“ We’re More Than Realtors “ inLong Beach, N.Y. . . . . . Vol. III No.4

Fourth Annual Free Echocardiogram & EKG Screening

Welcome back! We hope everyone enjoyed the summer! School is back in session and we await underwriting/funding from the Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation (founded by Realtor Susan Gruen Helsinger) in cooperation with Cohen’s Children’sMedicalCenter.

We will then go before the Long Beach School Board for approval, await the signing of contracts and select a date for our fourth annual screening event. Stay tuned!

Third Annual Free Echocardiogram & EKG Screening

On May 7^th, 2011,Long Beach,New York Middle School hosted the third annual Free Echocardiogram & EKG Screening program to all eighth graders who are planning to participate in District Sports to identify any Heart/Cardiac abnormalities.

The program is administered by Dr. Rubin Cooper, new director of Pediatric Cardiology at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center of NY (formerly Schneider’s) and sponsored by fellow Realtor Susan Gruen Helsinger, founder of the Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation.

The program coordinators are Arnie Epstein, Long Beach School District Director of Health & Athletics, along with Barbara Young (District Head Nurse) and her very capable Nursing staff.

Liaison under the “We’re More than Realtors” program is LIBOR Director Neil Sterrer who received the LIBOR 2010 Community Service Award for his efforts over the past 5 years.

The May 7^th event brought 48 student athletes, along with their parents, toLong BeachMiddle School to be screened. Continental Breakfast, along with bagels and cream cheese, was provided by Carrie Bleck of Max Bialystok (Long Beach).

Dr. Scott Pilgram (Pediatric Cardiologist) of Cohen’sMedicalCenteroversaw the screening event.

School nurses Lori Montgomery, Mary Beth Thurston and Elizabeth Leibowitz assisted head nurse Barbara Young.

A few of the students screened were Alekos Mesiouris & Aaron Thompson.

Also attending were LIBOR public relations director Tricia Chirco, School Board VP Pat Gallagher, District Health & Athletic Director Arnie Epstein, City of Long Beach Public Relations Director Mary Giambalvo, Legislator Denise Ford along with her photographer Cliff Ament, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and founder Susan Gruen Helsinger.

As previously mentioned, 48 students were not only screened with an echocardiogram machine but with a new, highly sensitive EKG apparatus.

8 Students were found to have some type of heart abnormality with 1 needing immediate consultation with the doctor.

In light of the sudden death of 16 year old Long Beach Basketball player Shakur Moore on January 27^th of this year at theMLKCenter, it makes this screening program invaluable.

Almost 150 students have been screened over the past 3 years, with 12 lives saved. Over 1600 have been screened in 5 school districts with over 30 lives saved.

In the past decade, almost 100 reported sudden deaths in athletes have occurred from undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities.

We hope to continue to bring this free program to theLong BeachSchool District.

         Long Beach, New York Middle School is proud to announce the Third Annual Free Echocardiogram & EKG Screening Program to identify Heart/Cardiac abnormalities . It will take place on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 starting at 8 AM at the Middle School.

        The free screening is open to all eighth grade LBMS students planning to participate in District Sports.

        The program is administered by Dr. Rubin Cooper, New Director of Pediatric Cardiology at Cohen’s Childrens’ Medical Center of NY (formerly Schneiders) and sponsored by Susan Gruen Helsinger, founder (& fellow Realtor) of the Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation.

        The program coordinators are Arnie Epstein, Long Beach School District Director of Health & Athletics, along with Barbara Young, District Head Nurse.

        Liaisons, under the “We’re More than Realtors” program are Neil Sterrer, LIBOR Director & Joe Sinnona, President, LIBOR Nassau South Shore Chapter. Both are Long Beach Realtors.

        We look forward to a very succesful outcome.

The third consecutive year of echocardiogram screening for eighth grade student athletes at Long Beach, N.Y. Middle School will take place either April 30 or May 7, 2011.
In late January, our first possible case of undetected hypertropic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may have occurred with the sudden collapse and death of 17 year old Long Beach High School Student Shakur “Fred” Moore, while playing basketball nearby at the local MLK center. Shakur played on the High School JV Team.

On Feb 8th, 2011 Susan Helsinger, Joe Sinnona & Neil Sterrer appeared on Halftime Howie’s radio show & YouTube to discuss Moore’s death and to promote the upcoming echocardiogram screening event. We hope to appear again in late April to encourage all eighth grade student athletes to come out for the free screening.

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Neil has been in the Real Estate business since 1980, after retiring from a successful NYC teaching career, capped off by being nominated 1980 NYS Teacher of the Year.

He has been deeply involved in volunteer work as a Chapter & LIBOR Director for over 20 years, serving on countless committees & local organizations.

In 1997, he co-founded the Long Beach/Island Park Brokers Council with Realtor colleague Joe Sinnona, which he still co-chairs.

In 2007, Neil embarked on a campaign to bring echocardiogram screenings to 8th grade student athletes in the Long Beach School District, with the support of Realtor Susan Helsinger, founder of the Jason F. Gruen Research foundation, Dr. Fred Bierman, head of pediatric cardiology at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (formerly, Schneider Children’s Hospital), Arnie Epstein, Athletic & Health Coordinator of the Long Beach School District, Barbara Young, Head District Nurse, Sup’t Dr. Robert Greenberg & fellow Realtor Joe Sinnona. In its third year, almost 100 students have been screened with 4 lives saved!

In 2009, Neil became the voice of Long Beach Boys & Girls Varsity basketball games, announcing every home game. He will begin the 2010-2011 season in a few weeks.

Prior to this, he served as Trustee of the Long Beach Historical Society and Vice President of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce & is still active in the West End Civic Association.

His wife and partner, Camille, has been his supporting cast for the past 25 years.

Neil has been giving back all his life.

Congratulations!

On March 25, 2010 the Long Beach Herald ran a full page feature article about the program (now in its second year) with over 90 students screened. In April, the Realtor newspaper ran a story about the program and last month with the Island Park Tribune also ran a story. All 3 stories were run with photos.

Now, the Health & Athletics Director of the Long Beach School District (Arnie Epstein) along with the District Superintendent (Dr. Robert Greenberg) have approved the next two years of screening (instead of one year). The Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation (run by Susan Helsinger) has agreed to sponsor the event.

The next step is for Mr. Epstein to arrange for School Board Approval and prepare the contract for Schneider Children’s Hospital Approval under the direction of Dr. Fred Bierman.

The local Realtor liaisons are Neil Sterrer and Joe Sinnona. Stay tuned!

37 Long Beach Middle School student athletes received a free echocardiogram at Long Beach Middle School on Saturday, March 20, 2010. The program was voluntary and is sponsored by Susan Helsinger, Founder and President of the Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation. Schneider Children’s Hospital, under the direction of Dr. Fred Bierman, Chairman of Pediatric Cardiology, conducted the screenings with his hospital technicians and portable echocardiogram monitors. The entire event was coordinated by local Long Beach Realtors Neil Sterrer and Joe Sinnona (LIBOR Directors), as part of the national “WE’RE MORE THAN REALTORS” awareness program. 3 screenings needed more follow-up!

Below is the Save the Date flyer from the event

Also attached are paraphrased excerpts from the draft letter sent to all participants explaining the program:

                     “The Schneider Children’s Hospital of the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health Care System and the Long Beach School District once again offered a voluntary screening heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) on Saturday, March 20, 2010 for students wishing to participate in district sports programs. The ultrasound exam evaluated the size and function of the left pumping chamber of the heart (left ventricle) and the size of the main artery of the body (aorta) as well as the function of its valve (aortic valve) to identify abnormalities that may not be apparent on customary pre-participation physical examinations. Abnormal left ventricular size (cardiomyopathy), abnormal aorta size or function may result in abnormalities of heart function when an individual with such an abnormality particpates in organized, competitive sports.”

                     “The results of the screening heart ultrasound study will be forwarded approximately 6 weeks after the examination. This study is not intended to replace a sports physical if required by the school district nor is the screening heart ultrasound intended to replace the child’s evaluation by a heart specialist that is recommended by the child’s health care provider.”

Pictured above left to right are Neil Sterrer, Dr. Fred Bierman, Elizabeth Leibowitz (West School Nurse), Nassau legislator Denise Ford, Mary Beth Thurston (Middle School Nurse), Arnie Epstein (District Director of Athletics & Health), Lori Field (Lido School Nurse), Barbara Young (District Head Nurse & Ass’t. Dir. Of Health), Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg & his wife Ellen, and Joe Sinnona.

Not pictured, but in attendance was Pat Gallagher (School Board Trustee), Mary Tatem (District Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Tricia Chirco (LIBOR Public Relations Director), Rosemary Leonetti (Syntax Communications) & Arthur Findley (photographer).

Additional photos are displayed below from the event.

A special thanks goes out to Susan Helsinger, Dr. Fred Bierman & his technicians, Arnie Epstein, Barbara Young & her nursing staff, Dr. Robert Greenberg and the entire School Board for their dedication and support of this program.

 On February 3rd, 2010 a strategy meeting for the March 20th free echocardiogram screening for 8th grade student athletes in the district was attended by Arnie Epstein (District Health & Athletic Director), Barbara Young, (District Head Nurse), MaryBeth Thurston (Middle School Nurse), Audrey Goropeuschek (Middle School Principal), Joyce Leider & Dalila Duffy (Middle School PTA Presidents), Joe Sinnona & Neil Sterrer (Co-Chairmen of the local Broker’s Council & Realtor liasons for the Program). Permission slips from Schneider Children’s Hospital are being distributed to all who are eligible. Outreach & awareness events are planned prior to the screening.

Pictured above left to right, seated are Audrey Goropeuschek, Mary Beth Thurston, Joyce Leider & Dalila Duffy. Standing left to right are Joe Sinnona, Barbara Young and Neil Sterrer. Not pictured, but in attendance, is Arnie Epstein.

Below is the “SAVE THE DATE” Flyer for the event.

Also attached are paraphrased excerpts from the draft letter being sent to all particpants explaining the program:

                     “The Schneider Children’s Hospital of the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health Care System and the Long Beach School District are once again offering a voluntary screening heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) on Saturday, March 20, 2010 for students who wish to particpate in district sports programs. The ultrasound exam will evaluate the size and function of the left pumping chamber of the heart (left ventricle) and the size of the main artery of the body (aorta) as well as the function of its valve (aortic valve) to identify abnormalities that may not be apparent on customary pre-participation physical examinations. Abnormal left ventricular size (cardiomyopathy), abnormal aorta size or function may result in abnormalities of heart function when an individual with such an abnormality particpates in organized, competitive sports.”

                     “The results of the screening heart ultrasound study will be forwarded approximately 6 weeks after the examination. This study is not intended to replace a sports physical if required by the school district nor is the screening heart ultrasound intended to replace the child’s evaluation by a heart specialist that is recommended by the child’s health care provider.”

Second Free Echocardiogram Screening – March 20th, 2010

The Long Beach School District in conjunction with Schneider Children’s Hospital, The Jason F. Gruen Research Foundation, Neil Sterrer & Joe Sinnona (LIBOR Directors and Co-chairs of the Long Beach/Island Park Brokers Council) is proud to announce the second annual free echo cardiogram screening program for 8th grade Middle School student athletes on Saturday, March 20, 2010 (8 AM) in the Middle School. Outreach and awareness for this event is planned. Stay tuned!

First Screening

Last year, 52 students were screened for HCM (Hypertopic Cardiomyopathy) with one cardiac abnormality detected. We hope to screen over 100 next time.