.com.

MELVILLE, N.Y. (February 10, 2014) – TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, has promoted Barbara Becker to Vice President, Senior Lending Officer in Commercial Lending in Melville, N.Y. She will continue to manage existing relationships and grow a commercial loan portfolio serving business clients throughout Nassau County.

Becker has 23 years of experience in banking and lending. She joined TD Bank in 2006 and most recently served as a Commercial Lending Officer.  Before that, Becker worked in commercial lending on Long Island at JPMorgan Chase Bank.

A resident of Hauppauge, N.Y., Becker serves on the Board of Directors of the Child Care Council of Nassau County. She is a cum laude Finance graduate of Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.

About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^®
TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth^®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD.” To learn more, visit www.td.com.

(NEW YORK) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued the following statement in response to the announcement yesterday by National Football League draft prospect Michael Sam that he is gay.

“No American should face barriers to professional advancement because of their sexual orientation, whether as a teacher, a judge, or a professional football player. That’s why my office worked with the National Football League last year to encourage a culture of inclusion and reinforce its policies barring discrimination based on sexual orientation against both current and prospective players. In light of the historic news that former Missouri defensive end Michael Sam will be the first openly gay player to enter the NFL Draft, I am hopeful that the additional measures taken by the NFL, in cooperation with my office, will ensure that his civil rights, and the civil rights of all NFL players, will be protected.”

Michael Sam, the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, is widely expected to be drafted in to the NFL in the 2014 Draft, and would become the NFL’s first openly gay player.

Last March, in response to reports that prospective players at the NFL Scouting Combine were asked questions related to their sexual orientation, Attorney General Schneiderman called on the NFL and its franchises to take strong action to ensure the league and all of its teams do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation against players and recruits.

Following discussions between the NFL and Attorney General Schneiderman’s Civil Rights Bureau, the NFL undertook new actions to reinforce its policies against discrimination based on sexual orientation, including the development and dissemination of posters to be displayed in locker rooms throughout the league conveying the NFL’s anti-discrimination policies. The NFL also took steps to distribute the policy to all 32 teams in the league, conducted training across the league around the policy – including for rookies and individuals involved in hiring and recruitment of new players – and strengthened protocols concerning the reporting of complaints of discrimination or harassment by players.

(Rockville Centre, NY) Catholic Health Services (CHS) Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) Marcy Dunn has been named one of “100 Hospital and Health System CIOs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review. This is an acknowledgement of her ability to leverage existing and new technology to further the mission of CHS, while elevating the level of patient care.

Becker’s recognized Dunn and her fellow honorees for “seeing the opportunity in challenges and innovating new solutions in a constantly changing field” throughout their careers. Under Dunn’s leadership, IT staff worked with personnel at CHS’s hospitals to implement the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system, an initiative known as CHS eHealth. This effort recently culminated in the achievement of Stage 6 (out of seven possible stages) on the HIMSS Analytics EMR Maturity Model, placing all five CHS hospitals live on the EMR in the top 12% in the nation. HIMSS Analytics, an independent, not-for-profit subsidiary of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), ranks hospitals from Stage 0 to Stage 7, the highest category. Only 2% of all U.S. hospitals have achieved Stage 7, with none so far in New York.

“Marcy’s guidance and leadership have helped CHS successfully implement the latest electronic medical system and stay abreast of current IT changes,” said CHS’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Colleen Blye.

Prior to joining CHS in 2001, Dunn consulted for the organization to convert the information systems for the then newly acquired St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center, after serving as CIO for Episcopal Health Services, where she oversaw the implementation of information systems for clinical data repository, pharmacy, operating room, radiology and other services. She earned a bachelor of science degree in biology, as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology, from Syracuse University. She is a member of HIMSS and CHIME and resides in Stony Brook with her husband, Dave.

Catholic Health Services Chief Information Officer Marcy Dunn has been named 1 of “100 Hospital and Health System CIOs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review.

Catholic Health Services (CHS) is an integrated system encompassing some of the region’s finest health and human services agencies. With six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health agency, hospice, a community-based agency for persons with special needs and a regional lab, CHS’s high standards have resulted in a nearly 24% market share.

(Long Island, NY) Chapin Fay, Campaign Manager for Senator Lee Zeldin’s Congressional campaign in New York’s First Congressional District, released the following statement following George Demos’ most recent dishonest attack:

“George Demos needs to stop misleading voters. His latest press release is riddled with lies just like everything else that comes out of his negative campaign. For example, Demos claims, ‘if Zeldin and a majority of the State Senate colleagues had rejected the funds, the New York State Obamacare exchange could not have been created.’ This is 100 percent untrue – Demos must be competing for 2014’s lie of the year. Demos is not entitled to his own facts and First Congressional District Voters will reject his dishonest campaigning, yet again.”

Here are 5 important facts to set the record straight:

1. Obamacare is a federal law that started nationally in ALL 50 states on October 1, 2013. Congress Passed it. The President Signed it. The Supreme Court Upheld it.
2. Only the U.S. Congress can repeal or stop Obamacare, not the NYS Senate. No state legislature could have prevented the Obamacare insurance exchanges from going into effect in any state on October 1, 2013. The implementation of Obamacare was a direct result of votes cast by our federal representatives- many of whom still erroneously stand by their decision.
3. The State Exchange in New York was created by Governor Cuomo through Executive Order in April 2012 (Executive Order #42) and is 100% federally funded.
4. The 2013-2014 state budget accounted for this money, as part of approximately $48 billion in total federal funding included in the budget. New York State receives billions of dollars in federal funds annually, such as Medicaid, for example, as per federal law. Despite any untrue claims to the contrary, whether Senator Zeldin voted Yes or No, and whether this budget bill passed or failed, Obamacare would still have been implemented in New York and nationally on October 1st, 2013.
5. Senator Lee Zeldin has never, and will never, support Obamacare.

“Integrity is a 4 letter word to George Demos. He is running against a man of honor and integrity who lives the 7 Army Values each and every day of his life: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. George needs to take a long hard look in the mirror and decide if he really wants to continue down this path, or if he wants to start conducting himself with some integrity. In the meantime, it would be great if he would stop putting words into Senator Zeldin’s mouth. There will be debates and unfortunately for George, the subject matter is going to be much more substantive than his half-cocked lie of the day.”

To learn more about Senator Zeldin and his campaign for Congress, please visit www.zeldinforcongress.com.

(Long Island, NY) The Crimes Against Property Squad report four arrests for Grand Larceny on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 12:15 P.M. in Westbury.

According to detectives, Shaquille Vickers, 20, of 150-43 Foch Boulevard, Jamaica and Igmar G. Depusoir, 19, entered the Target located at 999 Corporate Drive and were purchasing iPods using different credit cards. They were recognized by an employee as having made purchases in the past using fraudulent cards. Police responded and observed the men in a car along with Kevin T. Mack, 22, of 115-16 132nd Street, S. Ozone Park and Dorrell M. Alexander, 23, of 41-04 10th Street, Long Island City.

From left to right: Shaquille Vickers, 20, Jamaica, Igmar G. Depusoir, 19, Kevin T. Mack, 22, of Ozone Park and Dorrell M. Alexander, 23, of Long Island City.

The car was stopped in the lot and the suspects were found to be in possession of several thousand dollars worth of merchandise from the Westbury Target along with merchandise purchased earlier in the day from the Target located at 500 Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream and numerous fraudulent cards. The men were placed under arrest without incident.

• Vickers is charged with Grand Larceny 3rd degree, two counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree and Grand Larceny 4th degree.
• Depusoir is charged with Grand Larceny 3rd degree, eight counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree and Grand Larceny 4th degree.
• Mack is charged with Grand Larceny 3rd degree and two counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree.
• Alexander is charged with Grand Larceny 3rd degree and three counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree.

The men will be arraigned on Monday, February 10, 2014 at First District Court in Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(STONY BROOK, NY) Holiday Inn Express-Stony Brook continues its series of community-oriented art galleries and will host a wine and cheese reception to launch a new exhibit of local artists on Wednesday, February 12th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

The new gallery will feature the work of Marketa Jefferson, Alex Ferrone, Beth Barry and the hotel’s in-house artist and curator, Barbara Bilotta.

A portion of the proceeds from the exhibit will be given to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. For further information please call (631) 471-8000.

• WHEN: Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 5:30-7:30 pm
• WHERE: 3131 Nesconset Hwy, Centereach, NY 11720

The Holiday Inn Express Stony Brook is known for giving back to the community, continually raising funds for Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and other organizations throughout the year with their monthly art gallery receptions and other initiatives including the annual Taste of The Three Village event, Barkfest, Lunar New Year Celebration and the Brookhaven Community Leadership Award Program.

For more information about Holiday Inn Express Stony Brook please visit our website http://www.stonybrookny.hiexpress.com or contact Tanya Lee 631-471-8000 Ext. 722, email Tanya@stonybrookny.hiexpress.com

About Holiday Inn Express Stony Brook:
One of Long Island’s best hotels, the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Stony Brook, Long Island, New York provides lodging accommodations near Stony Brook University, and Stony Brook University Hospital. The Holiday Inn Express Stony Brook Hotel offers: FREE Full Hot Deluxe Breakfast, FREE High Speed Wireless Internet Access, FREE Pool & Fitness Center Use, FREE Shuttle Service – Call Ahead to book transportation, FREE Guest Appreciation Reception with Snacks, 32″ Flat Panel TV’s, iPod Docking Station, Alarm Clock and more. When visiting Long Island, make the Holiday Inn Express Stony Brook your first choice.

ATHLETIC FIELD AVAILABLE INCLUDING PUTTING GREEN, HORSE SHOE PITS, BEACH VOLLEYBALL, TENNIS & BASKETBALL COURTS, SOFTBALL FIELD + EXTENDED STAY HOTEL RATES ALSO AVAILABLE!

(Central Islip, NY) EAC Network received a very charitable $10,000 donation from Robert P. and Marion McBride to support the agency’s Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center at the Pat & Mary Bagnato Place for Kids (CAC) in Central Islip. Robert, a former EAC Network Board Chairman, was one of the main catalysts for the centers opening.

Pictured (l-r); Marion McBride; Robert P. McBride, Vice President, Park Strategies; Lance Elder, President & CEO, EAC Network; Beth Seidman, Senior Director of Development, EAC Network; Andrea Ramos-Topper, Regional Director, EAC Network; Carmine Inserra, Principal, NAI Long Island

“We are extremely grateful to Robert and Marion McBride for such a generous donation and for their longstanding support of the Child Advocacy Center,” stated Andrea Ramos-Topper, Regional Director of Children’s Services at EAC Network. “We provide quality forensic, medical, and prevention services to child victims of sexual abuse in a gentle and professional manner.” This donation will significantly improve the services the CAC offers by supporting the agency’s Kids 2 Kids Program, aimed to increase self-esteem and begin the healing process of child victims of sexual abuse.

The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a nationally-accredited center that provides a child friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective staff, prosecutors, and medical personnel can interview and examine child victims of physical and/or sexual abuse. Home to the Suffolk County Child Abuse Strike Force, this multidisciplinary team works together to ensure that children are protected from further victimization, that perpetrators are prosecuted, and that services to victims are coordinated.

About EAC Network
EAC Network provides a broad array of educational, vocational, counseling, and criminal justice services. The organization’s 70 programs protect children, create opportunities for seniors, promote healthy families and communities, empower people through employment and education, and provide alternatives for people with substance abuse and mental health needs. For more information about EAC Network, please call 516.539.0150 or visit www.eac-network.org.