Good Samaritan University Hospital Dedicates the Gary H. Richard & Family Neuro Intensive Care Unit

Catholic Health’s Good Samaritan University Hospital (West Islip, NY) celebrated the unveiling of the Gary H. Richard and Family Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island at Good Samaritan University Hospital. As the first Comprehensive Stroke Center on Long Island recognized by both the Joint Commission and New York State Department of Health, the center cares for thousands of patients each year. Its clinical team is a leader in brain aneurysms, endovascular, stroke and other cerebrovascular pathology, using the latest in neurointerventional technology.

“The cutting-edge work being done at the Gary H. Richard and Family Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island at Good Samaritan University Hospital is crucial to stroke and brain aneurysm patients on Long Island,” said Catholic Health President & CEO Patrick O’Shaughnessy, DO, MBA. “This unveiling represents not just a new name for the Stroke and Brain Aneurysm program and Neurointensive Care Unit, but stands as a landmark moment in Good Samaritan’s history.”

In September 2017, Good Samaritan University Hospital launched the Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island at Good Samaritan, which quickly received its recognition as a comprehensive stroke center by the Joint Commission. Today the Gary H. Richard and Family Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island at Good Samaritan features an intensive care unit dedicated to providing the most advanced care to neuro patients, including those recovering from a brain aneurysm, stroke or other neurological condition. This closed unit includes a dedicated eight-bed step-down unit and has been recognized since its opening for its clinical excellence.

“Last year, Mr. Richard supported The Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center at Good Samaritan with an unprecedented gift to expand surgical space and enhance the facility, allowing our clinicians to provide the most advanced care, patient experience and offer new, innovative technologies, which will lead to the future of neurological care,” said Kimon Bekelis, MD, FAANS, FAHA, FACS, Chairman of Neurointerventional Services for Catholic Health and Medical Director of the Gary H. Richard and Family Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island at Good Samaritan. “To be able to be a part of this special moment today, to celebrate Mr. Richard and his incredible generosity and support, is far beyond anything that I could have hoped for. I look forward to continuing to lead this program into the future and to make the Richard family proud of the countless lives that we will save together.”

Good Samaritan University Hospital is currently in the process of constructing its new $500 million, 300,000-square-foot Patient Care Pavilion, which will feature a 75-bay emergency department, 16 high-tech operating rooms and three floors of single, private patient rooms as well as larger and enhanced clinical areas. This facility will provide new amenities, comforts, state-of-the-art technology and more in support of premier programs such as the hospital’s verified Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Centers, the Gary H. Richards and Family Stroke & Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island, the St. Francis Heart Center at Good Samaritan, the Catholic Health Cancer Institute and more.

View Catholic Health stroke services.