CLOSE
Times of Smithtown

by -
0 46
Santa heads to the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale on Dec. 14.

Start your holiday season with one of the following Pancake Breakfast with Santa Claus events on the North Shore!

Centereach

Centereach Fire Department Engine Co. 3, 9 South Washington Ave., Centereach presents The Original Pancake Breakfast with Santa & Friends on Sunday, Dec. 8 with seatings hourly from 8 a.m. to noon. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and orange juice. $10 per person. For reservations, call 631-588-0118.

East Northport

Union United Methodist Church, 1018 Pulaski Road, East Northport will host Magic Circle Nursery School’s 43rd annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a holiday treat filled with fun, food and a photo with Santa Claus. Tickets are $8 adults, $4 children. 631-754-5565

Farmingdale

The American Airpower Museum, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale will host its Annual Holiday Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Join them in their historic Republic Aviation Hangar decorated for the holiday season for pancakes, sausage and hot beverages and juices followed by a meet and greet with Santa for photos and take a Flight line tram ride (weather permitting). Admission is $15 adults, $10 children. For reservations, call 631-293-6398.

Medford

Medford Fire Department, 171 Oregon Ave., Medford presents their annual Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 children, children age 2 and under are free. To RSVP, call 631-481-6184.

Mount Sinai

The North Shore Youth Council carries on the tradition of Breakfast with Santa at the Heritage Center, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mt. Sinai on Sunday, Dec. 15 with seatings at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon. Enjoy a breakfast buffet catered by Tuscany Gourmet Market and live holiday music. Admission is $25 adults, $20 children, under age 2 free. Includes a family photo with Santa and a favor for each child. Reservations are required, no walk-ins. Call 631-403-4846 or visit www.nsyc.com.

Rocky Point

Rocky Point Fire Department Engine Co. #1, 1 Hallock Landing Road, Rocky Point hosts its 25th annual Breakfast with Saanta on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to noon. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, eggs, hash browns, orange juice, apple juice, coffee and tea. Meet Santa in front of an antique fire engine. Admission is $10 adults, $5 seniors and children ages 5 to 12, under the age of 5 are free. RSVP at 631-744-2231.

— Compiled by Heidi Sutton

 

by -
0 52
File photo by Raymond Janis

Community call to action: Addressing safety and planning for battery storage sites

[The Nov. 21] issue of the TBR Port Times Record was rife with thought-provoking Letters to the Editor from our neighbors in the Three Villages regarding the proposed siting of two lithium-ion battery storage facilities in their community. These facilities, while pivotal in providing impetus toward a green energy future and away from fossil fuels, are not without the attendant public safety concerns and controversy when placed very close to residential areas. Given the proximity to neighborhoods surrounding Sheep Pasture and Old Town roads, as well as the Greenway Trail bisecting our area, many in Port Jefferson Station/Terryville are equally concerned about the process and appropriateness of the placement of these projects.

It is important to note, however, that the Savion proposal(s) are not the only activity which can impact our hamlet. Since July, there has been a pending application at 1575 Route 112 for a 10-megawatt storage site by New Leaf Energy which is adjacent to the Sagamore Condominium complex and a stone’s throw from the back of Comsewogue High School. It is our intention at our next Civic Association meeting Dec. 17 (7 p.m. at the Comsewogue Public Library) to have representatives of this organization address our membership which is open to any PJS/Terryville resident. I would urge all my neighbors to participate and educate themselves about this pressing and important topic.

Just as significant, I reiterate my plea that Brookhaven take a leadership role in helping engage the broader community of our town by way of a summit meeting bringing experts together to ensure that our citizens are informed. These storage facilities are spreading across Brookhaven since it is one of the few (perhaps only) municipality on Long Island to have not imposed a moratorium on these projects until defined criteria can be developed to ensure safety. I believe it is incumbent on our local officials to develop a Master Siting Plan to determine what safeguards and standards are necessary and what specific parcels can be identified for the proper, safe location of this activity. Having any L1 (light industrial) zoned parcel have an “as of right “ opportunity to develop this new technology could lead to an uproar of confusion as these sites proliferate. In the absence of extensive dialogue, misinformation can be spread as to how dangerous or toxic these proposals are, when a more rational discussion and analysis could lead to better public policy and a clear direction for our future.

  Ira Costell

 President, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association

Lithium-ion batteries: A risky bet for energy storage?

As an electronics engineer, I designed several systems incorporating charging and balancing circuits for lithium-ion batteries. One of these was for the Juno mission, which was launched by NASA in 2011, arrived at Jupiter in 2016, a trip of 1.74 billion miles, and continues to be operational today. I have some familiarity with the characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, which are scheduled to be utilized in the proposed energy storage facilities in Setauket and East Setauket.

The problem with lithium-ion batteries is that they are subject to the phenomenon of thermal runaway, which produces an uncontrollable white-hot fire that cannot be extinguished by ordinary means. This fire does not require external oxygen, but is the result of an intense chemical reaction inside the battery cell. Thermal runaway can be induced in several ways, including mechanical stress, such as by impact or lightning, or by overcharging, even by a very small amount. To attain the maximum amount of stored energy, a lithium-ion battery is charged to very close to its maximum rated voltage, which is typically around 4.2 volts. If this voltage is exceeded, even very slightly, e.g., to 4.3 volts or 4.4 volts, thermal runaway may be induced, and it cannot be reversed. In a well-designed system, electronic circuits are utilized which do not allow overcharging to occur. Unfortunately, no electronic circuit is absolutely 100% failure proof. For established critical applications, including military and space, reliability calculations are performed. For each circuit, the mean time between failures (MTBF) and probability of failures per year are calculated. It would be interesting to know whether Savion can provide this analysis for this application.

Thermal runaway, and its fearsome result, is not the only problem that may be encountered, and it may not even be the worst problem. That problem is as follows: how many energy storage facilities will we need to provide uninterrupted power to all of our homes, businesses and other users, when our only source of energy becomes solar arrays and windmills? We have been told that, within a few years, all of our “fossil fuel” plants will be shut down, and all of our energy will come from the sun and wind, with batteries to fill in the gaps when the sun and wind are not cooperating. And, to make matters even worse, new AI applications on the horizon will actually cause our energy needs to double.

One would hope that our elected officials have considered this problem, and have made calculations of the amount of energy storage, and the quantity and size of the battery facilities, that will be required to prevent brownouts and blackouts, particularly during extended periods with diminished sun and wind. If they have, it would be most interesting to see them.

 George Altemose

 Setauket

What was missing from Senator Schumer’s $72 million Penn Station grant announcement

Port Jefferson LIRR riders should be concerned about some critical details that were missing from Senator Schumer’s announcement that he has secured $72 million from the United States Department of Transportation for various Penn Station capital improvements.  Is the $72 million an approved appropriation of funding that a transit agency must still develop a grant application or apply for, or is it a real grant that includes $72 million in funding to a transit agency that is now immediately available to be spent by the grant recipient?  Are these funds being administered by the Federal Transit Administration?  Is there already a Memorandum of Understanding between the MTA, LIRR, New Jersey Transit and Amtrak for administration of these funds?

How many years will it take to advance design and engineering (reviewed and approved by MTA, NYC Transit, LIRR, NJ Transit and Amtrak operations, maintenance and other departments) before the project is ready for the next phase of construction?  Design and engineering usually average 5% to 10% of a capital project cost.  Who is going to come up with the $648 to $ 684 million for construction, independent third-party engineering construction management firms to assist in oversight and contingency funding for construction bids coming in above the project cost estimator engineers estimates, contract change orders during construction due to unforeseen site conditions or late requests by LIRR, NYC Transit, NJ Transit and Amtrak operations or maintenance groups?

  Larry Penner

 Great Neck

Clarifying roles: Code officers don’t need firearms

The recent decision by the Port Jefferson Village Board to disarm code officers is a commendable step toward responsible governance and a clearer understanding of law enforcement roles within our community. This move has, understandably, ignited public discourse, revealing a critical misconception: the conflation of firearms with authority.

It’s imperative to clarify that code officers, tasked with upholding local ordinances and ensuring quality of life, operate under a strictly defined legal framework.  New York State law does not grant them the power to carry firearms.  The notion that a weapon somehow amplifies their authority is erroneous and potentially dangerous.

Introducing firearms into code enforcement scenarios unnecessarily escalates risk. It fosters an illusion of power that can lead to confrontations and undermine the essential nature of community-based code compliance.  De-escalation tactics, conflict resolution and proactive community engagement are far more effective tools for achieving the goals of code enforcement.

The Village Board’s decision wisely prioritizes these methods, fostering a safer environment for both residents and officers. By removing firearms from the equation, we encourage a less adversarial and more collaborative approach to code enforcement. This shift promotes trust and mutual respect, which are vital for a thriving community.

 Drew Biondo

Former PJ Trustee

Editor’s Note: This is a rerun of last week’s letter due to mistakes in the text. We apologize for the errors.

by -
0 53
METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

My initials suited me well before I was old enough to care.

You see, I don’t drink, so the idea of a DD, or designated driver, works for me.

Over the years, not drinking alcohol has triggered an even wider range of responses from adults than discussing my food allergies, which, in themselves, typically start unusual conversations. It seems odd to discuss painful digestive responses to consuming food with people who are about to eat.

Anyway, alcohol is supposed to be some kind of rite of passage, a bonding experience, a chance to celebrate and let loose, and something of a national past time.

I don’t mind when other people drink, but I’ve never been all that tempted to throw down a few beers or to end a tough day with a stiff drink.

When I don’t order a drink, I get a range of questions. “Are you in recovery?” “Are you taking medicine?” “Are you very religious?” “Are you sure you’re human?”

Alcohol is as much of a ritual in the country when adults celebrate as sugary treats are when our children attend another birthday party.

Athletes douse each other with champagne, beer, and other beverages when their teams win rounds of a playoff or championships. People toast each other and the start of a new year with adult beverages.

It’d be funny to see a baseball team retreat to the clubhouse after dog piling at the pitcher’s mound and eat a tray of cookies and milk (which I also can’t drink and, no, I don’t feel like describing what happens if I do). Can you imagine them sitting back with a tray of their favorite vegetables, a towel around their necks and a satisfied smile on their faces?

When I was younger, I held cups of alcohol and laughed with a group that became progressively louder. I would search for water or root beer, which was and still is my favorite soda.

I was tempted to order a scotch and soda, but hold the scotch or, perhaps, a rum and coke without the rum.

The early teens were my drinking sweet spot, literally. I could go through three or four Shirley Temples without seeming to develop too much of a sugar high. No doubt the milk and cookies, the ice cream and the chocolate sprinkles helped me build up a sugar tolerance.

I received my first bottle of wine from a friend in college, who was sharing it with me out of genuine appreciation and was, undoubtedly, following in his parents’ footsteps in offering me an adult gift.

Over the years, I have accumulated a collection of wines that have likely increased in value. At the end of coaching a long, hot baseball, softball or basketball season, grateful parents acknowledged the hours I put into running practices or preparing lineups for games for the team with a bottle of wine.

I did try drinking more than a few sips of alcohol a few times. Once, my wife took me out for my birthday, where I had about a cup of wine. I wasn’t drunk, but I was surprisingly tired and was much more ready for bed than for celebrating.

When my children reached their early teens, we ordered three Shirley Temples for the table.

Recently, I attended a bring your own booze holiday party. We brought some alcoholic drinks and a pecan pie.

We considered purchasing a large bottle of water for me, but figured there’d be a pitcher of water somewhere.

Walking from room to room, I didn’t find water and didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable searching for it or trying to accommodate my request. When I returned home, I was happy to fill my reusable water bottle.

Professionally, not drinking alcohol is not quite as limiting as not playing golf. Back in the days when I covered investment banking, foregoing golf outings meant making fewer connections and gathering less information.

In those days, I was never invited to a batting cage to practice hitting baseballs, which I would have readily accepted.

These days, when neighbors offer to share a few cocktails on their porches, I smile and nod, without making any declarations. It’s harder to argue that I’m not drinking because I’m the designated driver when they live a few hundred feet away. Maybe I’ll bring my own water and will tell them my DD religion doesn’t allow alcohol.

by -
0 51
METRO photo

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publish:

This one just passed was my favorite weekend of the year: Thanksgiving. It started last Wednesday night, as all good weekends should. We, the Dunaief Clan, have managed to extend it into three, even four days. We deserve no less. Like many American families, our immediate members are stretched across the entire continent, from the California coast to Pennsylvania, and from below the Mason-Dixon Line and the Florida Peninsula to the Gulf of Mexico. They need that much time just to get to Grandma’s house and back.

What’s waiting for them when they arrive? Food! All kinds of favorite foods. And love. Lots of love that bridges three generations with mighty hugs. Why, it even takes a good part of that long weekend before all the members of the family finish hugging each other, at which point we sit down to eat. We get back up some hours later, only to regroup for the next meal. We know we are among the fortunate in that regard and give thanks.

Food means so many different things. There are the traditional historic dishes that symbolize the meal reputedly eaten by the Pilgrims. But we have added more to the basics. And each person has a favorite that tickles them when they look at the offerings on the laden table and know it was prepared especially for them. Food is love, and special foods carry that message.

It still amazes me to be surrounded by the many members of my tribe. Some 60 years ago, before I was married, there was just I. Then, three months later, there were the two of us, my husband and me. And then there were children and children-in law, and their children and now, their new daughter-in-law and my first granddaughter-in-law. Together we populate the dining room and fill the house with chatter and laughter.

One of the high points of the weekend follows dinner, when we are still sitting around the table, digesting sufficiently until we can have dessert, and we tell each other what we are most thankful for that occurred in the past year. In that way, I get to catch up on some of the events in my loved ones’ lives and they on mine.

Speaking of dessert, the pumpkin pies were an issue again this year. For almost all the Thanksgivings we have celebrated here, 55 to be exact, we have enjoyed the classic finale from The Good Steer. Their pies pleased all our taste buds, from my offspring to my parents, who would join us from NYC during those early years. Alas, the restaurant on Middle Country Road in Lake Grove is no more; the owners having closed the business. 

So, faced with this significant void, I have done some research and have come up with replacements over the last couple of years. We did a scientific taste test between the offerings I procured this year. I’ve had a number of friends offer suggestions, and I thank them kindly because they understand how important it is to find an alternative source. After all, no two differently made pumpkin pies taste the same. 

The result here hung in the balance until the celebrations ended. My reputation as the Best Thanksgiving Grandma, I am relieved to tell you, is secure. We found a satisfactory replacement. In fact, there was a partisan divide between the two choices, so we will have one of each next year. 

This year, we had a first to celebrate. My oldest grandson had asked the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with to marry him, and she accepted. The wedding was this past spring, and we welcome her enthusiastically into the tribe. I give thanks for the blessing of seeing our family continue to grow.

I hope all of you, Dear Readers, had a Happy Thanksgiving with the foods you enjoy and the people you love, whether they be relatives or close friends or perhaps those you recently met and with whom you have chosen to share this celebratory meal.

On this day, we give thanks for the special people in our lives.

by -
0 91
1 of 4
This vehicle will be up for auction on Dec. 7. Photo from SCPD Facebook
This vehicle will be up for auction on Dec. 7. Photo from SCPD Facebook
These vehicles will be up for auction on Dec. 7. Photo from SCPD Facebook
This vehicle will be up for auction on Dec. 7. Photo from SCPD Facebook

In the market for a new car? The Suffolk County Police Department Impound Section will hold an auction on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the department’s impound facility, located at 100 Old Country Road in Westhampton.

The auction will begin at 9 a.m. and will be held rain or shine. There will be a preview of vehicles on Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the impound yard. Vehicles will also be available for preview for one hour prior to the start of the auction on Dec. 7.

More than 80 vehicles will be auctioned off including sedans, SUVs and motorcycles. All vehicles will start with a minimum bid of $500 and are sold as-is.

For a full list of vehicles, registration information and terms and conditions for the auction, visit www.suffolkpd.org and click on Impound Section and Vehicle Auctions or click here.

by -
0 205
Stock photo

Suffolk County Police on Dec. 4 arrested the driver who struck and killed a pedestrian on Veterans
Memorial Highway in Bohemia on November 27 at approximately 5;15 a.m.

Seth Miller, 40, of Smithtown, was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Incident with a Fatality. The woman, Joan Foley 59, of Central Islip, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Major Case Unit detectives are continuing the investigation.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Major Case Unit at 631-852-
6555 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

by -
0 194
Pictured at Troop 888’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor are Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, (center), Eagle Scouts Douglas Antaky, Sean Bauer, Tyler Liebold, Michael K. Power and Anthony Zitoli.

Five scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout at a ceremony at the American Legion Hall in Smithtown on November 30. Celebrating their achievement were Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, family, friends and fellow scouts and scout leaders, and other guests.

Douglas Antaky refurbished the playground at Sweetbriar Nature Center and built a new zipline platform, added a child safety zipline with handles and a seat and built a seesaw to replace the damaged one for his Eagle Scout Community Service Project.

For his project, Sean Bauer designed and planted a memorial garden at Angela’s House in Smithtown, a home for medically frail children. His brother Nicky has epilepsy and autism and has benefited from their support. Sean raised funds by selling a cookbook with recipes from family, friends and scouts.

Tyler Liebold renovated the deck hockey rink at St. Pat’s, which included removing a planter and installing brick pavers, changing and painting a door and siding on a storage shed, and installing pavers outside of the shed. Tyler’s project was a labor of love as he played hockey here from first grade until 11th grade.

Michael K. Power’s Eagle Scout project benefited both the staff and students at Ascent, a school for individuals with autism. For the staff, he built a lectern and bookcases, and he raised the garden beds and bought gardening tools for the students to learn how to garden.

Anthony Zitoli also did his project at the Sweetbriar Nature Center where he restored several picnic tables and benches by replacing the wood, sanding it and staining the furniture.

At the ceremony, Legislator Trotta presented each Eagle Scout with a proclamation recognizing their achievement of the rank of Eagle Scout. “This is a very proud moment for these young men, and this accomplishment will be with them for the rest of their lives,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

Caption:
Pictured at Troop 888’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor are Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, (center), Eagle Scouts Douglas Antaky, Sean Bauer, Tyler Liebold, Michael K. Power and Anthony Zitoli.

 

by -
0 355
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Charles Weiss and Marvin Sandoval Allegedly Dumped a U-Haul Truck’s Worth of Garbage in the Long Island Pine Barrens

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Dec. 2 that Charles Weiss, 32, of Coram, and Marvin Sandoval, 28, of Ronkonkoma, were arrested for allegedly violating Suffolk’s new Evergreen Law by allegedly dumping a pile of construction waste and household debris in a remote wooded area within the protected Long Island Central Pine Barrens Region.

“Last December, I stood with the County Executive, Sheriff, and other law enforcement partners charged with protecting our environment to announce the Evergreen Initiative,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The Long Island Pine Barrens are necessary to the health of our ecosystem, but at the same time, is incredibly fragile. I am fully committed to preserving our natural heritage and will take any and all actions necessary to deter and defend against pollution.”

“Any person who is caught dumping trash or any other debris in our county parks will face the full strength of the law,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “I thank District Attorney Ray Tierney and the Suffolk County Park Rangers and Police Department for their dedication to protecting our parklands and communities.”

According to the investigation, on November 6, 2024, Weiss and Sandoval allegedly loaded a U- Haul box truck with construction waste and household debris and then drove into a remote wooded area within the Long Island Central Pine Barrens Region where they dumped the contents of the truck onto the forest floor. The materials they allegedly dumped consisted of pieces of wood furniture, used paint cans, paint rollers, shower doors, chandeliers, large pieces of styrofoam, a sink, a granite countertop, tools, and multiple bags of household garbage.

The defendants’ alleged conduct was uncovered by two civilian witnesses who had the good conscience and initiative to sift through the pile for any identifying information and then contact law enforcement. A joint investigation between the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Suffolk County Park Rangers, and the Town of Riverhead Police Department identified Weiss and Sandoval, who had allegedly solicited a job of cleaning up a house for a $1,000 fee and then, instead of proper disposal, allegedly selected the Pine Barrens as their dump site.

About the Evergreen Initiative

In December 2023, District Attorney Raymond Tierney, County Executive Ed Romaine, and Sheriff Errol Toulon, along with leadership of the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Suffolk County Park Rangers, Long Island Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Commission, and Crime Stoppers, announced the Suffolk County Evergreen Initiative – a collaborative plan to curb illegal dumping on county property and within the Central Pine Barrens Region by ramping up and coordinating enforcement, imposing harsher fines, and enhancing civilian incentive to report dumpers.

In early 2024, the Suffolk County Legislature amended Suffolk County Code § 433-7 to raise the maximum fines for dumping in the Pine Barrens Region to $15,000 for individuals and $25,000 for corporations. It additionally mandated that 33% of fines collected from convictions under the statute would be remitted to members of the public who provided information leading to the arrest and conviction of offenders. This award was designed to spur the interest and assistance of the public in identifying and preventing illegal dumping in this largely unsurveilled area.

The Evergreen Initiative thus relies heavily on deterrence and citizen stewardship as a means of protecting an otherwise vulnerable and voiceless victim. The amendments were thereafter signed into law by the County Executive and enacted in March 2024.

About the Pine Barrens

The Long Island Pine Barrens Region, also referred to as the Long Island Pine Barrens Preserve, Central Pine Barrens Area, Core Preservation Area or Compatible Growth Area, is Long Island’s largest natural area and its last remaining wilderness, covering more than 100,000 acres. The Pine Barrens Region overlays and recharges a vast portion of Long Island’s sole-source aquifer. All of Long Island’s drinking water comes from underground wells fed by this aquifer. The majority of the Carmans River and Peconic River and their watersheds exist within the Pine Barrens. The Pine Barrens are a vital stopping point for various species of migratory birds and Long Island’s last undisturbed home to a vast array of local wildlife.

The health of all of Long Island is utterly dependent on the integrity of the Pine Barrens. In recognition of its extreme ecological significance – not just as a wildlife preserve but sole source of drinking water – New York State enacted the Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve Act in 1990 and, along with it, the Central Pine Barrens joint planning and policy commission.

On Nov. 27, Weiss and Sandoval were each arraigned on charges of violating section 433-7 of the Suffolk County Code (the Evergreen Law.) Riverhead Town Justice Court Judge Sean Walter ordered both Weiss and Sandoval to be released on their own recognizance. Weiss and Sandoval are both due back in court on Jan. 8. Weiss is being represented by William Newman, Esq. and Sandoval is being represented by Robert Strecker, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Williams of the District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental, and Animal Safety Team, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Thomas Smith of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad, with investigative assistance provided by Suffolk County Park Rangers and members of the Riverhead Town Police Department.

 

 

by -
0 159
Check presentation to Rise Life Services. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Bar Association

The Suffolk County Bar Association’s Charity Foundation in Hauppauge (www.scba.org) recently donated $20,000 to RISE Life Services, a children’s suicide prevention program in Suffolk County.

Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Bar Association

RISE Life Services actively engages with Suffolk County vulnerable at-risk youth, connects with them, and saves lives by providing the highest quality of mental health services, recreational activities, family support services, educational and vocational support, and wellness strategies — all free of charge to the participant.

Presenting this generous donation was Suffolk County Bar Association President, Patrick McCormick, Esq., Suffolk County Bar Association Charity Foundation Director, Danielle Coysh, Esq., and Managers Daniel A. Russo, Esq., and Maggie Bopp, Esq.

“Every child is worth protecting. We are proud to support the lifesaving work RISE Life Services provides Suffolk County’s children,” said Coysh. 

by -
0 484
Debra Giugliano, RN, PhD. Photo by Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine

Debra Giugliano, RN, PhD, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Stony Brook University School of Nursing, was recently selected by the State University of New York (SUNY) to be a member of the inaugural class of the SUNY Nursing Simulation Fellowship, an initiative for the 2024-25 academic year that will further advance all SUNY nursing programs to adopt simulation-based education for students.

Simulation training in Stony Brook’s School of Nursing is an integral aspect of clinical education in the future workforce. Photo by Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine

Announced by the SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., the Fellowship is also part of a larger effort to prepare more nurses for New York State’s health care workforce – a major objective of Governor Kathy Hochul and SUNY. It was developed based on recommendations from the SUNY Future of Health Care Workforce Task Force, a group organized to guide SUNY in addressing the critical health care workforce shortage and Governor’s goal of increasing this workforce in NYS by 20 percent. Nursing simulation is one of four priority areas identified by the Task Force.

The 11 Fellows of the inaugural class will advance their knowledge and skills in simulation training by completing a six-month continuing education and simulation training program, attending monthly virtual meetings and in-person retreats on the topic led by SUNY, and attend the International Meeting on Simulation Healthcare from January 10-14 in Orlando, Fla.

As of May 2023, SUNY nursing students can complete as much as one-third of their clinical training through simulation education.

“We are excited for the School of Nursing and for Dr. Giugliano with her selection for this inaugural Nursing Simulation Fellowship,” said Pat Bruckenthal, RN, PhD, Dean of the Stony Brook University School of Nursing. “This opportunity will enable Dr. Giugliano to bring our student learning experiences to the forefront of innovation and impact the preparation of our next generation of nurse leaders.”

A long-time clinician and educator in the School of Nursing and a resident of St. James, Giugliano is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and pediatric oncology nurse. Her clinical specialties include caring for children with cancer and blood disorders in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The recipient of numerous awards in nursing clinical care and training, Giugliano is also the Founder and Director of the internationally recognized School Intervention and Reentry Program at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

“I am honored to have been chosen for this Fellowship and look forward to gaining the necessary expertise to elevate nursing simulation and create a nursing simulation network within SUNY,” said Giugliano.

She and other fellows will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of simulation-based learning across the SUNY system. Through their expertise, they will contribute to the development of the SUNY Simulation Shared Resource Library, a central repository of nursing simulation resources that will benefit nursing education programs system-wide.

 

 

Captions:

Simulation training in Stony Brook’s School of Nursing is an integral aspect of clinical education in the future workforce.

Credit: Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine

 

Debra Giugliano, RN, PhD

Credit: Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine

123...470Next Page 1 of 470
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©