900 South Avenue, Suite 402

Staten Island, NY 10314

Phone: 718-477-1400

Contact: Jaclyn Gerard

Email:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9th Annual Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo Focuses on

Community Resources and the Drug Epidemic

Staten Island, New York, September 11, 2017: The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) announced today its plans for the 9th Annual Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo to be held on October 11, 2017 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Staten Island, NY. The Expo, scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., is a day-long event showcasing seminars, exhibitors, medical screenings, fitness and healthy food demonstrations that are free and open to the public. The Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo is the only event of its kind in the borough and is expected to attract over 2,500 people and over 100 vendors.

The Expo is presented by NYC Councilman Steven Matteo, Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, and Richmond University Medical Center, An Affiliate of the Mount Sinai Health Network. Host sponsors include Williams Eye Works and Visiting Nurses Association of Staten Island. Corporate sponsors include TD Bank, Casandra Properties, and the Von Agency. United Airlines has been named the Official Airline of the 2017 Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo. Extensive support for the Expo youth education initiative is provided by ADCO Electric, Puddin’ Kids First, Assemblyman Michael Cusick and Borough President James Oddo. Additional supporters of the expo include Morrison Food Service, ShopRite and Costco.

“We are engaging with our healthcare and taking control of our health,” said Barrington Burke-Green of Visiting Nurse Association of Staten Island and SIEDC Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo Event Ambassador and Host Sponsor. “This event allows Staten Islanders to learn about cutting edge developments in healthcare, understand the opioid epidemic and receive free health screenings.”

OPEN & FREE SEMINARS

  1. Opioid Safety Training- Tools for Businesses and Their Employees– (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Cherry Willow Suite) In the past few years on Staten Island, many lives have been claimed due to opioid overdoses. Opioid use disorder and overdose can happen to people of any age, race/ethnicity and income level. Due to this issue and the multiple overdoses that have happened in business and public restrooms, the TYSA coalition developed an initiative to assist retail establishments in taking safety precautions to protect their employees and customers. This training session will provide business owners with tools to protect their establishments, and will also give information on resources available to employees that may be struggling with substance use. Each participant will receive a toolkit with information on strategies to protect customers, signage for employee spaces on how to respond to an opioid emergency and posters to educate customers about overdose prevention and community resources. The seminar will conclude with a naloxone (Narcan) training and all will receive a free kit with two doses of this life saving medication that they will be encouraged to store on site.
  1. Autism Awareness – (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the Cherry Willow Suite) Local non-profit organization, Eden II, which strives to provide the maximum help possible to the autism community through education, adult day programs, residential care, family support, respite, and a number of other services, will host an Autism Awareness seminar for families, caregivers and community partners.
  1. PANDAS Awareness – (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Cherry Willow Suite) According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), as many as one in 200 children in the United States may suffer from PANDAS/PANS, post-infectious autoimmune encephalitis caused by streptococcus. Many of these children are misdiagnosed and mislabeled as having psychiatric and behavioral disorders. Anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, separation anxiety and loss of cognitive skills are some of the symptoms that are rarely associated with an infection, but should be, especially something as common as streptococcus.Emmy nominated director Tim Sorel tracks the journey of six children and their families as they become tangled in the nightmare of a medical system where there is fierce disagreement about how to help these children. It also tells the struggle of Dr. Susan Swedo who linked strep to these debilitating mental health conditions.Attendees will enjoya screening of an educational version of the movie plus a question and answer panel. This session will be led by Staten Island resident, film editor, mother, and advocate of two children with PANDAS, Christine Mitsogiorgakis.
  1. JCC of Staten Island’s Financial Lessons and Elder Law – (2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge) This seminar will focus on common retirement mistakes to avoid, legal documents in retirement, trusts, wills and real estate issues, personal and trust income tax issues, Medicaid and protecting your assets later in life.
  1. JCC of Staten Island’s S.A.I.L – (2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge) S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) is an evidence-based program managed by the JCC of Staten Island. This class includes group strength, balance, and aerobic exercise to help prevent falls and fall-related injuries. This seminar is geared for the elderly population of Staten Island.
  1. Stop the Bleed – (2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Cherry Willow Suite) Motivated by the tragedy in Sandy Hook and multiple tragedies that have occurred in the ensuing years, what has become known as the Hartford Consensus was convened to bring together leaders from law enforcement, the federal government, and the medical community to improve survivability from manmade or natural mass casualty events. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma is leading the effort to save lives by teaching the civilian population to provide vital initial response to stop uncontrolled bleeding in emergency situations. This is being accomplished by the development of a comprehensive and sustainable bleeding control education and information program targeted to civilians that inform, educate and empower the 300+ million citizens of the United States. This session is geared towards college, nursing, physician assistant students and the general public.

STUDENT/EDUCATION SESSIONS

  1. Elementary School Keynote – (9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Teahouse Garden) The elementary school presentation will feature Bubbles Playhouse on the Go, the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office’s Therapy Dog, “Bronsky,” and a “Too Good for Drugs” presentation from the YMCA and NYPD. Over 200 elementary school students throughout the day will learn about healthy lifestyles and making healthy decisions.
  1. Stop the Bleed – (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Lobby Lounge) This modified version of the adult “Stop the Bleed” workshop will be geared for high school students, and will feature lecture and hands-on activities that will teach students how to provide a vital initial response to stop uncontrolled bleeding in emergency situations.
  1. Careers in Healthcare – (11:00 am. to 12:00 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge) SIEDC’s Health and Wellness Professionals Council welcomes high school and college students to learn about the latest careers in healthcare, and the education and training required to become a healthcare professional of tomorrow.

SPECIAL EVENTS (FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

  1. Community Health Hero Awards Ceremony – (3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Teahouse Garden) The Community Health Hero Awards Ceremony recognizes individuals and organizations that have gone beyond the call of duty for the Staten Island community, and has improved the overall quality of life in the borough.
  1. Scared Straight – (7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Trevi Tent) Alicia Reddy, also known as“Addiction Angel” will be hosting a “Scared Straight” forum for children, families and victims of substance abuse on Staten Island. This event is open to everyone 12 years of age and older. Attendees will be joined by friends/family members who have lost a loved one to drug addiction. Staten Islanders in recovery will share their stories and professionals, healthcare providers and law enforcement will provide tips and insight into families and young adults.
  1. Winter Wonderland, Staten Island – (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Prefunction Area) Discounted tickets to Winter Wonderland, Staten Island will be distributed to residents on a first come first serve basis.

FREE MEDICAL SCREENINGS

Free medical screenings will be provided by Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, Richmond University Medical Center, An Affiliate of the Mount Sinai Health Network, Community Health Center of Richmond and Audiology Island. The following screenings will be available to the general public: abdominal vascular screening, behavioral screening for depression, gambling & substance use, blood pressure, carotid artery disease screening, dental screening, diabetes screening, cholesterol & lipid screening, electrocardiograms or EKG, glucose, hearing exams, lung screening, obstructive lung disease (spirometry screening), peripheral arterial disease (ankle brachial index) screening, podiatry screenings and foot massage, SBIRT, substance use disorder screenings and NARCAN training, and sleep apnea screening. Free Flu Shots will also be available by Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health. Screenings will be conducted in the Brittons Oak Room and Wisteria Room from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

TICKETED EVENTS

  1. Expo Opening Ceremony – (9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the Trevi Tent) The Expo Opening Ceremony for the Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo sponsors and vendors kicks off the event. IlluminArt Productions will open the event with the National Anthem. The special guest speaker will be Staten Island’s own actor, producer and philanthropist, Theo Rossi. Rossi currently stars as ‘SHADES’ on Marvel’s “Luke Cage” for Netflix. Rossi formerly played the fan favorite ‘Juan Carlos “JUICE” Ortiz’ on the critically acclaimed television series “Sons of Anarchy” on FX.In the midst of his busy work schedule, Rossi makes it a point to carve out time for his philanthropic work. He founded GoGetItLIFE in late 2014. The brand encourages a healthy, positive lifestyle through its active online blog community and social media engagement, in addition to its 5K Race Series held annually throughout New York City. Proceeds of GoGetItLIFE are donated to charities such as A Very Special Place and Louie’s Legacy. In the wake of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, Rossi founded StatenStrong, to rebuild his hometown of Staten Island, NY. Through StatenStrong Rossi organized a team of volunteers who rebuilt three homes on the island and provided more than half a million dollars in emergency assistance to affected families.
  1. SIEDC All Member Mixer – (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge) SIEDC will host a networking session to enhance business development opportunities for all SIEDC members. This mixer will be presented by Investors Bank. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Megan Kenny, SIEDC Director of Membership and Events at

For businesses and organizations interested in participating in the 9th Annual Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo, SIEDC offers several levels of vending and sponsorship packages. Vending highlights include the Community Resource Wing, which offers information about various medical, social and wellness services. Community partners are encouraged to inquire about this premiere vending location. Fitness and healthy food demonstrations will be provided by Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health, Morrison Food Services, JCC of Staten Island, YMCA, GrowNYC, City Harvest and Snug Harbor. To register online or to view the full schedule, please visit siedc.org/events or call the office at 718-477-1400.

SIEDC is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit corporation, the mission of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) is to enhance a thriving Staten Island economy by promoting public and private investment, and encouraging the development of commercial and industrial property and projects in an environmentally friendly manner, all of which improve the quality of life and provide broad and diverse employment opportunities.

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