Friday, January 25, 2013

Westchester Square News: Monte Takes Over Westchester Sq. Hospital

Westchester Square News: Monte Takes Over Westchester Sq. Hospital: --> BRONX, NEW YORK, January 25- The Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved Montefiore Medical Center’s b...

Monte Takes Over Westchester Sq. Hospital

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BRONX, NEW YORK, January 25- The Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York approved Montefiore Medical Center’s bid to acquire the facilities of New York Westchester Square Medical Center (NYWSMC), a Bronx, N.Y., neighborhood hospital that has operated under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for nearly seven years.
“Montefiore has a longstanding commitment to its community. We want to provide vital healthcare services that are forward-thinking, coordinated and patient-centered, and in so doing, safeguard jobs and support local businesses,” said Steven M. Safyer, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Montefiore. “Our model is based on the belief that comprehensive and well-managed care improves patients’ overall well-being.”
The new facility will be renamed Montefiore Westchester Square. The plan is to have a full-service emergency department, an ambulatory surgery center and, over time, comprehensive primary and specialty care services.   
Montefiore is committed to preserving as many jobs as possible and will begin working closely with NYWSMC’s labor unions to identify qualified staff eligible for hire by Montefiore. “The physicians and staff at NYWSMC have maintained the highest level of professionalism at a time when the medical center was under financial stress and its future uncertain,” Dr. Safyer said. “They have sustained the warm and caring environment that has characterized this institution for many years.”
NYWSMC was founded in 1929. Approximately half of NYWSMC’s physicians currently have privileges at Montefiore; others have the option of applying for privileges.
The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is supported by $20 million in funding available under the state’s Health Efficiency and Affordability Law. Closing is expected to take place in March.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Westchester Square News: Maritime Snaps Losing Streak 

Westchester Square News: Maritime Snaps Losing Streak : --> BRONX, NEW YORK, January 23- The Maritime basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak in dominating fashion on Tuesday ...

Maritime Snaps Losing Streak 

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BRONX, NEW YORK, January 23- The Maritime basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak in dominating fashion on Tuesday night at the Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium, claiming its second victory of the season, 79-57, over Skyline opponent Mount St. Vincent. The Privateers improve to 2-11 (1-7 Skyline) with the victory, while the Dolphins fall to 4-12 (2-7 Skyline).
“I am so proud of our team tonight,” said head coach Jake Scott. “Everything we have been working on to this point came together. They deserve to be excited after that win. We will continue to work and improve every day. It was a great team effort.”
Sophomore T-Vaughn Gibson (Freeport, Bahamas/Sunland Baptist) led all players with a career-high 28 points; 17 of them coming in the second half. Classmate Sean Corley (Harlem, N.Y./Thurgood Marshall) drained 19 points, while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing out six assists. Senior Ron Bethea (Harlem, N.Y./Humanities Prep.) was limited in the second half due to an apparent leg injury, but still scored 13 points and had a game-high seven rebounds in just 27 minutes.
The Privateers charged out to a 21-point lead, 28-7, at 7:48 of the first half, but Mount St. Vincent fought back with nine straight points in just three minutes, all but two were off of Maritime turnovers. The Red and Blue were able to correct their mistakes and held a 12-point, 35-23, lead at halftime.
The Dolphins picked up their game early in the second half and the lead was cut down to just eight points, 45-37, at 14:03. However, a long stretch from 10:22 to 4:24 of the second saw the Privateers expand their lead to a game-high 23 points after a 20-7 run made the score 71-48. It was capped off by Gibson nailing two free throws.
Mount had three players score in double-figures, led by junior James Zuccaro, who had 18 points. Sophomore D’Andre McPhatter added 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds and junior Gerard Fraser scored 11.
The Privateers shot a season-high 51.0-percent from the floor (26-for-51) compared to the Dolphins’ 32.8-percent (22-for-67).
Maritime is back in action on Thursday, when the squad will travel to Brooklyn to take on NYU-Poly. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Jays’ Jacobs Gymnasium.


Westchester Square News: St. Raymond High School Basketball Past Meets Bask...

Westchester Square News: St. Raymond High School Basketball Past Meets Bask...: --> BRONX, NEW YORK, January 23- Excitement filled the air at the St. Raymond High School for Boys gym on January 20 as alumni,...

St. Raymond High School Basketball Past Meets Basketball Present

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BRONX, NEW YORK, January 23- Excitement filled the air at the St. Raymond High School for Boys gym on January 20 as alumni, family and friends of the school celebrated the past and present of the basketball program.  
Gary DeCesare ’81 coached the St. Raymond Varsity basketball team for 16 seasons until 2003. After coaching stints with DePaul University and Richmond College, DeCesare now helms the St. Rita High School varsity team in Chicago who visited to take on St. Raymond.  
St. Raymond entered the game with a record of 10-5, and a number six ranking in New York City according to MSG Varsity. More than 75 alumni from the school attended to watch DeCesare take on first year coach Jorge Lopez and the St. Raymond team. The game was exciting throughout, with St. Raymond emerging victorious by a score of 56-52. Leading the Ravens were Tory Ferguson with 15 points, Shawn Jones with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists and Luis Santos with 11 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks.
After the game, all players and fans remained in the gym as Coach DeCesare recognized the 20th anniversary of St. Raymond’s first state championship in 1993. Many of the players, managers and coaches of this team returned to celebrate the past and present of St. Raymond basketball. “It is great that so many guys were able to come back today,” said Alex Perez ’95, one of the team’s student managers.  
Each player was presented with a St. Raymond windbreaker, championship t-shirt, framed photo of the team and news clippings from their historic season. “That really was a true team,” coach DeCesare said. “You had 12 guys that battled every day in practice.”  
Charlton Clarke ’95 approached the podium next to provide plaques to coach DeCesare and assistant coach Greg Scott ’72 on behalf of the 1993 championship team.  Coach DeCesare led St. Raymond to New York City Championships in 1991, 1993, 2000 and 2001, and state championships in 1993 and 2001.  
The St. Raymond varsity team rode the momentum of the St. Rita victory into wins in their next two road contests: January 21 at Moore Catholic and January 22 at Mount St. Michael.  The defending city champion Ravens are now 13-5 as they enter the final stretch of their schedule before the playoffs.    
St. Raymond has been welcoming back alumni throughout the basketball season, acknowledging the 40th anniversary of the first Varsity B team and the 35th anniversary of the first freshman city championship team at the annual homecoming event in December. 

Westchester Square News: Bronx Seeing Major Drop in Crime

Westchester Square News: Bronx Seeing Major Drop in Crime: --> BRONX, NEW YORK, January 23- Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. released statistics highlighting the decrease in murders in th...