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Plaza College Launches Queens’ First Surgical Tech Learning Center

BQE Admin on November 21, 2024

Plaza College unveiled Queens’ first surgical technology learning center, a $1 million state-of-the-art facility, to launch its exclusive Surgical Technology Degree Program.

 

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

Plaza College celebrated a milestone on Friday, unveiling Queens’ first surgical technology learning center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Forest Hills campus. The $1 million state-of-the-art facility, designed to replicate operating rooms found in New York’s premier hospitals, marks the launch of Plaza’s new Surgical Technology Degree Program—the only one of its kind in Queens.

Leaders from six top hospitals, including NewYork-Presbyterian, Elmhurst, Jamaica, and Mount Sinai, joined Plaza College faculty, students, and community leaders for the ceremony. Among the guests were Queens Chamber of Commerce President Tom Grech and FDNY EMS President Oren Barzilay.

Grech highlighted the borough’s diversity, emphasizing how the new program at Plaza College reflects the inclusive future of healthcare by preparing a diverse cohort of professionals. He acknowledged Queens’ historical challenges as a “hospital desert” but praised initiatives like Plaza College’s training programs for addressing staffing needs and supporting local hospitals.

The program aims to address the growing demand for Certified Surgical Technologists, offering hands-on training in a cutting-edge environment to prepare students for high-stakes operating room careers.

 

“You can see the wide array of diversity here, women and men, people of color that are the next generation of health care for our for our county,” Grech said. “We’re fully in support of this plaza has been a loyal member since their founding in 1916 and we’re here to help them any way we can.” 

Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) play a vital role in operating rooms, working alongside surgeons to maintain safety and efficiency during procedures. According to the National Institutes of Health, surgeries generate nearly half of a typical hospital’s revenue, making the shortage of CSTs a significant concern for the healthcare industry.

Plaza College’s 20-month program aims to address this gap, offering hands-on training in a cutting-edge simulation environment. “This immersive training environment allows us to refine our technical abilities and prepare for the high-stakes environment of surgery,” said Kaylee Venta, a student in the program’s inaugural cohort.

Venta, who shared her journey from medical assistant to surgical technology student, emphasized the program’s impact on her career. “The surgical tech program gives us the skills and confidence to succeed in real-world operating rooms,” she said.

The need for healthcare workers in New York City is growing rapidly. Healthcare employs over 750,000 people—20% of the city’s workforce—and contributes $201 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to the Healthcare Association of New York State.

With its cutting-edge facility and innovative program, Plaza College has positioned itself as a leader in surgical technology education, equipping students to meet the challenges of a dynamic and essential field.

Trickled Down Decadence: Screams for Hope

BQE Admin on November 21, 2024

By: Dana Fialkowski 

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning hosted a new edition of a visual voices art exhibition to prevent youth gun violence on Friday, October 26. This exhibit was curated by Wanda Best, who founded Art Transforms which is a nonprofit organization that uses art to educate, communicate and express social injustice and healing. 

“This exhibition serves as an education about the dire need to strengthen gun control laws,” said Best. “It is a cry for help to stop the decadence that is taking over this society with youth killing youth. It is our hope that the exhibition moves someone to hear the screams of those who lost their lives to gun violence and stand up to be a part of the solution to stop this genocide.” 

Her vision on this art exhibit is that it could sometimes change lives, save lives and inspire change. 

Best curated many exhibits including the Social Justice exhibit from 2017-2020 and in 2023 she curated the Environmental Justice exhibit in the Queens Community House. Trickled Down Decadence is the fifth exhibition in Visual Voices, JCAL’s three-year initiative to support emerging, Queens-based BIIPOC curators. As part of their work, the cohort cultivates and elevates emerging BIIPOC artistic talent, designs open calls, produces artist talks, collaborates with local collectives, and runs arts workshops and demonstrations in connection with each exhibition, with a schedule set through year-end 2025. 

With this powerful art exhibit that is giving a message to the community about the prevention of youth gun violence, this viewing will be going on until Saturday, December 14. Throughout this time for this program, this exhibit will include different events like an evening of live music, dance and poetry on Saturday, November 23 titled “Solace.”

If anyone in the community would like to come and see amazing artwork about youth gun control violence, the JCAL at 161-4 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sundays and Mondays. 

     

 

Healthy Eating Initiative Helps Rebuild Lives

BQE Admin on November 21, 2024

Samaritan Daytop Village has launched a nutrition initiative to support individuals in recovery by teaching healthier eating habits and culinary skills.

 

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

Samaritan Daytop Village, a nationally recognized provider of addiction treatment services, has launched a nutrition initiative aimed at improving the overall well-being of individuals in its recovery programs. With residential facilities in New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley, the organization is focusing on teaching residents how healthier meals and nutrition can support their recovery, both physically and emotionally.

The initiative is implemented across two residential programs in Queens: Van Wyke and Richmond Hill. At the heart of the program is a commitment to fresh, nutritious meals, led by a team of chefs who train clients in culinary skills. The ultimate goal is to help individuals not only improve their eating habits but also empower them to live healthier lifestyles long after they leave the program.

Daniel Mendoza, a cook and cook instructor at the Richmond Hill facility, emphasizes how the program has evolved to incorporate more nutritious ingredients.

 “We’re trying to marry sobriety and cooking for medicine, which is a great concept,” Mendoza said. He explained that the kitchen now uses more garlic, fresh vegetables, and fruits to prepare meals, aiming to replace the simpler diets of rice, beans, and processed foods that many clients are accustomed to. “We try to make them healthy with the food,” Mendoza said, noting that many clients have spent years living on the streets with limited access to healthy food.

With a focus on fresh, nutritious meals, the program helps clients improve their health and build a foundation for long-term recovery and employment.

 

The transition to healthier eating can be difficult for some clients, but Mendoza has seen positive changes. “As we go by, they’re starting to enjoy it,” he said. He’s seen firsthand the impact the program has had on individuals, not just in terms of nutrition, but in providing hope and skills for the future. Mendoza, who has been sober for over 30 years, views the program as a way to give back, sharing the lessons he learned from his own recovery journey.

The program has already seen success, with two clients graduating from the cooking instruction program. Mendoza works with clients not only to teach cooking skills but also to help them build confidence and prepare for employment in the culinary field. “With a job, you have hope,” he said. “I’m hoping that when they leave here, it’s not Chinese food and pizza. They can make brown rice and other healthy meals on their own.”

For clients like Wayne Kostu, the changes in the kitchen have had a profound impact. Kostu, who has been in the program since August 2023, describes his experience in the kitchen as a transformative one. 

“Being in the kitchen has been a good experience,” Kostu said, noting that he’s seen a positive shift in the types of meals being prepared. “You can see that what Danny is doing in there, he’s passionate about what he does.” Kostu points out that the kitchen has not only provided a source of nourishment but also a sense of community and involvement in the recovery process.

Tawana Spriggs, the program administrator, highlights the broader importance of the initiative in the recovery process.

“The purpose of this is to train our staff on nutrition and wellness, so that we can then pass that training on to the clients,” Spriggs said. She stresses the significance of educating clients about how nutrition impacts their recovery, particularly with regard to chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which are common among people with a history of substance use.

“The initiative will hopefully carry itself beyond the treatment program, so when they’re returning home and back into the communities, you have the education to continue the work of healthy living and having a healthy lifestyle,” Spriggs said.

For some participants, like Jose, the program has become a lifeline. Jose, who joined the program four months ago, was struggling with a lack of direction before getting involved in the kitchen.

“Before, I didn’t know what to do,” he said. “Now I want to be part of the kitchen, working here or outside.” 

Jose credits Mendoza for his guidance, saying the chef has helped him feel valued and capable. “He teaches me how to cook different, healthy food,” Jose said. “Now I feel like I’m somebody. I can help another client. I can make it easier for people.”

The initiative is not just about nutrition, but about building a sense of self-worth and hope. As the program continues to grow, its impact is felt both in the kitchen and beyond, offering participants the tools to rebuild their lives and health.

With the ongoing support of donors and partners, including a recent grant from Valley National Bank, the program is set to expand, providing even more clients with the opportunity to learn valuable skills and embrace healthier lifestyles. For Samaritan Daytop Village, the nutrition initiative is an integral part of its mission to support individuals in their recovery, helping them build a foundation for long-term health and success.

New York Proposes Ending Regents Exam Requirement

BQE Admin on November 21, 2024

Courtesy Freepik

New York officials have proposed ending the Regents exam requirement for graduation, allowing students to show proficiency in key skills like critical thinking and communication.

By MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

New York state education officials unveiled a set of proposed changes that would eliminate the requirement for students to pass Regents exams in order to earn a high school diploma. The proposal, part of an ongoing effort to update graduation standards, would offer students more flexibility in how they demonstrate their knowledge and skills before graduating.

Under the new framework, students would be required to show proficiency in a range of areas critical for success in the modern world. These areas include critical thinking, effective communication, cultural and social-emotional competence, innovative problem-solving, and literacy across various content areas. Additionally, students would need to meet standards for becoming global citizens. These attributes are outlined in what the state is calling the “Portrait of a Graduate,” a guiding concept that officials say will help redefine what it means to be ready for life after high school.

The proposed changes stem from recommendations made by the New York State Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures, which aims to provide greater equity and opportunity for all students. While the Board of Regents did not take formal action on the proposals during Monday’s meeting, officials plan to present a detailed implementation plan in November.

As part of the changes, education officials are recommending that high school credits be redefined to focus on proficiency rather than the completion of time-based coursework. This would allow students to demonstrate mastery through various means, such as work-based learning, capstone projects, dual credit programs, and career and technical education (CTE) courses, in addition to traditional classroom-based learning and assessments.

“I think that the regents are antiquated and New York State is the only state in the 50 states that gives the regents. Its validity is questionable due to different teachers having different curriculums,” Audrey Martin, MLS Special Education Teacher Support Services at Martin Luther School said. “I believe that New York State will vote for removing the Regents from all schools. Standardized tests do not reflect the aptitude of a student. The time to update the system to measure a student’s critical thinking skills is now in order for future abilities to fit our new technological world.”

Courtesy Freepik

The changes, set for full implementation by 2029, aim to provide more flexible graduation pathways.

Though Regents exams would no longer be a mandatory graduation requirement, they would still be available as one option for students to demonstrate proficiency. The state’s Regents exams have been a central feature of New York’s high school graduation requirements for more than a century. However, they have come under criticism in recent years from students and educators who argue that the exams do not always reflect the full range of student abilities or learning.

Along with the shift away from mandatory exams, the state is proposing a move to a single, unified diploma. The existing system, which offers local and advanced diplomas, would be replaced by a statewide standard diploma. Local districts could still offer additional distinctions, such as seals or endorsements, but the primary graduation requirement would be the completion of the state’s core standards.

Education officials emphasized that these changes are not designed to lower academic expectations but rather to create more flexible pathways for students to meet them. They also noted that students will continue to be assessed through a combination of measures, including assessments required by federal law, and will still take state exams in certain subjects.

“I think the regents have value in that they are able to hold students and schools accountable to an outside standard,” Rebekah Stohlmann, Math Teacher at Martin Luther School said. “I think that it will be important to schools that they are following a standard so that students are getting the appropriate level of instruction.”

The proposed changes, which have been in development for several years, are expected to take effect starting with the Class of 2028. This means that students who entered high school in 2023 will be the last cohort required to meet the current graduation standards, including passing the Regents exams. The full implementation of the new system is projected for 2029, when the state will have fully phased in the new diploma structure and proficiency requirements.

Officials from the state’s Education Department have said the changes are aimed at better preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world. They hope the new approach will help ensure that New York’s high school graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in both higher education and the workforce.

The proposals will continue to be discussed at public forums over the coming months, with feedback from educators, students, and other stakeholders helping to refine the final plan. Any changes will require approval from the Board of Regents before they can be implemented.

Until then, the state’s current graduation requirements, including the Regents exams, remain in effect for all public school students in New York.

 

MoMA PS1 and Council Member Julie Won Host Queens Community at Neighbor Night in Long Island City

BQE Admin on November 21, 2024

By: Kyra Ching

The MoMA PS1 co-hosted Neighbor Night with Council Member Julie Won on October 21st as a special fall event celebrating the institution’s neighbors. The event offered after-hours access to the institution’s entire program, including new exhibitions by Sohrab Hura, Enzo Camacho & Ami Lien, Jasmine Gregory, and the Studio Museum in Harlem Artists in Residence.

There was music by Record Room, two tours, an art workshop and refreshments provided by local Long Island City businesses. Refreshments consisted of a wide variety of sweet and savory treats including mooncakes, pastries, wings, spring rolls, summer rolls, wings, pasta, rice balls, and more. Vendor tables also offered stickers and cards for their brick and mortar locations. 

The Artist Intervention Tours were held at 7:00 pm and 7:30 pm. This experience highlighted art installations in the building’s infrastructure. Attendees learned about the stories and MoMA PS1 history behind each piece of art. 

The tour also covered Alanna Heiss, the institution’s founder and a cultural curator who was a defining force in the 1970s Alternative Spaces Movement. The Alternative Spaces Movement aimed to reuse under-utilized and abandoned spaces. Heiss founded the Institute for Art and Union Resources, Inc., a non-profit providing studios and exhibition space in underutilized New York City buildings. The Institute for Art and Union Resources, Inc. secured a building that once housed a historic Long Island City school decommissioned in the previous decade. The PS1 opened with the seminal Rooms exhibition, inviting artists to transform the building’s halls, stairways, corridors, and boiler room with site-specific installations. 

In the cafe, the art workshop was held by the Teen Art Salon, a nonprofit that supports, develops and promotes adolescent artists in Long Island City. The workshop was open for the entirety of Neighbor Night. Families made crafts together with brightly colored paper, markers, and glue.

Outside, the courtyard was filled with many attendees enjoying refreshments and listening to the music. The space was set up with structures of colorful, massive blocks that offered plentiful seating opportunities for attendees. There were also tables placed around the courtyard. 

“I want to thank you so much, for all of you coming out and supporting this museum. We need more public spaces like this.” State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, whose district includes Long Island City and Astoria, told attendees gathered in the courtyard.

The MoMA PS1 is always free for New Yorkers. Located on Jackson Avenue, steps away from the Court Square station, the MoMA PS1 is open from 12 – 6 pm from Thursday through Monday. This season’s exhibitions are presented in English and Spanish, and select programs are available in Simplified Chinese, Tagalog, and Bisaya. There are digital guides allowing visitors to hear directly from the artists, as well as guided tour groups. Wheelchairs are available free of charge, and there is an elevator providing access to all public areas. 

Established in 1971, the MoMA PS1 has been an artist-centered and community driven space for over 50 years. The MoMA PS1 continues to play a significant role in providing inclusive and accessible art experiences for New Yorkers. The Neighbor Night event highlighted the MoMA PS1’s dedication to providing a place where the community can encounter and engage with art and perspectives in experimental creative environments.

 

Queens Economic Development Corporation, AVA, Hosts Dia De Los Muertos Event

BQE Admin on November 21, 2024

By Alice Moreno

On November 1, the Queens Economic Development Corporation in collaboration with AVA (Asociación de Vendedores Ambulantes, or “Association of Street Vendors” in English) hosted their fourth annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event. Intended to celebrate and honor the deceased by inviting their souls, briefly reuniting with the living for a couple of days, Corona Plaza — located at 40-04 National St. — was filled with pride that night. The plaza was surrounded by an array of Mexican and Central American delicacies and trinkets offered to passersby, all courtesy of AVA. 

Beginning at 6:00 p.m., guests were welcomed by hosts draped in costumes; long dresses with decorative imagery of the skeletal body, covering their shoulders with shawls of vivid colors such as red. Their faces were painted to look like sugar skulls and their heads were adorned with vibrant flower crowns of roses with thorns sticking out on the top to create a crown-like effect. The hosts danced all night to traditional Latino music; guests were even invited to dance along, even having an audience member become a makeshift MC to invite and entertain the public. 

“It’s all about remembrance, and […] honoring those who have passed,” said Mark Saldana, the guest-turned-MC for the night in question. “And […] keeping their legacy [alive] within the family, whether it’s like a pet, a family member, or someone that you look up to […] just making sure that you know they’re still alive within your heart [and] within your soul.”

In the middle of the plaza stood the Ofrenda (“Offering” in English), an altar dedicated to those who have passed. To welcome the spirits, the altar is adorned elaborately with bright neon oranges and pinks, bringing the person’s spirit alive. Sugar skulls — known as Calaveras — furnish the ofrenda, decorated in vivid colors made of sugar molds to create unique designs. Marigold flowers (known as cempasúchil) flow throughout the altar, its odor meant to attract spirits. Food is also on display here, offering pieces of bread and fruits to the deceased. 

Most importantly, right in the middle of the altar sat a picture of Lucia Fabian’s — the organizer — mother, who passed in 2022. Alongside her mother’s picture also sits various images of well-known Latino artists, such as artist Frida Kahlo and singer Vincente Fernandez. 

As the night went on, the Dia de los Muertos event had a variety of shows to entertain guests. They started with a Mexihcah, a traditional Aztec dance; Danza Folclórica (Folkloric Dance), with different dances based on different Mexican regions; a New York-based dance troupe titled “Grupo Atl-Tlachinolli” with dances focusing on the Tolteca and Chichimeca cultures of Mexico; and to cap off the celebration, a Mariachi band — an 8-10 people group that play Ranchera music with themes ranging from love to politics, to death. 

Traditionally, Dia de los Muertos is held on Nov. 1 and 2, though others may start as early as Oct. 31 or as late as Nov. 6th. Not only does it celebrate the spirits of those who long left us, it also celebrates how beautiful life is. Regardless of whether guests were Latino or not, everyone from different origins and backgrounds were invited to honor the dead.

“We just want everyone to know that today is a day to remember your loved ones in a good way and a happy way,” said Jocelyn Fabian, daughter of organizer Lucia Fabian and one of the hosts dressed in costume. 

Corona’s Terrace on the Park played host to an insightful and beneficial cultural affair this past weekend.

BQE Admin on November 21, 2024

By: Joe Thristino

“The Healing Power of Hispanic Food” – a free event sponsored by ¡Hay Mas Adelante!, United Healthcare and AARP – aimed to highlight the incredible nutritional value inherent to Latino food and how utilizing these delicious ingredients effectively can drive a healthy lifestyle. 

“Genes on their own don’t determine disease,” dietician Sylvia Melendez-Klinger declared to the heedful attendees across both a morning and an afternoon time slot in the hotel’s Regency Ballroom. “We can do something about it.” 

Melendez-Klinger was one of three keynote speakers bringing an array of wellness advice and Hispanic heritage. They were introduced and bookended by United Healthcare rep Rita Tolbert, who set the tone for the proceedings by emphasizing the importance of “health equity”, specifically among Hispanic peoples. 

After all, the leading causes of death in Latino communities are predominantly diet-related, such as heart disease and diabetes. “One in three Latinos sixty-five and older have diabetes,” Melendez-Klinger said with more than a little exasperation. “The number used to be one in five.” 

She proceeded to explain how preparation and portion can unlock the “incredible power” of Hispanic ingredients. A Puerto Rican raised in Mexico, Melendez-Klinger knows all too well of the deep-frying and plate-overflowing pitfalls often endemic to Hispanic dining. 

To combat these habits, she suggested using smaller dinnerware (to limit portion size) but still having at least three food groups on a plate; five if possible. Salsas are a great way to insert fruit and Vitamin C alongside your proteins (such as beans, wonderfully nutritious), vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. And if you absolutely need that empanada – and who doesn’t from time to time – bake instead of deep-frying. A tip from Melendez-Klinger to still get that empanada crunch from the oven: a little egg-white wash. 

Antioxidants are especially key, as Melendez-Klinger compared the oxidation process inside the body to what happens to a metal nail rusting and corroding. “And colors equal antioxidants,” the dietician said. “You want a rainbow on your plate.” 

United Healthcare’s Dana Parra-Stanglmaier, a native of Mexico, filled the middle of the bill with an extended information session on Medicare. There were more than a few inquisitive audience members, and the question-and-answer exchange centered around these health insurance complexities went on for some time. 

That was followed up by the third and final guest speaker, Chef Lizzeth Martinez. A San Antonio-based restaurateur who co-owns and operates the renowned Naco Mexican Eatery, “Chef Liz” gave both a history lesson and a recipe demonstration from the vibrant array of ingredients laid out on the stage’s table. 

Martinez echoed Melendez-Klinger’s previous concerns with the Hispanic community’s compulsion to deep-fry, yet also expounding on why it was a style of cooking passed down from previous generations. “Our ancestors were much more active,” she explained, a product of the long days and laborious occupations many of them had. These jobs are less prevalent for many in the community today but the cooking habits have unfortunately stuck. 

Practicing what she and the others were preaching, Chef Liz got down to the fun of cooking. Showcasing a step-by-step vegetarian tamale recipe, Martinez maximized the substantial nutrition naturally imbued in touchstone Hispanic ingredients. Attendees received a copy of this recipe to take home along with a folder of other health-centric information and references. 

One walked away from this event with an important realization: Hispanic food is more than a tasty cuisine loved the world over. It’s medicine.

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