OPINION: Let LICH live!
On March 19, the State University of New York voted again to approve the closure of Brooklyn’s Long Island College Hospital (LICH), arguing that it is underutilized by patients.
That’s news to Awilda Montes, a scrub nurse who has worked in LICH’s operating room for the past 13 years. “This place is packed,” says Montes. “We are always busy.”
In fact, many of SUNY’s claims about LICH do not align with reality. Contrary to misinformation from SUNY, we believe the hospital could remain viable – and even thrive – with the right planning, management and vision. Sadly, despite multiple requests from the State Comptroller and others, SUNY has not publicly released even a basic business plan for the hospital.