Borough President Vito Fossella Allocates Funding For State-Of-The-Art Biplane Imaging At RUMC9/16/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella announced a $1.52 million capital allocation to acquire state-of-the-art biplane imaging technology for the new vascular institute at Richmond University Medical Center.
The Joan and Alan Bernikow Heart and Vascular Institute, which is slated to open next year, will bring together advanced cardiology and neuroscience services in one unit. Biplane imaging is one of the most advanced interventional technologies available. It uses two rotating cameras, one on each side of the patient, to take simultaneous images. As the cameras move from side-to-side and front-to-back, they produce highly detailed images of blood vessels, soft tissue, and blood flow in real-time. Biplane imaging is also used to path the blood flow through vessels, which helps to find the precise location of disease or malformation. The project expands RUMC’s existing Catheterization Suite, which currently treats over 500 cardiac patients annually. The number of preoperative and holding bays will also be increased to better accommodate patient volume while improving patient flow and staff services. Additionally, the allocation includes refurbishing the existing waiting area and reception area. Borough President Fossella said he is “humbled and appreciative that I get to play a little part in this." He also said the new equipment will provide more reasons for Staten Islanders to stay at home to find high-quality health care. “This is an outgrowth of that premise,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference in the hospital’s Sipp Auditorium . “Not only will this provide better health care to the existing patients, but it’s going to allow other patients to come here who would have gone someplace else. My only hope and prayer is that people will live longer and better and get better care because of this."  Borough President Vito Fossella stood between the soaring wings of the Postcards Memorial, which perfectly frame the spot where the Twin Towers once stood, to remember the 267 Staten Islanders who were lost 24 years ago and the First Responders who have died since due to their work at Ground Zero. Hundreds gathered for the annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony amid a backdrop of American flags. Bells tolled, heads bowed, and tears were shed as the names were read one-by-one by their family members. “Staten Island took a heavy hit on 9/11 and it’s wonderful you all came out to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day,” said Borough President Fossella. “Innocent people should not be slaughtered or killed because of what they believe. That goes against what the United States has been all about. So, as we keep the 9/11 families in our prayers and thoughts, let’s stand together and be united like we were 24 years ago.” Mayor Eric Adams remarked on the strength of New Yorkers. “I think the most significant part is what happened on 9/12,” said Mayor Adams. “We got up. Our city responded. Builders built, teachers taught, firefighters did their job, police officers continued to secure our city. It was as though those attacks would collapse our city, but we showed our resiliency. When we got up, the whole country got up.” The processional was performed by the Staten Island Pipers and the colors were presented by the United States Coast Guard Sector New York and the United States Army. Rebecca Quilla sang the National Anthem. Bishop Peter Byrne, pastor of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, led the invocation, and Bishop Victor Brown, pastor of Mount Sinai United Christian Church, led the benediction. The ceremony concluded with the Staten Island Pipers performing Amazing Grace and the Tottenville High School Ceremonial Taps Unit playing the somber echoes of Taps as family members gently placed roses at the Postcards Memorial and the First Responders Memorial. And as an FDNY tugboat sprayed water, the Tribute In Light rose into the nighttime sky across the harbor.   Borough President Vito Fossella honored two swift-thinking police officers, including one from Staten Island, for their heroics in saving two sleeping brothers and their dog when their home caught on fire in Coney Island.
He was joined by Deputy Chief Michael Glynn, commanding officer of the NYPD Quality of Life Division, and District Attorney Michael McMahon, along with the families of the two officers during a small gathering in his office. Police Officer Christopher De Sciora, a resident of Tottenville, and Police Officer Andy Guo, members of the 60th Precinct’s Quality of Life Team, responded to reports of a house fire within the vicinity of Canal Avenue and West 36th Street in Brooklyn on the morning of Aug. 10. The front door to the home was locked, but the partners heard a dog barking inside. "I don’t know if it’s in the rule book, if it’s in the training manual, or perhaps it’s good instinct and good fortune that you were there to save lives," said Borough President Fossella. "There is a family out there that is alive, there is a dog that is alive because you guys were there and responded the way you did. It’s magic and it’s appreciated.” The officers encountered a lot of smoke and initially thought the fire was in the neighbor’s yard, but he directed them to the house next door. Bodycam footage, posted to the NYPD’s Facebook page, shows them mounting a chair to climb the fence, smashing open a glass door, and immediately calling out to the residents to alert them to the fire. They quickly escorted the brothers, and their dog, Sherlock, to safety. We thank Police Officer De Sciora and Police Officer Guo for their service to the NYPD and their commitment to keeping the residents of our city safe.  Borough President Vito Fossella stood with members of the fishing and boating community to express their strong opposition to the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, a natural gas pipeline which would run under the length of the Raritan Bay.
“The concern we have is that the project will unearth or disrupt some of those sediments that are on the floor of the Raritan Bay right now,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of the Mansion Marina in Great Kills. “If that happens, what will that do to the quality of the water?" This project would add a 17.4 mile “enhancement” to an already-existing pipeline that traverses the entire width of Staten Island. The “enhanced” pipeline will flow to Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn with Staten Island bearing the risks and burdens while potentially paying a 3.5% increase for gas and service they will never receive. Borough President Fossella recalled spending time on South Beach as a child when the water and the beach were polluted. “Since that time, we have made a lot of progress to improve the quality of the water,” he said. “As a result, we have an ecosystem, fishing has gotten better, people are seeing seagulls and whales and dolphins that they never saw before. Again, where we have made progress, why would we turn back the clock?” In a letter written to Cheryl Sandrow at the state Department of Environmental Conservation last month, Borough President Fossella asked “if any other alternatives were studied or suggested for the proposed project before the sites of the Staten Island shoreland were selected.” “The waterway is a jewel, the Raritan Bay is a jewel -- let’s not tarnish it with an unnecessary project until and unless we get clearer answers,” said Borough President Fossella at the press conference.  Put the Brakes on This Parking Grab —- Sign the Petition
On Staten Island, cars aren’t a luxury — they’re a lifeline. As the most car-dependent borough, with limited transit options and families who rely on driving for work, school, and everyday life, Intro. 1138 would rip away thousands of parking spaces from our neighborhoods, punishing Staten Island drivers yet again. This one-size-fits-all daylighting plan ignores the reality of Staten Island streets. At the same time, the goal of safer streets is one we all share — but this bill goes too far. Taking away parking on nearly every corner won’t suddenly make us safer — it will only make it harder for seniors, parents, and small business owners to live and work here. If you own a corner property, you will automatically lose two parking spots in front of your own home. Staten Islanders deserve targeted safety fixes where they’re truly needed, NOT a citywide mandate that sacrifices our quality of life. Frankly, we're tired of it. Let the City Council know that we oppose the Universal Daylighting Bill by signing the petition. |