Greenport, NY, June 11, 2026 — Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) celebrated its designation as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and annual Krystal Clear Award presentation on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The event recognized the collaborative efforts of hospital leadership, physicians, EMS partners, staff, elected officials, and community members who helped make this important achievement possible for the North Fork community.
“Time is brain,” remarked Paul J. Connor, III, Chief Administrative Officer at SBELIH, as he welcomed guests to the ceremony. He reflected on how, two years ago, a dedicated team at SBELIH joined forces with Stony Brook University Hospital and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital to make the vision of a Primary Stroke Center a reality. “The impetus for becoming a Primary Stroke Center was to improve outcomes and save lives here on the North Fork,” he said.
“Today represents far more than the opening of a program. It represents access, equity, quality, and lifesaving care close to home,” said William Wertheim, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine. “In stroke care, the time between the beginning of symptoms and treatment is everything. Every minute matters — to life, to brain function, and to recovery. While the residents of the North Fork and Shelter Island are blessed with beautiful geography, that can also present challenges to timely healthcare, particularly during an emergency. This designation helps ensure that patients experiencing stroke symptoms can receive rapid evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and stabilization right here in their community. For a condition that affects nearly 800,000 Americans annually and remains the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, this service is critical.”
Edward J. Boyd, Esq., President of the North Fork Volunteer Rescue Squad Association and Chair of the Suffolk Regional Emergency Medical Services Council (REMSCO), congratulated SBELIH on achieving the designation and emphasized the importance of rapid stroke treatment.
“Time is not something a stroke victim has to spare,” Mr. Boyd said. “As we are constantly reminded, ‘Time is Brain,’ meaning the longer a stroke goes untreated, the greater the damage to the brain and the lower the chance of recovery.” He concluded by wishing the hospital another 120 years of providing quality healthcare to the residents of the North Fork and Shelter Island.
Guests also heard from North Fork resident and stroke survivor Juan Ibanez, who offered a firsthand perspective on the patient experience.
“From the moment I entered the hospital, I was welcomed with warm smiles and genuine care for my well-being,” Mr. Ibanez said. “A nurse quickly came over, brought me back to a bed, and said, ‘Do not be alarmed, but we’re going to run a stroke code. This is precautionary based on your symptoms, and we want to make sure we take care of you.’”
Mr. Ibanez continued, “Within seconds, my shirt was off, and what felt like 30 people were suddenly in the emergency room, all calmly and professionally doing their jobs. Nurses and doctors were examining me, attaching heart monitor pads, asking questions, and moving quickly with purpose.”
“Looking back now, it could have felt overwhelming, but everyone remained calm and professional, which helped keep me calm too,” said Mr. Ibanez. “As a retired Marine who served 20 years and completed four combat deployments, I’ve seen chaos and I’ve lived through chaos. But the medical professionals at Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital are some of the finest healthcare professionals I could have ever hoped for. Their professionalism, teamwork, compassion, and urgency made one of the scariest moments of my life feel manageable, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
“Time is everything,” said Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski, who represents the 1st Legislative District. Presenting Mr. Connor with a Certificate of Merit recognizing SBELIH's designation, he noted, “This designation is vital for our community.”
Southold Town Board Members Anne Smith, Jill Doherty, and Brian Mealy presented a Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Connor on behalf of Supervisor Albert Krupski. Speaking on behalf of the Town, Ms. Smith highlighted the power of partnerships, noting, “This designation already strengthens our community.” Ms. Doherty thanked the ELIH Auxiliary volunteers and EMTs for their continued dedication and service to the hospital.
“This is the Golden Age of Medicine, where we can change the course of disease,” said Z. Micah Kaplan, MD, Associate Director of the Eastern Long Island Hospital Foundation. Reflecting on the hospital's history, he remarked that its physicians have always found ways to “bring us something new” and “teach us something new.”
The ceremony also included the presentation of the 2026 Krystal Clear Award. Susan Apicello, Vice President of Administration and Director of Laboratory Services, presented the honor to Nancy Williams, PT, DPT, CCI, GCS, Director of Physical Therapy. The award recognizes a member of the SBELIH team for exceptional clinical intuition and swift action in patient care.
“Nancy exemplifies the calm professionalism and attentiveness that are so critical in stroke care,” said Ms. Apicello.
“Through her clinical insight and quick recognition that something was wrong with a patient, she helped ensure that rapid action could be taken at a critical moment. Her actions reflect the importance of preparation, teamwork, and the culture of awareness that has been built throughout our hospital as part of our journey toward stroke center designation.”
Ms. Williams humbly accepted the award, saying, “Thank you for allowing me to do my job. It’s a privilege.”
The ceremony concluded with Mr. Connor unveiling the official Primary Stroke Center designation sign in the hospital lobby, flanked by representatives from Stony Brook Medicine, the Eastern Long Island Hospital Association, and SBELIH leadership. The unveiling was followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on the hospital lawn, commemorating this significant milestone and the hospital’s commitment to providing advanced stroke care close to home.
Throughout the day, invited guests and hospital staff also toured the Stony Brook Medicine Mobile Stroke Unit.
Photo Caption: William Wertheim, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President of Stony Brook Medicine, and Paul J. Connor, III, Chief Administrative Officer Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (center with scissors), joined by Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital leadership and staff, local elected officials, EMS representatives, representatives from the Southold Town Police Department at the ribbon cutting-ceremony for Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital’s Primary Stroke Center.
Photo Credit: Nomadic Friend Productions
About Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital:
As part of Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital (SBELIH) combines the best in academic and community medicine, improving access to advanced medical care for residents of the North Fork and Shelter Island. With 70 beds, SBELIH is Suffolk County’s first hospital, serving the region since 1905. SBELIH provides care to 25,000 year-round residents, expanding to more than 60,000 in the summer, and offers comprehensive healthcare services including behavioral health, medical-surgical care, orthopedics and general surgery, wound care, interventional spine and sports medicine, gastroenterology, advanced ambulatory care, diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, and physical therapy. SBELIH has achieved Primary Stroke Center designation from The Joint Commission, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality, timely stroke care close to home. The hospital also serves as a clinical campus and training site for Stony Brook Medicine, with its first SBELIH Psychiatry resident graduating in 2022. To learn more, visit elih.stonybrookmedicine.edu.