The Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Hills celebrated its grand reopening on Friday with a ceremony attended by elected officials, rabbis from around Queens and guests. The $16 million project took two years to complete and was funded through government loans and with the help of Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, the parent group of Margaret Tietz. “We wanted a more modernized facility,” said Mike Fassler, president and CEO of BAFHS. “The rehab center wasn’t built for today, but now it is.” As part of the renovations, the nursing center redid every room from top to bottom, which, according to Executive Director Joseph Seminaro, was quite challenging. “It was very difficult to make the improvements with residents still in the building,” Seminaro said.The common areas and dining facilities were upgraded, each room got brand new furniture and window treatments and the rehabilitation facility was completely redone. Jonathan Chung, an occupational therapist, said the changes will do so much for the quality of life at the center. “It makes the center more appealing, easier for families to visit in a more comfortable environment,” Chung said. “It makes the patients feel at home while their not at home.” The center — originally opened in 1971 to care for Holocaust survivors — is a 200-bed skilled nursing facility that provides sub-acute and long-term care. The professional staff includes board certified physicians, physical therapists, registered nurses, registered dietitians, psychologists, recreation therapists and even a doctor of holistic and Chinese medicine. During a ceremony, the elected officials in attendance were given the opportunity to speak, and every one of them had kind words about the center. “Margaret Tietz is such an important institution in the community,” said Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows). “They are a valuable resource and a very good friend of the community.” Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing), whose grandfather spent time at the facility, said the support he and the family received was top-notch. “The compassion was just overwhelming and touching,” Meng said. Though the center caters mostly to the Jewish community, it is open to patients of any background. Councilman Peter Koo (R-Flushing) said that the Chinese community is “really lucky to have Margaret Tietz.” Also in attendance were Deputy Borough President Barry Grodenchik, Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), Assemblymen David Weprin (D-Little Neck) and Michael Simanowitz (D-Flushing) and state Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone). Stavisky said that legislators are “tough people” and that when they send loved ones, especially parents, to a facility like Tietz, it must be because of the quality of care. And Grodenchik, who was representing Borough President Helen Marshall, echoed the sentiments of the others, saying that Margaret Tietz is the “gold standard for care in Queens County.” Read Article from the Queens Courier website Read Printed Article in the Queen Chronicle: Margaret Tietz Dedicates Its Refurbished Facility

The Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica revealed its newly-renovated care units, as well as an expanded rehab gym, at an event packed with elected officials, community members, facility employees and volunteers. “We never closed down a bed, even with all these renovations and we’re really, really proud of what we have here,” said Director of Public Affairs Linda Spiegel at the grand reopening on Friday, September 23. “We are so proud of the fact that we’ve expanded our services to so many more communities. It’s a melting pot, the borough of Queens, and we’re here to service everybody the best way that we know how.” That service now includes a thoroughly-renovated rehab gym, which has nearly doubled in size and is loaded with state-of-the-art rehab equipment. In that very same gym, Margaret Tietz Executive Director Joseph Seminaro welcomed all visitors and officially opened the facility’s newest AMENnities™ for the body and soul. “This is the culmination of a long and arduous construction project. And it’s the type of project that becomes difficult in terms of doing this kind of refurbishment while residents are still in the facility,” Seminaro said. “Mortar and bricks are wonderful and that’s what you’ve seen today, but it’s more the heart and soul of the staff that renders the best care.” Queens legislators in attendance included Assemblymember Rory Lancman, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblymember Grace Meng, Assemblymember David Weprin, Councilmember Peter Koo, Councilmember James Gennaro and Assemblymember Michael Simanowtiz. Many elected officials had family members who have benefited from the care at Margaret Tietz, including Meng, who recalled the attention her grandfather received at the facility. “Like many of our colleagues in government, my grandfather too was here for a period of time and the sensitivity and compassion shown by the leadership and staff at Margaret Tietz was just overwhelming and very touching,” she said. “And it speaks volumes that so many of us have had family and loved ones here. What a wonderful asset this facility is for the entire Queens community.”