Continuing with its “back-to-school initiative” over the course of the last month or so, Montefiore Wakefield Hospital celebrated 15 years of serving the community on Saturday, Aug. 12, with its annual health fair and back-to-school event.

 

Held at the hospital’s entrance at 600 East 233rd Street, a free backpack filled with school supplies was provided to all children in attendance, and several teams of healthcare providers were also on hand to provide free medical testing.

Various nonprofit groups were also present on the day, providing a variety of free services. Booths were also manned by staff of the FDNY’s Fire Safety and Education Unit and by the New York Public Library.

 

Reggi Jordan, vice president for clinical services, and who oversees Montefiore Wakefield, told staff and community members, “We want to celebrate 15 years of providing safe, world-class quality, patient, corporate healthcare to the residents of Wakefield, The Bronx, and our surrounding communities.”

Jordan continued, “That’s 15 years healing hearts, mending lives, and embracing hope. Together, we created a legacy of care that continues to touch and transform lives.”

 

New York State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36), a Democrat, told staff members, “In a day when we talk about A.I. and robots and all these things taking over, they can’t do what you do because they don’t feel what you feel, and you’re not in this to be rich or famous or anything about you. You do this work for us.”

 

Fellow Democrat, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who appeared with his left arm in a sling, presented hospital staff with a New York State Assembly proclamation on behalf of himself and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (A.D. 83) The hospital was also presented with a second proclamation from the Office of the Bronx Borough President.

Meanwhile, Councilman Kevin Riley (C.D. 12) who attended the event with his three children, told the crowd, “The entire staff, this entire system at Montefiore really helped my family out three times, and I really appreciate you all.” Riley continued, “As a city council member, it’s very important that we talk about healthcare, especially within The Bronx, and the healthcare system that we have in The Bronx with Montefiore is really important.”

 

Hospital staff then honored Cleothild “Cleo” Trotman R.N. for her 56 years of service to the East 233rd Street-based hospital, where she also worked prior to Montefiore’s takeover in 2008.

As Trotman stood silently, clutching the award, a daughter read her mother’s prepared statement, telling coworkers, “It’s great to be honored, to receive this special award. I’d like to thank you all for believing in me and for joining me in this unforgettable journey.”

 

According to Trotman’s daughter, Antoinette, Trotman has been a maternity nurse who has also headed the post-partum department at the hospital, while she and her husband raised their five daughters in the Edenwald and Wakefield neighborhoods of the borough.

Antoinette recalled how her mom started working at the then-Misericordia Hospital five decades ago and continued to work at the hospital after it was taken over by Our Lady of Mercy, and later by Montefiore. Antoinette added, “And now it’s Montefiore and she’s been here the whole time. We’re very proud.”

 

Another daughter, Dion, added, “We’re extremely blessed and proud of our mom today. This is a day that we’ll never forget. Our dad is looking down on us. We’re proud! We’re full of joy! This is just the greatest day!”

In 2022, according to Montefiore officials, the Wakefield hospital treated more than 15,000 people at its various clinics, delivered more than 1,200 babies, and treated more than 50,000 patients in its emergency department. They added that the same year, the hospital received a Magnet designation for nursing excellence, becoming the first and only hospital in The Bronx to earn the  prestigious designation.