(BROOKLYN, NEW YORK) - Nurses, Doctors and other Caregivers recently joined with Community Members, Faith Leaders and Elected Officials to demand an independent review of One Brooklyn Health System (OBH) governance and New York State’s progress toward Vital Brooklyn goals to improve health care after the sudden ouster of OBH CEO LaRay Brown.

Billionaire Real Estate Investor and Political Donor Alexander Rovt, who serves as OBH’s Board Chairman, orchestrated Brown’s removal without any input from the community and Labor partners involved in Brooklyn’s health care transformation.

Rovt’s actions threaten to destabilize health care delivery in Brooklyn when accountable leadership and more resources are sorely needed, those involved say.

OBH emerged after a commitment from New York State’s Elected Leaders to transform Brooklyn health care, address the social determinants of health and invest in the full range of health care needs. 

OBH operates Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Interfaith Medical Center, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center - Safety Net Hospitals that largely serve Neighborhoods of Color in Central and Eastern Brooklyn.

1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President George Gresham said: “The Board of One Brooklyn Health must be responsible and accountable to patients, the community, and Workers.  We demand that Governor Hochul ensure proper oversight, reform the Board and make real investments in safety-net institutions to ensure that all Brooklyn residents have access to the quality health care they deserve.”

The Health Care Workers and Elected Officials want Governor Kathy Hochul to demonstrate her commitment to the same goals by: Working with the Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office to restructure the OBH Board, ensuring full community representation and adherence to proper governance procedures; Supporting an independent review of the State’s progress towards Vital Brooklyn goals, including OBH’ financial position; Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the current and potential Executive Leadership Team at OBH to ensure the best possible outcomes for the organization; Expediting the implementation of existing investments in OBH and the communities, including building the Medical Village at the Kingsbrook Campus and fully funding the Rutland Nursing Home; Proposing new Executive Budget investments that address Medicaid underfunding and the impact of funding policies which keep safety net institutions cash-poor and in constant crisis.  These must end structural inequities and build long-term sustainability to serve vulnerable communities; and Ensuring vital Brooklyn housing initiatives on OBH land fully benefit the community by directing any proceeds to reinvestment in the Hospital System and ensuring Central Brooklyn residents - and especially Health Care Workers - have affordable access to apartments built on hospital property.

Vital Brooklyn is an ongoing Community Development Program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn that offers a holistic approach that focuses on eight integrated areas of improvement: Open space and recreation; Healthy food; Education; Economic empowerment; Community-based violence prevention; Community-based health care; Affordable housing; and Resiliency.

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Healthcare Workers, NYCPA Williams, Bklyn Borough President Reynoso, State Lawmakers & City Council Members Urge Gov. Hochul to Stand Up to Billionaire (1199seiu.org)