NYS Senator Shelley Mayer Returns to Blythedale

New York State Senator Shelley Mayer was one of more than a dozen politicians who visited Blythedale this summer. Senator Mayer, a longtime friend, has been to the Hospital previously - celebrating the ribbon-cutting ceremonies of some of Blythedale's newest facilities - but this time she returned to learn more about some of the latest initiatives.

Senator Mayer represents the 37th Senate District, which includes the cities of Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, and Rye, as well as the surrounding towns and villages. She is the Ranking Democratic Member on the Education Committee, and serves on the Health Committee. Prior to her position in the Senate, she served in the NYS Assembly for six years. Her experience in healthcare runs deep, previously serving as Senior Counsel at the National State Attorney General Program at Columbia Law School, where she focused on health care and labor law rights. For more than seven years, she was Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at Continuum Health Partners, one of New York City’s largest teaching hospital systems, working to protect Medicaid and Medicare services and improving the relationship between New York City’s diverse communities and the hospital system.

The Senator toured the Hospital's Infant & Toddler Unit and Traumatic Brain Injury Unit, meeting with unit chiefs to learn about new ways in which Blythedale is improving the delivery of care to medically fragile infants and children. Senator Mayer also toured the Hospital's new assistive technology center, and learned more about how advances in technology  - and the way therapists are integrating those advances into treatment modalities - are opening doors for many of Blythedale's patients.

Following her tour, the Senator met with Blythedale President & CEO Larry Levine and Chief Legal, Planning and Government Relations Officer Adam Herbst to discuss new initiatives, including the assistive technology program and mental health services for children and adolescents with complicated medical issues. They also spoke of the ongoing battle to protect funding for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

"I feel reassured by Blythedale's long and proud history at the forefront of compassionate and innovative medical treatment, working to rehabilitate and return children with medical challenges to their homes and families," said New York State Senator Shelley Mayer.

"Senator Mayer has spent her career advocating for under-served populations," said Blythedale President and CEO Larry Levine. "Because of her background, she brings to Albany a deep and comprehensive understanding of the vital importance of preserving safety net programs such as Medicaid and CHIP for hospitals like Blythedale. She's a wonderful advocate on our behalf."