QUEEN LAWMAKER INTRODUCES BILL PROTECTING
SMALL BUSINESSES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
AdvantageCare Physicians opens new medical offi ce in Flushing
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MARCH 5-MARCH 11, 2021 17
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
AdvantageCare Physicians
(ACPNY), one of the
largest primary and specialty
care practices in New York
City, announced on Monday,
Feb. 23, the opening of its
new Flushing Annex Medical
Office.
The new medical office,
located at 41-61 Kissena Blvd.,
will house gastroenterology
(GI) consultative and endoscopic
procedures in Flushing,
one of New York City’s most diverse
neighborhoods.
As part of ACPNY’s commitment
to population and
community health, doctors
and clinical staff will perform
colonoscopy and upper
endoscopy procedures at the
new office, with a focus on prevention,
early detection and
treatment of gastrointestinal
cancers and other digestive
diseases and disorders.
“Our new facility is designed
to put patients at ease,
serving as a beacon of excellence
for GI care in the community,”
said Dr. Navarra
Rodriguez, chief medical officer
of ACPNY. “We are excited
to continue to expand
care options in the Flushing
community.”
Photo courtesy of AdvantageCare
Physicians
The center features endoscopy
units and offers patients
convenient access to gastroenterology
care and procedures
within the safety of a dedicated
office. The experience aims to
offer patients a personal office
visit that is efficient and respectful
of the patient’s medical
and cultural needs.
The state-of-the-art, 5,300-
square-foot office includes:
• Two procedure rooms,
equipped with the latest endoscopy
testing and treatment
technology;
• Seven-bed post-anesthesia
care unit;
• An endoscope reprocessing
room, equipped with the
latest technology in scope reprocessing,
infection control
and patient safety;
• Large waiting area that
accommodates social distancing
safety protocols;
• Four patient examination
rooms and three physician
consultative offices;
• Continued partnership
with North America Partners
in Anesthesia providers for
procedure-related anesthesia
services
“This new office will be
the largest GI endoscopy unit
at ACPNY and very likely one
of the largest office-based
endoscopy units in the NYC
area,” said Dr. Leon E. Kurtz,
senior vice president of Specialty
Services, Gastroenterology
at ACPNY. “We are
proud of how well it has come
together and thrilled for the
opportunity to further help
our patients and community
through this specialty unit.”
For more information
on ACPNY and the care options
they provide, visit their
website.
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by e-mail at cmohamed@
schnepsmedia.com or
by phone at (718) 260–4526.
BY BILL PARRY
As small businesses across Queens
and New York state continue to be impacted
during the COVID-19 economic
crisis, state Senator Michael Gianaris
announced new legislation aimed at
protecting commercial tenants.
The measure would protect small
business owners from having personal
liability provisions in leases invoked
if they were forced to close during the
coronavirus emergency.
“Small businesses are the backbone
of our communities and have suffered
tremendously during the pandemic,”
Gianaris said. “We must do what we can
to keep these neighborhood institutions
alive while we fight for federal and state
relief these businesses deserve.”
Leases with personal liability provisions
hold business owners personally
liable when they are not able to pay rent,
and are common for many small businesses
that were shuttered due to government
mandates related to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Gianaris drafted the legislation after
working with Kambri Crews, the owner
and operator of Q.E.D. Astoria, a comedy
and entertainment venue, who holds this
type of lease,
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been
devastating to small businesses and the
communities they serve, but we’re in the
home stretch,” Crews said. “Personal liability
protections will grant small business
owners the confidence to focus on
rebuilding businesses and communities
without fear of utter financial ruination
looking over them. If personal liabilities
aren’t protected then many business
owners, myself included, will have to
close their doors to protect themselves
and their families. This protection will
keep business owners invested in their
communities without the worry of personal
financial devastation due to events
entirely beyond their control.”
Similar provisions are already in
place in New York City after Manhattan
Councilwoman Carlina Rivera authored
its personal liability suspension law.
“Small business owners put their
heart and soul into their enterprises and
our community depends on them,” Rivera
said. “No one should fear a landlord
going after their personal savings during
this pandemic. I was proud to enact
a law like this on the city level, and I am
pleased to support Senator Gianaris as
he leads this effort statewide.”
Meanwhile, Gianaris announced the
state Senate passed his legislation mandating
a consumer advocate have a voting
seat on the New York State Public
Service Commission.
“Too often the Public Service Commission
serves the industries it regulates
rather than the public,” Gianaris said. “A
voice for consumers on the PSC would be
a powerful step to move things in the right
direction. I am glad the Senate passed my
bill to require exactly that.”
The PSC is comprised of five members.
The board regulates telecommunications,
electricity, steam, natural gas,
and water service delivery. Gianaris
has been active on PSC reform, authoring
other measures including requiring
specific qualifications for Commission
members.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at
bparry@schnepsmedia.com or by phone
at (718) 260–4538.
Astoria business owner Kambri Crews speaks during a recent rally.
Courtesy of Gianaris’ offi ce
Photo courtesy of AdvantageCare Physicians
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