North Shore University Hospital : Critical Care when it Matters Most

NSUH VOLUNTEERING AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to the educational programs and schools that are offered, NSUH is continuously looking for volunteers who are committed to making a difference in patients’ lives and gaining valuable exposure to the healthcare industry as a whole. 

With a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from pet therapy with a certified therapy dog to art, music, and magic with patients, these programs are designed to serve as a source of comfort and cheer to those who are hospitalized and allow volunteers to have a meaningful and satisfying experience that lasts a lifetime. 

Along with the volunteering opportunities within the hospital, NSUH also offers the Healthcare Exploration Program, which is designed to expose undergraduate college students to various careers in the medical field through an eight-week curriculum in which they encounter a broad range of clinical services at a tertiary care medical center and have the opportunity to explore the educational components of healthcare by attending hospital rounds. 

The Nursing Exploration Program is designed to encourage high school students to explore their interest in becoming registered nurses. Students have the opportunity to meet with a nurse educator to discuss their career goals, develop a personalized calendar of nursing experiences, and shadow different nurses based on their interests. 

The Dietetic and Culinary Exploration Program, meanwhile, encourages high school students to explore their interest in becoming a registered dietitian or pursuing a career in the culinary field. Students are able to meet with a dietitian or chef to discuss their career goals and shadow dieticians, chefs, and managers in nutrition and culinary-related industries. 

The Auxilary, a volunteer force established over 60 years ago, has equally been integral in raising funds to help the growth and evolution of NSUH, providing important programs and services, serving as goodwill ambassadors and acting as a vital link between the hospital and the community.   

Then there is the Patient and Family Partnership Council, a dedicated group of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals who partner to create meaningful changes within the hospital.  

NSUH believes that educating healthcare professionals, both current and future, is one of the most impactful ways to shape the future of the field for the better, and by providing world-class programs for potential students to take advantage of, this can be achieved and further the industry’s potential. 

PATIENT TESTIMONIES AND AWARDS FROM NSUH

According to US News & World Report’s 2023 – 2024 Best Hospital Rankings, Northwell is New York’s most awarded healthcare system. NSUH, which tied for the number one hospital in the state, is proud to be nationally ranked in nine adult specialties, including pulmonology and lung surgery, cardiology and heart surgery, geriatrics, urology, orthopedics, gastroenterology and GI surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, cancer, neurology, and neurosurgery.  

With these incredibly impressive rankings, there are many patients who have had their lives changed for the better and are sharing the exceptional service they received while in the hands of Northwell and NSUH. 

“We do things at NSUH that other tertiary and community hospitals do not do,” comments Dr. Kuvin. 

“We support patients with mechanical devices if their heart pumps aren’t working very well, we move patients towards heart and lung transplantation, and we are involved in cutting-edge research that affords patients the opportunity to have therapies and options that they would otherwise not have been eligible for,” he elaborates. 

One example of this is the treatment that patient Susan Kotkin received when she flew over 1,000 miles from Florida to New York to be treated by the cardiac team at NSUH’s SABHH. 

Having run out of options in Florida, Susan came to NSUH, where the cardiac team worked tirelessly to save her life and get her back home. They ended up providing her with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to keep her heart pumping strong, allowing her to get back to driving, visit her grandkids, and enjoy the endless heat of the Florida sun. 

Susan explains that she felt like she was treated wholistically at NSUH, where the team gave her incredible care and support. 

In another example, Northwell nurse practitioner Tanya Louis was diagnosed with breast cancer after having a routine mammogram. She was then treated by her employer, Northwell, and by a team of medical oncologists, breast surgeons, and plastic surgeons, who provided her with a treatment plan that included surgery and a double mastectomy, which took place at NSUH. 

After the successful surgery and recovery, Tanya’s boss suggested that she take the opportunity to become a nurse navigator, working with patients with pancreatic and liver cancer. She now educates as many patients as possible, as well as the public, to show them that there are new treatments and technologies available, there isn’t one type of cancer patient, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

Tanya testifies that there was no doubt in her mind that she would choose Northwell, and that the professional relationships she developed with her care team translated into the high level of care she ultimately received.   

 “We ensure that we provide patients with the highest level of patient care possible, including novel techniques, surgeries, medications, and other therapies,” comments Dr. Kuvin. 

This high level of care and compassion for every patient, no matter their background, is evident in every step that NSUH takes. This is why Northwell has been named one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere – a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices – for the eighth consecutive year based on its record on environmental, social, and governance (ESG), as well as safety, equity, and inclusion. 

Along with this recognition from Ethisphere, NSUH has been named among the top five percent of all short-term acute care hospitals evaluated nationwide by Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award for the fifth consecutive year, and is now a Magnet-recognized hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This is a prestigious designation that reflects the highest standards of nursing professionalism, collaboration, teamwork, and superiority in patient care delivery. 

Less than 600 hospitals worldwide (only about eight percent) have achieved Magnet designation, and research demonstrates that this recognition provides specific benefits to healthcare organizations and their communities, such as an improved patient experience and better outcomes. 

Northwell has also won New York’s Military Friendly Employer Award for the fourth consecutive year in recognition of its integrated approach to hiring, training, promoting, and supporting veterans and their families, with 1,300 veterans hired in the past three years as part of the Veterans Employment Initiative. 

Additionally, Northwell and NSUH are committed to raising the standard of healthcare for all with its LGBTQIA+ services, explicity noting that its mission is to make the most personalized and inclusive healthcare accessible. 

This commitment to diversity and community partnerships has led to 25 of Northwell’s facilities being named leaders in LGBTQIA+ healthcare equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. 

With the philosophy that diversity is what makes a community colorful, it is NSUH’s mission to break down barriers and provide personalized, compassionate healthcare for all.

THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE AND NSUH

We will all need healthcare at some point in our lives. 

This is the mindset that NSUH always keeps at the forefront, allowing the hospital to truly connect and form relationships with everyone who comes in for help, providing them with unrivaled compassion and individualized care. 

Despite current disparities within the US healthcare system, people who are genuinely passionate about serving others are working diligently to help the system change for the better. 

This is no more evident than at NSUH and the day-to-day actions that are being taken to ensure that everyone, not just in the community but around the US, is able to access healthcare regardless of their background or circumstances. 

“The US can provide the most advanced healthcare in the world, and we have really amazing technology and the incredible ability to translate ideas into therapies and solutions for disease,” explains Dr. Kuvin. 

“Having said that, there are great disparities in healthcare in the US. While we can provide the latest and greatest treatments to the most complex patients, we struggle at times in terms of providing basic preventative care to much of our population, and I think these are the greatest assets but also some of the greatest challenges that we face,” he says. 

The future of healthcare delivery in the US may seem uncertain, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic which thrust the healthcare industry into disarray and exacerbated affordability challenges. However, despite the seemingly unclear path forward, there are people dedicating themselves to the advancement and inclusivity of a system meant to provide unbiased help to all. 

“NSUH and Northwell are a nonprofit academic healthcare system which are really focused on reimagining healthcare as we move forward,” emphasizes Dr. Kuvin. 

“While this is a great responsibility, we are proud and eager to serve our patients and the entire system at the highest level. We take this task very seriously and with great pride, but it really challenges us at NSUH to be the best,” he continues. 

Healthcare is the largest industry in the US, accounting for approximately 17 percent of GDP. Therefore, it is integral that people within the industry ensure that the patients and their well-being are always put first.   

“Our goals are to continue to take the best care of patients from our community and across the system. Being the quaternary care hub of the region, we have the responsibility of taking care of the sickest of the sick. Our goal is to continue to do this, expand our capabilities, and make sure that each and every patient gets the best care at the right time,” comments Dr. Kuvin. 

Within the healthcare industry, it is not just important, but of the utmost necessity to ensure that access to care, health equity, health literacy, and the ability to access accurate health information from a reliable source are priorities to be highlighted and remedied in the coming years. 

NSUH has taken the initiative to ensure that it is at the forefront of this mission for a better, healthier future for both patients and those who work within the industry. 

To embody this mission, it is essential to invest in the future and sustain a learning mindset. Empowering physician leaders who devote their time and employ their experience to further this mission is a key tenet of NSUH. 

Being such a progressive and regularly developing industry, there is never a moment in which healthcare technology and improvements are at a standstill. 

“The healthcare industry is an exciting place to work; technological and pharmacological advances are increasing and improving at an exhilarating pace,” enthuses Dr. Hartman. 

These new technological advancements, and new infrastructure investments like that of the PSP, assist greatly in the progression of the healthcare industry. 

NSUH has proven beyond a doubt that it remains at the top when it comes to not only embracing these advancements, but also paving the way for such developments to be made. 

At the core of all of these achievements is the fundamental goal of guaranteeing that patients not only receive the best when it comes to treatment, but can expect long-term health. 

“I think the legacy that NSUH would like to leave is the ability to provide the best possible patient care to improve the lives of our community members,” concludes Dr. Kuvin. 

NSUH has earned a time-tested reputation for providing the highest quality care to both the local New York community and beyond. There is no doubt that there is progress to be made, but NSUH will continue to be the leader of the pack.

NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL PARTNERS