At the end of June, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull called on the community to “wear your pride colors on Wednesday, June 30, as we celebrate Pride Month!” The celebration was held outside the hospital in the Marcus Garvey Parking Lot (760 Broadway). Rainbow was the color scheme of the day.
Woodhull Hospital has held annual Pride Month celebrations, and this year they included a parade element for the first time. They have a history of being a support to the LGBTQIA community. Keith Haring was commissioned to paint a mural there in 1986, and in 2017 the Pride Health Center opened to give North Brooklyn its first comprehensive health center dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community.
“The purpose of the event was to show our continued support to the LGBTQIA community and to let the community know that we are here for them and to advise them of the plethora of services available at Woodhull and in the community to address their needs,” said Michelle Hernandez, Woodhull Hospital Public Affairs.
Community advocates and Woodhull Hospital staff were also acknowledged at the event by U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez and Assembly Member Maritza Davila. The honorees were: Maria Pineiro, Woodhull Hospital Senior Associate Director (retired last week); Peter Caballero; Ramon Lopez, Community Advisory Board; Valerie Santangelo, Woodhull Hospital NP Pride Center; Robert Garcia, entertainer; Jayse Vegas, entertainer; Stephanie Bermudez, entertainer; Devoe Monique, entertainer; Samy Nemir Oliveras, District Leader and LGBTQIA Advocate, and Raymond Ayala, CAMBA employee.
The Mistress of Ceremonies for the event was Jessica Arocho, Woodhull Hospital Community Affairs Director. She coordinated the event along with the assistance of Woodhull Hospital Public Affairs, HR, Patient Relations, and Ambulatory Care. There were over 200 people in attendance.
The Greenline 