Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella announced a significant investment of $1.3 million in advanced medical technology at the Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) during the 143rd Charity Ball at the Hilton Garden Inn. This funding aims to enhance critical areas such as cardiac surgery, radiology, sleep medicine, and critical care, ensuring that residents have access to high-quality healthcare without leaving the borough.
Fossella’s commitment builds upon previous support from Councilmembers Kamillah Hanks and David Carr, whose earlier contributions helped secure a new cardiac bypass system for SIUH. With these initiatives, the hospital aims to provide Staten Islanders with the same advanced medical technology found in leading hospitals across the United States.
Enhancing Healthcare Capabilities
“This investment gives our residents one more reason to stay on Staten Island for quality healthcare,” said Fossella. He emphasized the dedication of the hospital’s team, including Dr. Brahim Ardolic and Meagan Sills, to improving healthcare services, particularly in cardiac care. The newly acquired technologies are designed to elevate the precision, safety, and quality of care in multiple specialties.
Heart disease represents one of Staten Island’s most critical health challenges, with cardiovascular mortality rates significantly higher than the city average—approximately 232 deaths per 100,000 residents each year. Hospitalizations for coronary heart disease also exceed the state average, highlighting the pressing need for ongoing investment in advanced cardiac care.
The new equipment will enable clinicians to detect complications earlier and guide interventions more swiftly, thereby bolstering the hospital’s capacity to deliver life-saving treatment.
Improving Safety and Diagnostic Accuracy
In addition to cardiac care advancements, the investment includes a state-of-the-art radiation shield, which sets a new standard for safety in interventional radiology and cardiac catheterization. Long-term exposure to radiation during fluoroscopic procedures can elevate the risk of cataracts, orthopedic injuries, and certain cancers among medical personnel. This new system significantly reduces radiation exposure, enhancing safety for both patients and healthcare providers.
Moreover, a modern sleep system will upgrade SIUH’s sleep medicine program, replacing outdated wired systems with a wireless platform that prioritizes patient comfort. Sleep disorders, affecting an estimated 15 to 20 percent of adults, are often linked to severe health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. The enhanced system aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and facilitate timely treatment, preventing these hidden disorders from escalating into chronic health problems.
“These new systems allow our physicians to work with greater precision and safety, improving outcomes for patients who rely on us for complex, life-saving procedures,” stated Dr. Joseph Basile, vice president and deputy hospital president at SIUH.
Meagan Sills, the president of SIUH, underscored the importance of Fossella’s partnership in this initiative. “His investment ensures that Staten Islanders receive the best tools and technology in modern medicine, right here where they live,” Sills remarked. “From cardiac surgery to sleep medicine, these advancements strengthen our ability to deliver care that is not only life-saving but also life-changing.”
With these advancements, Staten Island University Hospital is positioned to provide cutting-edge healthcare and improve the overall health outcomes for the community it serves.
