May 31, 2006

Jacobs and Majority Legislators move expeditiously to appoint hospital board members

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (Woodbury) and Health & Social Service Committee Chairman Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) announced today their recommendations for appointments to the Board of Directors of the Nassau Health Care Corporation. The five recommendations will replace board members whose terms have expired.

“Together with Health Chair Jeff Toback, I have selected highly qualified and caring individuals who can bring a high level of competence and professionalism to the board,” said Jacobs. “Replacing vacancies on the board in a timely manner will move the problem-laden hospital towards a more solvent and stable future.”

The candidates:

•Anthony Guistino of Bayville, an attorney with a practice in Garden City. Mr. Guistino is a former President of the Civil Service Employees Association, Nassau Local 830 CSEA. This appointment is the Majority Leader’s appointment, and must then go to the Governor’s office for approval and does not require legislative approval. Guistino replaces Rita Wallace.

•RoseMarie C. Guercia, M.D., M.P.A. of Huntington. Dr. Guercia served on the County Executive’s Task Force on NUMC from 2002-2003; currently serves on the A. Holly Patterson Advisory Committee, E.O.C. of Nassau County, Health Services Advisory Committee, and the Nassau County Minority Health Task Force.

•Leonard Benedict, M.D., M.P.H. of Dix Hills. From 2004-2005 Dr. Benedict oversaw the NUMC’s OB-GYN Department at the Elmont Health Center and he currently has a private practice.

•Bradley Gerstman of Roslyn, president of Quest Service Group, LLC of Lynbrook. Mr. Gerstman is also an attorney, who formerly had a private law office I New York City. He is also a national best-selling author, with a history of public service. Gerstman is also the co-founder and a board member of the Lisa Beth Gerstman Foundation, which enables children with physical disabilities to experience summer camp in integrated camp settings.

•Jay L.T. Breakstone of Bellmore, an attorney with a practice in Bellmore. Mr. Breakstone is a former Board of Trustees member of the Bellmore School District and a former adjunct professor C.W. Post College, Long Island University and Five Towns College.

According to Legislator Toback, the recommendations, with the exception of Mr. Guistino’s, will go before the legislature’s committees on June 5 and are expected to pass through the full legislature for approval on June 19. If approved by the majority of the legislature’s members, the new appointees will begin serving their terms immediately.