The U.S. News Honor Roll highlights 39 nursing homes with perfect performance ratings over the past year.

“Only 1 home in 400 is able to meet Honor Roll standards by getting the highest possible rating in every category  for all four quarters of 2011, “says Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor.

U.S. News evaluation of nursing homes is based on data from Nursing Home Compare, a consumer website run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The government agency sets and enforces standards for nursing homes (defined at facilities or portions of facilities enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid that provide 24-hour nursing care and other medical services.) Homes earn an overall rating of one to five stars, as well as up to five stars in each of the three underlying categories: health inspections, nurse staffing, and quality of care. U.S. News updates each nursing home’s rating data quarterly.

“I was extrememly grateful to all those who helped by donating a toy and or a food item during my 2011 holiday drive. Each toy will put a smile on a child’s face and help them through the day and each food item will help someone who would risk going hungry. Our partners, St. Mary’s and the Food Bank for New York City are wonderful organizations whose work every day truly makes a difference in people’s lives,” stated Koslowitz.

All of St. Mary’s Kids and patient families were very grateful for the generous donations, especially during the holidays.

Council Member Koslowitz represents the 29th District and serves as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee. She also serves on the Finance, Education, Rules and Privileges, Standards and Ethics and Consumer Affairs Committees.

The girls from the Phi Zeta Zeta Chapter filled with spunk and energy, brought special activities to entertain St. Mary’s Kids including arts and crafts and board games and spent the afternoon building new friendships and creating very special bonds that St. Mary’s Kids will always remember.

Going above and beyond to support St. Mary’s, the group also donated over $300 in assorted gift cards that will greatly benefit St. Mary’s Kids and their families during the holiday season.

 The employees of Human First in Lynbrook,Long Island, a not-for-profit human services organization, went above and beyond the call of duty to support the young patients of St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, in particular, a young girl whose family desperately wanted to bring her home.

Born with a heart defect, at a tender 7 months old Kaitlyn Coscia suffered from a stroke. She first began receiving home care and Early Intervention services from St. Mary’s, a premiere provider of intensive rehabilitation and specialized medical care for children with special needs due to serious illness, injury, or complications of premature birth.

Kaitlyn’s care included physical therapy, special education and speech therapy to help with her developmental delays.  Later on she was enrolled in St. Mary’s preschool program. 

After a second stroke Kaitlyn was admitted to St. Mary’s inpatient program where she began making immediate daily progress and began to do things her parents were told would never be possible. She opened her beautiful angelic eyes and was able to recognize her family and at times would respond.   Kaitlyn began doing so well; it was time for her to return home with her family.

Families with children with special needs have a lot to think about, including making their homes handicapped accessible to accommodate their child’s needs. Unfortunately, the state refused to modify Kaitlyn’s home due to a loophole in Medicaid and that’s when the team of compassionate employees at Human First stepped in.

“St. Mary’s took such wonderful care of Kaitlyn that she excelled and was ready to return home. Unfortunately, she had to stay in the hospital 2 ½ more years than needed because of the state’s refusal to modify her home,” said Mary Rendeiro, Executive Assistant at Human First.

Mary and her team fought long and hard to bring Kaitlyn home and even went all the way toAlbanyto advocate for her rights. After their persuading arguments, numerous trips and long battle, Kaitlyn’s home was finally modified.

Today, Kaitlyn continues to excel in meeting her milestones under the care of St. Mary’s renowned Home Care Program – The first in NY State and one of the largest providers in the country.

“Kaitlyn and her family are very special to us here at Human First and we were so happy to be a part of bringing her family together,” said Mary. “We know it’s because of St. Mary’s that Kaitlyn was able to meet her goals and is doing so well and we wanted to give back and support all the children of St. Mary’s and continue to help St. Mary’s in their efforts to help all special needs families achieve a better quality of life.”

Human First held their annual holiday party where little Kaitlyn was the honoree beaming from ear to ear.  Instead of a traditional Kris Kringle, everyone at the party bought a brand new book, some even bought a favorite book they enjoyed when they were little and donated everything to St. Mary’s Kids.

St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children is grateful to all the employees of Human First for their generosity and kindness, especially during the holiday season.

St. Mary’s Hospital was rocking with music, laughter, dancing and lots of holiday festivities, all courtesy of Jimmy Jamz Entertainment who brought a clown, magician and a guitarist to help St. Mary’s Kids get in gear for the upcoming holiday season.

Gathering the support of his friends and family, Jimmy also brought in over 550 brand new toys for children of all ages and really created a special holiday surprise for children whom may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the holidays.

The children of St. Mary’s are battling complex medical and life-limiting conditions due to serious illness, injury and complications of premature birth and some may not experience the joy of ripping open presents on Christmas morning.

“This was an amazing experience that we got to meet all the wonderful children at St. Mary’s and bring them a little joy during the holidays,” remarked Jimmy. “It’s all about the Kids and we did this for the love of the children.”

Jimmy is looking forward to visiting with all the children of St. Mary’s again and is already planning his next visit and fundraising event in support of St. Mary’s programs and services.

Firefighters from Engine 320, Ladder 167 and Engine 313, Ladder 164 escorted Santa Claus to St. Mary’s Hospital for Children’s rooftop to deliver toys and holiday cheer to young patients, all of whom are battling complex medical and life-limiting conditions due to serious illness, injury or complications of premature birth.

St. Mary’s Kids gathered around eagerly awaiting Santa’s entrance chanting “Santa!” “Santa!” “Santa!”

Making a special entrance, Santa finally arrived by the fire truck and climbed down from the roof of the hospital before greeting St. Mary’s kids and staff with a hefty laugh and a “Ho Ho Ho” and a Happy Holidays for all.

The firefighters spent the rest of the afternoon handing out gifts and visiting with the children and their families, taking pictures and wish lists. 

Each year, for over 10 years the dedicated and compassionate firefighters continue to bring holiday cheer to kids of all ages at St. Mary’s and has raised about $15,000 to support St. Mary’s programs and services.

“We love coming back year after year to St. Mary’s and seeing the smiles on the children’s faces,” said firefighter Keith Palumbo. “There’s no better reward. We hope to keep making this event bigger and better each year and just keep supporting a great cause.”

The annual holiday event at St. Mary’s Bayside Campus is a favorite for St. Mary’s Kids and the bayside firefighters always make sure to put a smile on all the children’s faces.

Lieutenant Mike O’Donnell and the rest of the brave firefighters thank P.C. Richard & Son and Raindew for their support of this annual event.

Employees of Bayada Nurses, a Long Island based home healthcare company, found a little time to go holiday shopping and personally hand pick gift items for the 2^nd Annual Holiday Boutique at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.

The all in one stop, shop and wrap boutique hosted by caring and compassionate home care professionals, gives all patients of St. Mary’s an opportunity to shop for free and bring home presents for their family members for the holidays, an opportunity they may not otherwise have. They even got all their presents wrapped after shopping.

The store was stocked with unique presents for Moms, Dads and siblings such as  toys, books, clothes, ornaments, coffee mugs,  jewelry and lots of other holiday items, all purchased by Bayada Nurses.

St. Mary’s Kids crossed off their lists and were all excited to be able to bring home presents for their family members.

On Sunday, December 11th young patients of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children were treated to a holiday breakfast with Santa at New York City’s renowned Hard Rock Cafe in the center of Times Square.

Nationally syndicated radio host from 106.7 Lite fm, Delilah, and three-time winner of the New York Nightlife Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist, Alan Harris, both stopped by to personally meet St. Mary’s Kids, some of New York’s most seriously ill and injured children battling complex medical and life-limiting conditions.

Between Delilah’s animated personality and Alan Harris’s amazing vocal talents, St. Mary’s Kids were kept entertained, having the time of their lives. The holiday spirit was heightened even more when all the children received early holiday presents from Santa, aka, Hard Rock Cafe.

“This was an amazing experience for the children of St. Mary’s as they got the chance to visit a New York City landmark and meet with such remarkable people who brought cheer to each and every one of their lives, said Jeffrey Frerichs, President & CEO of St. Mary’s who also joined the Kids for breakfast. This was an opportunity they may not otherwise have had and are extremely grateful for.”

Also in attendance was Ron DeCastro, General Manager of WXRK, Harry Coughlin, President Clear Channel Outdoors, and Cindy Hsu, news anchor at WCBS-TV, all who came out to support the event to bring holiday cheer to patients of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.

New York Islanders Brian Rolston, Andrew MacDonald, and Nino Niederreiter took the skate off the ice for a day and visited St. Mary’s Hospital for Children to distribute toys and spend time with some of New York’s most seriously ill and injured children battling complex medical and life-limiting conditions.

The Islanders’ annual visit to the Bayside hospital is a special holiday event St. Mary’s Kids look forward to every year as they would not otherwise have the opportunity to meet their sports heroes.

The players handed out gifts to all kids and visited all patient rooms to hand out autographed pictures and take photographs with their most loyal fans.

The Islanders were truly touched by all of St. Mary’s Kids!

St. Mary’s Kids of all ages quickly got in the holiday spirit and visited Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. Accompanied by St. Mary’s staff, the kids spent a few hours in the heart of Manhattan awing at the beautiful lights and taking lots of photos.

St. Mary’s are some of the most seriously ill and injured children battling complex medical and life-limiting conditions due to serious illness, injury and complications of premature birth.

This was an experience they will treasure forever.